AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jenna laughed. “The Heir Apparent got a job at a big gaming company in Silicon Valley instead of becoming a mechanic like Dad wanted.”
The Heir Apparent was Tony Jr., Evie’s younger brother. “At least Evie got what she wanted, and Junior is probably happier where he is,” Summer said.
“So, I heard you own your restaurant now,” Jenna said. “In San Francisco. But you’re helping out at The Yummy Cowboy Diner?”
Summer nodded. She was tempted to confide in her old friend about what was happening with SummerTime. But she couldn’t risk it. In Snowberry Springs, everyone knew everyone else’s business.
Jenna immediately confirmed this by asking, “And what’s the deal with Kenny Stinson? He’s been telling everyone that you convinced Brock to fire him out of the blue.”
“Oh, jeez,really?” Summer shook her head. “I had nothing to do with it. Kenny quit a few days before I started working at The Yummy Cowboy Diner. Then he changed his mind and asked for his job back, but Brock said no, because Kenny really messed up the inventory and the bookkeeping.”
“Brock, huh?” A dimple appeared in Jenna’s smooth brown cheek. “What’s the deal with you two? Why are you helping him? He was always horrible to you in high school, and I heard that you guys fight a lot when you’re working at the diner.”
Thanks, Marlene, Summer thought wryly.
“It’s a favor to Grandma Abigail,” she explained. “She asked me to partner with Brock for the next three months to give The Yummy Cowboy Diner a makeover in advance of the LVR service starting up next summer. Which is actually why I dropped by. We’re starting a dinner service with a new menu. Would you be interested in creating some exclusive, high-end desserts for us?”
Jenna’s face lit up. “OfcourseI’m interested, silly! What did you have in mind?”
“A separate dessert menu, with items that change from week to week. Maybe a couple of evergreen classics, like a crème brûlée or cheesecake, definitely a chocolate cake or torte of some kind, and then two seasonal items using locally-sourced ingredients.”
“I’d love to do this!” Jenna said enthusiastically. “What’s the timeline? And how many portions will you need?”
“That’s the catch,” Summer said. “How about tomorrow evening? We’re doing a trial dinner service tomorrow night, and I’d really like to test the dessert menu concept if you can provide us three unique items on such short notice.”
Jenna nodded, and Summer went on. “I’m estimating that we can turn the tables at least twice during dinner service, so, say about a hundred desserts total? Brock’s agreed to make fifty strawberry shortcakes in addition to the hundred desserts you provide.”
Jenna’s dimple reappeared. “Oh, I’ve heard all about the contest! I hope you win, Summer… someone needs to put Brock in his place.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” Summer tried to hide her smirk with a hasty sip of her latte.
“All right, for tomorrow, how does huckleberry cheesecake and my double-chocolate brownies with salted caramel topping sound?” asked Jenna. “I also make ice cream here… I could include a three-gallon tub of my vanilla bean ice cream, which proves about ninety-six half-cup portions. Your third dessert could be a hot fudge sundae or cherry sundae. I’ll provide the hot fudge, chopped nuts, and a gallon of my own Flathead Lake cherries in spiced syrup.”
“That all sounds great! And if tomorrow’s dinner service goes as well as I hope, let’s talk about setting up a contract for all of The Yummy Cowboy Diner’s desserts.”
“I’d be willing to offer you a ten percent discount if you and Brock give me credit on your menu,” Jenna said.
“We can do that,” Summer said without hesitating. “Then we have a deal?”
Jenna nodded. “I’ll deliver the cheesecake, brownies, and ice cream with fixings by four p.m. tomorrow,” she promised.
“Oh, there was one more thing,” Summer said. “Do you mind if we borrow Vince to work as our barista tomorrow night? My coffee distributor is delivering a new espresso machine first thing in the morning.”
“Let’s ask him.”
After hashing out the remaining details, including the price for the desserts and Vince’s pay and working hours tomorrow, Summer left Jenna’s Java a half-hour later. She felt great about what she’d accomplished at the bakery. Plus, it was wonderful to see her old friend running her own business and thriving.
As she crossed back through the town square, Summer realized that she’d missed the connections and the ability to make handshake deals because everyone in Snowberry Springs knew everyone else. People here trusted each other in a way that San Franciscans didn’t.
What if I stayed here instead of going home? I could sell SummerTime—what’s left of it, anyway—and keep working with Brock at The Yummy Cowboy Diner. The thought snuck in like a ninja. With it came the ghostly imprint of his mouth on hers.
She immediately dismissed it.That kiss meant nothing to him, or he would have asked me out on a date. Or at least tried to kiss me again!
Besides, Brock had made it crystal-clear that he disliked all of her ideas and hated sharing control of his diner.
He’s probably counting down the days until I leave.
And I should be, too. Relaunching SummerTime is the only thing that matters.
