AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ronan held up a hand and stopped him. “Hey, Chris. I’d like you to meet Tessa. I bragged about the food here. I hope you won’t let me down.”
Seeing Tessa for the first time, he bowed. “My apologies. I put my passion ahead of my profession. That was terribly crass, Tessa. I’m Chris.”
She grinned at him. “If the food is as good as these two promised, you’ll be forgiven.”
“Since Clutch has but limited taste buds, though Jett’s are a bit more developed, I assure you it will be better than that.” With that, he led them to a table. They were the only diners in the place. As they sat, Ronan looked at the eager look on his friend’s face and laughed. “Okay, Chris. Bring the bike by the shop, and I’ll take look at it.”
“Thank you. But it doesn’t run at all. It’s been—”
“Don’t confuse me with what you think is wrong with it. You’re a great cook but a total loss when it comes to mechanics. And please remember that I did tell you not to get that bike. I told you an American bike or a Japanese bike would be better than that Limey piece of garbage.”
“Yes, but I could afford it.” His face lit up. “And when she runs…”
“Which is not very often, and that’s exactly the problem. You’re spending more on keeping it running than seems right.”
He winced. “True. And tips have been poor lately.”
“Then I’ll offer you a deal you can’t afford to refuse. If you can manage to shut up about your damn faltering Limey bike for tonight and dazzle us with your amazing service, I won’t charge you for the labor to get you back on the road. I can use it to show Kayla how a bike should never be made.”
His eyes lit up. “You’ll have Kayla do it? Excellent!”
“I’ll even toss in a paintjob that will be so much like the original only the most knowledgeable collector can tell the difference,” said Jett.
Chris’s eyes gleamed. “That’s a deal. For Kayla’s services and your paint, you’ll get the best meal ever.”
Ronan grinned at Tessa, seemingly unbothered by the man’s preference for his niece’s work. “Her reputation is spreading.” He nodded at Chris. “Tessa is Kayla’s teacher.”
“Delighted.” Then his face fell. “But how will I get it there? It won’t start.”
“If the meal is any good, we’ll send one of the guys up with the crash truck on Monday,” said Jett.
Chris grinned. “You’re a pal.”
“Call me a sucker. Now go into your act.” Jett looked at Tessa. “Chris is a one-man show as well as cook.”
Then, to Tessa’s delight, the man straightened up, took a breath, and transformed himself into a perfect, almost snobby waiter, suggesting various dishes.
“How about the seafood?” Ronan asked.
“The filet mignon,” he said firmly.
“What about boiled lobster?” asked Jett with a teasing grin.
Chris sniffed at him. “You don’t have the palate to appreciate the creature’s sacrifice. Stick with the beef.”
Jett laughed as Tessa glanced at Ronan, who said, “Chris knows his stuff.”
She smiled. “Then why don’t you bring us what you think we’ll enjoy?”
Chris beamed. “Perfect.”
“I’d like a glass of wine… something to go with whatever I’m eating.”
Chris looked at Ronan. “Iced tea for me, Chris. An ex-con driving with any alcohol on his breath is just looking to be rousted.”
“I’ll have wine with Tessa,” said Jett before Chris had to ask him.
Chris brought the drinks and then disappeared into the kitchen. Tessa realized the truth that Ronan would see people, the world, and things like law and order from an entirely different perspective than she did. Just as Harvey Taylor had his own world. She smiled at him. “Is that true, that the cops are harder on you than other people?”
