AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, dear, you’ve explained all that to us, and we love the concept and were just waiting for you to go ahead with it.”
“Really?” These women were always amazing her. To have such faith in her was humbling. “I have done up some budgets and prospective costings that I need someone to look over—”
“Ted’s your man for that,” Aunt Marla said as Aunt Sarah went to answer the phone. “How long were you sitting on this idea before you told us?”
“Since I saw the sign in the window,” Mandy admitted.She wasn’t showing Ted.
She should have just stayed a virgin, then she would have had none of these feelings inside her. None of the fluttering when she thought about him and that day in his gym.
She didn’t want him to know that she thought about him constantly like some silly girl who had found her first love. Not that she loved Ted, it was simply a figure of speech.
Shut up!
“It will be more work, and we may just have to hire someone to help us, but I have to admit, it is exciting,” Aunt Marla said.
“Really?” Mandy asked.
“Really. And now I need to get this leg checked so I can get the boot off and start moving again. Well done, darling, I’m very proud of you.”
Mandy was kind of proud of herself too.
“That was Lenny from the lodge. They have five down tonight, and two of them are in the kitchen. He’s ringing around desperately trying to find help,” Aunt Sarah said. “They’re full, and the dinner rush is approaching.”
“Oh, poor Ted,” Aunt Marla said.
“I told Lenny I’d see if you had any time to spare, Mandy.”
“Me?”
“You. You’re good with food, even if you don’t have a fancy certificate.”
You’re strong in here.
She did owe Ted in so many ways. Perhaps this could in a small way help to repay that debt. But could she seem him again and act natural?But you have to see him some time.
All these emotions were exhausting.
“All right. I’ll go over after I’ve closed up and see what I can do.”
“Excellent.” Her aunts both looked far too happy with her reply.
She finished the cleanup, then got into her car and drove to the lodge. The day was still warm, even as the sun lowered in the sky.
Parking in a staff space, she let herself in the kitchens through the side door.
“Hi, Kirby.”
The usually immaculate and calm chef looked anything but. Her face was flushed, eyes tight, and the strangest thing of all was that she only had one other person with her in the kitchen. This place usually had four staff on for the evening shift.
“Mandy. Go on to the gardens, I can’t stop now, we’re shorthanded.”
“I know, that’s why I’m here. Can I help in any way? Lenny put out an SOS call.”
“Oh Lord, I would be grateful! Grab an apron from there and get all that hair out of the way.”
Mandy did as she was asked, braiding her hair and then pulling on the apron, large and blue-and-white striped. Soon she was washing and cutting vegetables, enjoying the buzz of working in a large kitchen.
This was another thing she’d missed out on, casual work while she studied or found her way in the world. She’d just stayed tucked under her aunts’ wing.
