AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hey, you’re off soon, right?” Freya asks.
“Um, yeah.” Technically I’m not scheduled to work tonight because we’ll be closing the doors early.Mountain Prime, the steakhouse Kinley’s fiancé took over just last month, is catering at the brewery tonight to help promote their grand reopening. Grandma Rose, along with several other businesses, decided to close early so people would be inclined to go to the event.
“Why don’t we go to the brewery? See what all the hype’s about? I heard they’re introducing some new brew or something. Plus, I never turn down a free steak.”
“That sounds…fun.”
Freya levels me with one look. “You’ve been working your ass off, Aurora. You deserve a break.”
“She’s right,” Grandma Rose chimes in, coming up behind us. “I’m taking the night off. You should too. In fact, I’m insisting.”
“But—”
“The books are all caught up, the kitchen is stocked and prepped for tomorrow, and Theron will finish up the dishes and mopping. Kid loves to work.”
I bite my lip, trying to hide the pride in my smile. I was the one who convinced the high school kid to work at the diner. I had a feeling he’d be a good fit. Turns out, he’s one of the hardest workers we have. Never met anyone who was so enthusiastic about washing dishes.
“You’re sure it’s okay if I leave now?”
“Idohave something I’d like to talk to you about before you go, but it won’t take long,” Grandma Rose says to me, her tone and expression unreadable. I’m not sure if she’s happy with me or I’m in trouble. Did she finally hear about the arrest? I should probably come clean before that comes out to bite me in the ass. Once I have a court date, I’ll tell her. “Then you can run home and shower off all the scrambled eggs you’re wearing.”
“Still?” For once, I’m not wearing food because I tripped or spilled a plate on Garrett Bradley. No, the scrambled eggs are courtesy of a four-year-old throwing a tantrum.
Freya reaches a hand to my hair and pulls a chunk free.
“Were you even going to tell me I still had eggs in my hair?”
“Eventually.” Freya chucks the chunk of egg in a bus bin behind the counter. “I’ll pick you up in an hour?”
“Okay.” I comb my fingers through my ponytail, hoping to shake loose any remaining pieces of egg. Grandma Rose appears amused, allowing me to release the tension I’ve been holding for days. I almost tell her about the cooking lesson whereIlearned how to make scrambled eggs.
Almost.
I follow her to the office in back.
“Did you need to talk to me about the schedule? I double checked—”
“The schedule looks fine, dear.” She smiles, but it feels forced. Or am I imagining that? Why is my heart pounding? Oh yeah. Because this woman possesses the power to encourage or crush my dreams right in the palm of her hands. So many times I’ve come close to telling her that I want to take over the diner. Close to asking her to take me under her wing and show me the ropes.
Each time, fear has managed to close my throat before the words even form.
I brace for bad news.
“I’d like you to put in the grocery order for next week.”
“Really?” The word comes out in a squeak because I’m shocked. Grandma Rose has never let Willow or Kinley take on this task, and I’ve heard them offer. Even while Grandma Rose was on the cruise, she took care of the grocery order. None of us have figured out exactly how she managed that little miracle, but it’s taken on something of a mythic sacredness. Am I dreaming? “You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. Del and I have some special plans on Sunday, you see. We’ll be heading out of town tonight.” Del, the former bookkeeper, and my Grandma apparently had a secret romance brewing when my sisters and I first returned to Caribou Creek at the beginning of the summer. The two took a world cruise together and are still the talk of the bridge club—or poker club, depending on who you ask. “You’d be doing me a favor.”
“Okay.”
Grandma Rose pulls a binder from a shelf above the computer. I’ve more than peeked at that navy blue binder. I’ve memorized its contents. I could phone in the order without having to crack it open.
“I’ll need a couple extra ingredients for our special next week, but I’ll leave a sticky note for you. Just call it in Sunday soThree Bearscan deliver it Monday.”Three Bears Groceryservices all the small mountain towns in the area. I’ve often listened to Grandma Rose make the call. I’vedreamedof this opportunity.
“I’ll take care of it.” I’m so giddy I could hug Grandma Rose. But I hug my arms around my chest instead, trying to keep her from figuring out just how much this means to me.All in due time. If I prove myself worthy. No.I glance at the binder one more time.WhenI’ve proven myself.
“Great.” Grandma Rose slides the binder back in its home, and I think that’s the end of it. But before I can make my escape, she adds, “Is there something you want to tell me before you head out?”
