AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His phone chimed and he pulled it out and texted something. He waited for a response without lifting his eyes from the screen. After fifteen seconds it beeped, and his fingers worked their magic again. For the next three minutes, it was as if she didn’t exist. His entire being was focused on the device in his hand. Finally, he slid it into his pocket.
He looked up at her and smiled enigmatically. “We’re all good then?”
“We’re good.”
He sauntered out of the kitchen leaving her certain the battle between them was far from over. She sagged against the counter with a heavy sigh. How could all this upheaval start because she was afraid of cats?
“Oh my gosh! I slapped my boss’s brother!” She was incredibly lucky Derrick hadn’t misunderstood and fired her. When Zander came out of the bathroom, the handprint on his face was still bright red. There was no way his family was going to miss it. She had better start looking for a new job.
Wait. Derrick hadn’t fired her!
Yet.
She could still wow him with dinner. She doubled her speed and cut the rest of the chicken. She put it under a cover and went to clear the appetizer plates. The family was bickering good-naturedly when she entered the dining room. Derrick and Zander kept the conversation going while she picked up the dishes. She appreciated that they weren’t letting anyone mention the mark on Zander’s face, though his mother gave Heather a knowing look.
“Heather, can I help serve?” Ella asked. “Please.”
The question surprised her. “Well, you did help cook, so if it’s okay with your father, I don’t mind.”
“Go ahead.” Jacob seemed happy that Ella was interested. Heather had overheard more than one conversation which revealed he was having trouble raising a teen alone. Lexi’s addition to their small family was helping them forge a better relationship, but at times they still struggled.
Ella followed her back to the kitchen. “This is what we need to do.” She explained the process, and Ella helped her finish plating the food.
“Did you slap my uncle?” she blurted, sounding awed.
“He behaved inappropriately. I slapped him for it.” She paused, not sure how to make a youth understand. “Violence is never the answer, but I won’t let a man kiss me without asking. I need to apologize for striking him. He shouldn’t have kissed me. I shouldn’t have slapped him. We both messed up.” She slammed her mouth shut before she muddled the situation even more.
“He kissed you! He must really like you,” Ella blurted. “Daddy says he doesn’t date anyone. Ever. It’s because he’s too wrapped up in other people’s lives and pets,” she added, clearly parroting her father. “I think Gramma tries to get him to go on dates, but he doesn’t want to. Maybe that’s why he kissed you.”
The convoluted logic escaped her, so Heather changed topics. “Okay, grab two plates and follow me. We serve from the right side. You start with your grandma, then Lexi and your dad. I’ll start on the other side of the table, and we’ll work our way around.” Ella understood the discussion was over and eagerly carried the plates out.
“Tonight’s dinner is crispy chicken served with a white wine mushroom sauce, a medley of fresh seasonal vegetables from the farmer’s market, and lemon herbed rice.” She set the first plate in front of Derrick.
She took both serving trays into the kitchen, fretting about the meal, the kiss, and mostly about the slap. She refused to allow herself to think about how she wasn’t nearly as upset about the kiss as she should be.
“What’s wrong with you?” she muttered under her breath as she prepped the individual strawberry shortcakes for dessert. “The last man you dated ruined your life. Dating the boss’s brother is a recipe for disaster. It doesn’t matter that he’s handsome or that his kiss scalded you down to your toes.”
Ruthlessly, she shoved the thoughts aside and went to clear dinner plates. This meal was a test. If it went well and they opened for dinner service, there would be staff to serve and clear, and she’d be free to follow her passion to cook and manage the kitchen. She nearly giggled in excitement as she entered the dining room.
“That was amazing,” Lexi declared.
“It sure was,” Mrs. Bellamie said. She’d met the middle-aged woman at the open house, but for the life of her could not remember her first name. “The vegetable medley was the perfect accompaniment for the chicken and rice. You’re a talented cook. You’ll make someone a fabulous wife.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.” She wasn’t used to dealing directly with diners, so she ignored the fabulous wife comment and cleared the dishes in silence. She was arranging the smaller desert dishes on a tray when Ella skittered into the kitchen.
“Dad says I can help serve dessert, if you don’t mind.” She twisted her hands together and bounced on her toes though she was obviously trying to stay still.
“I don’t see why not. Do you like working in the kitchen?”
“I like cooking, but Dad doesn’t usually let me. Lexi lets me help sometimes. I like art too. Lexi lets me use her paints.” The teen shrugged with a seeming lack of concern, but Heather knew these small things were more important than she let on.
“Perhaps, over the summer, I can teach you a few things in the kitchen. Let me discuss it with your father. No guarantees, but I’ll come up with a plan and see if he goes for it.”
“Okay.” Again, fake nonchalance hid the excitement in Ella’s eyes.
“My grandmother taught me to cook. What started as a fun way to spend time with her turned into a career.” She was happy to share her skills with Ella.
“Shall we serve?” They picked up their trays. “Same plan as before. Remember to keep the tray balanced as you remove plates. Don’t take them all from the same side or it will tip. Watch the berry juice and topping doesn’t drip on anyone.”
