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He pushed through a set of heavy, metal double doors, and immediately she was swamped by sights, sounds, and smells so delicious she had to pause to take it all in.
Shane grasped her by the elbow, successfully putting a stop to her wandering eye. He led her toward the back of the kitchen, where there appeared to be an office for whoever was the manager of the kitchen. He gestured toward a chair, then stood in the doorway that led back to the busy kitchen. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he looked more like one of those military guys in front of the European palace.
Eloise took the seat he’d pointed out but couldn’t get comfortable. It wasn’t that the chair was plastic; it was more the situation she’d found herself in. If she wanted to slip out and go back into the main part of the restaurant, she wasn’t quite sure Shane would allow it.
She cleared her throat, but he didn’t face her. “Shane—Mr. Owens?”
He glanced over his shoulder toward her.
“Is there something we’re waiting for?”
Shane nodded. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m a little distracted tonight.”
She offered an understanding smile. “That’s to be expected, right? With everything that’s going on?”
His dark gaze didn’t change. In fact, he stared at her like she knew something she wasn’t supposed to. Eloise tore her gaze away from him. Either he was having a terrible night, or he didn’t like her all that much.
Shane heaved a sigh. “We’re waiting for my head chef. He needs to know what you’re capable of before he assigns you to start cooking. The last thing I need is for you to get burned or chop off a finger.”
Her eyes flitted up to meet his, but she found he had turned away from her again. “With all due respect, I’ve been in a kitchen most of my life. I think I can handle not getting hurt for one night.”
He shifted his weight but didn’t face her. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to cover my bases. There’s already too many things going—” He cut himself off and peeked at her again. “By the way, I couldn’t retrieve your phone. Are you sure my cousin borrowed it?”
Eloise frowned. “I suppose it might have dropped between the seats. I’ll double-check after everything gets settled here.”
His grim expression only made her feel more self-conscious. It was like he expected her to apologize for something she had no idea she’d done wrong. Before she could ask him if she had in fact done something to offend him, the man they must have been waiting for hustled into the kitchen. “Mr. Owens. What do you need, sir? As you can tell, we’re already incredibly busy and we’re short—” His gaze swept over Eloise, then he froze.
“That’s why I’m here,” Shane said. “Eloise has some experience in the kitchen. She’s going to help out this evening until we can find a replacement for Penelope.”
Eloise’s eyes darted from the cook to Shane and back. She couldn’t tell if the chef was pleased or upset by this executive decision.
The man stepped toward her, and she scrambled to her feet. He held out his hand. “I’m Chef Gabriel. Can you tell me more about the experience you have with cooking?”
She glanced at Shane to find him slipping from the office area. Holding up a finger, she gave him an apologetic smile. “One moment, please.” Eloise tossed her jacket on the chair where she’d been sitting, hoping that was enough to let the chef know she’d be returning to the room in a minute. Then she darted out of the office, following Shane as he wove between those working in his restaurant. She would have called out to him, but her voice stuck in her throat. Instead, she placed her hand on his shoulder.
Shane spun around to face her. His eyes raked up and down her body briefly before he tilted his head toward the office. “Did Chef Gabriel say something?”
“What? No. We haven’t had enough time to say anything. But you’re just going to leave like that?”
He stared at her with confusion. “Was there more to discuss?”
“Of course there is. I can’t just start working for you without being officially hired. I haven’t agreed to terms. What if something were to happen to me? Would I be covered by your insurance? And there’s the matter of pay.”
Shane appraised her, and a sense of intrigue and maybe some amusement flickered in his eyes. “You think I would let you work here if I thought there was any concern with liability?”
She stilled. He made an excellent point. Since the moment he’d arrived in Copper Creek, he had made a name for himself. He’d managed to buy one of the largest properties on the outskirts of the town and turn it into a thriving business that catered not only to the locals but brought in people from out of state.
Somehow, Shane had even managed to impress those who lived in this small town, and he had made several friends which was no small feat. Only a smart man could do that.
As much as she fought it, Eloise couldn’t stop the blush that crept up the back of her neck. She looked away, squirming under his stare. “I’m happy to help. But I’m not going to just go along without covering my bases first.”
“How does one hundred sound?”
Her eyes flitted up to meet his. It was six now. If she worked until midnight, that was a little over fifteen an hour—not bad for kitchen help. She nodded. “I can do a hundred for the night, but if you’re going to want me to continue helping out—”
“That’s an hour, Miss Callahan.”
She nearly choked, and her head had to catch up with what he’d said before she could bring herself to utter one stammered word. “What?”
