by Lisa Jordan
Tori stuck a marshmallow on her fork and sat on her haunches next to Bella. “What’s it like working at a place like the Briarwood? It must be exciting to make meals for all of the famous people who come through there.”
“It’s an upscale vacation resort near the Adirondack Mountains in New York. I didn’t see them, since I spent most of my time in the kitchen, but the servers used to tell us stories.” She sandwiched Livie’s marshmallow between two graham crackers and pulled it off the fork.
“How long have you worked for them?”
Bella’s cheeks reddened as she rubbed sugary residue off her fingers. “Actually, I don’t work there anymore.”
“Oh, Bella.” Tori rested a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry for being nosy.”
“Don’t be. I got blamed for something I didn’t do and lost my job, which is why I came back home.”
“And the silver lining was you found your dad on the diner floor. If you hadn’t lost your job and come home, only God knows what could have happened to Joe.”
Bella returned to her chair, slipped the hood of her sweatshirt on her head and burrowed deeper into the hoodie as if she were trying to become invisible. The pinched lines around her mouth and the disappearing spark in her eyes made him think there was something more than what she was saying. Not that she had to share anything with any of them, but the last thing he wanted was for his family to make her feel uncomfortable. Especially since he hoped she’d be around a lot more.
Tucker touched Bella’s shoulder. “Hey, wanna go for a walk?”
She nodded.
He looked at his dad and jerked his head toward Livie and Landon sharing a chair and happily eating s’mores. “Pops, mind keeping an eye on the hooligans for a few minutes?”
“Nope, we’ve got them.”
Bella shoved her hands in the pockets of her borrowed hoodie. “Tucker, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“First, I’m sorry if Tori made you uncomfortable.”
She shook her head. “No, not at all. She was simply curious. But that’s kind of what I want to talk to you about. I’ve never really said why I came back home, and you haven’t asked.”
“I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.”
She raked her fingers through her hair. “Here’s the thing—I got fired because of a cross-contamination issue. I made desserts for a wedding and one of the bridesmaids was hospitalized for reacting to peanuts, but I know the pastry kitchen was spotless when I started baking. I knew one of the bridesmaids was allergic to peanuts and made special effort to ensure there were no peanuts in the area. I ended up losing my job. After I left, they learned one of the new busboys had spilled peanut flour and tried to clean it up without anyone suspecting anything. Some peanut dust managed to get on tarts I had made and the bridesmaid had eaten. I’m allergic to shellfish, so I’m always very careful.”
“Wow, Bella. That really stinks. You couldn’t fight for your job back?”
“After the humiliation of losing my job and walking out in front of the kitchen staff, I just couldn’t go back. Then I came home and found out what’s going on with Dad and the diner, so I’ve been here.”
“Would it be horrible of me to say I’m glad you got fired?”
“Why would you be happy about that? I loved my job.”
He threaded his fingers through hers. “Because it brought you home—and back into my life.”
Chapter Nine
If Isabella could take a mental picture and frame it, she’d title it The Essence of Family, because helping Tucker rake leaves for Olivia and Landon to jump on was one of those memories that deserved to be captured and savored time and time again.
The twins had come up to her after church and asked her to join them for lunch. A quick look at Tucker showed his approval, so Isabella hurried home to change, then arrived at their house to eat sloppy joes before heading outside.
And it was worth it to hear the twins’ laughter and to see them playing so well together.
White-gold sunshine streamed through the blackish-gray branches of the sturdy maple tree in the front yard and spotlighted the twins jumping in the piles of purple, citrus and scarlet leaves Tucker had been raking for the past hour.
Even Meno wanted in on the action, digging his nose in the pile and following Livie and Landon as they took turns jumping.
Tucker leaned on his rake and watched the activity. “Maybe if they jump long enough, they’ll wear themselves out and want naps. Then I can get some studying done before I need to leave for work.”
“Want me to take them for a bit so you can study?”
“Nah, that’s not necessary. I’m sure you have a bunch of stuff to do for tomorrow. Besides, Willow is keeping them tonight.”
Maybe she should have come up with an excuse to say no to lunch. The more time she spent with the Hollands, the more she wanted to be a part of their family, and that wasn’t going to happen.
She’d have to put some distance between them eventually, so it was probably a good idea Willow was going to be caring for them.
“Bury me, Livie.” Landon fell back into the leaf pile and flung out his arms.
Olivia scooped up armfuls of leaves and showered them over him. Instead of burying him, she dropped beside him and moved her arms and legs. “Look, Daddy. Look, Izzie. I’m making a leaf angel.”
“And a beautiful one at that.” Isabella pulled out her phone and snapped a few pictures of the twins and Tucker.
“Daddy, what’s that?”
Tucker followed the direction of Livie’s finger.
A small black-and-white animal ran into the cut cornfield across the road, then suddenly, it went down with a yelp.
“You two stay here.” Tucker dropped the rake in the grass, then hurried across the road. He crouched at the edge of the field.
Isabella crouched beside him and pressed a hand against his back. “What do you see?”
“I think it’s a dog. Maybe it’s lost. Or maybe it was dropped off and abandoned by its owner.”
“That makes me so sad.”
“It’s not uncommon. We’ve seen it countless times living up here on the hill.”
At the sound of their voices, the animal lifted its head, showing a black face with a white muzzle, neck and eyebrows. With its ears pinned back, the dog looked at them with wide, sad eyes.
“Would you go into the house and get some of Meno’s food and some water? Maybe we can get the dog to come closer. I’m going to give Willow a call and see what we should do.”
“Willow? Why?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? She’s a licensed vet.” He reached for his phone at the same time as the dog took a step closer. Tucker held out his hand.
“Be careful. We don’t know where it came from or if it has rabies.”
His lips curled up. “I’ve been handling animals since I was Landon’s age.”
“Right.” She pushed to her feet and jogged back across the road. She guided Livie and Landon to give her a hand in the house with getting some food and water.
A few minutes later, they stayed in the yard while she took the bowls to Tucker, then shrugged off her hoodie and handed it to him. “Maybe you can wrap it in this.”
He smiled his thanks. Still crouched, he edged closer to the dog, talking to it in a soothing voice.
The dog lifted its head and sniffed. It moved closer to the bowl.
Tucker moved a little closer but stopped when the hair on the back of the dog’s neck rose. He pushed the bowl closer to the dog, then waited.
The dog eyed them, then sniffed at the bowl. It tested the contents with its tongue, then put its nose in the bowl and devoured the food.
“I don’t see a collar or any identification tags, but with the laceration across the dog’s nose and its dirty, matted hair, it’s most like
ly a stray. I’m suspecting with its protruding belly, this dog could be pregnant.”
“What do you want to do?”
“Get her in the house and give her a quick exam. I tried to call Willow, but she didn’t answer. I left a voice mail. She has access to a microchip scanner in her office, so she can help us identify the owner if the dog is chipped.” Tucker held out his hand, and the animal crept closer to investigate.
They took turns talking to the animal in soothing voices. When it moved close enough for Tucker to touch, he patted the dog’s shoulder.
The dog trembled, and Tucker pulled his hand away. “You’re scared, aren’t you?”
Finally, the dog allowed Tucker to pick her up and wrap her in Isabella’s hoodie. “Hey, would you mind carrying her into the house while I grab the rakes and my medical bag from the car?”
Tucker transferred the animal into Isabella’s arms. The dog whimpered, and Isabella talked to her as they crossed the road.
Tucker retrieved the rakes and carried them into the garage, then retrieved his medical bag. Isabella followed Livie, Landon and Meno into the kitchen. “Where do you want me to put her?”
He nodded to the counter. “Set her up here so I can get a good look.”
“Daddy, can we see the doggie?” Livie danced around in excited circles.
“No, baby, this doggie is scared. I want you and Lando to keep your distance for now.”
“But we won’t hurt it.”
He rested a hand on her head and smiled at her. “I know you won’t, but the doggie doesn’t know that and could hurt you without meaning to. You can watch me check her over, but no touching. Got it?”
They nodded and hurried to the dining room table to grab chairs.
Feeling the dog’s trembling increasing, Isabella cradled it closer to her chest. Tucker helped the twins move chairs to the counter and stood between them to examine the dog while Isabella held on to her.
Tucker touched the dog’s abdomen gently. “I’m guessing this dog’s going to be a mama within the next month or so. She’ll need an ultrasound to be sure, but in all the years we’ve had dogs, her size suggests she’s more than halfway through her pregnancy. Let’s get her bathed and warm. Then she can rest.” He left the kitchen then returned with a bottle of baby shampoo.
“What will you do with a litter of puppies?”
“There’s no way I can keep them. I can barely handle Livie and Landon. To add puppies to the mix would be a recipe for disaster.” Tucker ran warm water into the sink and laid another towel on the bottom. “Zoe Sullivan, who runs Canine Companions, takes in rescue dogs. Let’s try to find her owner first. If no one claims her, then we’ll get in touch with Zoe about helping us to find her a forever home.”
The way Tucker kept using the plural, like they were partners in this venture, filled Isabella with an emotion she couldn’t quite name.
“Daddy, can we watch a show?”
He glanced at the clock above the kitchen sink and herded them off the chairs, returning them to the table. “One show, then we’ll talk about dinner.”
They followed Tucker into the living room. A moment later, laughter sounded from the TV.
After rinsing the shampoo out of the dog’s coat, Isabella sat on the kitchen floor, wrapped her in a towel and rubbed her dry. The dog curled up in Isabella’s lap and sighed.
She totally understood that sigh, that need to find a place of safety, of belonging.
“You two look content.” Tucker sat next to her and wrapped his arms around knees drawn to his chest.
“I know you’re right—neither of us can handle a litter of puppies—but this dog needs someone to love her, someone to help her heal and feel whole again, someone to watch over her as her pregnancy progresses.”
“What are you thinking?”
“If an owner doesn’t claim her, I’d like to take her. Maybe for Dad. He has such a gentle spirit despite his recent gruffness, and I think Dory could be a great support dog for him. He could get exercise by walking her and have company in the evenings after the diner closes.”
“Dory, huh?”
She shrugged. “Well, you have a Meno. Dory just seemed to fit. I don’t know. I just think she was sent to us for a reason. I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but if Willow can get her checked and see about an owner, then I can help with expenses and care for her, since it doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere soon.”
He looked at her, his blue eyes softening. “I’m liking the sound of that.” He leaned over and brushed a kiss across her lips. “You have a tender heart, Bella.”
She could get used to kissing Tucker. But then that would lead her to wanting more than what either of them was ready to offer. Staying friends kept her safe from heartache.
* * *
Isabella wasn’t a quitter and she wasn’t about to start now, but if she continued at this rapid pace, she’d be toast by lunch.
She’d keep it together and prove she could handle whatever was tossed her way. And if this morning was anything to go by, they had nothing to lose. Their breakfast rush packed the place with a line out the door.
Isabella scanned the wheel for the new tickets Kathy and Dana had added. “Okay, we have two strawberry crepes, a spinach and mushroom omelet, and two eggs over easy.”
“Spinach and mushroom? Since when is that on the menu?” George, who’d been cooking at the diner since Isabella was a child, scowled at her.
“Since we updated the menus to offer some healthier options.”
The older man with grizzled hair and a thin build scowled and waved a spatula. “What was wrong with the old menu? Too many changes will drive away the customers. Mark my words.”
“George, I love you like an uncle, but you need to trust me.”
“And you gotta trust me. I’ve been cooking in this diner for twenty years. I know what the people want.”
“According to the reviews I’ve been reading online, some people want more than greasy burgers and onion rings.”
“Then they can get that someplace else.”
“That kind of attitude is why the business is failing. If we don’t change, people will find other places to eat. Then what?”
“Why do you care?”
“This is my dad’s diner. I don’t want to see it close.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have waited so long to come back home.” He untied his apron and tossed it on the food service counter. “Since you seem to know more than me, I’m done. Handle it yourself, young lady.”
George’s words knifed her, flaying her open. The rear door opened and slammed shut.
With her face the same temp as the flat top, she bit down on the words clawing to be free and ladled her homemade crepe batter into a heated skillet. She cracked two eggs into a metal bowl, beat them with a little more force than necessary and poured them onto the sizzling flat top. She added a handful of chopped spinach and sliced mushrooms, then folded it in half.
She flipped the crepe in the pan, then turned it over on a plate. After adding a spoonful of sliced strawberries, a dusting of powdered sugar and a spray of whipped cream, she set the plate on the pass bar. A couple of seconds later, the omelet joined the order. She rang the bell, alerting Kathy and Dana to their orders, then scanned the new tickets.
How did Dad handle this six days a week for the past twenty-five years? She’d worked in fast-paced kitchens for years, but always with a team. None of this solo business. No wonder he was worn out.
She pulled in a deep breath and focused on the ticket Kathy pinned to the wheel. “This one’s for Bernie at the counter.”
“Who’s Bernie?”
“Retired schoolteacher who comes in the same time every day, orders the same breakfast and sits in the same spot.”
Isabella skimmed the ticket. Two eggs, two sausage link
s, whole wheat toast.
Easy enough.
She had the breakfast prepared and placed on the pass bar in less than five minutes.
Kathy returned a moment later and set the plate on the pass bar. “You forgot his chicken broth.”
“Chicken broth? For what? I didn’t see that on the ticket.”
“Joe’s put a spoon of chicken broth over Bernie’s eggs every day for the last ten years. It’s such a habit that I don’t think about it.”
Isabella’s eyes whizzed across her station as she searched for the chicken broth. She finally found some in the reach-in, opened it and heated it in order to spoon some over Bernie’s eggs.
Kathy smiled her thanks and took the eggs away.
For the next hour, Isabella hustled getting orders out in a timely manner. Soon breakfast service would end, then the lunch crowd would descend, wanting their meals quickly so they could get back to work.
She reached above the flat top for a plate, but her fingers touched a bare shelf.
She’d been so busy manning the orders that she hadn’t noticed the sounds from the dishwashing station—or lack thereof.
“Dana, who’s our dishwasher?”
Her head bent, she shrugged. “Don’t know. Louis quit. Not sure who Joe hired to replace him.”
“Quit? When?”
“Just before your dad ended up in the hospital. They had a blowup in the kitchen, and he walked out. Joe said he was going to hire someone new.”
One more thing he’d neglected to tell her. Was he trying to fail on purpose?
Isabella scanned the tickets, then eyed the growing pile of bus pans. She hurried over to the station, scraped plates and racked them in a tray to push through the dishwasher.
She rushed back to the grill and worked through the tickets, alternating getting plates out and catching up the dish area.
The back door to the kitchen opened, bringing in a rush of traffic sounds.
Isabella glanced over her shoulder to find Tucker carrying a beautiful bouquet of autumn-colored flowers.