Josie

by Beth Gildersleeve

  Josie was looking forward to the week ahead. She’d see if she could merge Josie Wright with Mrs. Gabriel Kane, and if she could, would she like that person and that life?

  The service door buzzed. Josie ushered in the rest of Miranda’s staff. There was no time to be nervous now. It was crunch time with too many last-minute details and not enough time to do them.

  The hostess, Mrs. Peterson, popped her head in for a quick review and final chat with Miranda. If Miranda was nervous, she didn’t show it. The hostess, however, seemed a little tense. But who could blame her when this was billed as the party of the season? Miranda had said that over two hundred invitations had been sent and most of those had RSVP’d with a yes. Josie thought it was crazy.

  Josie handed Mrs. Peterson a cup of coffee. “Thank you,” she said as she took a sip. She closed her eyes and sighed. “Is it Baileys or Kahlua? I’m never sure.”

  “Kahlua, ma’am, and it’s decaf. You seem nervous enough already,” Josie said.

  “I do this party every year, and every year I’m a wreck.”

  “Why do you do it?” Josie asked her.

  “People expect it.”

  “You don’t enjoy it?”

  “Oh, but I do. I’m just a worrier. What if someone spills their wine or coffee?”

  “Then we’ll clean it up as best we can, and you can get carpet cleaners in next week,” Josie replied.

  “What if no one likes the food?”

  “They will love the food. Miranda is an incredible chef, and she has a devoted and dedicated crew. The service will be perfect,” Josie assured the older woman.

  “What if someone has too much of a good time?”

  “Well, the bartenders should cut them off before it gets to that point, but if they don’t, then we’ll confiscate the car keys and I’ll call an Uber.”

  “What if no one has a good time?” She looked away. Suddenly, Josie understood. It didn’t matter that Mrs. Peterson lived in a gorgeous mansion on the lake and was tastefully dripping in jewels, she was just as insecure as everyone else. She just wanted to be liked.

  “Mrs. Peterson, you’ve hired the best there is. Let us take care of all the details and worries. You go enjoy your party and your guests because if people didn’t have a good time at your parties, they wouldn’t keep coming back.” Mrs. Peterson finished her coffee in one large unladylike gulp and handed the cup back to Josie.

  “Thank you. And thank you for the liquid courage. I think I will enjoy myself tonight.” She winked at Josie, swiped a cranberry crostini from the tray, and left the kitchen. Who knew? Rich people are just as insecure as the rest of us. Josie thought about that as she plated the serving trays.

  Maybe that’s why Gabe hid behind his Gabriel persona? It was easier to go forward and be the jerk everyone expected him to be than to risk showing his soft underbelly. He was afraid to be himself with his family. Josie’s heart broke for her husband. Her family might drive her crazy, but she knew she was loved just as she was. She didn’t need to pretend to be someone she wasn’t.

  If Gabe was insecure, maybe Sandra and Danielle were too, and that’s why they were such a pain. They just wanted to be liked. Food for thought, she said to herself as she refocused on the tasks at hand.

  Josie stayed in the kitchen for the first hour of the party creating more appetizers with Miranda. If she’d had her way, she would have spent the whole night in there, but the party was hopping and Miranda needed her to make the rounds. Josie picked up a tray with fried ravioli and stuffed mushrooms. “There’s some pretty handsy guys near the bar. Don’t get too close,” Kelly warned her as they passed each other in the dining room. Josie nodded her head and turned toward the fireplace section.

  Miranda had broken the room into several sections and had assigned a server to each. Kelly had been covering several areas but now that the party was in full swing, they’d each need to work their own territory. Josie went from one group to another, quietly offering the appetizers. She needed to interrupt without being an interruption.

  Her tray was almost empty and she was headed back to the kitchen for a refill when Mrs. Peterson reached out and touched her hand. “It seems everyone has tried the short rib empanadas but me,” she pouted.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’ll go get some right now. Are there any other requests?” Josie asked with a smile on her face as she turned toward Mrs. Peterson’s companions. Buckets! she thought as she came face-to-face with her new family. Aunt Sandra paled. Danielle gasped. Duncan smirked. And Gabe frowned. They all stared at her except Gabe. He stared at the drink in his hand. “No? I’ll just bring out a little bit of everything then,” Josie blurted and scurried back to the kitchen.

  11

  Of all the parties, in all the western suburbs, in all the state, why’d he walk into mine? It was a bad Casablanca reference but right now Josie felt as doomed as Rick and Ilsa. This was the important party he’d wanted her to attend with him. Josie’s hands shook as she plated the appetizers on her tray.

  Gabe hadn’t been happy to see her. And she couldn’t blame him. Image was very important to the Kane family. She should be standing by his side, not serving him finger food. She’d had such high hopes for getting their relationship back on track this weekend. Now it looked like a pipe dream.

  A piece of hair had escaped her bun and Josie tucked it behind her ear. She took a deep breath. She knew the family would be mortified if anyone recognized her. Earlier in the evening, she’d seen a few people she’d met at Gabe’s birthday party and a few board members, but she’d kept her head down and had been as invisible as possible. So far no one had noticed her. That should make the family happy, but it saddened Josie.

  This was yet another example of how she didn’t fit into his world. In Haven, no one would blink an eye if she helped cater, but in Gabe’s world the only catering Kanes did was to call one. Kanes didn’t help the help. Josie had crossed the line on acceptable behavior. Mrs. Peterson would be embarrassed if she knew the spouse of a guest was a server. I just need to blend for the rest of the night, Josie reminded herself as she went to serve the custom tray of appetizers to the hostess and Josie’s new in-laws.

  “Gabriel,” Josie heard Mrs. Peterson say as she approached the group. “I’m so sorry your wife wasn’t able to attend. I was so looking forward to meeting her.” Josie squeezed between Gabe and Aunt Sandra.

  “Unfortunately, she had a previous engagement,” Gabe said. Truth, she thought as she swallowed a nervous giggle.

  “Well, I’m sure she’s here in spirit,” Duncan said as he patted Gabe on the shoulder as if to console him. He winked at Josie as she thrust the serving platter into the group. She needed them to fill their mouths with food instead of gossip.

  When everyone had taken their fill, she excused herself and made the rounds collecting empty glasses and plates. She slipped behind the bar, hugging the outer wall of the room. Her loaded tray was heavy, and this was the most direct route back to the kitchen.

  “Hey, babe,” a man said as he grabbed her arm. The empty glasses on her tray clanged against each other. “Bring us some food. We’re starving.” Josie frowned at his hand on her arm but she kept her head down so he wouldn’t see it. She nodded and he let her go. Not even a please, she thought as she stormed into the kitchen.

  “Where’s the bar area server?” she asked Miranda as she set down her tray and surveyed the room for the missing server.

  “I sent her home,” Miranda said.

  “You did what?” Of all the stupid decisions, Josie thought.

  Miranda was at the sink washing dishes. “I heard her throwing up in the bathroom. She said she was running a fever, but she’d needed the money so she’d come to work anyway. The last thing I need is for guests to get sick from her and blame me.” Okay, not so stupid after all. “Is it going okay or do you need me out there?” Miranda asked as she turned toward Josie and wiped her hands.

  Josie leaned against the counter and studied Miranda
as she slipped a foot out of its shoe and flexed her toes. She shoved her foot back into the black pump and did the same with the other foot. Miranda had worked in the kitchen all evening. Her cheeks were red and there was a faint line of perspiration near her hairline. Her hair was a mess and there was a stain on her blouse. Not the professional caterer look Miranda would want potential clients to see.

  “I think we’re okay. Why don’t you stay here and stay on top of things?” Josie suggested as she picked up another tray of appetizers. “I’ll bring you more glasses on my way back.”

  “That’s what I love about you, Jo. You’re such a giver,” Miranda teased. “Hey, can you check the buffet and dessert tables? Someone else did it a while ago, but I’d feel better if you looked.” Josie agreed. She knew how important this job was to Miranda and her catering business. She wished her friend all the success in the world, and she wanted to make sure the evening went perfectly for her. Or at least as close to perfect as a caterer could get.

  Josie approached the pack of starving men near the bar. They each had a drink in hand, which didn’t surprise her since that had been their norm all evening. What did surprise her was their newest addition, her husband, Gabe.

  Why isn’t he with the civilized guests? She clenched her jaw. She didn’t think he’d have anything in common with these young studs. Most of them were at least ten years younger than him. She smiled blandly at the group as she interrupted their philosophical discussion on the best local ski resorts for a long-weekend getaway.

  “Ah, thanks, babe. I love a woman who can take care of her man,” Mr. Young-and-Dumb said as he pinched her butt. Josie bit the inside of her cheek to keep from yelping and noticed Gabe’s eyes narrow. She stepped forward and leaned the tray further into the group. As she did so, she ground her heel into the top of Young-and-Dumb’s foot. He didn’t take the hint.

  “Like it rough, eh?” he said. Josie could feel his hand on her back snaking its way across her waist.

  “Leave her alone,” Gabe said. His tone held disgust and a warning.

  “It’s not like that, is it, beautiful?” Young-and-Dumb asked Josie as he tugged her against him. Josie elbowed him in the ribs. “You’re feisty. I like it. Grandma promised me I’d have fun tonight and you must be it.” Josie met Gabe’s eyes and she shook her head. This wasn’t her first rodeo. She knew how to handle this dumb stud. But Gabe also shook his head. Josie stared harder at him. Gabe winked back and then stumbled forward.

  “What the hell, Kane?” Young-and-Dumb roared as he threw his arms wide and stepped back. Josie watched in horror as a dark stain spread across his white shirt. Booze and everything that had been on Gabe’s plate clung to him. Heads turned. Gabriel Kane had caused a scene. Jaws dropped. Phones whipped out. And tongues started to flap.

  “Sorry, man,” Gabe apologized as he set his now-empty tumbler on Josie’s tray and grabbed the napkin stack. He started to mop up the whiskey he’d thrown on Young-and-Dumb but all he managed to do was smear the food around. “Really, really sorry. Someone shoved me and I lost my balance.” A chunk of crab drip dropped from the young man’s suit coat onto his polished dress shoe.

  Young-and-Dumb stepped out of Gabe’s reach and glared at him. Josie saw him clench his fists. Gabe held up his hands in peace. “All my fault, man. Take it to the dry cleaners at Witz Holdings and tell them to put it on my account. They’re like stain magicians. But if they can’t, I’ll buy you new. Okay?” Gabe asked as he extended his hand. Young-and-Dumb looked down at the stain and scowled. He was mad but he shook Gabe’s hand. “Buy you a drink?” Gabe asked.

  “It’s an open bar,” Young-and-Dumb reminded him.

  “That’s right. It is.” Gabe swayed and smiled at everyone. Josie had never seen such a large, fake smile on anyone.

  Young-and-Dumb sneered. “I think you’ve had too many already.” He yelled over to the bartender, “Hey, call a ride. Gabriel Kane’s drunk.”

  “I’ll take care of it, sir,” Josie said to Young-and-Dumb as she tugged Gabe’s arm. She dragged him through the gawking crowd and into the kitchen. “Sit,” she ordered and pointed him to a stool against the wall. “I was handling it. You didn’t need to interfere.”

  “The hell I didn’t. No one is going to paw my wife in front of me,” he growled. Josie heard a gasp behind her and she turned around.

  “Mrs. Peterson, how are you doing?” Josie plastered a smile on her face. “Need another special coffee?” she asked, praying the woman hadn’t overheard her and Gabe.

  “This is your wife?” Mrs. Peterson asked as her eyebrows hit her hairline. No Botox for her then, Josie thought.

  “Is there a problem?” Miranda asked as she joined their little group.

  Gabe stood as if suddenly remembering his manners. “Susan Peterson, may I introduce my wife, Josie Wright? Josie, Susan serves on several nonprofit boards with Aunt Sandra.”

  Josie clasped both of her hands around Mrs. Peterson’s hand and shook it. “It’s nice to officially meet you.”

  “Why didn’t you introduce yourself sooner?” Mrs. Peterson accused. She sounded hurt.

  Josie shrugged her shoulders apologetically. “I just wanted you to enjoy the evening.” Don’t tell her you’re as surprised to see Gabe here as she is to find out you’re his wife, she ordered herself. Mrs. Peterson looked between her and Gabe as if sizing up the situation. She narrowed her eyes at Gabe. “You’re not drunk are you?”

  “No, Susan, I’m not.” The older woman crossed her arms in front of her and shook her head.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing, Gabriel. Your aunt’s going to blow a gasket over this and the rumors are already flying. But knowing my grandson, I’m guessing he deserved it. I’ll do what I can to squash the rumors.” She turned and looked at Josie. “I look forward to seeing you again. And what happens in the kitchen stays in the kitchen.” She winked at them and left.

  “Why didn’t you tell me? I could have found someone else,” Miranda said. She wasn’t pleased by Josie’s deception either.

  “Honestly, Mir, I didn’t know. Gabe mentioned a party, but he didn’t say which one. And even if he had, you hadn’t told me the name of this one. There was no way I could have connected the two. And you’d be lost without me, remember?” Josie teased and hip bumped her friend.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get back to work, Wright. Or should I say, Kane?”

  “If you want me to do something, it’d better be Wright. If you say, Kane, it’s a job for him.” Josie hooked her thumb in Gabe’s direction. “And, he’s worthless in the kitchen.”

  “Okay. Why don’t you escort your pretend-drunk husband out the front door so he can leave and we can get back to work?”

  “I’ve got a better idea,” Gabe said as he gave Josie his coat ticket. “Bring my coat back here, and I’ll slip out the back door. I know my way around the estate. I don’t want anyone to spot me.”

  Josie took the ticket from his hand. “Great idea,” she said, and she went to fetch his coat. She was furious that Gabe had played drunk to defend her. The fewer people who knew about this the better. And if Young-and-Dumb saw Gabe, he’d make a scene. No one needed that. For Gabe’s safety, she needed to get him away from the party and her.

  The rest of the evening passed without incident, and Miranda and her crew made short work of tidying the kitchen. A cleaning company would come in tomorrow and erase all evidence of the night’s festivities.

  Josie walked to her Jeep and noticed a light coating of snow on everyone’s windshield except hers. He’s making it really hard to stay mad at him, she thought with a sigh as she unlocked her car and slid into the driver’s seat.

  She buckled her seatbelt, started the car, and pulled into the street. Her seat warmer had barely started to work when she pulled through the Woodland estate’s gates. She followed Gabe’s tire tracks down the narrow and winding driveway.

  As Josie pulled into the cottage’s garage, she saw that he’d left several house light
s on. Hopefully for her benefit and not because he was still awake. She didn’t have the energy for a confrontation.

  Josie hadn’t needed his interference tonight. She was perfectly capable of running her life. She’d done it before she’d rescued his sorry ass by marrying him, and she’d continue to do it. Josie didn’t want a manager. She wanted a partner.

  Josie tossed her keys on the counter next to his and pried off her heels.

  “Hey.”

  Josie startled at the deep voice and dropped her coat. She looked over her shoulder. Gabe’s broad shoulders filled the doorway. He was still in his suit, minus the tie, and a tumbler was in his hand.

  “Thanks for cleaning off my Jeep,” Josie said as she picked up her coat and hung it in the closet.

  “You’re welcome, and I think I deserve a medal tonight.”

  “For cleaning off my Jeep or for rescuing me, which I didn’t need, remember?” Josie kept her voice calm. She wanted this to be a good weekend, but she needed him to understand. She didn’t need rescuing.

  “I know that now,” he admitted. He sounded sincere. “No, I deserve a medal, Mrs. Kane, for not kissing you senseless the moment I saw you by the buffet table.”

  She snorted. “That would have been an odd greeting from someone who ignored me all week.”

  “I know. I know.” Gabe thumped his head against the door frame. “I’ve had a lot on my mind. Transitioning as the official CEO isn’t going as smoothly as I thought it would, and the analysis of the possible Howm acquisition is like wading through waist-high mud.”

  Josie didn’t say anything, but she gave him a little smile. Admitting his frustrations was something Gabe from the Haven Woodworks would do, not Gabriel Kane from Witz Holdings. This was progress, so she’d give him a pass, for now.