“I have no idea. Go talk to your Dad, though, and he’ll take care of it.”
“Doesn’t he have an assistant manager?” Jake asked. “I feel like I’m going to the CEO all the time for new pens.”
She laughed. “He is your father, but you could go to Rachel, too. She’s amazing to work with.”
“I’ll talk to her, then, if I can find her.”
“Her office is to the right of your dad’s. Easy as pie.”
“All right. I’ll talk to Rachel after lunch.” He dipped a chip into the queso. “I ordered a crap-ton of equipment yesterday, and it should be here by Tuesday morning. Let’s put off me training you until I have everything like I want it. I mean, we can meet somewhere else and train, but it would be different.”
“I can wait. I need to be concentrating on getting ready for the wedding anyway. I’m just glad they didn’t ask me to do the cake. I’m a chef, but I’m not much of a baker.”
“You still want Jackson and me to come by tonight, right? I haven’t called him.”
“If you can.” Melinda shrugged.
Jake picked up his phone and sent a quick text to Jackson. Dinner tonight?
Can’t. I need to practice. I have a mariachi band set up so I can serenade Ambrosia at eight.
Why?
Because I can. And I’m proposing soon. I’m done playing cat and mouse.
You met her yesterday!
When she took my hand to read my palm at dinner last night, I was done for.
Jake shook his head at Melinda. Jackson had really and truly lost his mind. I hope she says yes.
I won’t take no for an answer. Oh, gotta go. She must have gotten my six dozen roses, because she’s pounding on my door.
“He can’t come to dinner with me because he has a mariachi band scheduled to serenade Ambrosia at eight and he needs to practice.”
Melinda choked on the bite of taco in her mouth. She swallowed it down with a big swig of water and looked at him with wide eyes. “Why?”
“I asked him that. He said it’s because he can. And he had to go because she was at his door. He said she must have gotten his six dozen roses. And he’s going to propose because he’s done playing cat and mouse. He met her yesterday.”
She started shaking with laughter. “Now that’s a whirlwind romance, all right.”
“Sure. Mind if I just come alone tonight?” Jake wasn’t sure he would be able to look at the other man without laughing anytime soon anyway.
“Not at all. Or grab a cousin. I don’t care either way.”
Jake nodded. “I think I’ll bring Dusty.”
“Okay, but it’s your fault if he gets all flirty. That man would flirt with a tree stump.”
It was Jake’s turn to choke. “He would?”
“Oh, yeah. He’s crazy through and through.”
“I guess I’m seeing a new side of lots of people this week. Jackson, Dusty . . . We’ll see what I think after the night is over.” He picked up his phone and texted Dusty. Dinner tonight?
Sure, where? Glad you’re back in town.
At the hotel. Bob’s whatever it’s called.
I know the place. I’ll meet you there. Time?
Six. He didn’t bother to say they’d be testing food for the wedding. If he remembered anything about Dusty, it was that he never stopped eating. Of course, they’d both been a lot younger and hungrier back then. “Dusty’s a go.”
“Sounds good. I’ll probably make small portions of six different things for you to try. I just want to know which the two best are so I can make them for the wedding.” Melinda smiled at him. “Bring your appetite.”
“I won’t eat between now and then . . . well, only if I get hangry, and then I’ll have an apple and not a meal.”
“Is it strange to be home?”
Jake smiled. “So strange. I have time that I can decide what to do with. It’s pretty amazing.”
“You had some free time in the military, didn’t you?”
“Sure. But it wasn’t free time at home in my town with my family. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed being a soldier, but I was ready to be home.” He leaned across the table toward her. “Wanna know a secret?”
“Sure . . .”
“I didn’t shave today for the first time in years. I think I’m going to grow a beard. By the time I was old enough to grow one, I wasn’t allowed because of the Marines’ grooming rules. Now I can have one if I want.”
She grinned. “I think you’d look good in a beard.” She wadded up the last of her trash and tossed it into the garbage can. “I need to get back. The sous chef working today was hired to replace me, and he needs a lot of hand holding.”
Jake knew she was speaking figuratively, but he still got a pang when she mentioned holding another man’s hand. That had never happened to him before. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”
“Sounds good.”
After she was gone, he thought a bit about how he was feeling for her and was surprised that he was looking for ways to spend time with her. Maybe he was acting as crazy as Jackson was. Then he realized no one was acting as crazy as Jackson.
While preparing for the taste test that afternoon, Melinda couldn’t quit thinking about Jake. She didn’t know what it was about him. She wasn’t especially attracted to men in uniform, so that couldn’t be it. There was just something special about him, and she wanted more time with him. Always more.
The new sous chef, John, was fresh out of culinary school, and he was slow and methodical about everything he did. She appreciated the job he was doing, but he needed to do it faster, especially if they were going to be transitioning to the menu she was preparing.
She watched him chop up some chives for a baked potato, each cut perfect and precise. “Can I show you something?” she asked.
He nodded. “Am I doing it wrong? This is how I was taught.”
“I know. I was taught the same way, but if you hold the onions more loosely, you can cut them faster. We’re not worried about having all the pieces be perfect and precise. What matters is doing it efficiently.”
“I’ll work on that.” He did as she suggested and nodded. “It is a lot faster.”
“And speed is important. So is quality. You have to find the middle ground there, and doing little things like that will help you.”
“Thanks.”
She went back to work on the pasta salad she’d been preparing as a possibility for the wedding. She added lots of chicken to the mix, so it would be hearty but still good cold.
She worked quickly and methodically, watching over John and showing him tips where possible. She jumped in a couple of times and helped him when it got busy, but mainly she was concerned with coming up with what to cook for the reception. If she could get that out of the way, then she could really concentrate on her menu for the restaurant.
At six, she wandered out to see if Jake and Dusty were there. They were talking with the hostess, and Jake lifted a hand in a wave. She took a deep breath, trying to block out the old cliché her mother had shared with her dozens of times: “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” She didn’t want Jake’s heart, did she?
She gave them five minutes to get their drinks, and then she carried out two small plates. She started with the pasta salad, putting a bit in front of each of them. Not wanting to overwhelm them with too much food, she had opted to make six small plates for each of them.
“Hey, Dusty,” she said as she set the plates down in front of the two men. “Long time no see.”
“That’s because you wouldn’t go out with me again. Do you know how much it hurt to be rejected by you?”
It was all Melinda could do not to roll her eyes. She felt Jake’s gaze on her, and she looked back at him. She wasn’t going for an “I told you so” look, but it may have come across that way. “I’ll be back in about fifteen minutes with the next plate.”
Every fifteen minutes for the next hour and a half, she carried out small plates t
o them. Finally, when their taste test was over, she took them each a big slice of huckleberry cheesecake.
“Do you have strong preferences about what you liked best?”
They both gave their favorites, and she nodded, smiling that they agreed with each other.
Jake looked at his watch. “It’s eight.”
It took her a moment to realize what she was saying, and she grinned. “What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall.”
He nodded. “I agree.” He studied her for a moment. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”
She shrugged. “I have the early shift tomorrow, so nothing much. Why?”
“Can I take you to supper at the pub?”
Melinda was surprised to feel blood rushing to her face. “I’d like that.”
“I’ll pick you up at six. Wear shoes comfortable for dancing.”
She nodded and hurried away, stopping to talk to the woman who had been waiting on the two men. “No charge for table twenty-three. They were my guinea pigs.”
Angela nodded. “No problem.”
Melinda breezed back into the kitchen and stepped into the huge commercial freezer. She had to cool off before she exploded. She was going out with Jake Quinn, and she was excited.
Jackson texted Jake early the next morning. Meet me for breakfast. I need to talk.
Where?
You tell me, native boy.
Jake shook his head. Jackson was a mess. Restaurant at the hotel.
Fine. Be there in ten.
Jake quickly showered and dressed, driving to the hotel. His beard was getting scruffy looking, and he hoped it would fill in before the wedding. He was going to have to shave it and start over otherwise.
Jackson was waiting for him in the lobby, and the two of them walked to the back of the hotel, where the restaurant was. Jake was having a hard time figuring out what to call it, because it was currently Bob’s but it was going to be Impressions, which he liked a lot better.
As soon as they were seated, Jake leaned back. “How’d the serenade go?”
“She called me a goat and told me I have the singing ability of a cockroach.” Jackson grinned. “She’s warming up to me.”
Jake stared at him for a moment, and then he realized Jackson was right. That did mean Ambrosia was warming up to him. She didn’t always express herself the same way real people did. “That’s great.”
“Anyway, I want to go buy a ring, but I’m not sure what she’d like. She knows so much about gemstones and stuff, and I know nothing.”
“So, you want advice from me on what kind of engagement ring to buy her?” Jake asked.
Glancing up, he saw Melinda standing there grinning at him. “Couldn’t stay away?”
“I think I told you about my former sergeant? This is Jackson, and this is Melinda. She is the chef here.”
“Oh good. Would you tell me what kind of engagement ring a woman like Ambrosia would like?”
“That’s a tough question,” Melinda said, avoiding Jake’s gaze. “Maybe you should check with Jake’s sister Riley. She knows a lot more about crystals than I do.”
“Great idea,” Jake said, picking up his phone. He tapped his sister’s number and waited for her to answer. “Hey, Riley, I have a crystal question for you.”
Riley sounded sleepy. “Sure. What is it?”
“My buddy from the Marines wants to ask Ambrosia to marry him, but he wants the ring to be something she would recognize as a ring of love.”
He heard sputtering on the other end of the phone. “You need to lead up to that!”
“Sorry. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“I don’t mind at all, but I sure wasn’t expecting that.” There was silence for a moment. “Does he want love or passion?”
“Both.”
“Then tell him to have a special ring made with moonstone and sapphire. It’ll look odd, but Ambrosia will eat it up with a spoon.”
“I’ll tell him. Thanks, sis.”
“Is that the guy who was serenading her last night?”
“You heard about that?” Jake asked, trying not to laugh.
“Ambrosia described it as caterwauling and yelled at him to stop. When he didn’t, she threw her pink fuzzy bedroom slipper at him. Those two are quite the pair.”
“Sounds lovely. Okay, I’ll talk to you soon.” He pushed end on his phone. “She said you want moonstone and sapphire. She thinks it’ll look unique, just like Ambrosia.”
“Do you two want to order something?” Melinda asked, biting her lip.
“I want a couple of breakfast burritos. Do you do them here?” Jake asked.
“I can. What about you, Jackson?”
“Oh, I’ll take the same. I’m so lovesick, I’m just picking at my food anyway.”
Melinda hurried away, obviously not trusting her voice to not give away her laughter about the whole Ambrosia situation.
Jake leaned forward. “So, Riley said those two stones together will promote both love and passion. I figured that would be more of what you were looking for.”
Jackson nodded emphatically. “Passion is important to me.”
After the impromptu breakfast, Jake suggested that Jackson could have the ring made easier in Lewiston, so the other man headed off to commission it immediately. Jake stared after him, wondering what it was going to take to get the man to find his mind again.
Instead of going home, he drove to Earth Mother and went inside, more to check and see if Ambrosia wanted to kill him for bringing Jackson into her store.
The woman had roses all over the place, including one tucked behind each ear. She was humming under her breath and looked dreamy-eyed. “Well, if it isn’t Bobling. What are you doing here? Bring another friend to drive me crazy?”
Jake shrugged. “I didn’t know he was going to drive you crazy, Miss Ambrosia.”
“Well, he is. He was on my doorstep caterwauling like a dying cat last night. And he had a band to back him up! What kind of man does that?” she asked him, her hands on her hips.
“Only the kind who is madly in love. Jackson has deep feelings for you.”
“That man has no more depth to him than a rain puddle!” For all her complaining, she looked as smitten as Jackson had.
“Well, as long as the two of you are happy . . .”
“I never once said I was happy. You listen about as well as he does.” She shook her head. “Any idea what he’s planning next so I can decide if I need to make an emergency visit to my niece in Hawaii?”
Jake shook his head. “No idea at all.”
“Humph.”
Six
Jake spent the day at home with his parents. People trickled in and out to see him—all of his cousins, old friends, and some people who just came to thank him for his service. He was always a little embarrassed when people did that but more pleased than anything else.
He started getting ready for his date around five, showering and shaving the areas around the new beard, which was coming in faster than expected. He always had a heavy five o’ clock shadow by about two in the afternoon, so he’d been hopeful it would be grown in enough he wouldn’t have to shave it off when it came time for the wedding.
Instead of driving, he walked to Melinda’s place to get her for their date. He knew her preferences, and he didn’t mind walking. She was ready and waiting for him, though she looked a little nervous.
“Any news on the engagement ring?” she asked.
He laughed softly. “None yet. I’m sure the whole town will hear about it when he proposes, though. They’re both crazy.”
“They are.” She shook her head, stepping out and closing the door behind her. “You didn’t bring your truck?”
He shook his head. “Nah. You like to walk. I like to walk. Let’s walk together.”
“Works for me. Is there live music tonight? Do you know?”
“I have no idea what we’re walking into at the pub, but I know we’ll have fun regardless.” He was hopef
ul for live music, but with Ivy gone, he wasn’t sure if they’d been able to fill in her scheduled spots.
Melinda smiled. “You know? I think we will have fun. I wonder how many times you’re going to be called Bobling.”
“None. I have a secret weapon!”
“You do?”
He nodded. “I ordered a whole pack of ‘Hello, my name is . . .’ stickers from Amazon. I have one all filled out in my pocket, and as soon as we walk into the pub, I’m putting it on.”
“I think that’s a great idea. Where are your nerd glasses and pocket protector? Do you have a graphing calculator in your pocket?” Melinda looked at him innocently as she waited for a response.
“Whatever. At least people won’t call me Bobling. I’m not letting you shame me into not wearing it. I refuse to be called Bobling one more time!”
She laughed softly. “And you think a nametag is going to stop people from calling you that? Good luck.”
Jake frowned at her. “You could be a little more supportive, you know.”
“I know. But I also know it’s not going to work.”
“I have to do something, and this is what I thought of.”
“Well, good luck, then.”
“Are you going to be embarrassed to be seen with me with a sticker with my name written on it?”
She shook her head. “If you won’t be embarrassed, then I won’t either.” She couldn’t wait to see what all happened, though.
The five-minute walk passed quickly, and he held the door of the pub for her, letting her precede him into the place. They were quickly seated, and he looked at the menu, seeing that it had changed a lot in the time he’d been gone. “I’m going to have to figure out what I want. It’s been too long since I came here.” He pulled the sticker out of his pocket and applied it to the right side of his shirt, below his shoulder.
Melinda grinned at him and couldn’t resist teasing just a little. “That’s really attractive.”
He glanced down at it, not minding teasing. He’d grown up a Quinn, and it was a way of life for them. “Thanks. I think it looks good.”
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