Cooking Up Love

by Cynthia Hickey

  “Why are you angry with me?” She yanked free. “I did nothing wrong.”

  “No, you didn’t.” He turned away. “Everything is as wonderful as it can possibly be. Go change your clothes. I’ll meet you back here on the porch in fifteen minutes.”

  He barged through the door hard enough to bang it against the wall. Not since he was a child had he shown such a degree of temper as today. What he wanted to do was shake some sense into one very stubborn woman. Instead, he’d gain control, change his clothes, and pretend that they were merely friends.

  The water in his room’s washbasin felt as frigid as his quickly freezing heart. He dropped his clothes in a pile on the floor and splashed his face. Maybe the water’s temperature would shock some sense into him.

  Why delude himself? He plopped onto his bed. He loved Tabitha McClelland so much he lost all reason. He leaned forward, letting his hands dangle between his knees. But she didn’t return his love. He needed to let her go.

  After cleaning himself up and donning a fresh shirt, Adam headed downstairs to wait for Tabby. It would be hard to treat her as a friend when his heart saw her as so much more, but if that was all she had to offer then he would take it. The time for them to go their separate ways would come all too soon.

  “There really wasn’t a need to wait for me.” She stepped out of the parlor.

  “It seems you waited for me.” He turned and forced a smile.

  She shrugged. “I knew you’d wait for quite a while if I weren’t here.” She took one of his hands in hers, sending his blood racing. “You should have someone tend to your knuckles.”

  “I hadn’t noticed until now.” He pulled his scraped hand away and offered his arm instead. Maybe the warmth of her touch wouldn’t sear so much through the fabric of his shirt.

  They walked back to the church without speaking. Tabby slipped her arm from his and moved to the group of young women while Adam walked with dogged steps to the boys in his charge. Maybe he should let them know that fighting was never the answer.

  “You all right, Mr. Foster?” Bo, the brightest and rowdiest of the group, approached him. “You threw a punch for your girl. Why isn’t she at your side?”

  “I only helped a lady in distress. She isn’t my girl.”

  “Your face says otherwise.” He handed Adam a bowl of ice cream.

  “God says even more, son.” Adam accepted the treat, wishing with all in him that he could share it with Tabby. Of course, he loved the group of boys, but they didn’t come close to filling a hole made by her.

  “Mr. Foster, a word, please?” Pastor Lehman, the kind and godly man chosen to replace Harper, stepped between the boys.

  “Of course.” Adam nodded to the group and followed the man, fully prepared for a scolding. When they stepped outside into the thankfully declining wind, Adam faced the pastor. “I’m really sorry for causing a disruption.”

  “I sincerely doubt you were the cause. You merely came to a lady’s aid.” The pastor laughed. “I’ve wanted to punch the man myself a few times.”

  “You aren’t removing me from the ministry?”

  “Definitely not. Sit, please.” He motioned at the steps. “You seem like a man deeply troubled. I’m wondering whether I can help.”

  “It’s not important.” Adam took a seat and placed the bowl next to him.

  “I think it is. You look like a man who’s lost his best friend.”

  “I have.” Should he tell the pastor everything concerning him? In the grand scheme of things, did the affairs of his heart really matter?

  “There’s this woman...”

  “Ah.” Pastor Lehman nodded. “I thought so.”

  “I love her. She doesn’t return the feeling.” Adam stared over the lawn. “She has an intense distrust of men. I’ve tried to show her I’m different, and sometimes I’ve actually thought I succeeded. But I haven’t.”

  “The young lady you helped today?”

  Adam nodded.

  “Unfortunate that Mr. Hastings helped confirm her suspicions. You need to take the matter before God. Put this young woman in His more-than-capable hands.”

  “But I’m leaving soon. My family and I are headed to San Francisco.”

  “You need to tell her of your feelings before you go. Give her something to ponder while you’re away. If she loves you, she’ll follow, in due time.” Pastor Lehman stood. “I will pray for you on a daily basis.” He laid a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “God promises us the desires of our hearts according to His will.”

  “Yes, but what if His will doesn’t bring me Tabby?”

  Chapter 18

  Miss O’Connor poked her head into Tabby’s room as she put the finishing touches on her appearance. “Quickly, girls. Mr. Harvey arrives in fifteen minutes.” She frowned. “There is a smudge on your shoe, Miss Ramsey, fix it at once.” Her heels tapped a hasty retreat as she stopped at each dormitory doorway, calling out for the girls to comb their hair or straighten bed coverings.

  “Gracious!” Merrilee swiped at her shoe with a handkerchief. “As if anyone would notice a smudge, the nasty witch.”

  “She only wants us to be our best.” Tabby poked the last hairpin in her hair and took one last glance in the mirror. This was as good as she could get. She ran her hands down her dress, smoothing imaginary wrinkles, and headed for the door. “Best hurry.”

  Merrilee raced after her. “Don’t worry about me.” She passed Tabby and rushed down the stairs.

  Again, Tabby doubted the girl came from aristocratic stock. No girl trained in ladylike manners would run down the stairs. She shrugged. She wasn’t sure why it bothered her that her roommate appeared to lie about her roots. After all, it was none of Tabby’s business. Maybe she was searching for one truthful person in a dishonest world.

  Once she reached the restaurant, she moved to Miss O’Connor’s side. There was no time like the present to apologize. “I’m terribly sorry about Mr. Hastings’s termination.”

  “Whatever are you talking about?” Miss O’Connor cut her a glance.

  “Well, I know that you, and he, uh...”

  “You silly girl.” Miss O’Connor laughed. “We had nothing serious between us. He was a man to fill an empty spot in my life. I was well aware of his indiscretions. It was I who forwarded the complaints to Mr. Harvey.”

  “I thought you were in love. I saw the two of you hugging in the gazebo.”

  Miss O’Connor patted her shoulder. “You really are naive. Do you get such silly ideas from that Bible of yours?”

  Tabby frowned. “The Bible is a wonderful map for a person’s life. I don’t believe it silly in the slightest.” How could the woman brush aside God’s Word so easily? Sure, not all people were aware of God’s glory, but to call the Bible silly ripped at Tabby’s heart.

  “Well, my life has shown me differently.” The train whistle blew, pulling the head waitress’s attention to the front door. “Stand sharp, now. He’s coming.”

  Her life hadn’t been that grand either, but it was the pain and hardship that led her to God, not pulled her away.

  “There he is.” Miss O’Connor’s hand fluttered at her throat. “That must be the new manager with him. He’s a fine-looking man.” She patted her hair.

  Hearing the excitement in the other woman’s voice, for the first time Tabby studied her as an approachable person. Her features were a bit sharp, and her spectacles tended to slide down her nose, but the brown hair sported no gray streaks and the hazel eyes shone with intelligence. She could see why a man might seek out Miss O’Connor’s company.

  Tabby switched her attention from the head waitress to the arriving train passengers. One man, slight of build, with a receding hairline, a goatee and a studious look in his eye, entered the restaurant with a clean-shaven man of the same thin stature. “
Which one is Mr. Harvey?”

  “The bearded man. Smile, he’s coming this way.”

  Tabby turned, folded her hands and smiled as the two men approached and stopped in front of them.

  Mr. Harvey ran his gaze from her shoes to the top of her head, then apparently finding things to his satisfaction, turned to Miss O’Connor. “This is Mr. Edwin Richardson. He will be the new manager, and a great asset to this establishment. I trust Mr. Hastings is no longer with us?”

  “Gone on yesterday’s train, Mr. Harvey.” Miss O’Connor nodded. “We wasted no time after receiving your telegram.”

  “Very good.” A faint Scottish brogue colored his speech. “Upon first impression, I find no fault here, with the restaurant or the girls. I can’t wait to taste the food.”

  “Let me show you to a table, Mr. Harvey. We have one available by the window.” Should Tabby bow, curtsy? She felt as if the man were royalty of some kind with the anxious yet excited looks everyone threw his way.

  “What is your name?”

  “Tabitha McClelland, sir.”

  “Ah, yes.” He nodded toward Miss O’Connor. “I’ve heard many good things about you.”

  He had? She flicked a glance at Miss O’Connor. She’d spoken about Tabby? The thought filled her with warmth. “I hope my service today lives up to your expectations.”

  “I’m sure it will. Sit, Richardson. Enjoy a fine meal before I introduce you to who I’ve heard is the best chef around. I interviewed him in Chicago and was impressed with the man’s credentials.”

  Tabby handed the men menus and took their drink orders. By the time the drink girl poured, Mr. Harvey had ordered two sirloin steak dinners. “A good choice, sir. Mr. Foster makes a fine steak.” She nodded and walked briskly to the kitchen. Mr. Harvey would be very pleased with the quality of Adam’s cooking.

  She paused at the kitchen entrance. Who was she to rejoice with Adam regarding Mr. Harvey’s visit? She’d lost that chance days ago when she set him free. There was no one with whom she could share the day’s events. No close friends or family.

  Shoulders sagging, she stepped into the kitchen. “Two sirloins with all the fixings.”

  She hoped Mr. Harvey didn’t just sample the food, but took the time to see the kitchen staff in action. She always marveled at the way they each seemed to know what to do, dodging each other like the workings of a clock. They resembled the waitresses, only in a much smaller space.

  Adam hefted a large pot, his arm muscles bulging as he moved it to the work island. He tossed her a questioning look from under his starched chef hat.

  How embarrassing to be caught staring! Much less admiring the physique of a man she couldn’t have.

  * * *

  Adam delegated many duties, but only he seared steaks to perfection. At least that’s what he liked to tell himself, and with the customer being Mr. Harvey, the steaks needed to be perfect. He poked one with his finger to test for tenderness, noted the medium doneness and grinned.

  “Let me serve Mr. Harvey.” Merrilee stood by his elbow. “Tabby has enough work and sent me to cover for her.”

  “Not unless she tells me herself.” Adam didn’t trust the girl for one second.

  “But she did say so.” She gripped his arm and pressed against him.

  “Miss Ramsey, the help is watching, and I’m busy. Please detach yourself from my arm and stop this embarrassing behavior.” He glanced up to see the stony countenance of Tabby.

  “Merrilee, your table is requesting your assistance.”

  The girl sighed with all the drama of a traveling sideshow and barged through the doors to the dining room.

  “She said you sent her to wait on Mr. Harvey.” Adam grabbed a butcher knife and whacked a head of lettuce.

  “I did no such thing.” Tabby stomped her foot. “My guess is she’s already got her cap set for the new manager.”

  “I didn’t think you’d sent her.” Whack. The light scent of roses drifted to him, despite the aroma of lunch cooking. Why wouldn’t she go away? Instead of sunshine, her presence brought clouds, and he needed to concentrate.

  A clatter sounded outside the door. Tabby whirled and dashed away.

  Adam set his knife back in its block and followed, worried someone else might be injured.

  Merrilee stood with a red face and arms flailing as a busboy knelt on the floor picking up the shattered pieces of a plate. “You imbecile! Look what you’ve done to my apron.” Streaks of gravy marred the stark white.

  Tabby moved to help him.

  “I’m sorry, miss, but you crashed through the door so fast and...” The young man folded the broken porcelain in his apron.

  “Don’t make excuses to me. There should be windows in that stupid door, why this isn’t...” Merrilee said a few choice words that raised Adam’s eyebrows. He motioned for the busboy to head back to the kitchen.

  “Miss.” Mr. Harvey patted his lips with a napkin and stood. “Please leave this establishment immediately. We do not condone that type of behavior or language under any circumstances.”

  Tabby handed the busboy the few pieces in her hand and stepped back, eyes wide, and met Adam’s gaze. He turned away. Once, they would have spent time discussing the morning’s events. No longer. Now, they were no more than fellow employees. They might as well act as such.

  Merrilee clasped her hands in front of her. “Please, Mr. Harvey. It was this boy’s fault. He’s clumsy, and...”

  “You made a scene in front of customers.” Mr. Harvey shook his head. “It is unacceptable.” He motioned to the new manager. “Mr. Richardson, we will conclude with our tour since lunch has been rudely interrupted.” He turned to Miss O’Connor. “I do not want to see this young lady again.” He turned and marched through the kitchen door.

  Merrilee put her hands over her face and sobbed.

  Miss O’Conner took her by the arm and pulled her out of view of the dining room, leaving everyone in a state of quiet shock. Adam glanced out of the corner of his eye at Tabby, who stared after Miss O’Connor.

  With a heavy heart, he headed back to the kitchen to take out his frustration on innocent vegetables. He really needed to leave Kansas. He couldn’t bear to see Tabby’s face every day.

  “How unfortunate.” Tabby set an empty tray in the sink after the lunch crowd left.

  Adam closed his eyes. She tried so hard to keep up the facade of their friendship. How could she, after knowing how he felt about her? Did she have no concern for his feelings?

  She leaned against the counter. “She wanted so badly to impress Mr. Harvey and the new manager. Too much, I suppose.” She took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. “Well, I can see you’re busy.” She paused. “I came to let you know that Mr. Harvey has requested my presence at a restaurant in New Mexico. I leave tomorrow.”

  Leaving? He wanted to ask whether it was a permanent transfer, but couldn’t let her know how much her leaving affected him. Moments before, he’d convinced himself they’d be better off apart. Now that the opportunity presented itself, all he could think about was missing her with every fiber of his being. He swallowed past the mountain in his throat.

  “You must have impressed him.” He picked up the menu for dinner. Looking at her would be his downfall.

  “Miss O’Connor said I did.” He felt her turn. Her voice lowered. “I wanted to let you know, since I’ll be leaving on the morning train. I’ll be gone for a week. They’ve also hinted at a promotion.” Her lips curled into a smile. “That could mean a transfer to a new and exciting place.”

  So, she would return. Foolish man that he proved to be, his heart leaped at the news. No matter what he told himself, he wasn’t ready to say goodbye for good. A hinted-at promotion wasn’t the same as receiving one. Adam hadn’t lost hope yet.

  Chapter 19

&nbs
p; With her chin resting in the palm of her hand and her elbow on the train’s window ledge, Tabby watched the restaurant recede from view. Adam rarely spoke to her anymore, even after she told him she would be gone for a week. Most likely it was for the best. They didn’t want the same things out of life, and she shouldn’t hold him back.

  He wanted a family and a home with his parents and sister close by. Tabby didn’t know how that felt. From the time she was a child, she had wanted to leave. She hadn’t had a destination in mind, just wanted to get away from a melancholy mother and a heavy-handed father. Now, Adam jeopardized everything she thought she wanted out of life.

  The possibility of a promotion filled her. She could be sent to the end of the railroad line to a brand-new Harvey House. She’d be head waitress and run things her way. What would it be like to be in a place where she belonged? Where she played a major part in what it would require to run a good restaurant?

  She didn’t need to decide now, but soon. At the latest, by the end of her present contract. Would Adam be pleased for her if she received news of advancement?

  She craned her neck for one last glimpse of the restaurant, hoping she might catch sight of him. That he might have reconsidered and come to say goodbye. Tears stung her eyes, and she swiped them away with the back of her hand. Her stubbornness and confusion had robbed her of the best friend she’d ever had.

  Maybe the week away would help straighten out her feelings. Either that or she’d feel too much time had passed and there would be no way she could apologize.

  The clackety-clack of the train lulled her into a doze with sleep-induced dreams where she wore frilly gowns and walked through fields of flowers toward Adam. The sun shone, birds sang and flowers in colors brighter than nature intended surrounded her. Very much like a fairy tale she read once as a child. Except Tabby was no princess to Prince Adam.

  She opened her eyes and stroked the plush burgundy arm of the seat. Although the train ride was only her second time in first class, she failed to be excited. No, the fancy surroundings only carried her farther from where she wanted to be.