Jane smiled at a man and woman who were lingering over mimosas and a plate of scones at one of the wrought-iron tables on the patio. The sun was peeking through the Spanish moss dripping from trees in Forsyth Park across the street, and the weather was perfect for lingering outside, spending a leisurely morning with someone you loved.
Rather than stealing a kiss when you’re locked in a pantry at midnight and having the guy pull the door off the hinges because he couldn’t get away fast enough.
Stop thinking about that! Think about something else...
Would she ever have enough time to herself to linger? Would she ever have enough time for love?
She blinked away those thoughts, too, and cast one last wistful smile at the couple as she climbed the stairs that led to the kitchen door. Life was all about choices. She was fully in charge of hers. She chose to work at Wila—and given the circumstances with the change in partnership, she was happy to still have her job—and she chose to devote her free time helping her family plan the tearoom.
She chose to not kiss Liam again.
Jane raised her chin as if daring herself to want anything different. Her family was allowing her to live in the bungalow behind the Forsyth rent-free while she reestablished herself in Savannah. Not only reestablished herself. Because of them, she would be able to dig herself out of the deficit she’d gotten herself into after she’d been fired and had stubbornly decided to stay—much longer than she should’ve. Really, her family was saving her.
Given the choice of working for someone else or starting her own place at the tearoom at the inn, she’d choose the tearoom. She’d always dreamed of owning her own pâtisserie.
Gigi wanted to start with a tearoom where they offered a basic high tea in addition to other delicacies created by Jane. They were still trying to come up with a viable plan for turning this dream into something profitable enough that it could support a salary for Jane and pay for the remodel.
Jane had done the math. The numbers were distressing. They’d have to sell a lot tea and desserts to pay for the commercial kitchen they needed. Running an ancient bed-and-breakfast, where something was always in need of repair and guest occupancy was erratic, meant money was usually tight. How on earth were they going to pay for it?
In the meantime, Jane was grateful for her job at Wila that paid the bills and happy to spend her spare time dreaming with Gigi. Because what was life without a dream?
When she stepped into the inn’s kitchen, Gigi was standing at the stove stirring a steaming pot. She had an apron over one of her best dresses, a yellow floral pattern with a lace collar and cuffs. She was wearing her mother’s pearls.
“Good morning,” Jane said as she closed the door behind her. “You look nice. Did you get your hair done this morning?”
Gigi set down her spatula in the spoon holder. When she turned around, she did a double take. “Well, you look extra pretty, yourself.” She planted a kiss on Jane’s cheek. “Kate came over this morning and washed and set my hair for me.” Gigi patted her silver curls.
“Well, you look so pretty, and something smells delicious.”
“Thank you, honey. I hope you’re hungry. I’ve been cooking up a feast.”
Years ago, Gigi had enrolled in culinary school. A year before she was set to graduate, her mother had passed away unexpectedly, leaving the Forsyth Galloway Inn to Gigi. She’d been so busy managing the inn, she’d never realized her dream of obtaining her culinary arts diploma.
That’s why when Jane had showed an interest in cooking, Gigi had been her biggest supporter, teaching her everything she’d gleaned from culinary school and encouraging Jane to follow her dream. While she offered emotional support, Gigi maintained a strict rule of keeping things equal among her three granddaughters. So she’d done what she could to help each of them with school, but the Clark sisters had been responsible for paying for their own post-secondary education.
Jane had never expected a free ride in any area of her life. Only a fair chance.
Her mind flashed to Liam. She hoped he would keep his promise of allowing only new mistakes.
Even if she had initiated it, he’d kissed her back. They both could use a little grace.
“I’m starving,” Jane said, turning her focus to the empty table.
Usually, they dined at the trestle table in the kitchen, since it was out of the way of the guests.
“Do you want me to set the table?”
“That would be lovely, honey, thank you,” Gigi said as she dried her hands on a white towel embroidered with teacups and a teapot. “We are eating in the dining room today.” Without a moment’s hesitation, she added, “We’re having company join us for brunch. So, add two extra place settings, please.”
Jane groaned, not trying to hide her annoyance at the prospect of Gigi’s matchmaking. It was difficult to take on a good day, but today, it was the last thing she needed. “Who did you invite?”
A mischievous smile curved her grandmother’s lips. “It’s a surprise,” she said.
Jane slanted Gigi a look. “Is that the surprise you mentioned in the note?”
“Part of it. The guests are a surprise, but that’s not all the surprise. I think you’ll be happy.” She sang the last words.
Jane sighed. “What are you up to?”
“Me?” Gigi clutched her pearls and feigned innocence. “What makes you think I would be up to something?”
“Because your reputation precedes you. Maybe I should be more specific. Who did you invite?”
Gigi’s brow shot up. “I told you, it’s a surprise. You’ll just have to wait and see.” She turned her back and opened the oven door, checking the biscuits she was baking, clearly signaling the end of the conversation.
Jane realized she was still holding the loaf of bread she’d brought. “Here, I baked this. It’s a new recipe I’m trying before I serve it at the restaurant. But since you’ve made biscuits, you can save it.”
“Oooh, looks yummy,” Gigi said. “Would it work for the tea sandwiches we want to serve in our tearoom?”
Jane bit back a sassy retort about being a long way from thinking about the menu. Just because she was in a mood, which had darkened at the prospect of having a surprise blind date for brunch when she just wanted to relax and enjoy her family, didn’t mean she had to be snippy with her grandmother. Gigi had an unsinkable optimism when it came to the tearoom. It would be mean to skewer her with a reality check. After all, it didn’t cost anything to dream.
“Maybe,” Jane said as she busied herself gathering plates and silverware. “Which tablecloth and napkins do you want to use?”
Gigi turned around and smiled as she observed what Jane was doing. “The tablecloth is already on the table, darling. So are the good linen napkins. Oh, and let’s use the sterling silver today. I’ve already set out the silver chest. It’s on the sideboard in the dining room. While you’re at it, use the good crystal champagne flutes and water glasses.”
“Champagne flutes? Are we expecting royalty?” Jane asked as she returned the stainless-steel cutlery to the silverware drawer.
Gigi laughed, but she didn’t deny it.
“So...you, me, Mom, Ellie and Daniel, Kate and Aidan and Chloe—plus the two mystery guests?” Jane recounted to make sure she had the right number.
Gigi nodded.
Jane took ten china plates out of the cupboard and started toward the dining room, half expecting Gigi to change her mind and insist on using the Royal Doulton china, which they usually saved for only the most special of occasions. But she didn’t and Jane pushed through the swinging kitchen door that led to the butler’s pantry, which was connected to the dining room.
The doors that separated the private dining room from the lobby area were closed. Jane didn’t have to see what was on the lobby side of the doors to know Gigi had put up the sign that read
Dining Room Closed for Private Event.
Jane’s gaze landed on the elaborate centerpiece of fresh flowers on the formal mahogany dining room table dressed with Gigi’s mother’s best tablecloth and pressed linen napkins. The silver chest was on the sideboard, exactly where her grandmother had said it would be.
Hmm... Gigi was wearing her pearls. There were fresh flowers on the mahogany table set with her great-grandmother’s delicate tablecloth, meticulously pressed linen napkins, their good crystal and sterling silver... Gigi was pulling out all the stops and serving brunch in the private dining room... Add that to Gigi’s special hairdo, which meant Kate, who never got up early—especially on her day off—had clearly made a crack-of-dawn house call... Gigi had a standing appointment at Kate’s salon on Thursdays. Sure, there were occasions when Kate had to reschedule...but now that Jane was adding everything up...
Did Gigi have a boyfriend? Was he one of the mystery guests?
Jane smiled to herself as she began setting the table. Why else would she have gone to all this trouble getting gussied up on a Sunday morning?
Well, good, she deserved to be happy. And if she had a man to keep her occupied, maybe she wouldn’t feel compelled to find dates for her and Kate.
Although, Kate hadn’t been on the receiving end of any dates since Jane had returned home because she had recently been involved with Aidan Quindlen, Daniel’s brother.
Aidan had been in a motorcycle accident a few months ago and Kate had been looking in on him, helping him shave and cutting his hair for him. Kate, who had never played the good Samaritan, remained rather tight-lipped about her relationship with Aidan, but it showed all the signs of turning romantic.
Of course, Gigi hadn’t been trying to fix up Jane lately. Jane hadn’t put two and two together until now. Maybe Gigi hadn’t stopped the matchmaking because Jane had asked her to. Maybe her grandmother had been otherwise occupied—with a man of her own.
Jane smiled to herself as she placed the final setting and stepped back to look at the pretty table.
That’s it. It has to be.
She retraced her steps to the kitchen.
“What’s his name?”
“Whose name, honey?” Gigi asked as she tasted the vinaigrette salad dressing she’d prepared.
“What’s your boyfriend’s name?”
Gigi stopped what she was doing and looked up at Jane.
“Honey, I’m almost eighty-five years old. There’s only a man or two out there who could handle me. I’m not sure they’re up for the job. I’m too young at heart to get involved with just any old man, but I’m too old for a young man. It doesn’t mean I’m closing the door. I’ll let you know if and when anything happens.”
Jane grimaced as her mind suddenly jumped to the broken pantry door—what it had set in motion and how Liam had all but ripped it off its hinges.
Gigi must’ve mistaken Jane’s look for concern. “I’m absolutely fine with my life. I’m happy and content. That’s me in a clamshell. Oh, wait, that’s not right, is it? I’m happy as a clam in a nutshell. Or however the saying goes.”
Gigi waved her hand in the air. “What I mean is you don’t need to worry about me. You, on the other hand, work much too hard. When was the last time you had a date, missy? Hmm?”
I kissed Liam last night.
Jane groaned, audibly. “Gigi, you know the last time I had a date was when you tried to fix me up. And that was a disaster. We’ve been over and over this subject. I’m too busy to date right now. That’s my choice.”
“Nonsense.” Gigi dismissed Jane’s words. “You are in the prime of your dating life, but you work way too hard and too many hours. Do you need me to talk to Charles? I could tell him that you need to get out more and enjoy yourself. Every woman needs a grand romance.”
“A grand romance?”
I have to steal kisses in the pantry at work, which is either romantic or mortifying.
Who was she kidding? It was mortifying.
“I mean you should fall in love. You’re only young once. You might think all this is going to last forever.” She swept her hand up and down, indicating Jane’s body. “But take it from somebody who knows. You’re on borrowed time. You’re almost thirty.”
A scoffing noise escaped her throat. “Thanks, Gigi.”
The cold, clammy hands of dread suddenly closed around Jane’s neck as realization dawned. If this brunch wasn’t for Gigi to introduce her new boyfriend to the family, it could only mean one other thing: the mystery guests were for Jane and Kate.
Jane thought about voicing her objections just as she had dozens of times before, or calling Kate and telling her run and save herself, but since Aidan was invited today, Kate was probably safe. Suddenly it felt futile. If the guys were already invited—Jane glanced at the clock—they would arrive within the half hour.
There was no stopping the speeding train that was about to crash into her only day off. She would be cordial. Nothing said she had to see this mystery man again after today. Rather than arguing with her grandmother, which would be like talking to the wall, she would let her actions show Gigi she meant business.
“Oh, that reminds me,” Gigi said. “Our birthday is almost here. You’ll be thirty. I’ll be eighty-five. Let’s have a party.”
A party? Jane wasn’t feeling particularly festive. She made a noncommittal noise and, as she helped Gigi finish the fruit salad and cheese tray, switched the conversation to something more interesting: Gigi’s asparagus Fontina quiche recipe.
Everything was ready with twenty minutes to spare.
Gigi said, “Will you be a doll and go out into the lobby to greet our guests in case they arrive early? Your mom and Ellie are out on an early art tour. They should be back by eleven. Daniel should be here soon and Kate is picking up Aidan and Chloe.”
“I need to sit down and rest my tired bones for a few minutes before dinner and I don’t want—” Gigi stopped midsentence. Her hand flew to her mouth.
Judging by the look on her face, she’d almost let slip the names of the guests. Jane could virtually see the words on the tip of her grandmother’s tongue as she mentally reeled them back in.
It was clear that Gigi wasn’t going to give up the goods about her plan. Whoever it was would be there soon enough. So, Jane decided to play it cool. She suspected that Gigi got a kick out of watching her squirm almost as much as she enjoyed the thought of finding her a husband. If Jane didn’t protest, it might let a little bit of the wind out of Gigi’s matchmaking sails.
“Gigi, you go lie down. I will look out for your guests.” The older woman didn’t protest and Jane’s heart tugged a little bit as her grandmother left the kitchen. Gigi equated love and food with happiness and security. Mostly love. But food was a close second. She just wanted Jane to be happy. That’s all. Her grandmother was almost eighty-five years old. So she’d let her have her fun today. It wasn’t too much to ask. Of course, it didn’t mean Jane had to see the guy again. But at least she could lighten up and make her grandmother happy.
Since she had few minutes, Jane made a quick trip back to her bungalow to get her notebook. She might as well get some work done while she waited.
With paper and pen in hand, she went out into the lobby and seated herself at the front desk. First, she straightened the various sightseeing pamphlets and maps from the chamber of commerce that were strewed across the wooden surface—a task that needed tending several times a day after the guests pawed through them. Then she started jotting down notes for a new panna cotta recipe she’d tried but still needed tweaking. She’d just finished writing down her thoughts of how to change the recipe when a group of four women staying at the inn for a girls’ weekend approached with questions about Savannah’s best ghost tour and fun places to go dancing.
As they left, Jane saw Charles holding the front door for them. Right behind him was Liam
. Jane’s stomach twisted and dropped. The mystery guests. She hadn’t even considered that Gigi might have invited them, but it made perfect sense—that’s why she’d gone to all the trouble to get her hair done and make things so nice.
Even though Gigi would never admit it, she and Charles had been circling each other for years. There was even speculation that he had named the restaurant Wila after her. They’d known each other for decades. The fact that her given name was Wiladean and his restaurant was Wila was too much of a coincidence. Even so, it was the elephant in the room that no one ever dared talk about.
Just as Gigi had sweetly curtailed the earlier conversation when Jane had asked her if she had a boyfriend, she refused to talk about her feelings for Charles, who, no doubt, was the man or two who could handle her. Charles was the only man. There hadn’t been anyone else since Gigi’s husband had passed away decades ago.
Today, however, the bigger elephant would be the kiss she’d shared with Liam last night. Judging from the expression on his face, he looked just as surprised to see her sitting there as she was to see him standing just inside the door of the Forsyth.
She closed her notebook and stood. “Welcome.” She mustered her best smile, the one she used for guests of Wila or the Forsyth, on the rare occasion she had to interact with them. Charles leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. Liam kept a safe distance.
He gave her an unreadable look. “What are you doing here?”
Jane bristled. “I live here. What are you doing here?”
* * *
“I was invited,” Liam said. At first, he hadn’t recognized Jane, sitting there in that red sundress with her dark hair hanging in loose curls around her bare shoulders. He’d never seen her in anything other than her white chef’s coat, baggy drawstring pants and closed-toed shoes. Oh, and that black tank top.
Today, she had tanned legs and red toenails. A frisson of awareness skittered through him, making his eyes open and his palms sweat.
He’d be lying to himself if he tried to convince himself that this was the first time he’d noticed how attractive she was. It hit him that it had started yesterday, when she’d taken off her coat and he’d seen her in that damned black tank top, leaving little doubt that she was all woman.
Southern Charm & Second Chances Page 9