Charming Chef (River's End Ranch Book 7)

by Kelley, Pamela M.

  Raymond cleared his throat. “Well, it’s not mandatory, but these are her express wishes. What she would like to see happen.”

  They were both silent for a moment and then Raymond added, “It’s generally considered good advice to avoid making any major decisions like this, either purchase or sales, for a year. Gives a person time to reflect and be sure of what they want to do.”

  “I’ve heard that before, too, but were you aware that she was planning to sell the house?” Ryan asked.

  “Yes, of course. I have the paperwork all drawn up. Rita wanted Barbi to come by early this week to finalize their agreement.”

  Ryan leaned back in his chair and studied Raymond in confusion. “So, it’s clear then what my Aunt Rita wanted, don’t you think?”

  Raymond smiled. “I think Rita finally gave up on you ever moving back here, which is why she agreed to sell to Barbi.”

  Ryan chuckled. “My aunt knew me well.”

  “Hm, perhaps. However, when she asked me to draw up that paperwork, she did not ask me to change her will. I asked if she wanted to adjust it and she said that wasn’t necessary. I thought that was interesting.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Your aunt was dying, Ryan. She knew that she didn’t have much time left and she was always a big believer in fate. She told me that she was leaving it in fate’s hands. She would either be moving into an assisted living for her final days or slipping away quietly. She had a plan for whichever way it went.”

  “Oh. I had no idea she was sick.” He wondered if his father knew. Aunt Rita had sounded fine the last time he’d spoken to her, which had been just a few weeks ago.

  “No one did. She swore me to secrecy.”

  “I see. Well, obviously I’ll respect her wishes, then.” Just because he held on to the house didn’t mean he had to stay in Riston. He was still planning to head back to Boston as soon as Wade hired a new sous chef, and he was looking forward to a few weeks of downtime otherwise.

  “Wonderful. Your aunt would be glad to hear it.”

  Chapter 5

  After teaching her early morning yoga class on Tuesday, Barbi stopped into Kelsey’s Kafe for her favorite omelet. It was too big of a meal to have before yoga, but it was her once-a-week treat to herself after class. The small breakfast and lunch cafe was warm and welcoming, and always busy. Barbi bought a copy of the morning paper and settled at the counter, next to two of her favorite people. Jaclyn and Simon were both in their early seventies and were regulars at the cafe. Jaclyn lived by the RV park and worked part-time there, and Simon also worked part-time, in the golf shop. They both looked happy to see her.

  “One of these days I’m going to surprise you and show up for a yoga class,” Simon said with a grin.

  “You should! My classes are good for all levels and it is great for calming down any aches and pains. It stretches and relaxes your muscles.”

  “Well, I was kidding, but that actually sounds pretty good. Maybe I can talk Jaclyn into coming with me.”

  “I wouldn’t hold your breath on that,” Jaclyn said with a smile. “This body is too old to twist into a pretzel. I’ve seen what yoga looks like. It’s for young people.”

  Barbi knew a lot of people felt that way about yoga, thought it was too difficult or that you had to already either be in excellent shape or young. Nothing was further from the truth.

  “I actually have a ninety-year-old student. Betty Weatherly has been taking my classes for almost a year. It’s truly all ages.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize that. Maybe someday. We’ll see.”

  Barbi knew she wasn’t likely to ever see Jaclyn at one of her classes and that was okay. She’d be more apt to see Simon. He was up for anything and always made her smile.

  Kelsi, the cafe manager, brought a cup of coffee over and set it down in front of Barbi.

  “Your usual?” she asked.

  “Yes, thank you.” Barbi took a sip of hot coffee as Kelsi scribbled her order on a slip and then called it out as she walked to the kitchen. “Bob, I need a chicken apple sausage, carmelized onion and goat cheese omelet.”

  Barbi’s stomach grumbled. She was starving now. She turned her attention back to Simon and Jaclyn. They chatted for a while about a variety of things and then Simon asked, “So, speaking of yoga, when are you opening up that fancy studio of yours?”

  “I’m not sure,” Barbi admitted. “Rita left the house to her nephew and I don’t know what his plans are for it.”

  “She left it to Ryan? Surely he’ll still sell it to you? Unless he’s planning to move back to Riston?”

  Barbi chuckled at the thought. “I can’t imagine. Ryan’s made a life in Boston. A big life.”

  “I love the show he does for the Food Channel,” Jaclyn said.

  “What’s the name of it again?” Simon asked.

  “Ryan’s Road Trips,” both Barbi and Jaclyn said at once.

  “Be nice if he could ride into Riston and feature the Kafe sometime,” Kelsi said as she set down Barbi’s omelet.

  “Oh, he should! Now that you’ve got Bob cooking—his food would be perfect for the show,” Jaclyn said.

  Barbi took a bite of her omelet and silently agreed with Jaclyn. Ryan’s show highlighted the best comfort food around the country. Food worthy of a road trip. Kelsey’s Kafe would fit right in. “I’m surprised that he hasn’t thought of it, actually. He and Wade have been best friends for years,” she said.

  “Maybe it’s not up to him. Maybe they just tell him where to go and he goes.” Simon said.

  “Could be. I really don’t know.”

  “Well, first, you need to get him to sell you his aunt’s house. I need to come try your yoga class!” Simon grinned.

  “I’m hoping to ask him about that soon, possibly tonight. I’ll be seeing him later. He’s helping Wade out by filling in at the main restaurant until they can hire a new sous chef.”

  “Good luck.” Simon stood. “Well, ladies, I need to be on my way.”

  “I’ll walk out with you. Barbi, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. Do keep us posted,” Jaclyn said.

  “I will.” Barbi watched them go, and then asked for her check. She was nervous about asking Ryan about the house, but hopeful too. She couldn’t imagine that he’d want to keep it.

  Chapter 6

  Ryan found two seats at the far end of the bar and they both sat down. Walter, a distinguished looking older bartender, came over to take their order.

  "What are you having?" Ryan asked.

  "Just a chardonnay, thanks."

  "And a draft please. Whatever IPA you have."

  A few minutes later, Walter return with their drinks and set them down.

  "To old friends.” Ryan had an amused gleam in his eyes as he lifted his glass and tapped it against hers.

  "To old friends," she repeated.

  "So how have you been, really? It's been a long time, many years. Has life been good to you?" Ryan looked at her intently.

  The questions took her by surprise. She found herself feeling flustered, a feeling she wasn't used to.

  "I've been good. Really good. The years just seem to go by fast. I'm sure you know how that is.” She changed the subject and turned it back to him. "And what about you? You've done so well for yourself. I never knew that you even liked to cook. And now you own restaurants and have your own cooking show. How did that happen?"

  Ryan chuckled. "I suppose that I sort of fell into it. Money was tight for me when I was in school in Boston, and I got a part-time job a few nights a week in a restaurant kitchen. I was mostly washing dishes at first, but then one night one of the line cooks called out sick and they asked me to help out. I liked it. A lot."

  "They just threw you in there to cook, just like that?"

  "No, not real cooking. They mostly had me helping with prep work—slicing, dicing and chopping. Putting the salads together. But it was fun, and I caught on fast. So they gave me more to do. And offered me a full-ti
me job in the summer. So I stayed there instead of going home, and the rest is history.

  "Did you change your major to cooking?"

  "No. I stayed a business major, but I kept working at that restaurant and I learned as much as I could. When I graduated, they made me sous chef, much to my father's dismay. He thought that I’d thrown my education away. But that business education came in handy when it was time for me to open my own restaurant."

  "And the TV show, too. It's great, and it looks like you're having so much fun."

  Ryan grinned. "I have a blast doing that show. I got lucky with that. One of my college roommates works at the Food Channel.

  "How does that show work? Do you get to pick where you go, or is it all planned out for you?"

  "They give some suggestions on different areas of the country and which places to try, but it's all my decision as to which ones are featured on the show.

  Barbi smiled, thinking about her earlier conversation.

  "I had breakfast this morning at Kelsey's Kafé and was chatting with a couple of regulars at the counter— Jaclyn and Simon. They think that you should do a show in Riston and visit the café. They do have pretty amazing comfort food there."

  Ryan looked surprised. “No kidding? I haven't stopped in there in years."

  "Well, they have a new chef, Bob. You should check it out while you’re here. I think you'll like it."

  "I'll do that."

  Barbi took a deep breath. Why was it so hard for her to ask him about the house? It felt like an imposition. But it had to be done. "So, have you decided what you will do with your aunt’s house? Any plans to put it on the market?"

  Ryan smiled gently. "Why, do you know someone who might be interested?"

  "I do, actually. Your aunt and I had actually been talking about my buying it from her. It was her idea."

  "You want to turn her old dance studio into a yoga place?"

  She looked at him in surprise. "Yes. How did you know that?”

  Ryan sighed. “Wade may have mentioned it.”

  "Oh." Barbi didn't like the look on his face. She could still read him, and she got the sense that he was trying to figure out a way to let her down easy. "You don't want to sell?"

  "It's not that I don't want to, I do. I would in a heart beat. I think a cute yoga studio sounds like a great idea. But in my aunt’s will, she requested that I hold onto the property for a year before doing anything with it. I talked it over with her attorney, and unfortunately I feel like I need to honor her wishes. I hope you can understand."

  "Of course. If that's what she wished, you don't really have a choice,” she said stiffly.

  "That's kind of how I saw it. I'm glad you understand. Would you like another drink?"

  Barbi was surprised to see that her glass was empty. "No. I should probably get going, actually."

  "I've got these." Ryan put some money down for their drinks and walked her out to her car.

  "When do you work next?" he asked.

  "Thursday night."

  "Great, I'll see you then. Good night, Barbi.”

  She drove home, her heart heavy with disappointment. She had been so excited about buying his Aunt Rita's house. It was the perfect spot for her yoga studio and as much as she loved living with her mother, it was past time for her to get her own place.

  Living at home had worked out well for both of them. Barbi needed to save money, and her mother appreciated the help with the mortgage. But she’d paid that mortgage off two years ago so it wasn't like she was still depending on the money from Barbi. Her mother had been excited for her to buy her first house and open the business. Barbi knew that she would be disappointed, too.

  But there was nothing she could do about it. It was time to find a plan B. There had to be another location that would work for a yoga studio and eventually another house that she could buy.

  Chapter 7

  Barbi spent most of the next day sulking on the sofa in her pajamas with Jasper sleeping beside her as she pored through the local newspaper, searching the rental listings. One by one, she used her favorite purple pencil to cross out each one after she called and asked a few questions. Most of them were simply too expensive, or they wanted too long a lease. She didn’t want to do longer than a year, because she was still hopeful that after the time was up she’d be able to buy Ryan’s house and get the yoga studio she wanted.

  However, by late afternoon she’d exhausted all possibilities. Maybe next week would bring new listings that might be more suitable. At four, she finally dragged herself up and took a shower. She was grateful that Lily had called at lunchtime and asked if she wanted to meet her and Wade’s assistant, Bernie, for a drink after work.

  A few minutes past five, she walked into the office that Lily and Bernie shared. It was adjacent to Wade’s office and he usually kept his door open so the three of them could communicate easily. Bernie, short for Bernice, did not fit her name at all. It was a funny, old-fashioned name for such a vibrant, elegant young woman. Bernie was twenty-seven and single. She was model pretty, with the kind of looks that made people stop and stare. Her hair was stick straight, naturally blonde, like Barbi’s, and fell in a polished, blunt-cut bob that just kissed her collar bone. She had vivid, green eyes and cheekbones that were so high she would never need to wear blush. She was also incredibly nice, to everyone.

  Barbi smiled as Lily looked up and waved. She was on the phone leaving a message for someone. Though playing in the band was Lily’s passion, she enjoyed working at the ranch, too. She managed all the events and functions, which this past year had included more weddings. It sounded nightmarish to Barbi, dealing with stressed-out brides—Bridezillas, as Lily laughingly called some of them—but she didn’t seem to mind. It sounded like she was on the phone with a bride now, based on some of what Barbi was overhearing as Lily repeated a few things and then furiously jotted it all down. As soon as she finished the call, she slammed the phone down and stood up.

  “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go!” As she grabbed her purse, Barbi admired Lily’s outfit. She had a unique sense of style that always seemed to work, no matter what she threw together. This time, it was a long, gray shirt that was silky and flowed over her crisp, black dress pants. A colorful, magenta scarf tied it all together, and her hair looked lovely. Barbi openly envied Lily’s hair. Everyone did. It was long, a light, honey brown, and naturally wavy, the way you wished that curly hair would look but seldom did. Barbi’s never did, no matter how long she used a curling iron. Lily did nothing to hers, just washed it and let it air dry.

  “Where should we go?” Bernie asked as she picked up her purse and shut off her computer.

  “Well, I know we were thinking about the restaurant here because it’s convenient. But what about Figs, that new place on Main Street? I’ve heard they have some fun appetizers and a good after-work crowd. Plus, it’s closer to home for all of us,” Lily suggested.

  “Sounds good to me. I haven’t been there yet,” Barbi said.

  When they walked into Figs it was crowded already, but Lily’s eagle eyes spotted three seats opening up at the bar, and she made a beeline for them with the others following close behind. The crowd was interesting for Riston, which was a small town. As Barbi sipped her chardonnay and surveyed the room, she was surprised by the sophisticated, elegant atmosphere and the crowd. Instead of the casual, cowboy look that they saw in most area bars, there was a higher percentage of men in suits or at least shirts and ties. Probably from the financial companies and other businesses along Main Street. Riston was definitely growing.

  “I’ve never seen so many hot men in ties,” Bernie said, her eyes wide as she looked around.

  Lily sniffed. “I didn’t realize it would be so stuffy here. I’m sorry I suggested it.” This definitely wasn’t Lily’s crowd. She preferred more casual and creative.

  “It’s just that it’s the new place. It makes sense that the professional types who work nearby would come here after work. It’s only been
open a few weeks. It may relax a little,” Barbi said.

  “Maybe. But at least the food looks good,” Lily said as a server walked by holding a giant platter of nachos and a plate of chicken wings. Their bartender brought menus for them and they picked a few appetizers to share—the nachos and wings they’d seen, plus an order of arancini, little deep fried risotto balls filled with cheese and served with a marinara dipping sauce.

  The food was delicious, and they realized how lucky they were to have arrived when they did. The crowd at the bar was three deep, and there was a waiting line for the tables.

  “Any luck with the rental listings?” Lily asked as she reached for a chicken wing. Barbi had filled her in earlier on Ryan’s decision to wait on selling the house.

  “Not a thing. I’m sure there’s something out there, though.”

  “Is Ryan going to live there?” Bernie asked.

  “I think so. At least for a little while, while he’s here for the next few weeks.”

  “I saw him dropping his room key off with Gwen this morning when I came in. He was probably moving in today, I would imagine,” Lily said.

  Barbi nodded. “That makes sense. He said he was just staying at the ranch for a few days.”

  “Is it strange working with him?” Lily asked. Barbi knew she meant because of their past relationship, but before she could answer, Bernie spoke up, obviously assuming that Lily was referring to Ryan’s celebrity status.

  “We’ve had calls coming into Wade’s office. Regular customers asking if the rumors are true, if a famous chef is really working at the restaurant. Word has gotten out quickly.”

  “It is a little strange,” Barbi admitted. “The Ryan I knew didn’t even know how to boil water.”

  “How is Sam doing with it? He doesn’t mind having his kitchen invaded?” Lily wondered.

  “I don’t think he minds at all. He’s glad for the help. Sam is great. I’ve worked in other kitchens and most chefs might have a chip on their shoulder about someone like Ryan coming in, but not Sam. I will add, too, that Ryan doesn’t seem to have any ego to speak of. The two of them seemed to be having a good time together.”