Charming Chef (River's End Ranch Book 7)

by Kelley, Pamela M.

  “You weren’t kidding. Wow,” Ryan whispered to her.

  They played a lot of their original songs and mixed in some lively covers that got the crowd up and dancing. Barbi and Ryan were right with them. Barbi had always loved to dance and Ryan didn’t seem to mind, either. When the tempo slowed and everyone moved closer and started swaying to the music, Ryan pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into him, resting her arms on his shoulders and breathed deeply. She wasn’t sure what it was, but he was wearing some kind of cologne and she loved the scent, his scent.

  They stayed until the band finished their last song and then had a drink with them at the small bar in the back room. Lily always had a second wind after a show and could stay up for hours. After about an hour, though, Barbi couldn’t hold back a yawn and Ryan saw it.

  “Are you ready to get out of here?” he asked softly.

  She nodded. “Lily, we’re going to take off. I have an early morning yoga class to teach tomorrow.”

  Ryan chuckled. “I guess that means I’ll be up early, too.”

  “Sorry.” Barbi did feel bad about interrupting Ryan’s morning.

  “I’m just teasing. I’m up by then, anyway. I’ve sort of had to become a morning person over the years.”

  “Good night, you two. Thanks for coming.” Lily gave both of them hugs good-bye and they left.

  Ryan pulled up to her driveway and leaned in and Barbi caught her breath. For a confused moment she thought he was going to kiss her, but then quickly realized he was just giving her a hug.

  “That was a fun night. See you in the morning.”

  “Thanks, Ryan. Good night.”

  Chapter 19

  Barbi dragged herself over to Ryan’s house at a quarter to seven the next morning. She had slept horribly, waking up at three a.m., and tossed and turned for over an hour before falling into a fitful sleep again. But she knew that she’d feel better after the yoga class—she always did. She had a tall bottle of water with her and drank half of it on the drive over.

  The house was quiet when she let herself in. There was no sound of movement from above. Ryan must still be in bed. Lucky him. Barbi got ready for her class, turning on the soft background music and gathering a pile of mats for her students to use. It was a small class, just six students, which was fairly typical for a Saturday morning. But the ones that came were her most loyal students, and she knew they’d miss the early morning class if she stopped offering it. She compromised by having the class every other Saturday. Usually, she didn’t mind at all. But today she was just feeling tired.

  The hour class went by quickly, though, and she was energized by the time the class ended. She was also starving and planning to head over to the cafe for her weekly omelet. As the last student left, she heard shuffling upstairs and smelled coffee brewing. And then a voice hollered down, “Coffee’s on if you want to join me for a cup.”

  Barbi went upstairs and found Ryan in the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee and then two, when he saw her.

  “How are you feeling today?” he asked her.

  “Tired. Not surprised, though. I usually just have two drinks, but I had a third last night while we were watching the show and it was great, but I didn’t sleep well. Am feeling it today. The class helped, though. And this coffee, too. Thank you.”

  “Are you hungry? I was about to make a kitchen sink omelet.”

  Barbi’s stomach grumbled. “I’m starving, actually. I was going to head to the cafe for breakfast. What is a kitchen sink omelet?”

  Ryan pulled out a chair. “Have a seat and you’ll see soon enough.”

  Barbi sat and sipped her coffee and watched while Ryan worked his magic. He pulled out all kinds of things from the refrigerator—asparagus, tomato, onion, a slice of ham that he diced up, an orange pepper, and a container of goat cheese. It all went into the pan and out came the kitchen sink omelet, which was every bit as good as any she’d had from Bob. While it was cooking, he also fashioned some homefries out of a leftover baked potato and a lot of butter. The end result was decadent and Barbi ate more than she should, but she didn’t regret a single bite. She sighed with contentment as Ryan took her empty plate away.

  “More coffee?” He topped off his cup and then hers.

  “I’m feeling fat and happy. Thank you.”

  Ryan grinned. “Do you have to be anywhere right now?”

  “No, I’m free until four when I have to go in to the restaurant.”

  “Watch a movie with me, then. That’s what I like to do after a big, lazy breakfast like this.”

  The idea was tempting. “Sure. I think I could walk about as far as your sofa right now.”

  “Come on, then. Bring your coffee.”

  He led the way to the living room sofa and they both collapsed on it. Ryan handed her a fleece throw which she snuggled into and he did the same. He clicked on the TV and flipped channels until he found a romantic comedy that appealed to both of them. It was a good movie, one she’d seen before and enjoyed, and she watched happily for about ten minutes, before her eyes grew too heavy to keep open, and she let them drift shut. Just for a minute.

  * * *

  She was snoring. The light sound drew his attention away from the movie, and he realized that Barbi had fallen fast asleep beside him. She was leaning against him, and he put his arm around her to get more comfortable, thinking she might wake up and shift positions, but she snuggled closer to him, and he smiled. He didn’t mind a bit. She felt good against him, and once his arm was around her his eyes soon grew heavy, too, and he drifted to sleep.

  He woke an hour or so later when his arm cramped up, and he had to shift positions again. He tried to do so without disturbing Barbi, who was still sound asleep beside him. He fell back asleep and this time slept for several hours. When he woke up, the TV was off and Barbi was gone. He was disappointed that she wasn’t there. He’d enjoyed napping with her. But when he checked the time and realized how late it was, nearly eleven, he understood why she’d left. He smiled when he saw the note she scribbled and left on the coffee table.

  “Thanks for breakfast. Woke up and you were sound asleep. I didn’t want to wake you. I think we both needed our sleep. See you tonight.”

  He folded the note and tucked it in his pocket, then glanced at the calendar. He knew his time in Riston was coming to an end soon. Wade had mentioned earlier in the week that Barbi’s suggestion to check with the university alumni service had paid off and they had hired someone. He wasn’t as anxious to get back as he’d thought he would be. The more relaxed pace in Riston was kind of nice and he was enjoying Barbi’s company more than he’d expected. He was going to miss this place when he left.

  Chapter 20

  Barbi was surprised to see a new face in the kitchen when she arrived shortly before four. There was another man behind the line with Sam and Ryan.

  Sam smiled when he saw her and introduced them, “Barbi this is Adam. He’s going to be our full-time sous chef. We’re throwing him into the fire tonight and tomorrow. Might as well learn when it’s busy, right?”

  “Right. Welcome!” Barbi shook his hand. He seemed pleasant enough, but the only thing that really registered was that now Ryan would be leaving. She’d known that he would, of course, but the past few weeks had felt so right, and it just seemed normal for him to be here. But of course that was just wishful thinking on her part. She thought of Jaclyn’s words and wondered. Was there any point to seeing if Ryan had any feelings for her? Or was she just kidding herself? Did long-distance relationships ever work?

  It was a busy Saturday night, and Barbi didn’t have much time to contemplate anything other than which table she needed to attend to next. It was almost eleven by the time all her customers were gone and she was able to leave. Ryan was putting his jacket on when she made her last trip into the kitchen to get hers.

  “Are you up for a drink?” he asked. He looked like he was ready for one. It had been a long night.

  �
�Here at the bar?”

  He shook his head. “No, it’s way too crowded. Let’s just go back to my place. Soon to be your place,” he corrected himself and smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

  “Okay, I’ll meet you there.” Barbi noticed that Ryan seemed more than just tired. He looked tense, like something was troubling him. She wondered what was bothering him.

  She found out soon after she arrived at his house and he handed her a glass of chardonnay. She followed him into the living room, and they sat on the comfortable sofa they’d napped on that morning.

  “You look like someone died,” she teased him. “Is everything okay?”

  He sighed. “Yeah, it’s just work stuff. I’ve been getting text messages all night. Some pipes burst and flooded the Boston restaurant. They had to close to assess the damage and get it cleaned up as best they could.”

  “That’s awful. Is that the kind of thing your managers can handle?”

  “Somewhat. But it will be easier if I’m there. Ours wasn’t the only business affected. It was the whole building and there will be insurance adjusters to deal with and contractor quotes. It’s a mess, literally.”

  “I guess it’s a good thing then that Wade found a replacement for you. When will you go back?”

  “Well, I wasn’t planning to go back this soon, but now that Adam is here, I’ll work tomorrow night and jump on a plane first thing Monday morning. I have to admit it’s been nice not having to worry too much about any of this for a while.”

  “Oh. Wow.” Barbi understood, but it still seemed so sudden.

  “I know. I thought I’d have more time here. It’s been great seeing everyone, and hanging out with you.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad you came back.”

  He cleared his throat and looked around the room. “The place is all set for you. I got rid of everything except the furniture you wanted and left the dishes, glasses, and silverware in the kitchen. You just need to order that mattress.”

  “Thanks. It will be strange to be here without you,” she admitted.

  “It’s a lot of house for one person. I’ll try to get back soon. I haven’t been able to see my father as much as I’d hoped. My time here has flown by.”

  “It has. When do you have to go to Chicago to be on Sophia’s show?”

  He frowned. “That’s coming up fast, too. She moved it up a little, so in about a month. I’m hoping to get back here at least for a long weekend before then, though.

  “I’ll miss you,” she admitted.

  He looked surprised at the admission and then took her hand and asked softly, “You will?”

  She nodded and took a deep breath. It was now or never.

  “Do you have any regrets?” she asked.

  He let go of her hand and just said, “Doesn’t everyone? What do you regret?”

  “The biggest mistake I ever made was breaking up with you.”

  He looked at her intently. “That was a long time ago. We were young.”

  “You scared me. I’d never felt that close to anyone before, and I just didn’t know what to do with it. So I left. Maybe I was afraid of it not working out, of you breaking up with me. Of getting hurt.”

  “It did hurt.” Barbi could still hear the pain in his voice as he remembered.

  “It hurt me just as much, maybe more because I was the one that did it. I immediately wanted to undo it, but I was too afraid. And you were dating Mary Jane Collins a week later.”

  Ryan chuckled. “She asked me to that dance. I only went with her to get my mind off of you, but it didn’t work.”

  “I thought you were already over me, just like that.”

  “Over you? No.”

  She reached over and lightly ran her finger down the side of his face.

  “Ry, do you think we could try again?” It was so hard to get the words out and she held her breath, waiting for him to say something. He took her hand again and smiled.

  “Ry—No one has called me that in a long time. No one except you, actually.”

  “It just slipped out. But I like it, it suits you.”

  “I like it when you say it,” he admitted.

  “So, Ry, what do you think?” she looked into his eyes and saw an answer there that gave her hope and then she felt his lips come down on hers, tentatively at first. But then the kiss grew stronger for both of them and went on for a long time until finally, breathless, they pulled back and looked at each other in wonder.

  “It’s been a long time, but kissing you is just as good as I remember, better even.” Ryan kissed her gently on the forehead. “We’re an important part of each other’s lives. There’s history there.”

  “I’d like for there to be a future, too,” Barbi said, and then added, “Though I know it will be hard. Your life isn’t here.”

  “No, it hasn’t been. Not for a long time. But I will be here more. We can take it one step at a time, and see how it goes?”

  It wasn’t the resounding yes that Barbi was hoping for, but for now, it would have to do.

  Chapter 21

  Barbi was surprised to get a phone call around noon the next day from Wade.

  “Hey, Barbi. Wade here. I’m not sure if you heard, but tonight is going to be Ryan’s last shift in the restaurant. He’s heading home tomorrow. It’s kind of last minute, but we’re going to have a little gathering in the bar to send him off. I’m letting everyone who worked with him at the restaurant know, in case you want to stop by to wish him well. Say around nine thirty? We usually shut down by then on a Sunday.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  She was glad to have another chance to see him before he left. She took her time getting ready, wanting to look good but not as though she’d put too much effort into it. She settled on jeans, a cute pink top and her favorite dark brown cowboy boots. They were faded and fit her like a glove.

  When she walked into the bar, Ryan was already there, surrounded by well-wishers. The bar was mostly empty except for people there to send Ryan off. He met her eyes as she walked in and smiled. She went over and gave him a hug, and he gave up his seat and insisted that she sit.

  “I feel like standing anyway.”

  Reluctantly, she slid into his seat and without her even asking, a glass of chardonnay was set down in front of her.

  “I ordered it for you. Chardonnay is okay, I hope?”

  “Perfect, thanks.”

  “Hi, honey!” Barbi was surprised when she turned and saw her mother and Sam walk over. Then she remembered her mother mentioning that they had plans. Wade, of course, called Sam too. Two seats opened up next to Barbi, and both her mother and Sam sat down.

  “Sam is a really good cook. He made us the best dinner,” she said happily.

  “Your mother is an easy customer,” Sam teased.

  “It’s true. I like everything,” she admitted.

  Lily arrived and joined Barbi at the bar.

  “I’m so glad you guys came in the other night. Thank you.”

  “We had a good time. Figs is a great venue.” There was nothing else like it in Riston. Barbi had a feeling that it was going to do really well. It already was.

  “Wasn’t it? The acoustics are really good, too. We’re going to be playing there again soon. They asked us to come back in a few weeks.

  “Oh, that’s great.”

  Lily glanced at her curiously and noticed when Barbi looked at Ryan who was chatting with Wade and X, the new sous chef.

  “Something’s changed,” she stated.

  Barbi felt herself flush. She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t have to.

  “I knew it!” But then her tone turned sympathetic. “I’m sorry, honey. Something finally happens and now he’s leaving. Do you have any plans to see him again?”

  “Nothing definite. We’re going to play it by ear. He said he’ll try to come back sometime in the next few weeks.”

  “That’s good. I hope it works out. Long distance relationships are hard.”

&nb
sp; “I know. I mean, I don’t really, but I can imagine that it won’t be easy.”

  “Well, as my mother used to say, ‘If it’s meant to be, it will happen.’”

  “That’s good advice.”

  After about an hour, everyone had left except for Ryan, Wade, Lily and Barbi. Wade and Lily both stood at the same time and laughed. “Well, it’s past my bedtime,” Wade joked.

  “Me, too. Good luck, Ryan. Barbi, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Lily said.

  “We’re right behind you.” Barbi stood and then asked Ryan, “What time is your flight tomorrow?”

  “Much too early. Eight a.m. I’m ready to go, too.” He walked her to her car, and then pulled her in for a hug and a kiss.

  “I’ve been wanting to do that ever since you walked in earlier. Since I woke up, actually,” he admitted.

  “I’m glad they did this for you. I was glad to see you again before you take off tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be back in a few weeks. Is it still okay for me to stay in the guest bedroom?”

  “Of course.” Barbi was looking forward to spending more time with him and was a little nervous but also thrilled that he’d be staying with her.

  “Good. I’ll be in touch. Good night, Barbi.” He kissed her again, quite thoroughly, and then left.

  Chapter 22

  Her mother was in love. And this time, Barbi more than approved of the man she was with. Sam was a gem, and she was thrilled that her mother finally allowed herself to be with someone like him. She’d never seen her this happy and relaxed before. Most of her other relationships were filled with drama and disappointment. Two weeks after they started dating, she admitted that she thought of him as more than a friend. Now, while sitting in the salon on a Saturday morning getting pedicures, her mother admitted how she really felt about Sam.

  “He’s the love of my life. My soul mate. I’m only sorry that it took me so long to meet him, but he was worth the wait.”

  “I’m so happy for you, Mom. Sam’s awesome.”