by Lynn Cahoon
“Hank’s going to do it.” Angie motioned to Dom, and as soon as Ian took him off the lead, the dog went right to his bed, where he had a chewy toy waiting. “Good boy.”
“He was a good boy. He did his business, and we came right back inside. I can’t believe he gets cold with that coat, but he didn’t want to spend any more time outside than I did.” Ian glanced back out to the dining room. “Your boy, Hank, didn’t seem too confident going out to deliver your message. Are you sure you don’t want to supervise his delivery?”
“He’ll be fine. Everyone has to step up one time or another. This is just his first time to assert his voice here. From what I remember when Felicia hired him, he’s going to school for business or something. He’s going to have to find his voice sooner or later.”
“Trial by fire around here.” Ian took a seat. “Can I make you a coffee? I’m getting me one. I’m chilled to the bone.”
“Yes.” Angie flipped through the online reservation system and matched it up with the book they kept on the hostess stand. “We’re doing great for a Wednesday. And if we get some last-minute reservations or walk-ins, we’ll be almost at full capacity.”
Ian came back into the office with two cups he’d made from the pantry area where Angie had installed a Keurig for the staff. “Were you talking to Dom, or do I need to know what you just said?”
“No. Just talking to myself.” She checked the phone messages and added a reservation from that. Then she made notes of the number of covers they’d have and at what time for the kitchen. Estebe liked to be prepared, especially if there was one busier time over another. She grabbed the sheet of paper and took a sip of the coffee. “Let me go post the dinner numbers, and I’ll be right back. I need to review last week’s financials for our accountant before I get dragged into the kitchen to cook.”
Ian pulled a book out of his backpack. “Don’t worry about me. I’m going to read for a bit, then run to the store for some groceries. Yes, I grabbed your list.” He grinned at her. “Then I’ll put them into your walk-in until we’re ready to leave. Keep your staff out of my six-pack.”
“If I thought you were buying a six-pack, I’d tell them.” She paused at the door. “I’m kind of liking this arrangement we’ve got going right now.”
He nodded. “Me too. My recliner at the apartment is more comfortable than this chair, but I want to hang with Dom for a while. And you know my landlady doesn’t like pets in the apartment.”
“You’re sweet.” She nodded. “Be right back.”
She had just finished posting the numbers on a whiteboard at the back of the kitchen where Estebe could see it while he cooked when she heard the back door open. “Okay, who’s here early? Are you here to work, or do you need a quick meal before we start cooking?”
When no one answered, she turned toward the back door to see a woman standing there, her eyes wide, taking in the kitchen. Angie stepped toward her. “I’m sorry, we’re not open yet. If you want to call and see if you can get a seating tonight, I can give you the phone number.”
“Is Nancy Gowan here?” the woman asked in a quiet tone.
Angie peered closer at the woman. “Sorry, we don’t take visitors here in the kitchen. Again, if you want to make a reservation…”
The woman shook her head, interrupting Angie’s words. “I need to talk to Nancy.”
Then it hit Angie. This was the woman who had been with Charles Gowan. “You’re Charles’s wife. You need to leave here now. I’m not letting you even near Nancy, not after what he’s done to her.”
“You don’t understand.” The woman paused, reaching inside her tote bag.
A man’s voice came from the door. Angie looked up and saw Estebe. “No, you don’t understand. You need to leave here, now. If you want to talk to Nancy, you’ll need to call and leave her a message.”
Angie saw the woman calculating, then she apparently determined she couldn’t take on both of them, and her hand came out of her tote empty. Angie wondered if there was a gun in there and if Estebe had just saved her life. She stepped toward the wall phone and picked up the receiver. “Leave now or I’ll call the cops.”
The woman scurried past Estebe, and he followed her outside. When he came back into the kitchen, she sank onto a stool, letting the phone dangle from its receiver. He came over and hung the receiver up on the charging station. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just thankful we never removed the kitchen phone.” She stared at the door. “She’s the new wife and was here to see Nancy.”
“I think she was here to do more than see Nancy. Did you see her hand in the tote?”
Angie nodded. “I got that feeling too. Thanks for coming in when you did.”
“Not a problem.” He glanced at the door. “Since everyone typically comes in the back door, I need to make a sign telling them to come in the front. I’ll have one of Felicia’s staff serve as doorman until we open.”
“I need to call Allen. He needs to know that the woman is making threats.” She followed Estebe out of the kitchen and into the office.
“I was just about to come looking for you.” Ian looked up from his book, then set it down when he saw Angie’s face. “What happened?”
Estebe pointed to the desk chair. “Ian will call the police, but you need to sit down. You’re shaking.”
“What happened?” Ian demanded again, his gaze going from Estebe to Angie.
“Charles’s wife came in the kitchen door to ‘see’ Nancy. I think she had a gun and she was going to shoot her, but I can’t be certain. Estebe came in, and she decided she couldn’t fight all of us so she left. We’ve locked the back door, so Estebe is going to put up a sign for the staff to use the front and assign someone to help let people in. And I’m calling the police.” She stared at the phone, then at Ian. “Sorry, it’s kind of a blur.”
“Drink your coffee. I think you’re going into shock. I’ll call Uncle Allen and get him over here.” Ian moved her cup closer. “I just let you out of my sight for a few minutes. When am I going to learn?”
“Not my fault people are inconsiderate and trying to attack my staff in my kitchen.” Angie sipped the now-warm coffee. She wondered if she should get up and put the coffee in the microwave, but sometime during the discussion, Dom had woken and felt the tension. Right now, his head was on her lap and he wasn’t going to let her go anytime soon. Not even just to the kitchen.
Ian pulled out his phone and dialed a number. When it was answered, he stepped into the hallway to talk to his uncle.
Estebe made a sign and took some tape. Then he disappeared out of the office.
Angie was almost alone right then. Or at least alone from human companionship. Dom was staring at her with large eyes. She stroked his back. “Don’t worry, dude, I’m fine. A little shook up, but fine.”
Felicia came running in the office with Estebe a few steps behind. “Are you all right?”
“As I just told Dom, I’m great. Relax. At least we know that Nancy’s ex and his wife are behind the break-in. No way could that be a coincidence now.” Angie took a sip of the coffee, then left her fingers wrapped around the warm cup. This was good. Calming. Maybe she could bottle this feeling.
“Angie?”
She opened her eyes and found everyone staring at her. “What?”
“We called your name several times. You weren’t responding. Should we take you to the hospital?” Ian knelt beside her, his warm hands holding hers.
She looked down at him. When had she released the coffee cup? She took a deep breath. Then another. Blinking her eyes, she released Ian’s hands and rubbed her face. “I’m fine. I guess I was a little more shaken up than I thought.”
“I can handle service if you need to go home.” Estebe studied her, his brown eyes filled with concern.
“No. I’m good. Maybe I should eat something, though. Get my
blood sugar up?” She shook her head a little. “I don’t feel bad. Maybe a little dizzy.”
“Maybe you’re pregnant?” Felicia asked, an evil grin on her face.
“Shut your mouth. That’s not what this is.” Angie looked up and saw Estebe come back into the room with a plate. “Food, that’s what I need.”
Ian pulled up a chair next to her. “I’ll hang around, just in case.”
Chapter 16
Angie had to talk to Sheriff Brown, and by that time, service had already started. She tried to start expediting, but Estebe shook his head. “Go home. We have it for tonight.”
“You’re going to be on your own on Saturday when Felicia and I both go to this cotillion thing. Maybe you’re the one who should go home.” She picked up a towel and wiped off a plate before setting it on the server’s tray.
“I will be fine. You, on the other hand, look like you should be a ghost. Your color is bad. If you’re staying, I’m feeding you again before you work.” He studied her. “And you might as well bring Ian into the kitchen, as well. That way we know both of you have had a good meal.”
“You know you’re not the boss of me.” Angie tried to straighten her shoulders, but Estebe was right. She was wiped out. She held a hand up to stop the words she knew were coming her way. “Fine, feed me, Seymour.”
“I do not understand. What is a Seymour?” Estebe glanced over at Nancy, who started laughing. “Why are you laughing? Do you need to sit down, as well?”
“You’ll never get the pop culture references, so it’s really not even fun to tease you.” Matt carried over a pot to the sink. “But Nancy, he’s right. Are you okay?”
“I’m mad as hell.” Nancy shook a pan on the stove.
From Estebe’s look, Angie figured it was a little harder than necessary. She ignored the pan. “I didn’t ask how you are. I’m so sorry. I know this isn’t about me.”
“No, you were the one who had to deal with that woman. It is about you. I’m just mad that I never figured what a jerk Charles was before it was too late. Before I was tied to him with three kids. Before he got me so far in debt that I’ve had to work three jobs to dig out. I was stupid for way too long.” Nancy set the pan with the fish up in the warmer area. “Trout’s ready. And I’m mad he brought this crap here, to my new home. To my new family.”
“Family is family,” Estebe said as he focused on plating the fish. “You are not the problem here. He is. Do you like the new house?”
“It’s lovely, and we’ll be out as soon as I know he’s left town again.” Nancy glanced at the next ticket. “Scallops going down.”
“Heard,” Matt responded.
“Do you not like the house?” Estebe passed the plate to the server. “I have others if you are not comfortable there.”
“It’s lovely, but I know you’re cutting the rent for us. You deserve to have a renter who can pay full price for the home.” She smiled at him. “I’m starting the strip for the next ticket.”
“Heard,” Matt responded again.
“You should have a house you love. I will find another one for you.” Estebe set a plate on the warming station for the servers.
“I love the house,” Nancy said, “but…”
“There is no ‘but.’ Having a tenant who loves a house means you will take care of it, not like those college students who just want somewhere to party. You can stay there as long as you want.” He put his hand on the warmer shelf. “Nancy, we are family.”
“Listen to the man,” Angie said. “He seems to want to take care of all of us, so if he’s focused on you, he’s leaving me alone.”
“Hey, now.” Estebe turned from Nancy to Angie. “Go get Ian, and I will get your dinner ready. Then if you feel stronger after eating, you can cook.”
“I’m glad I have your permission.” Angie hurried out of the kitchen before Estebe could answer back or throw something at her. Ian was at the bar drinking what she assumed was a soda and talking on his phone. She went up and waited for him to finish the call.
“It’s Uncle Allen. They haven’t found her yet.” He covered the mouthpiece of the phone. “Do you need something?”
“Estebe has told me to get you for dinner. He’s feeding us at the chef table before he’ll let me back on the line.” She sank onto a stool next to him.
“You are the boss here, remember?” His eyes twinkled with humor.
Angie scanned the almost-full dining room. “Tell him that. Anyway, I’ll meet you in there. I’m going to go check on Dom.”
He nodded, then went back to his phone call.
Scanning the room, she moved toward the back and her dog. She just needed a check-in to get herself calmed down. Dom was good at telling her everything was okay in the world. She walked into the room, and the three children were lying in the front watching what appeared to be Cinderella on the screen. Dom lay with the children, three heads using him as a pillow.
He looked up and saw Angie, a doggie grin filling his face, but the only thing that moved on him was his tail. The oldest child looked back at Angie, a question on her face.
“Don’t get up, I was just checking on Dom. If he needs to go out, come get me, I don’t want you going outside with him.”
The girl called back, “We know. Mom already told us we can’t leave the building.”
“Okay then.” She paused a minute taking in the sight. Dom had already laid his head back down, and if she didn’t know better, she’d swear he was watching the movie with the kids. She turned back to the kitchen and left the impromptu party alone.
Ian was already in the kitchen sitting at the table when she arrived. He took her hand. “Dom okay?”
“He’s in kid heaven. I told them not to take him outside. That they should come in and let one of us know if he needs to go out.” She sank into the bench seat.
“I’ll take him out right after dinner.” He kissed her head. “You should have taken Estebe up on his offer. You look beat.”
“I am. After playing sleuth all morning, this happens, I’m not sure I can take another surprise.” She leaned into him, and for a moment, things were good. Solid.
Estebe set soup bowls in front of them. “Potato soup to start your meal. You need the substance. You look tired.”
“You gave me a sandwich in the office.” Angie sat up and grabbed her spoon. “Why does everyone keep telling me I look tired.”
Felicia came into the kitchen and sat at the table. “I’ll take a bowl too, sweetie. So tell me what happened in your check-ins? They had to be better than mine. No one wanted to talk about this new developer. No rumors, no discussion, nothing.”
“That’s odd.” Ian set his spoon down. “Nothing?”
“Nothing they would tell me.” Estebe set a bowl of soup in front of Felicia. “I even told them I would be interested in putting some money into the development, but everyone told me the funding was already in place. Usually with such a big development, they are always looking for additional capital, even if it’s just short term. This development, according to everyone I spoke with, is fully funded.”
Angie sighed, running the spoon through her soup. “There goes next year’s garden plans.”
“Just because they have funding doesn’t mean there aren’t problems with the permits and land acquisitions. You need to have faith. Tomorrow before I come in, I will talk to my friend on the county land board. Maybe there is a way to block their petition. Is the land historic in some way?” Felicia asked.
“Not that I know of. Mrs. Potter’s house was built for her when she got married. Nona took over the house from her mother, who moved into town when Nona married my grandfather. I’m not sure how far back the farm has been in our family.” Angie scraped the last bit of soup out of the bowl with a piece of bread. “Can I have another one of these? I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”
&nbs
p; “Your color is better too,” Ian commented. “Food is your fuel. In more ways than one.”
“I do love food.” Angie watched as the kitchen door swung open. It was Nancy’s youngest girl. She glanced around the room, looking for her mother.
“Celena, what are you doing in here? You need to go back and watch the movie with your sister and brother.” Nancy nodded to the stove and Matt stepped up and took her place. She walked around and knelt down in front of her child.
“I told Elna I had to go to the bathroom. I wanted to ask you when we’re going to California, Mommy. I want to see the sea lions.” Celena had a teddy bear she held tight to her side.
“What do you mean? We’re not going to California. We’re going to Wyoming over spring break to see your grandparents, remember?”
“I know that, but Daddy said we were going to California when he called. He told me to get packed.” She looked tired. “We packed everything to move into the new house, but then you unpacked my clothes. Maybe I should pack again for California?”
Nancy picked her up and gave her a hug. “When did you talk to your daddy?”
Angie could see the fear on Nancy’s face, but she was keeping her cool around the kid, she had to give her that.
“Last week. He called and said he loved me and we were going on a trip soon.” She laid her head on her mother’s shoulder. “I’m tired, Mommy. Can you take me back to the room so I can sleep with Dom?”
“Yes, sweetheart.” Nancy shot Estebe a look. “I’ll be right back.”
“The back doors are all locked, and the only way you can get to the banquet room is through the dining room. I’ll alert the staff to make sure no one goes back there.” Felicia stood and followed Nancy out.
“Out of the mouths of babes.” Ian picked up his phone and stepped away from the table. “I’m calling my uncle. Maybe he has some advice for Nancy on getting a restraining order.”
Angie finished her soup. Then she took her bowl to the dishwashing station. “Let’s get service done. I think we’ve got a few things to discuss afterward. Number one being how we can make sure that Nancy and her kids are safe.”