“He did. It’s some big shot’s vacation home. The guy and his wife plan to entertain a lot this summer, so they wanted workable space. I gather it’s an old, old house. Jack said it even had an earthen root cellar. He’s taking me to see it this weekend.” Jem reached down to pet Clooney as he bumped between her and Pippa. “I guess you know Jack went to Providence last night. I have custody of Clooney for the duration.”
“He said he had meetings through late afternoon and wouldn’t get back until very late tonight. That’s why I’m here. I know with him gone tonight, you probably want to catch up on exciting stuff, like laundry or cleaning. Mason, put that down.” Pippa called out a warning as the boy picked up a large pan to play with. Turning back to Jem, she said, “Here’s the thing. Tonight’s league night and Lucie Murdock’s kids have the flu. I’m throwing myself on your mercy. Can you come out to play tonight? Mason! I won’t tell you again, put it down.”
Pleased at the invitation, Jem didn’t hesitate. “Laundry can wait one more day. I’d love to. What time?”
“What time for what?” Sam walked through the swinging door. The pan clattered as Mason dropped it, drawing a quick frown from his agitated mother. Mia joined Mason as he raced toward their uncle and together they threw their arms around him. Sam pretended to stagger under their weight and grabbed them up to swing them around in a circle.
The sound of their delighted laughter tickled Jem’s spine. Holy cow, this is a great family, Jem thought as she watched Sam interact with his young niece and nephew. Open, warm, loving. And friendly. These people genuinely liked each other. Jem knew it was possible to love family without liking them. Much like what she felt about her own parents. She hadn’t liked them much since her brother died. The stab of longing to be a part of the Kerrigan family swamped her.
“Jem is going to sub for Lucie tonight. It’s league night and we’re in a match against the Ladybugs.”
“They’re going down for sure. You can’t lose with Jem.” Sam put down the kids and greeted both his sister and Jem with loud, smacking kisses on the cheek, grinning when the twins erupted in laughter yet again. “What’s eating Grant? I just parked out front, and when I got out of my car, he was standing in his office entryway, glaring at the café. Did you do something to piss him off?”
“Uncle Sam! Mommy says that’s a bad word.” Mason giggled at his uncle.
“Mommy’s right, squirt. Sorry, ladies.” Sam put his hand over his heart. “Seriously though, what’s Grant’s deal?”
“I don’t know. He’s come by a couple of times for lunch, but always seems distant. He’s been cool, but civil since I turned down his offer to help sort through Caro’s papers. Frankly, he creeps me out a bit.” Jem reached into the refrigerator for eggs and butter for the sandwiches she’d promised the twins. “He and Caro were involved with an environmental group and I found some of their paperwork in her personal stuff. But I keep forgetting to give it to him.”
Pippa turned after rinsing the pan Mason had dropped with and grabbed a drying towel. “Wait, are you talking about SPACES?”
Surprised, Jem glanced at Jack’s sister. “You know about them?”
“Yeah. A resident at the nursing home where I work was a card-carrying member before developing Alzheimer’s disease. In one of our therapy sessions, he got very disturbed with one particular song.” Pippa put the pan on the stove and dropped a pat of butter in it. “It was an environmental anthem from the Nineties, I think. He started rambling about SPACES, about how the leadership hoodwinked the rank and file into believing they were out to save the planet when all they were really doing was blackmailing a bunch of corporations. They’d threaten the company with demonstrations, boycotts and ecoterrorism if they didn’t pay protection money. It sounded outlandish, but he was having one of his lucid days.”
Jem broke eggs in the bowl, whisking them into a froth as Pippa talked. “That might explain the ledger.”
“Ledger?” Sam asked.
“I found a ledger for SPACES with entries dated around the time my brother died,” Jem explained as she tossed a loaf of bread to Sam. “Make yourself useful, please. Put four slices in the toaster. I found photos and articles too. Grant was involved with the group. I just don’t know to what extent. Caro must have kept the books for them.”
Pippa took the bowl of eggs from Jem and poured them into the heated pan. She raised her voice over the satisfying sizzle. “My patient said the FBI interviewed him about the group, but I assumed it was back in the day, if it happened at all. Mason, Mia, stop playing with Clooney and go wash up. Your sammies are almost ready. Sam, you know the local agent in charge don’t you?”
“Sure, but I bet it’s just ancient history at this point,” he responded, putting the toasted bread on a plate on the counter. “Jem, has Grant said anything to you about the group?”
“Nope. He doesn’t talk to me often. To be honest, I’m good with it. Given the nature of the documents Caro left for me, and the extent to which I think Grant might be involved, I don’t want a bunch of interaction with him. His favorite pastime appears to be glaring at me from across the street.” Jem laughed a bit as Pippa spooned eggs onto the toast. Jem layered cheese on top before slicing the sandwiches in halves and dividing them between plates. “I’ve already hired a new attorney. Honestly, it just feels better to me.”
Sam frowned. “Grant’s going to be unhappy. He was Caroline’s attorney for as long as I can remember.”
“And her boyfriend.” At their shocked looks, Jem snorted. “It’s true. They were a couple before Caro quit the group. I should probably care more about his feelings, but I’m seriously uncomfortable around him. I’ve made my choice. He’ll have to live with it.”
Mason and Mia charged through the swinging doors and Pippa scolded, “Slow down, speed racers. You don’t want Jem to think you’re uncivilized. She might not feed you.”
The twins jumped up and down, arms stretched out for plates.
The conversation about SPACES ended. Jem handed each of them a sandwich and pointed back to the front of the café. “Let’s eat out there. You guys can be the first to eat in the new dining room.”
The kids whooped and carefully carried their plates, followed by their mother and uncle. Jem walked to the juice dispenser, poured five glasses of orange juice and arranged them on a tray. Lifting the large brown platter over her head, she carried it to the only table remaining, and served them with a flourish and a French accent, to the giggling delight of the kids.
When Jem finally sat down, she turned to Sam, who had just taken a bite, and sighed contentedly. “You never said what brought you over today.”
“Dave Saunders said they’ll finish up their punch list tomorrow, instead of Friday.” Sam licked his fingers, smacking his lips loudly to the delight of his niece and nephew. “We’ve scheduled a final walk-through for late afternoon, if that’s okay. Does four o’clock work for you tomorrow?”
“Perfect. The restaurant-supply company will deliver the tables and chairs Friday, so now I won’t have to worry about getting in anyone’s way. That’s great.”
“Our crew won’t start the next job until Monday, so if you need help getting things off the truck, I’d be happy to send a few of them by. Most of the guys are heading north for a fishing trip, but I know at least two aren’t going.”
“Avery and Elizabeth will be here, but I won’t turn away help with the heavy lifting. Oh, and get this: Walt is coming on Friday. To help.”
“Walt Childers? Is that a good idea?”
At the worried looks on Pippa’s and Sam’s faces, Jem rushed to explain. “Elizabeth called a family meeting with Avery and Walt last week. The guys have worked out a truce for her sake. She even persuaded Walt to agree to let Avery move back in while the kids look for an affordable apartment. Turns out he felt everything was out of his control. What parent doesn’t get a little crazy when their children develop minds of their own?” She glanced at Pippa, who nodded vigorously
. “He won’t agree to them getting married, but she said he grudgingly accepted them living together as a family. She cried when she told me.”
“Miracles do happen,” Sam said incredulously.
“They brought Walt by Sunday afternoon to introduce him. He seemed enthusiastic about Elizabeth working, as long as it didn’t interfere with his needs. He strikes me as a man who wants what he wants when he wants it. He did thank me, reluctantly, for giving Avery a job, even if it wasn’t in what he perceives as an acceptable line of work.”
“Well, I’m speechless. Who would have guessed he’d ever change his mind?” Sam shook his head and changed the subject. “Is Resa still coming to help next week?”
“Yeah, she’ll be here on Saturday. She wants to stay a week, or longer if I need her.” Jem lit up at the thought of her friend taking a week off from Margo’s madcap lifestyle to come help her open her new business, and then rolled her eyes. “Even Margo offered to come.”
Mia tugged on Jem’s t-shirt, pulling her down to whisper in her ear. “Can I help with the grand opening, too?”
Jem smiled. “I think we can arrange something. Do you think you could play hostess and make sure everyone has a table?”
“I can do it better than Mason. He can help with the dishes,” Mia responded, sending a triumphant look at her brother.
“Hey, not fair! I don’t want to do dishes,” Mason hollered, before his mother shushed him.
“Suck it up, mister.” Pippa laughed. “Something tells me I’ll be helping you out with them.”
* * * *
A small chorus of cheers went up from the group of women standing at the railing around the darts area at Big Red’s. Pippa’s last throw of the evening put their score ahead of their opponents, clenching a victory for the June Bugs. By Jem’s third toss of the evening, the team had offered her a spot as a regular sub on the team. If a permanent spot opened up, it would be hers automatically.
The new friendships pleased her. There was nothing like the glow of acceptance from new acquaintances. The other women on the team welcomed her openly, peppering her with questions about when the café would reopen and what changes they could expect on the menu. One of her teammates, an event planner named Sally, inquired about whether they’d offer catering in the future or would consider renting the space for events.
Jem stood next to Pippa, who laughingly accepted congratulations from her team, when a big, strong arm snaked around her neck. Startled, she fell backward and then relaxed as her shoulders connected with a muscular chest she recognized. She twisted in Jack’s arms to face him and lifted her lips to meet his in a hungry, searing kiss.
“Hi,” she breathed on a sigh when he finally released her lips. “I missed you last night.”
“Hi back,” Jack smiled at her before he briefly tightened his arms around her body. “Successful night at darts?”
“We won. That’s as successful as it gets.” Jem smiled back.
As he released her and turned to greet his sister, Jem noticed Tessa glaring at her from across the railing by the darts area. Jem shivered at the look of malice and loathing on Tessa’s face. When had she come in? She hadn’t noticed the woman earlier in the evening. Her timing was impeccable—materializing just as Jem was being swept up in Jack’s arms in a hello, I’ve missed you, let me suck your tongue into my mouth before I take off your clothes off type of kiss. It was as if they had walked in together. Tessa threw one last killer glare at her before turning to greet a friend with a smile and a hug.
“Do you want another beer, or are you ready to leave?” Jack asked.
The look of the smoldering heat in his eyes stole Jem’s breath and made her decision.
“I’m ready to go, if you are.”
Jack’s sensuous leer made Jem leap to find her purse. She threw a goodbye wave over her shoulder at Pippa, grabbed his arm and steered them both out the door.
Chapter 21
Last night she’d hosted a soft opening, good practice for the time when the first real customers walked through the doors. She and Avery manned in the kitchen, along with Elizabeth. Jack and Sam served as busboys, clearing and wiping tables to make room for the next guests. Mason and Mia delivered menus to the diners and recommended the scrambled egg sandwiches to each person. Marissa, Resa and Walt, yes, Walt, were front of the house, working as a team, taking the orders, refilling coffee cups and water glasses, and ringing up pretend bills at the end of the meal for Jem’s guests.
Avery had risen to the challenge of cooking for a crowd like a professional. He didn’t get flustered when Marissa put up a large group order. He simply worked methodically until the order was completed and the last plate was picked up. Then he slouched in front of the hot stove and wiped his face with a towel he’d kept in his back pocket. He glanced over his shoulder when Jem slapped him on the back for a job well done and froze. Jem turned to see what stopped Avery’s smile from becoming the grin she’d gotten used to seeing. Walt stood at the door to the kitchen, a curious half smile on his lips. Could that be real approval? Was he finally seeing his son as a competent, successful man? Even if her restaurant was a dismal failure, Jem knew something wonderful, a family healed, had come from it.
Her heart ached, wishing her own parents had accepted her invitation to the grand opening. At least they’d been honest. They were proud of her, but just couldn’t bear to travel to Granite Pointe. Even for this. She’d never have the closeness with her parents again that she’d had as a younger woman. The kind the Childers were working to achieve. Or the enviable, easy camaraderie and affection Jack shared with his family.
His parents and sister were among her guests for the evening, along with his construction workers, their families and the merchants Jem had met from up and down the street. Each person had received a hand-delivered invitation for the trial night. It was Jem’s thanks to the workers for creating a space so beautiful it defied description and finishing the job quickly. For the other merchants, it was a way for Jem to introduce her new business. Good reviews from the other shopkeepers in the area were important. She wanted Taste to be the answer whenever their customers asked for the name of a good local restaurant. She’d invited Grant as a courtesy, but he declined the invitation. It had been hard to hide her relief when he made an excuse for not joining the fun.
Now, it was finally opening day.
Jem was more nervous than she’d ever been in her life. Her stomach flipped and rolled like eggs in boiling water. But, jitters like this turned a good performance into a great one. Today was going to be terrific, even though she was more exhausted than she’d been the first time she’d pulled an all-nighter in college. Or the first day she’d worked for Caro as a teen. She had truly forgotten just how early oh-dark-thirty came.
Standing in the kitchen, Jem took a last sip from her coffee cup, looked around at her domain, liking what she saw. The front windows framed the dawning day, filling the café with the promise of new life and opportunity, like the sunrise she’d seen on the first morning she was here.
Her new beginning.
Lustrous and shiny, the exposed brick walls of the café glowed in the pale sunlight. The dark wood countertops and tables shined pristinely. The mismatched chairs around the tables created a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. The subtle sconce lighting on the walls complemented the chandeliers hanging above the eating areas. Gleaming pine-plank flooring warmed the entire space. It was a lovely, happy-looking space.
“Oh Christ, it’s early.” Resa yawned next to her, after stumbling down the steps from the upstairs apartment about ten minutes ago.
Elizabeth pulled her legendary cinnamon rolls out of the oven, the warm cozy scent wafting through the air.
Avery was at the griddle, double-checking his supplies, ensuring that everything he needed to cook quickly and efficiently was where he wanted it.
In the moments before she unlocked her door for her first day of business, Jem thought about how different her life was today f
rom a mere six weeks ago. Caro had found a home here, among the people of Granite Pointe. Now, Jem had found a place of her own.
“Okay, folks. It’s nearly time.” She glanced around. “Avery, you good?”
“Yeah…yeah. I’m a bit nervous, though. This is so different from last night,” he said, fiddling with a spatula.
“Well, you can quit thinking like that, because I have enough anxiety for all of us.” Jem grinned and then sobered as she continued. “On the day of Caro’s funeral, there was no way I was going to do this. You know, run this café. Grant and I stood at the front counter, and he asked if I felt any passion for my job. He made me think. I liked my life in New York. It was good and filled with wonderful friends.” She smiled at Resa, who grinned over the yawn she was trying to stifle. “But things changed. I am so happy I chose to stay, to see if I was capable of being successful with Caro’s legacy. Thank you, each of you, for taking this chance with me. For helping me find my place.”
Avery banged the spatula against the stove as Elizabeth and Resa moved forward to hug her. Jem took a moment to silently thank Grant for his life-altering question the day of Caro’s funeral. Because she’d found friends and family. She’d found a new life and passion.
Best of all, she’d found Jack.
Jem returned the hugs, took a deep breath, and threw one last smile heavenward, where she knew her beloved aunt watched over her, and turned to Resa and Avery. “Ready?”
Resa yawned again. “As we’ll ever be.”
Avery grinned. “Let’s get busy.”
Jem looked at both of them. “Okay. It’s seven o’clock. Once I unlock the door, we’re committed. Last chance. Anybody want out? No? Good, ’cause there’s no way I’ll let you go now.”
They laughed as she flipped the switches, illuminating the large chandeliers and sconces in the front of the house and the smaller pendulum lights over the service counter. She swept out of the kitchen, her shoes clicking on the burnished hardwood floor, and unlocked the café. The door immediately opened and their first customers walked up to the counter where Resa waited to take their orders.
Cooking Up Love Page 21