“You catered for the Christmas gala out of this kitchen, right? Even with that horrid stove.”
“Yeah, we did.”
“So it’s serviceable or at least it will be once you replace the stove and get the place cleaned up.”
“I suppose. It’s just that you’re used to a higher standard than this old place. Planning commission checked it and passed it when I took over so it’s safe if not the prettiest kitchen in the world. I know what you’re used to, Bella. I’ve watched your shows too and I can’t see you working in something like this, no matter how much you insist it will be fine. I should have thought of that before I said you could take over the restaurant. I’m sorry I can’t offer you better.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ve been spoiled, I’ll admit that but that’s okay. I started with far worse.” She walked over to the stove and looked at it, letting her mind drift back. “Don’t you remember that dingy little café I started out in? The cringe-worthy kitchen was way worse than this place. I can’t believe I stayed there so long before I moved along to something better but at least I learned heaps.” She stared at the stove. “You can replace this one without spending a fortune, you know. And since the kitchen will be out of action for a while anyway, maybe it’s time to go ahead and do what you need to do.”
“Maybe. But enough, you didn’t come here to rebuild my kitchen as much as I would appreciate someone else taking over that chore for me. Tell me more about what you want to do apart from rest up?”
“No, honestly, I want to help and you’d be doing me a favor. I can’t sit on my butt and look at the view. It’s not me, Mari. You know that.”
Her sister stood staring at her, silent.
“Oh, come on. Have pity on me for goodness’ sake. I need to work or I’ll go nuts. Besides, I actually have a deadline for my next book. I need to try out my recipes and I was all set to use this kitchen. Now I’ve ruined it. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“You haven’t had a vacation for years. Don’t you think it would be a good idea now that you have time? You could go on a world cruise, go take a gondola down the canals in Venice, or climb a mountain if you really wanted to.”
“No!” She stamped her foot, frustration rising as the idea of laying back in a hammock with an iced tea and a book took hold. Not going to happen! Not this century anyway. “If I miss my deadline, Jason, my photographer, will never work for me again. I’ve had to book him months ahead to use him, Mari. Guys that good don’t grow on trees you know. Besides, if I let my publisher down, they’ll never give me another contract. That I know for a fact and I like doing the books.”
“I doubt that. They’d be silly to let you go over a late book.”
“You have no idea how it works. They slot the release day in over a year in advance. Everything comes down to meticulous planning that I can’t afford to screw up. They’ll mark me up as ‘precious’ and decide it’s too hard to work with me.” She tugged at her hair, twisted it around her finger. “I need to keep on track or risk losing everything I’ve worked for, enforced break or not.”
“Seriously, Bella, you have more energy than anyone I know. Come on, come and have a coffee and say hello to your nephew. We can talk more about this once he’s at school.” Mari turned and walked out, leaving Bella to follow her.
She fist pumped the air, did a little foot dance, and wiggled her hips before racing out to follow her sister. And ran smack into the hunky fireman who held her in his arms yesterday.
“Ooph!” The breath was knocked out of her and she reached out for something, anything to stop her fall.
Her fingers latched onto a soft T-shirt with muscles underneath. Arms folded around her and kept her upright against a hard chest. The fresh smell of cologne filled her nose as she sucked in a breath. Unlike yesterday, when all she could smell was smoke, this morning she caught the undertones of vanilla and coffee, a hint of lime. And very hunky male. Unattached male as she now knew.
Bella unwrapped her arms from around his chest, brushed his arms away, her face flaming in embarrassment. “Sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
Jake smiled. “I gathered that but don’t worry. I’m a fireman, we’re built tough enough to handle a whirlwind like you.”
“Jake, you haven’t formally met my little sister, have you? This is Bella. Bella Moore.”
*
The name suited her. He held out his hand. “Bella, lovely to meet you. Apart from a quick hello when you arrived and our encounter yesterday, we haven’t had a chance to do the whole greet and meet. Welcome to Cherry Lake.”
“Thanks. Not used to such an exciting entry into the local community but it could have been worse as everyone keeps saying.”
She withdrew her hand and jammed it in the pockets of her jeans. Jeans that looked like they cost a fortune and they’d been sprayed on, hand ripped at the knees showing the barest hint of flesh. Her feet were incased in the most ridiculously sexy strappy red sandals he’d ever seen. A slash of shocking red nail polish on her toes did something to his stomach he couldn’t fathom. Breathe, Jake. Just breathe.
“Yes, it could have.” He turned to Mari, tried to swallow down the bolt of lust that rose in his gut. Lust he hadn’t felt in years. “Any idea of what you’re going to do with the kitchen? I can put you in touch with someone who cleans after a fire if you like.”
“That’d be great, thanks. I don’t have the time to start scrubbing walls and fittings. Listen, I have to get Noah ready for school. Bella and I were just talking about the kitchen and what our options are and whether or not we should go all out and gut the place. Since you’re going to have to make sure it fits fire regulations once we’re ready to open again, did you want to chat about it together? I’ll be back as soon as I can get my child organized.” She grinned and skipped up the stairs leaving them standing in the foyer.
“Look, if you don’t have time, I’ll understand. I’d hate to hold you up.” She looked toward the kitchen, avoiding his gaze. How intriguing. All that achieved was ratcheting his interest up a notch or two.
“No, I’m not in a hurry. Show me what you’re thinking of.” He hooked his arm through hers and guided her back into the kitchen.
Jake glanced around. “Has Mari had the electrician in yet?”
“I think he came in last night. The fridge is still working so I guess there wasn’t any damage to the electrical system. At least not that I could see.”
“I didn’t think there was but it pays to be sure.” He stood beside her. “What did you have in mind? A total rebuild or what?”
“I don’t want to hold you up. I’m sure you’re too busy to listen to the ramblings of the likes of me.” Pink tinged her high cheekbones.
“It’s my day off and there’s nothing else I’d rather do. Tell me what you think should be done to keep the kitchen going and I’ll tell you if it meets planning requirements. My family has a vested interest in the hotel on Sunday nights so it’s no bother finding out what you have planned.”
She lifted her hair, twisted it in a knot and slid a band off her wrist to keep it all on the top of her head. The pale skin of her long neck stood out against her dark locks. “Okay then, if you’re sure. I don’t know how much Mari wants to spend but I think I know where she can get a replacement stove for half what she’d normally pay for a new one.” She tapped her bottom lip with her index finger, tilted her head as she surveyed the room. “Pretty sure insurance would cover most of it too considering it was an accident. I could probably get it delivered here in a matter of days if I ask nicely.” She walked over and stood between the old stove and the work prep table not seeming to give a thought to the soot getting on her expensive clothing. “Rather than close down and do major renovations, what I’d do is this. I’d move this prep table back, turn it around so it faces out toward the door and add another section in, one with refrigerated storage underneath. Then”—she paused, pointed to the refrigerator—“then I’d pull that cabinet closer and pu
t that storage shelf on the other side. It’s easier to have your pantry staples close to hand, saves you running back and forth to a storage cupboard. At least that’s what I find.”
“You sound like you know your way around a kitchen.” He noticed her eyes were now shining with excitement.
The thump of tiny feet came hurtling down the stairs and into the kitchen. “Aunt Bella.” He squealed, ran past Jake, and threw himself into her arms. “You’re okay?”
“’Course I am, silly.” He hung his arms around her neck and clung to her. “I had a hero fireman to save me. Didn’t your mom tell you that?” She looked up, a hint of a smile lifting the corners of her bright red lips.
“Yeah, she did but you didn’t come in last night. I had to see you myself. Make sure you were okay.” He peered into her eyes then over her hair. “You don’t look burned.”
“I’m not. The only thing that suffered was the old stove. It’s dead, I’m afraid. Ready for burial.”
“Are you still going to cook for Mom?”
“Sure am. That’s if we can get this kitchen up and running again.”
Mari walked in, her son’s school satchel over her shoulder. “Told you she was okay.” She glanced between Jake and Bella. “I’m sorry to throw you both in the deep end here but if the restaurant is going to reopen, I need input from each of you. I have no idea of this side of things and I’m not sure I have the time right now to take charge.”
“I’m sure we can come up with something that would work for everyone. Why don’t we spend the next hour or so working this out? If you’re going to make the effort to change things, we may as well make sure they’re done properly.” He looked over Bella’s head to Mari. “I’m going into the office later on today to do your insurance forms so it would be a good idea to give them something to look at. They may be willing to fund some of the cost of moving the stove as well as replacing it. To be honest, I’m not happy with it where it was before because of ventilation and Bella has some good ideas.”
Mari breathed a sigh of relief. “That would be great. I want to get things done as soon as I can to keep the clientele happy. Too many days without the restaurant running will only encourage them to go elsewhere and, to be honest, the money I have to renovate isn’t going to cover loss of trade for more than a week or so.” She put her hand on her son’s head. “We have to go. I’ll leave you guys to it.”
Bella waved them goodbye and then turned back to Jake. “So, you think the stove should be moved. Where to?” She stood behind the prep counter and watched him.
“I’d like to see it closer to the window for air circulation. It’s not really a requirement but it is a good idea. A direct route to a door for a quick escape would also be advisable. Yesterday could have ended badly and the way the stove is now, tucked in here with appliances hemming it in isn’t desirable.”
She nodded her head. “Right, I get it.” Bella stood straight and pointed. “So what I said before wouldn’t really work for you.” She waggled her finger from one counter to another as if plotting things out in her head. “How about if we did this then? Move the stove to there?” She glanced at him for approval. When Jake agreed she smiled and continued. “Then we can put the refrigerator there, the prep counter there.” She spun around. “I would have the pantry staples there and finally the refrigerated workspace there. How would that work for you?”
She certainly knew what she was talking about. He’d never come across anyone with such a good grip on set-out or design before.
“I like how you work. That set out would be workable as far as I’m concerned. Easy escape in case of fire, plenty of ventilation and the gas fittings would be easy to move. I doubt insurance would have to cough up much money at all.”
Bella smiled, a please glow emanating from her. “Good. I’m pleased. Can’t wait to tell Mari when she gets back.”
“I’d like to get her approval before I put the report into the insurance. Let me sketch it out so I don’t get it wrong. Hopefully by the time we’re sorted here, she’ll have returned from dropping Noah off at school.” Jake pulled his notebook from his pocket and started to draw. When Bella leaned over his shoulder to watch, a sense of peace came over him. The floral perfume she wore was alluring, much like the woman herself and it wasn’t lost on Jake just how pretty Bella Moore was. It almost made him wish he was in the market for a relationship but the timing was all wrong as far as he was concerned.
Chapter Four
“I like it. You two have worked wonders.” Mari put her arm around her sister’s shoulders and grinned. “I have a big favor to ask of you, little sister. Would you mind ordering the stove for me? I’ll give you my credit card and insurance can reimburse me later when they do their paperwork. That way we should have the kitchen up and going again in a week or so. I really can’t afford to be shut for any longer than that without it causing me major problems.”
Bella grinned. “Sure thing. I know just what you need too.”
Jake spoke up. “I’ll go into the office later and do my report and if things go to plan, you should be open again for business before you know it.”
“What can I do to thank you, Jake? I think this is over and above your normal duties.”
“How about joining me for a coffee? We can show Bella some of the town.” Jake gave her a warm smile and she wondered if he was hitting on her.
Bella mentally kicked herself. Not everyone had an agenda. Just because one guy sucked her in didn’t mean everyone was after what they could get. And it wasn’t as though they’d just met. He had saved her yesterday. Surely that would earn him brownie points and he had included both of them in that invitation. What could he do with her sister joining them?
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I mean…” Heat rose in her cheeks and she turned away, noticed her sister watching from the door. There was something she couldn’t read in Mari’s eyes. “I’m not here for long. Just a short break.”
“Understand that. I was only offering coffee, Bella.” Jake shrugged, gave her a smile she found hard to ignore. “You’re new in town, thought it would be nice to show you how community-minded the local firemen are around Cherry Lake and I’m sure Mari would like to show you around too.”
Bella tried to ignore the sudden intake of breath behind Jake. Mari rolled her eyes, trying to fight the grin at his cheesy line.
She was more tempted than she could have imagined. How long had it been since she’d gone out with someone who wasn’t trying to get her on their side for their own gains? Right after she won Masterchef, invitations flowed in like never before. Everyone wanted her to appear on their show, or use their brand of equipment, make an appearance at their mother’s birthday party. Suddenly, she had photographers following her, her Twitter stream increased tenfold and friend requests on other social media channels soared. She couldn’t do anything without it being bandied all over the place. Her every move watched and having it recorded.
Her home phone number had to be changed and every time she was asked on a date, she had to second-guess it. Everyone wanted to be seen with Bella Moore. Even more so once her first show aired. It became more than a little wearying, being so cynical, but when she first put her name down for the show, she’d been so gullible, so unassuming. She’d learned the hard way. After making a couple of mistakes, Russell had pulled her aside to chat.
“Bella, you can’t afford to take anyone at face value. This industry is too cutthroat for the likes of someone as innocent as you. You need to toughen up and start weeding out those that want a piece of you and those that will help you advance your career.”
“But, Russell, all I want to do is cook.”
He patted her on the back. “Kiddo, that guy you were sitting with last night after the show, the one that insisted on taking selfies with you, acting like all he wanted was to be seen with the next big cooking star? Go see what he put on his Instagram page. Look at the caption.”
She had. Horrified, Bella had hidd
en away from the public until the gossip had died down. Her publicist had made a short statement to deny any of the allegations making headlines about her “new affair” with the man who had a reputation for aligning himself with stars and slandering them if he didn’t get what he wanted.
Since then, Bella had been very wary of anyone who wanted to get too close to her and that had been lonelier than she’d thought possible. She had too much to lose and with the rising risk of a scandal from the inside of the studio, it would be harder to deny what the gossip magazines published. So much for thinking someone in the same business would be a better match for her. That idea had bombed spectacularly and now she was paying the price for that mistake. Her stress levels had only skyrocketed once the rumors had started and Bella had the horrible thought more than once that if she’d been more mindful, not so busy perhaps, she would have noticed who the genuine people were. Instead, she’d let burnout win, apparently.
If she was honest with herself, she hadn’t dated in like a proper date for what, over a year? Maybe two if she didn’t count the last sleazebags? It wasn’t a wonder this handsome hunk of a guy was making her hormones stand up and scream for attention and all he’d offered was coffee. “Okay, that’d be really nice. When?”
“How about now? I don’t have anything on this morning and I don’t think you’ll be doing much in here for at least a week. I’m not sure how fast Mari’s insurance company works.”
Mari gave her a thumbs-up behind Jake’s back followed by a saucy wink. “I’ll catch you two later. As much as I’d like to join you, I have too much paperwork that I’ve been ignoring. I’m entrusting my little sister to you, Jake. Give me a call tonight, Bella, and we can discuss the purchase of a new stove.” What she meant was discuss how the coffee date went. Bella knew how it worked with her sisters and, after her man drought, she wasn’t about to be let off the hook.
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