She was very cute when she got riled. It was kind of fun pushing her buttons.
His lips quirked. “I’m not sure what Chief MacKenzie wants. Why don’t you ask Will what he would like?”
“All right.” She cut her eyes at him. “What would Will like?”
To know you better. He hadn’t said that out loud, had he?
He flushed. “Uh... What would you recommend?”
“You look like a meat and potatoes guy.”
Pops hooted. “Pegged you in one.”
He glared at his father. Pops laughed.
Kara pointed to the board. “How about the beef bourguignon?”
“Sounds great.” He closed the menu. “Of course, you had me at beef.”
The indigo in her eyes deepened. “Good to know.” And she gave him a sweet smile all his own.
For a second, reality went sideways. Wow. Seriously, those dimples ought to be registered as lethal weapons.
After collecting their menus, she disappeared into the kitchen, and Maddox returned to fiddling with the sugar packets.
Will scanned the refurbished restaurant. “The diner’s different.”
Pops took a sip of coffee. “Not too different. Just spruced up.”
“It doesn’t look like our Mason Jar.”
Pops eyed him over the rim of the mug. “Only if you prefer foam stuffing coming out of cracked vinyl seats. It’s a new and improved version.”
Bell jangling, a handful of off-duty firefighters headed inside. Will responded to their greetings. The guys grabbed stools at the counter.
Kara breezed through with their entrées. “I’ll check with you later about dessert.”
Pops said a quick grace, and they tucked into their lunch.
If the mouthwatering aromas were any indication, the new recipes were going to be a hit. The meat was tender. The juices flavorful. Will enjoyed every bite.
Meanwhile, Kara had become involved in appeasing the prickly GeorgeAnne over an issue with her order.
An African American lady about his father’s age in a chef’s coat came through the swinging door. Was she the new owner?
GeorgeAnne continued to make a fuss about her order. And like Maddox earlier, not bothering to use her inside voice. Or caring who else heard.
The lunch crowd had dwindled, but heads turned like onlookers at a car crash to watch the ensuing altercation. Behind the counter, the new owner frowned.
With a screeching scrape across the linoleum, GeorgeAnne pushed back her chair and marched toward the exit. Kara’s blueberry eyes watered.
Something protective, and altogether surprising, surged inside his chest.
The owner had disappeared into the kitchen again. Was she going to let Kara put up with that kind of abuse?
He started to rise, but Pops shook his head. “Don’t make it worse. You’ll only embarrass her further.”
IdaLee reached for the bill.
But Kara snatched it up. “I’m so sorry she didn’t like it. Lunch is on me.”
“I can’t allow that.” Her snow-white bun gleaming in the fluorescent lighting, IdaLee shook her head. “GeorgeAnne is in one of her difficult moods today.”
From what he remembered of growing up in Truelove, GeorgeAnne had been in a difficult mood since about 1990.
“I’m so sorry this happened, Kara Lynn.” ErmaJean bit her lip. “And on opening day.”
“That GeorgeAnne,” Pops growled.
Would the owner take the bill out of Kara’s salary? Extra big tip, Will mouthed across the table to his father.
IdaLee held out her gnarled, blue-veined hand. As generations of Truelove schoolchildren had learned the hard way, when Miss IdaLee got that look in her eye, resistance was futile.
Although a newcomer, Kara was a quick study. She handed the bill over to the old woman.
“That was a delicious meal. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” IdaLee took out her beaded wallet. “I’m not making excuses, but GeorgeAnne’s rude behavior had nothing to do with you. These are unsettled times in Truelove.”
Since the outlet mall opened on the highway, job opportunities had expanded. But as with most progress, there’d been a downside. Several local family-owned businesses had found themselves in jeopardy. Including the hardware store.
ErmaJean and IdaLee followed Kara to the cash register.
Yet more confusion appeared to be unfolding with his crew at the counter. Will snagged their bill off the table. “Let me out, son.”
Maddox scooted out.
Will strode toward his guys, who were climbing off the stools. “Everything okay?” Sometimes emotions ran high after a call like the one this morning.
Zach, one of the volunteer firefighters, shrugged his skinny shoulders. “Too many fancy words on the menu. We decided to get real food at the Burger Depot.”
Luke, a part-timer, usually the most sensible one, shuffled his feet and said nothing.
Will hoped the owner got her act together or the Mason Jar Café wouldn’t last long in Truelove. His dad and Maddox joined him.
Pops jutted his chin at the table behind them. “Took care of what we talked about...”
The bell jangled as his firefighters exited. The matchmakers followed. Will stepped up to the register.
Shoulders slumped, Kara took the bill and his credit card. “How was your meal?” A length of hair came loose from the bun at the nape of her neck and fell forward, obscuring half of her face.
He didn’t like not being able to see her expressive eyes. “Fabulous.”
She looked up.
He felt an almost irresistible urge to smooth the tendril out of her eyes. Will stuck his hands into his pockets. “Everything that you promised and more.”
“I—I’m glad.”
Maddox grabbed her around the knees. “Dat’s de best croaky mac and cheese I ever ate.”
A quick smile lit her features. She planted a kiss on the top of his head. “That may be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. You made my day.”
“Let’s wait for Dad outside, Maddox,” Pops called from the door.
Maddox wiggled his small fingers. “Bye, Miss Karwa.”
She wiggled her fingers back at him. “Bye-bye, sweet boy.”
Unexpectedly, Will’s heart sped up a little.
His father and son exited.
“Oh, no.” Her mouth rounded. “I didn’t offer y’all dessert.”
“Rain check.” He cocked his head. “That will give me a reason to come again.”
“I—I’d like that. I mean...” She touched her hand to her throat. “I’ll look forward to...”
The bottom dropped out of his stomach. “I’ll look forward to it, too.”
She smiled. “Till then.” She handed him his credit card and receipt.
Not knowing what else to say, and feeling strangely panicked for a man who made his living running into fires, he quickly walked out the door.
What just happened?
In no way, shape or form could he possibly have felt something romantic for a woman he’d barely met. He didn’t do emotion. Not after Liz. Had he learned nothing from the debacle of his marriage?
He scowled. “Maddox, you want to ride home with Pops or me?”
“With Pops.” Maddox used the tip of his finger to push back his firefighter hat. “We’re getting ice cweam.”
His father took hold of Maddox’s hand. “Want to join us?”
“No, thanks. I’m going to head home and take a nap. See you guys soon.”
Only he didn’t count on being waylaid in the fire station parking lot by GeorgeAnne Allen.
Zach and the station crew formed a semicircle around them.
GeorgeAnne sniffed. “It’s time to take action, Chief.”
Zach stuck his t
humbs inside his suspenders. “The people of Truelove aren’t going to take this sitting down.”
“What’s going on?”
She thrust the Mason Jar menu at Will.
“Read it and weep, Chief.” Zach groaned.
“Where did you get this?”
She peered over the frames of her glasses at him.
“Okay, I know where you got this.” He frowned. “I just can’t believe you stole this from the diner.”
“You mean the café?” GeorgeAnne rolled her eyes. “I didn’t steal it. I borrowed it. Of more immediate concern is that the apple pie has been removed.”
His forehead creased. “No apple pie?”
The high country of Truelove was apple country. Orchards dotted the county. The diner—at least the old diner—was renowned for its apple desserts.
“Look for yourself.” She scrunched her face. “The new owner has taken everything we love most about the Mason Jar and changed it.”
Scanning the menu, he realized GeorgeAnne was right. The apple pie, beloved by generations of Truelovers, was gone. Replaced by something called Apple Galette.
“There’s been far too many changes in our town, Chief. And too many outsiders telling us what to do.”
Which was rich coming from GeorgeAnne Allen, who’d spent her entire life telling everyone else exactly what they ought to do.
But she wasn’t wrong about the current state of affairs. With the new jobs came an influx of newcomers. Possessing strong opinions on better ways to run everything from the library to the schools to closing the fire station.
Many folks in Truelove were feeling more than a mite sensitive. And was it any wonder? Their cherished mountain way of life appeared to be under siege.
Was the apple pie the last straw?
“The question is, Chief, what are we going to do about it?”
He scratched his head. “I don’t see much we can do about it.”
“If we allow this latest outrage to go unchallenged, what’s next?” She threw out her hands. “A ban on sweet tea?”
Zach nodded. “She has a point, Chief.”
He crossed his arms. “What do you have in mind?”
“After I left the Jar, I rushed home and created this petition to reinstate the apple pie.” She pulled a sheaf of papers from the cavernous depths of her purse. “To be signed by the concerned citizens of Truelove.”
Zach raised his hand. “I’ll sign it.”
She handed Will the stack of papers. “And presented by Truelove’s fire chief to the new owner.”
He reared. “Why me?”
“Isn’t apple pie your favorite dessert, Chief?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “It is.”
She gave him a thin smile. “They respect your position. People will line up in droves to stand with you and sign the petition.”
“I think you overestimate my influence in this town, Miss GeorgeAnne.”
“With the proposed changes, the fire department has as much, if not more, at stake than the rest of us.” She lifted her bony chin. “What better way to show how important the Truelove Fire Department is to this town than for its fire chief to take the lead on this issue?”
“The safety of Truelove and the well-being of my men has to be my priority.” He shook his head. “I can’t neglect our mission to run around town getting signatures.”
“We’ll be sure the petition makes the rounds. Say yes, Chief.” Zach opened his hands. “Let’s do this for Truelove.”
He examined their earnest, eager faces. His crew had been on edge for days. Feeling helpless to save the fire station and their jobs.
Next month the town council would vote on the proposed consolidation of the fire station with a larger county department. Would the petition demonstrate the strength of community support for the TFD? Might this be the distraction the guys needed?
“All right.” He raised his hand. “But only so long as it doesn’t interfere with our primary purpose as a firehouse.”
“Excellent.” GeorgeAnne nodded. “Apple pie will be back on the menu faster than you can say, ‘Welcome to Truelove.’”
“What if the owner refuses?”
GeorgeAnne snorted. “Then we’ll stage a boycott until that young miss sees sense.”
Hold the fire hose. Had he missed something vital here?
A sudden, sinking feeling clawed at his gut. “Who exactly is the new owner of the Mason Jar?”
GeorgeAnne blinked at him, owl-like. “Kara Lockwood, of course.”
Oh, no. His stomach tanked. What had he committed himself to?
This wasn’t going to turn out well. Not well at all.
CHAPTER THREE
At precisely 3:00 p.m., Kara flipped the Open sign to Closed.
“That’s a wrap.” She did an about-face toward the dining area. “Well-done, everyone.”
“Wasn’t that fun?” Glorieta gave her a hug. “All in all, a successful opening day.”
Except for the blip involving Miss GeorgeAnne.
“The first of many successful days.” Glorieta smiled. “We sold out of croissants.”
Gum-smacking Trudy hip-butted the swinging door open. “That Frenchie mac and cheese was a hit, too.”
Recalling Maddox’s sweet little face, Kara pushed aside the incident with GeorgeAnne Allen from her mind. Not everyone would be pleased with her food. Best to concentrate on those who would.
She checked to be sure the oven and burners were turned off. Everyone set about completing the closing protocols she’d instituted. Leo scraped the grill. Trudy scrubbed and disinfected the prep station. Shayla wiped down the last of the tables.
But Kara insisted Glorieta change out of her chef whites.
“We’ve got this, Mama G. Go back to the motel and rest.”
Glorieta’s jaw tightened. “I’m fully capable of helping you close the restaurant.”
“I know you are, but...” She lowered her voice so as not to be overheard. “It’s important everyone learn how to do it properly themselves. We won’t always have you to do it for us.”
Glorieta gazed at her a long, hard minute. “All right. Point taken. When Little Bird is ready to leave the nest, Mother Bird needs to let her fly.”
Rising on her toes, she kissed the woman’s plump cheek. “Thank you for everything.” And by everything, she meant so much more than what Glorieta had done today.
But as usual, her foster mom waved away any sign of sentimentality. “I did what anyone else would’ve done.”
So not true. Because no one had. Only her.
“I’ll go, but only if you meet me at that barbecue place later.” Glorieta wagged her finger. “For a dinner neither of us has to cook.”
“Sounds like a great plan to me.” She cocked her head. “But you realize in the Blue Ridge, restaurants serve Western-style barbecue.”
Glorieta gave a faint shudder. “Bless their hearts. We’ll call it market research.” She lifted her chin. “It’s always a good idea to know the competition.”
Not long after she left, the rest of the crew finished their tasks and said goodbye until Monday morning.
Kara was dead on her feet, yet adrenaline hummed through her body. And she knew from experience that the peculiar rush would take a while to fade.
She spent the next half hour adding up the day’s receipts in her office and checking inventory in the supply closet. After mopping the floors, she leaned against the handle.
While Mama G wasn’t much for emotions, Kara felt it not only right but good to take a moment to enjoy the pine aroma. Giving herself permission to mark the milestone of all she’d accomplished. A monument of grateful remembrance to how far she’d come.
“Thank You, Lord,” she whispered in the quiet.
Four o’clock might just
become her favorite time of day.
Putting away the bucket, she heard a faint scratching at the back door. Her mouth curving, she retrieved the dairy-free egg soufflé from the warming tray.
She eased the door open slightly so as not to startle the cat. The cream-colored tabby looked up at her and meowed. She set the white porcelain ramekin and the water dish on the pavement. Utilizing a broken block of cement, she propped open the door.
From the threshold, she watched the tabby sniff the soufflé. Apparently finding the offering acceptable, the cat began to eat.
Last night sleep had proven elusive for Kara. Her thoughts had flitted from worst-case opening scenarios—none of which had occurred—to a particular fire chief. She folded her arms. She still owed him a dessert. A rain check, he’d said. Rain or sunshine, she liked the sound of that.
So as not to startle the stray, she slowly lowered to a crouch.
But seemingly feeling unthreatened, the tabby moved on to the water bowl. His little pink tongue lapped at the water.
“All things bright and beautiful,” she murmured. “All creatures great and small.”
The words were from a hymn her mother used to sing to her when she was a child.
In an effort to distract herself last night, she’d searched online for information on cats. She’d learned most were lactose intolerant. Hence, the dairy-free version of the soufflé she’d concocted. She tilted her head. Come to think of it, the tabby was about the same color as a soufflé.
Finishing its meal, with its tail held straight in the air, the cat walked over to her. The stray surprised her by rubbing its head against her legs. Before she could react, however, the tabby dashed away down the alley out of sight.
“All things wise and wonderful,” she sang as she stood upright. “The Lord God made them all.”
Dinner proved entertaining with Mama G preaching the gospel of vinegar-based barbecue to all and sundry. She and the cook ended up trading tips on the best ways to baste. Glorieta also gifted the very nice gentleman with a bottle of Miss G’s own barbecue sauce.
“I’ve done what I can,” Glorieta pronounced as a laughing Kara drew her out of the restaurant. “The rest is up to their conscience and God.”
Love Inspired June 2021--Box Set 1 of 2 Page 39