by Ciara Lake
An Angel for Avery
by
Ciara Lake
An Angel for Avery
Copyright © 2014, Ciara Lake
ISBN: 9781940744094
Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.
Electronic Publication: February, 2014
Editor: Pamela Tyner
Cover: Fantasia Frog Designs
eBooks are not transferable. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
Back Cover Copy
Angels are among us. When Avery encounters her own angel, he brings her tidings of great joy!
Avery Royce has recently landed her dream job—the prestigious position of head pastry chef at a quaint historic inn in Maine. But she’s on her own for the first time in her life and things aren’t going well. Homesick and surrounded by resentful co-workers, she needs to get away, but she can’t get time off work. Then she purchases a beautifully crafted Christmas ornament, and her life is forever changed.
Entombed within the fine glass of the ornament by a powerful wizard, Aiden has spent an eternity waiting to be freed. When a beautiful mortal woman’s tears finally frees Aiden from his prison, he’s eternally grateful. Still, freed does not mean the danger has ended. When an old nemesis begins to stalk Avery, Aiden will have to fight to save her and the love they are destined to have.
Content Warning: contains explicit sex and some violence
Dedication
To my children, my borrowed angels for our time together!
Chapter 1
A balmy wind blew Avery’s long hair into her face as she hurried along the lamp-lit path. She wrapped her sweater tighter around her as she looked up at the stars dazzling against the pitch-black backdrop. The moon appeared huge, closer than ever before. Its magnetism compelled her to stare at the glorious globe. Suddenly the wind picked up, blowing hard, making the trees sway as if they danced an autumn ballet. The wind whistled through the branches and rustled the leaves. She wanted to enjoy the beauty, but it was daunting being outside alone so early in the morning.
Quickening her pace, she glanced over her shoulder as she reached the back entrance to the Foster Inn. The building was well over a hundred years old, built in a Georgian style. It contained period furniture with gorgeous cherry floors, which gleamed, giving the place an elegant yet homey quality. An occasional oriental rug accented its old-world charm.
“Good morning, Avery.” The night auditor waved as she rushed by.
“Morning, Ethan.”
“I hope you make those palmiers again today. They’re heavenly.” Ethan smiled and lifted his coffee cup. “They’re best with a hot cup of fresh coffee. Everyone raved about them yesterday morning.”
Avery paused for a moment to chat with Ethan. She genuinely liked the guy. “I’m glad to hear it. They’re on the menu for later this week. Today I’ve planned cream puffs and fruit strudel.”
“Oh, how marvelous. You’ve really made our guests excited to have breakfast.”
“I’m trying.” She grinned.
“I can’t wait to see the wedding cakes you create for our upcoming receptions. Our wedding guests will be checking in this evening. No more donuts at breakfast for the Foster Inn.” He shook his head. “Nope, we’re all fancy now.”
“They were homemade donuts.”
“Nevertheless, I congratulate you for your delicious work. This place isn’t the same. Our holiday parties will be fabulous again with all of your wonderful desserts, as well as our new musical staff.”
“Thanks, Ethan. That means a lot.” Avery took a mint from the bowl on the front desk. “See you soon. Stop in for some coffee.”
“I sure will when I’m on my break. You have a good morning.”
“You too.”
He nodded at her as she pushed open the kitchen’s side door.
“I see who is late this morning.” Norman glared at her. He was standing next to the sink, rinsing out his coffee cup. “Got to do better, Ms. Royce. You know, you’re our boss, after all.”
Having learned that responding to his snipes only encouraged him, she launched into her instructions. “Norm, did you get the ingredients out for today’s menu?” Avery put her hands on her hips. Despite her outward calm, anger surged, making her head spin at the sudden and needless verbal attack from the prep cook. She pointed at him. “You need to get your work done and on time. I don’t have time to wait for your tasks to be completed. We have food to prepare and guests waiting.”
“Whatever.” Norm threw a towel onto the counter in a huff. “I’m here earlier than you is all I’m saying, and I’m not the one who’s the boss.”
Avery stared at him, her stomach in a knot. Staff. The one drawback to being the head pastry chef. She looked at her watch. “You have ten minutes to get the ingredients ready.”
“So, what fancy stuff are you conjuring up today, Ms. Pastry Witch?”
“Your time off without pay sounds good to me, if you don’t do as instructed and stop being disrespectful.”
“That doesn’t sound very appetizing.” He grinned then shrugged. “Anyway, Grace won’t let you put me off without pay. I’ve been working here since before you knew how to count.” He chuckled. “Or perhaps before you were even born.”
“You’re wasting time.” Avery crossed her arms over her chest.
Norm frowned and put his hands on his hips as she’d done, as if taunting her. “When you stop watching me, I’ll get it done.”
“Norm, either get to work now or go home for the day.” Ignoring his reddened face, Avery grabbed her white jacket and baker’s hat. “First, I want you to get everyone together. I want to discuss the game plan for this upcoming wedding. “
“Game plan? What’s a freakin’ game plan? Are we playin’ football?”
She buttoned her jacket, her mind on the work to be done. “Just get the rest of the staff in here, now.”
“You can do it. It’s your game plan.” Norm glowered at her, his defiance blatant.
She faced him, her legs braced, her hands on her hips. “Don’t be insubordinate, I’m warning you. That is, if you like your job.” Avery nodded toward the door. “Go get the others.”
With an irritated groan, he turned to leave. “Whatever. I’ll tell them. You need to go back where you came from, Ms. Fancy Pants.” He slammed the door open. It crashed into the wall before swinging inward.
Avery flinched at the banging door and watched him stalk out into the dining area. She checked her inventory while she waited. Ten minutes later, when the staff still hadn’t come in, she decided to go see where everyone was. When she entered the breakfast dining room, Norm was sitting with several others as they leisurely sipped their coffees. They glanced at her and then resumed their conversations, ignoring her presence.
Avery walked to the head of their table. “Norm was to call everyone to have a meeting with me in the kitchen. We have a busy day today. Let’s go, time’s a wastin’.” She pointed to the kitchen door.
“We can have the meeting right here.” Vivian motioned to an empty chair near hers. “Have a seat, Ms. Royce. Take a load off.”
“I’m going back into the kitchen. I want all of you in there right away. We have things to do.” Her demand was met with silence. “This isn’t optional, people.” She turned to go back to the kitchen. “I’ll be waiting.”
“Oh Avery, don’t be a spoilsport. Sit and have a cup with us. For a teenager, you’re pretty intense,” Timothy
chimed in.
She turned to look directly at Timothy. “There’s a wedding with over a hundred guests to prepare for. Plus, we have breakfast pastries and dinner desserts to create. Grace is counting on us. She’s looking to build the business, and I don’t plan to let her down.”
“So, there’s a wedding.” Norm looked at Avery over the rim of his cup.
The kitchen door swung open. “Avery.”
“Yes.” She turned to see Lucy exiting the kitchen.
Lucy rubbed her hands together. “Let’s get started on the breakfast pastries. Our guests are really enjoying your baking. You’ve made a real improvement here at breakfast.” She tugged the top of her chef’s coat up and fastened it, appearing to be ready to get to work. “When you guys feel like earning your pay...” She jerked her thumb at them. “Join us. Come on, I’m ready to work. We can get a lot done if we get started now.”
“Says the one who’s a half hour late for work.” Timothy chuckled and took another sip of his coffee, leaning back in his chair. His legs were extended, and he crossed his arms in front of him. “Great way to avoid getting into trouble for your chronic late arrivals. Kissing up to the boss, are you, Lucy?”
“At least I’m here to work.” Lucy spun around to go back into the kitchen.
Avery stared after her, then turned to look at those at the table. “You’ve got five minutes to get yourselves in gear. If you’re not in the kitchen, and ready to work, I’ll be docking your pay. I’m not going to tolerate your petty behavior.”
Ignoring the stunned looks on their faces, Avery lifted her chin and followed Lucy into the kitchen.
“Thanks, Lucy. I might as well be a junior high school teacher dealing with those behavior problems. This is unnecessary and only impacting the success of the inn. It tires me to deal with them. I should be getting worn out from baking, not pushing people to be do their jobs.”
Lucy sighed. “So true. Being in charge is not easy. Norm’s jealous you got this job. It would have been a huge promotion for him after twenty years working here.” She shook her head as she pulled the bin of brown sugar from the shelf. “Norm doesn’t get why you’re qualified for this job. He doesn’t understand the significance of your formal training. After all, you can make more than donuts.”
“Yeah, I could make donuts when I was in middle school.” Avery chuckled.
“Well, when your job was posted, Norm started making donuts. He thought he was making pastries.” Lucy grinned. “When Grace told him that was not what she had in mind, he was shocked and angry. As for Tim...he’s just a jerk. He really doesn’t have much excuse for his behavior. He thinks because he’s her nephew, he’s exempt from following rules. The others are following them because, frankly, they’re lazy. They’re used to doing nothing.”
“Oh. Well, that’s gotta change. We have too much to do to be lazy. And we want to put this place on the map.”
“Yep.”
“Thanks for the background information. Now I understand more about why I’m getting this resistance.”
“Sure. Everything has a history.” Lucy shrugged. “Grace wants to return this inn to its full glory. It was renowned for hospitality, along with great food, when her grandfather operated it. In the old days, guests from all over came to stay here, even politicians and famous movie stars.”
“I saw the pictures in the front lobby. It’s very cool.”
“Yes, it is. But over the decades, the inn became mediocre. Consequently, Grace wanted outside specialty applicants, such as yourself. She wanted real chefs, not just line cooks. Norm and Tim were pissed.”
“Why don’t they pick on the other chef she hired?”
“He’s older. And a man. You know what I mean?” Lucy made a face.
“Yeah, they’re chauvinists.” Avery rolled her eyes, then looked toward the door. “Norm should quit if he’s so dissatisfied.”
“Nope.” Lucy shook her head. “Norm will never quit. There’s nothing else he can do. He started working here when he was in high school. Now he’s in his late forties. What would he do? This is a small town. There aren’t a whole lot of choices for someone like Norm. Or anyone really.” She shrugged. “Tim’s not smart enough to do anything else.”
Several hours passed during which the others meandered through the kitchen pretending to help. Lucy and Avery finished everything in time for breakfast. The dinner desserts were nearly done too. They’d worked without a break to get everything into the ovens.
“I’m beat.” Avery leaned over the sink to wipe her face with a cool cloth.
“Me too.” Lucy rested against the stainless countertop. “But we made lovely desserts. It’s a good thing we only have a few guests today or we never would have finished without help. But tomorrow’s another story because of the wedding.”
“Avery, Avery.” Grace rushed into the kitchen. “There you are, dear.” She placed her hand on Avery’s arm. She looked as if she’d walked out of the 1950s. Her golden hair was coiffed. She was an attractive, middle-aged woman. “It smells wonderful in here. Do I smell peach pie?”
“No, it’s peach crisp,” Avery replied.
“That sounds even more scrumptious.” Grace tossed her purse down on the counter.
“It’s a nice autumn dessert.”
“It surely is.” Grace grinned then walked over to the glass case where the newly baked desserts were displayed. “These morning treats are fantastic. Everyone’s so pleased. This will be another breakfast hit.” Her face was lit up, showing her happiness.
“I’m glad you like them. I have several ideas how to improve the overall menu. I’m very excited to talk to you about it.”
“I want to hear all of your ideas. We’re going to make this inn fabulous. Some of the wedding guests have already arrived. They’re very pleased with the inn itself, and our food is going to be the icing on the cake.”
Norm stepped into the kitchen, grinning. “Yep, we did a great job today.” He winked at Avery.
“You sure did. All of you work so hard, and fast too. And you’ve cleaned up pretty good as you worked too. Bravo!” Grace patted Norm on his back. “I’m very pleased everyone is a team. Things are going tremendously well.”
“Some of us work harder than others.” Avery glanced at Norm as she said the words, but her comment was lost on Grace as she was busy admiring more of the baked goods.
“These all look so yummy, and they smell delicious.” Grace licked her lips.
“Lucy and I are going to take a break before we work on the cakes. This is a particularly long day due to the wedding this weekend.” Avery tossed the towel on the sink. “We’ll meet back here at one o’clock to start on the cakes. Norm and the others can clean up a bit more, then leave for the day.”
“I think all of you should have a break right now.” Grace smiled up at Norm. “You’ve all worked so hard. It’s only fair. There really isn’t much more to clean up. Norm can finish filling the dishwasher and start it then go home. Norm, please tell the others to go on home now.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan.” Norm nodded, a sly smile on his face. “I’ll let the others know.” He gave Avery a smug look as he hurried out the door.
Avery lingered in the kitchen to talk to Grace, but she waved toward the exit. “Go rest so you can get a fresh start on the wedding cakes. And I want to thank you girls for working so hard. I’m sorry it’s such a long day, but you’ll get overtime pay for the wedding preparations. The more weddings we do, the more money for everyone, so let’s make a great impression.” Grace bounced up on her toes with excitement. “I’m advertising in bridal magazines as well as local papers. We should be plenty busy very soon. I’ve already booked several holiday parties. By the way, Drew wants to discuss his menus with you. He mentioned it to me yesterday. So we’ll set up a meeting.”
“Sounds great,” Avery replied.
“He wants to coordinate your desserts with his menus. You two must be on the same page in your thinking. Also, we di
scussed creating bridal packages to offer future customers.”
“I was thinking along those lines too.” Avery smiled. “I’m looking forward to making this a great success.”
“Drew suggested several package ideas. You know the cake with all the extras, with one price tag. The package will provide what it takes to make a splendid affair for the brides.”
“Sure, sounds like great ideas and exactly what I was thinking too.” Avery hung her chef’s jacket on the hook.
As Avery left, she noticed her elegant boss buzzing around introducing herself to guests. She was a wonderful hostess. Her smiling face made it obvious she was pleased with the guests’ receptiveness to her changes.
Avery walked outside into the lovely autumn morning, inhaling deeply. The grounds crew was cutting the grass. She loved the smell of fresh cut grass. The sun was bright, but the temperature was slightly crisp. Pumpkins sat all around the porch, and some were carved into jack o’lanterns.
Lucy walked out the door, heading for her car. “Hey, Lucy,” Avery called. “Do you want to walk with me down Bay Street to look in some shops?”
“No, thanks. I’m going home to shower and take a quick nap. Plus, my feet hurt. I’ll see you when I get back.” Lucy waved as she neared her car.
“Okay, sure, go rest.” Avery waved back. “Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem, I work for my pay. Besides, it’s only right. Grace has a good heart and has always been good to me. And I like you too.” Lucy opened her car door. “Have fun shopping.”
“I’m going to check out Halloween decorations. It looks very festive on Bay Street. The shops are so quaint.”
“Look in Granny’s Cupboard.” Lucy pointed in the general direction of the town. “Granny Joyce has some interesting things from all over the world, and she’s having a forty percent off sale.”
“Thanks, I’ll take a look in her shop.” With a final wave at Lucy, Avery turned and started down the road to the center of town.