by Mona Ingram
“He’s hardly ever around.”
“Who, Sean?”
“No, the owner. He lives in Victoria. He has other businesses, too.”
“Well, he won’t have this one much longer if he’s not careful.”
“You’re right. I guess I’ll have to call him tonight.” She gave Lexie a pleading look. “Will you still be here tomorrow?”
Lexie checked her watch. “I don’t have any firm plans, but I was headed farther up-island. You can handle this, Carly. Look how well you’ve managed for two days with no cook.”
The hope on the young woman’s face faded. “I guess. But do you mind coming back in the morning?”
Lexie frowned. “Why?”
“Because if I know you’re coming, I won’t chicken out about phoning him. Especially if I know I have to report to you in the morning.”
Alexis shook her head, not sure if she liked the direction this conversation was taking. “I’m not your boss, Carly.”
“No, but I wish you were.” Carly looked outside, where the workmen were beginning to put away their tools for the day. “I’d love to learn what you know.”
Lexie was tempted to say that she’d learned her craft during an intensive, not to mention expensive course in Switzerland. Instead, she offered up a comforting smile. “Okay, I’ll check into one of those motels up near the highway and come by in the morning. I’d like to hear what this absentee owner has to say for himself.”
Chapter Five
JESSE TERMINATED THE call and stepped out onto his deck, where he stared into the gathering darkness. He should have known better than to buy that old place. Considering his complete lack of restaurant experience, he’d had no business getting involved. And now he was paying the price. If only businesses would run without employees, everything would be fine. Not that he objected to providing safe, secure jobs, but he hated those rare times when one of his employees had to be disciplined or worse yet, fired.
He didn’t know what to make of the mystery woman who had appeared out of nowhere and taken over the kitchen. Accordingly to Carly, she’d been hungry and cooked hamburgers for his crew plus herself and Carly and that kid who liked to skateboard out in the lot. Then she’d cleaned up and put everything away, so no harm, no foul.
This whole mess was his own fault. His friends had warned him that being an absentee owner wouldn’t work; he’d known that even before he signed the papers. But the diner looked like a safe bet; it had been running smoothly for years and bringing in enough money to at least break even until he decided what he wanted to do with the property. Of course those same friends had cautioned him not to buy it in the first place, but that was out of the question. When he’d learned that a developer was also interested, and intended to tear down the old diner to build an exclusive condo community, there’d been no question about buying it.
“So,” he said aloud, “it looks like I’m flying up to Arbutus Cove tomorrow afternoon.” Too bad he couldn’t take Luc with him, but the child had been looking forward to a camping trip up at Cowichan Lake for several weeks. Next time, for sure.
LEXIE WASN’T SURE WHERE she was when she woke up the next morning. Then she remembered. Arbutus Cove and the diner. She stretched lazily and watched a shaft of sunlight move slowly across the opposite wall. Another good day for the workmen enclosing the deck.
You have to stop thinking like that, said the voice in her head. You’re getting too involved with something that’s none of your business.
Maybe so, but she couldn’t deny that she was intrigued. Maybe it was the pleasure of cooking for people who openly appreciated what she’d made, even simple hamburgers made from frozen, pre-fab patties. She permitted her thoughts to roam, designing a simple menu of home-cooked favourites. Not that the diner customers didn’t have sophisticated palates, but the diner itself, with its retro atmosphere cried out for simple dishes.
She’d start with chicken pot pie. Of course she’d have to keep the pastry for the pot pies separate from the pastry for the apple pies. Yes... she’d make apple pie, and bread pudding with caramel sauce as her two dessert items, ice cream optional. A grilled cheese sandwich made with proper cheese, and while she was at it, three-cheese mac and cheese with sweet and sour meat balls on the side and a two thick slices of garlic bread. She’d turned up her nose at that combination the first time she saw it offered at a deli, but it had become one of her go-to meals when she was tired and didn’t feel like cooking. And of course hamburgers, made with her special combination of freshly ground meat. The construction workers liked her jalapeno toppings, she wondered how they’d react to blue cheese. Some wouldn’t care for it, but she had an inkling that they’d at least be willing to try.
You’re daydreaming again. The voice was back. You’d be farther ahead planning how to spend your millions when you win the lottery. It was true; when sleep eluded her at night, she dreamed about how she would spend her lottery winnings. It didn’t always work, but she often found herself nodding off before she’d spent even half of her imagined winnings.
“Enough of this.” She got out of bed and headed for the shower. “I promised Carly I’d show up this morning, and I will. I’ll listen to what she has to say and then I’ll keep driving.” She leaned on the bathroom counter and studied her reflection in the mirror. It was a good thing there wasn’t anyone around to hear her words, because she had a feeling she’d be eating them later in the day.
BRANDON WAS ALREADY clattering around the parking lot on his skateboard when Lexie pulled up. She found the constant noise of a skateboard annoying, but grudgingly admitted that being outside and active was healthier than playing computer games.
“Good morning, Brandon.”
He acknowledged her presence by executing a difficult trick.
“No school today?”
He removed his sunglasses and gave her an odd look. “It’s Saturday.”
“So it is. I’d lost track of the days.”
“Thanks for the hamburger yesterday.” He preened a little. “Carly said you made it especially for me.”
“I did.” Lexie took a closer look at the pavement. It was old, and tufts of grass and weeds had pushed up through the cracks. “Not a very safe surface for skateboarding. Be careful, okay?”
“Are you telling me to go away?” He flipped up his skateboard and held it loosely under his arm. He slipped his sunglasses back on, but not before she glimpsed a vulnerability that surprised her.
“No, I’m not, but I’d hate to see you crack your head.”
“Yeah, right.” He toed a clump of grass with his sneaker. “We used to have a Youth Centre, but it closed down. Not enough money or something.”
Lexie bit back an angry remark. She understood fiscal responsibility, but sometimes the decisions made by small communities could be so short-sighted.
“That’s too bad.” Her remark probably sounded like indifference to the young man, but what was she to say? “Well, I promised to check on Carly this morning. See you later.”
His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. As she entered the restaurant, the familiar noise started up again.
“Lexie, you came!” Carly greeted her enthusiastically. “Would you like some coffee?”
“Love some.” Lexie looked outside, and returned waves from two of the workmen before sliding on to one of the stools.
Carly poured coffee and watched as Lexie added two spoons of sugar. ‘So I called him,” she blurted out.
“And?”
“And he wants to talk to you.” Lexie wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly.
“He wants to talk to me? Why?”
Carly dumped out the creamers and started to build a pyramid. “Because I told him how you took over in the kitchen.” She chanced a quick look, then went back to her construction project. “I think he wants to hire you.”
“Oh, no, no, no.” Lexie scooped up the creamers and put them back into the bowl. “Whatever made him even think I’d even consider such
a thing?”
“I don’t know.” Carly wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Okay, so I told him you’d be great.”
“But you told him about Sean, right? About how he hasn’t been here for what... three days now, and now he drinks?”
“I didn’t tell him about the drinking. I was hoping you’d help me with that.” Carly cringed, and Lexie’s growing anger dissipated like fog on a sunny morning. It wasn’t the young woman’s fault she’d been placed in this situation, and Lexie told her so.
Carly let out a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry, Lexie. I shouldn’t have involved you any further, but when he said he’d come up this afternoon to meet you, I took a chance.”
“And what if I didn’t agree?”
Carly waved her cell phone. “I’m supposed to call him if you say it’s okay.” She looked sheepish . “Trouble is, he can’t make it until around six o’clock. He said to tell you he’ll pay for another night at a motel if you stay.”
“I should hope so,” Lexie muttered, grabbing her coffee mug. “Go ahead and phone him. In the meantime, I’ll be in the kitchen checking on your supplies.”
Carly entered the kitchen a couple of minutes later. “He said to thank you,” she said. “What are you doing?”
Lexie glanced at her watch. “I’m making a list. It’s only ten o’clock and there’s no way I can sit around here all day without doing something. Is there a decent grocery store in town?”
“Yeah. It’s off the highway and a bit difficult to find, but my mom shops there and she seems to think it’s okay.”
“Good. How about you prep some potatoes for fries. What do people around here like on their fries? Ketchup? Gravy?”
“Both, I guess, but Sean never made gravy.”
Lexie made a quick note, then picked up her purse. “I’ll be back soon. If the men ask, we’ll make something for lunch.”
“ARE YOU LEAVING?” BRANDON sounded disappointed.
“No, not yet.” She paused with her hand on the car door. “Would you mind coming with me? I’m going to the grocery store and Carly says it’s hard to find.”
“Are you hitting on me?” Brandon’s eyes sparkled.
Lexie laughed. “Gives a whole new meaning to the word cougar, huh?”
The youngster propped his skateboard up against the building and opened the passenger door. “Maybe you haven’t looked in the mirror recently, but you’re one hot mama.”
Carly leaned over and examined herself in the rear view mirror. “I don’t think so.”
Brandon shrugged. “Don’t take my word for it. A couple of guys on the construction crew were asking about you.”
She reversed out of her space and headed back for the highway. “They’d be wasting their time, but thanks for the compliment.”
“We’ll see,” he said, pulling down the bill on his baseball cap. “We’ll see.”
Chapter Six
“NOT MUCH VARIETY, BUT they seem to be enjoying it.” Lexie checked on the workmen. They’d moved two tables out onto the deck and tucked into her mac and cheese as though they hadn’t eaten for a week. With Carly and Brandon helping, she’d also managed to produce a supply of fresh hamburger patties and home-cut fries. She’d even convinced one of the men to try blue cheese in his hamburger; he’d pronounced it delicious.
“I can’t believe I made this by myself.” Carly checked on the bread pudding for what seemed like the tenth time. She’d also made a caramel sauce and was planning to serve it to the men at the table. Lexie took great pleasure in watching the young woman’s confidence blossom.
Brandon had been put in charge of the fries. Reluctant at first to tie back his hair and remove his hoodie, he soon became immersed in learning the basics. His rich gravy had been a hit with the men who ordered hamburgers. “Lexie, a couple of people just came in,” he whispered, darting nervous looks toward the restaurant.
“Carly will take care of them,” she said, cutting a grilled cheese sandwich in half. “Here, try this and tell me what you think.”
He cocked his head to one side. “It’s good,” he said, taking a second bite. “What gives it that cheesy flavour?”
Lexie laughed. “Real cheese for one thing.”
“Well, duh!”
“I’m serious. I’m a bit of a fanatic about cheese, and that processed single-slice stuff just doesn’t cut it in my kitchen.” She took a bite from her half of the sandwich. “This has three different types of cheese. Be nice to me and someday I just might tell you which ones.”
“It’s a deal.”
“Hey, you guys.” Carly’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “Those two people are waiting for another couple. We’ll have four people to serve in a few minutes.”
“In that case you can add chicken pot pies to the menu.” Lexie opened the oven and admired the golden crusts. Small chicken cut-outs in pastry adorned the top and she smiled as she recalled the first time she’d attempted to make them. It seemed like a long time ago, and she supposed it was... a long time and a long way. The sudden wave of nostalgia caught her by surprise. Those had been good times, but her efforts today had given her more pleasure than she could remember for ages.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. In addition to the construction crew, they served an additional twelve people. Not a large number, but each one had left with promises to come back, and to tell their friends about the ongoing changes.
“We should have a construction special,” said Brandon as they cleaned up.
Lexie grinned. “An excellent idea. Instead of annoying the customers with the renovation, we’ll make them a part of it. Make sure you tell the owner when you talk to him.”
Carly and Brandon exchanged glances. “Okay,” he said finally. “We’ll make sure to tell him”
“YOU’RE SURE YOU GUYS don’t mind cleaning up?” The sun had been diving toward the mountains behind the diner for some time now, and Lexie wanted to get outside and enjoy the last of it. “I’m going to explore that path along the far side of the cove and catch the last rays.”
“Go ahead.” Despite their age difference, Carly and Brandon had fallen into an easy rhythm. Lexie left them chatting and headed for the spot she’d picked out earlier. A large rock just off the path offered a perfect vantage point and she climbed up with an exhausted but satisfied sigh.
Lexie studied the newly constructed deck. From this point, it was a spectacular addition, and she began to appreciate the design. It wasn’t hard to imagine what it would be like to dine there, suspended over the rocks. Cleverly designed to be used in all weather, it opened in the summer and in the winter a double-sided fireplace would heat both the inside and outside areas.
She’d forgotten about her makeshift apron and she removed it now, staring at it as though it might hold the key to the last couple of days. Thank goodness the hours had flown by, because if she’d had time to think she might have jumped in her car and headed north. Sorting out the restaurant wasn’t her problem and it wasn’t like her to insert herself into other people’s affairs.
So why had she helped? Why had she agreed to stay and talk to the owner? Maybe it was the lost look on Carly’s face the first time she entered the building. That expression, coupled with the young woman’s eagerness to learn reminded Lexie of herself at that age.
Dammit, why did those memories have to flood back? Especially today, sitting here in the rosy aftermath of having inspired a couple of youngsters. But despite all her efforts to silence it, her mother’s voice echoed in the back of her mind, sharp as a fillet knife and twice as painful.
“REALLY, DARLING, YOU’RE simply not trying.” Her mother stopped her impatient pacing. “Have you been practising? You don’t want to disappoint Mr. Pavelski. You know how he hates it when you aren’t properly prepared.”
“But what about me?” she wanted to cry. “What about what I want?”
What Lexie wanted had never entered her mother’s mind. If Anastasia Swinton decided that her daughter would learn to play
the violin, then so be it. An instrument of the highest quality was purchased and presented to Alexis when she was ten. She recalled accepting it in wide-eyed horror, an expression her mother blithely mistook for awe. The battle had gone on for five years, both with the violin and with her mother. Every time her mother came home from an overseas trip she would settle into her chair beside the fireplace, her back ramrod straight, and wait for Lexie to perform. And every time, she let her disappointment be known.
Desperate to please her mother, Lexie had tried her hand at cooking. Simple items at first, but as her skills grew, so did her confidence. Finally one day she’d presented her mother with a plateful of tarts, the pastry light and flaky.
Her mother’s hand had hovered over the plate. “Really, Darling. You know I have to watch my figure.”
“I’m sorry, Mummy, but I made these myself.”
“Is it any wonder your Beethoven is rough around the edges if you’re spending your time in the kitchen?” she scolded, but her gaze kept returning to the plate of tarts. “Oh all right, I’ll try one.”
At the time, Lexie told herself that the look of bliss on her mother’s face that day made up for the years of scathing put-downs. But even though her mother was eventually convinced by her violin teacher to give up the lessons, Lexie never got over the years of barbed remarks. It still sometimes amazed her that her parents had supported her financially when she expressed an interest in attending the Swiss cooking school.
Movement inside the restaurant brought her back to the present. Carly and Brandon were moving the tables back inside. Carly raised a hand to wave, and then looked out over the water. Lexie heard it at the same time; an airplane.
Caught in the last rays of the sun, the aircraft looked like a giant dragonfly. For several heart-stopping moments, it hovered over the water and then kissed the top of the waves as it touched down in the relatively calm waters of the cove. She recognized the name on the fuselage immediately: Coastal Air. Her heart did a quick little tap dance in her chest as the plane approached the dock. Silly, she knew. What were the odds that her favourite pilot would show up here?