Recipe for Romance

by Susan Perkins

  "Nonsense. I—"

  "Don't dig yourself in any deeper, Chef Antoine. I've checked with the suppliers for the Millers' wedding reception. All of them stated you'd placed a personal order of exactly the same quantity of goods as those ordered by the hotel then, at the last moment you cancelled the orders. All except the caviar—you had already collected this from Gunsey's on the Friday when you were supposed to be ill. I wonder what you did with such a large amount of fish eggs." Reeve's steely smile held no warmth, and Kirsty shivered. She knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end of his icy glare.

  "Furthermore, Chef Antoine, I had glowing reports from the Millers regarding their daughter's reception, whereas the Freemasons dinner last night has brought nothing but complaints. They had stopped using us because of the drabness and lack of originality of food and restaurant setting but Mr. Miller gave us a glowing recommendation, so they decided to give us another try. They were sadly disappointed."

  "I don't have to sit here and listen to such rubbish!" Chef stood up, his face a study of injured pride. "I will not stay here and be insulted by your totally unfounded accusations. You have no basis for treating me in this manner. I—"

  "Sit down!" Reeve's voice sounded low but commanding. Antoine sat down with an astounded expression on his face. "My accusations are not unfounded, as you put it. Every time you found fault with Miss Lawrence, the error turned out to be yours. The wedding reception had not been mentioned to anyone at the hotel and to say you told Miss Lawrence to organize this event is untrue, as well you know. The order was given to you, Antoine, and you made no preparations. Mr. Miller assures me he contacted you a week before the function, and you told him you had everything in hand.

  "Surely you'd have checked this with Miss Lawrence if you had placed the function in her hands. Instead, you acted as if the restaurant had no bookings for Saturday. I have no doubt you wanted it to seem you had appeared at the last moment and saved the day. Miss Lawrence, however, is far too professional to forget a wedding reception and, when faced with a seemingly impossible task, she organized the event so smoothly the Millers were unaware anything untoward had happened."

  Kirsty blushed as Reeve poured on the praise. She reminded herself he was only being fair. No matter how he stood up for her, it didn't alter the fact he'd been with another woman on the beach yesterday, a mere forty-eight hours after he'd been with her.

  "I feel extremely sorry for you, Mr. Stuart," Antoine said. "Lawrence has you under some kind of spell. None of your accusations can be proven, so I will not take action against you or the hotel. However, you must see it is impossible for me to carry on working here whilst the management obviously holds me in such disregard. Therefore, I must regretfully tender my resignation."

  "Somehow I expected you to say those words, Chef Antoine. Unfortunately, you have no grounds for resigning. I have written proof you placed orders for the Millers' reception, then cancelled them at the last moment. In this envelope you'll find all monies owing to you." Reeve held a white envelope out to Antoine. "You'll also find a document detailing the termination of your contract, written by the hotel's legal advisers. In view of the circumstances concerning this cancellation of contract, I'd be grateful if you would leave the premises as soon as possible."

  "You can't do this!" Antoine shouted, jumping to his feet. "I'll take this matter to the union, to the courts of law! You have no right to dismiss me without good reason."

  "When you get home, I suggest you study the contents of the envelope carefully. The notice states the exact reasons for dismissal. It might also interest you to know the Garden Group has purchased the franchise for the new theatre restaurant. Somehow I don't think we'll want to employ a chef who has been dismissed from one of our other establishments, do you? Goodbye, Chef Antoine." Reeve rose and crossed to open his office door.

  Antoine had no option but to leave.

  "This matter is not over, Stuart. I'll see you in court." The anger in Chef's voice deepened as Reeve shut the door behind him.

  "Phew!" Reeve came across and sat on the edge of the desk nearest Kirsty. "I thought he'd never go."

  "He won't really take it to court, will he?" Kirsty's voice trembled. "I mean, despite what you said about proof, we can't really prove I was right and he was wrong, can we?"

  "When he opens the envelope, he'll see he hasn't got a leg to stand on. The lady at Gunsey's was only too happy to confirm in writing the Hibiscus Hotel chef had placed an order for caviar. The same goes for the other suppliers. Don't worry about it, Kirsty. Come here and give me a kiss." Reeve held out his hand, but Kirsty stood up and side-stepped out of his reach.

  "Does this mean I have my job back?" She tried to keep her voice calm.

  "You never lost it, Kirsty. As far as I'm concerned, you're the new head chef of the Hibiscus Hotel." Reeve frowned as she moved further away from him. "Kirsty, what's the matter? Why won't you let me near you?"

  REEVE HAD WORKED HARD over the last few days, collecting the evidence against Antoine and forcing down his eagerness to spend time with the woman he loved. He'd been determined to complete the business with Antoine so he could explain everything. Now Kirsty backed away from him. Reeve shook his head as she spoke in a low voice. She couldn't be saying what his ears were hearing.

  "I've been thinking about us over the last few days and I honestly don't feel we should see each other when we work together, do you? You know, keep business and pleasure separate."

  Reeve stared at her in disbelief. Not see each other! What was she talking about? Kirsty looked away, and he reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her.

  "What is all this?" His voice sounded brittle with disappointment and anger. "We spend the best part of the week together, then I leave you alone for two days because of an overload of work. Now you tell me you want to keep our relationship on a business basis. You'll have to do better, Kirsty, if you want me to believe you."

  "Well, think about it." Kirsty's voice wobbled and she took a deep breath before continuing. When she spoke again, her words came out in a rush. "We didn't really have anything did we? I mean it never got further than kisses or cuddles. You were ill and we sort of fell into a situation, didn't we? There was nothing more to it."

  "Are you trying to tell me our attraction for each other was a result of my catching the flu? Next you'll be telling me you only stayed with me to keep your job. My God, Kirsty, I couldn't have been wrong about you. You can't possibly be so hard-hearted. "

  His own words washed over him like a cold shower. His Kirsty couldn't be so devious. Not the woman who had kissed him with such passion. What had happened in the last two days for her to decide she didn't want to be with him?

  He glanced down and saw he still held Kirsty's wrist. Slowly his eyes rose until he stared into her eyes. She appeared so calm and sure of herself, comfortable with the bombshell she had just dropped on him. Fool, he told himself. The woman's used you for her own ends! He tried not to let Kirsty see his hurt and disappointment, but couldn't stop himself as he flung her arm from him and turned his back on her. He spat words full of bitterness at her over his shoulder.

  "If keeping your job was your aim, you got more than you expected out of your little fling, didn't you? You got a promotion as well. Be assured, Miss Lawrence, I'll be watching to make sure you deserve your new position. I suggest you start to prove your worth by making sure the lunchtime preparations are well in hand."

  "Reeve, I..." Kirsty reached out and touched his shoulder, but he shrugged and dislodged her hand.

  "Leave me alone, Kirsty. Just get out of my office. From now on, we'll do it your way. We're employer and employee. See if you can pretend the last week never happened. I know I won't, but you've evidently got a much shorter memory than I have!"

  Chapter Ten

  Kirsty stumbled from Reeve's office, blinded by tears, and hurried to the nearest restroom. The area was empty. She washed and wiped her tearstained face then straightened her clothing.
She took a deep breath and marched into the kitchen.

  The kitchen staff were talking nervously to one another, but all conversation stopped when Kirsty entered the room. With a nod in their direction and head held high she entered the staff changing room and put on her trousers, jacket and cap. Her walk was purposeful as she crossed the room to Chef's—no, her—desk. A swift intake of breath came from the women as Kirsty sat down, but when they hastily turned away trying to look busy as she looked up.

  Kirsty glanced up at the day board, but whatever had been written there had been wiped clean. Antoine must have done this before he left, and he'd also rifled through the desk. The wastepaper basket on the floor indicated he had destroyed or removed anything he thought might help her in her new position.

  Oh, well, I didn't do all my training for nothing. Perhaps in the long run it's better to be dumped in at the deep end. At least this way I can prove to everybody I'm capable of doing the job.

  If she was honest the only person to impress was Reeve, but this was pushed ruthlessly from her mind as she felt the tears begin to well up again.

  The kitchen maids told her Antoine had cancelled preparations for today's meals and indicated the new head chef would give them their orders. Kirsty set them to work, preparing the soup of the day and the potatoes. A check of the store cupboards and freezers gave her ingredients for the main course. The kitchen maids chatted quietly to one another discussing the unexpected turn of events, but as Kirsty proved her ability to run the kitchen and get a lunchtime menu prepared, they accepted her being in sole charge.

  Reeve appeared in the kitchen about half an hour before lunch. He sounded cold and formal as he checked everything was in order, and Kirsty's heart sank. Despite being busy, her thoughts kept returning to the meeting in Reeve's office. Her unhappiness had made her overwrought, and she'd allowed her emotions to take over when she'd told him they needed to keep things on a purely business basis.

  Why didn't I act as normal and ask him what he'd been doing meeting another woman on the beach?

  Lunch went off without a hitch. Afterward, Kirsty left the kitchen maids to clear up and took a cup of coffee to the seat outside the back door.

  Why didn't I keep my temper? Is it too late? He probably won't listen to me if I try to apologize. I wouldn't blame him if her flung my words back in my face? Kirsty rose with a sigh and returned to the kitchen. There was far too much work to do now, and no time to do anything about the situation between her and Reeve. After planning the dinner menu and getting her helpers started, she rang Reeve's office and asked to have a word with him. He agreed in a cool voice to see her in his office immediately. Any hopes of taking a moment to sort out their personal problems were dashed when he greeted her in a cold and formal voice.

  "Sit down, Miss Lawrence." The chips of ice were in the grey eyes again. "What did you want to see me about?"

  Kirsty's heart sank. He had called her Miss Lawrence again, which meant he had no intention of allowing her inside his guard. Mentally drawing her courage round her she sat down.

  If this is the way he wants it this is the way he'll get it.

  "I'm sure you realize we are now short-staffed, Mr. Stuart. Of course I will not be taking any time off this week, but I would ask if you or I should take steps to alleviate the situation?" Kirsty found it difficult not to clasp her hands in her lap as she waited nervously for his reply.

  "The matter is in hand, Miss Lawrence. An advertisement has been placed in the national and trade papers, and the agency has been asked to provide a temporary sous-chef to tide us over until I can engage someone on a permanent basis." He stared coldly at her. "Is there anything else?"

  "Reeve, I'm sorry about this morning. Can we—"

  "You made your feelings abundantly clear, Miss Lawrence. You wish to keep our relationship on a purely business basis. I have no objections. Now, if there's nothing else, I have work to do."

  She reached the door and glanced back, but he had bent his head over the papers on his desk. A dark cloak of depression enveloped Kirsty, and a hollow pit grew in her stomach. He really wasn't interested in listening to her apology. What hurt most was the realization his cold anger showed his feelings for her must have been as strong as hers for him.

  By the end of the day, Kirsty felt exhausted, both mentally and physically. Gina popped in to find out what had happened, but Kirsty didn't have time to talk, nor did she feel ready to discuss the major upheaval in her life. Her wounds were too raw and vulnerable.

  Kirsty tossed and turned that night, but no matter which way she moved, her thoughts chased after her. The angry words between Reeve and her repeated over and over in her mind. What she would have said if she had the time over again, but the morning alarm brought the situation in the same light as when she'd eventually fallen asleep.

  Over the next few days Kirsty threw herself into the job, but her nights were spent restlessly tossing and turning in her bed and dark shadows appeared beneath her eyes. During the day, the normal chattering of the maids passed over her, although her mind remained alert to anything concerning the catering. The two women were close friends and spent endless hours talking about family and mutual acquaintances. On Thursday morning her ears pricked up when they mentioned a familiar name.

  "Did you hear about Mr. Stuart?" one woman asked. "My husband knows someone who works at one of the big hotels in the city. He says Mr. Stuart's group bought their hotel, and ended up getting rid of a lot of staff."

  "Ooh! You don't think it's going to happen here, do you?" The other woman stared wide-eyed at her colleague. "I wouldn't be surprised. Apparently he never stays long in any one place. He buys the place, sorts out any problems, then buys another one. He got rid of half the staff at the city hotel, and now he's given Chef Antoine the push."

  Kirsty pretended not to have heard their comments, but everything clicked into place. Reeve had wined and dined her to learn the ins and outs of the Hibiscus Hotel. He hadn't sacked Antoine because of her. He'd done it to get the place running smoothly as quickly as possible so he could move on to his next purchase.

  Gina wouldn't let her off the hook, and she waltzed into the kitchen after the restaurant closed and took Kirsty by the arm. The receptionist liberated two cups of coffee from a surprised kitchen maid and then propelled Kirsty outside.

  "Now then, Kirsty, sit down and drink this."

  Obediently Kirsty sat and sipped at the hot coffee, but after one mouthful the cup remained still in her hands. Her gaze stared out over the sea, glazing over as the thoughts tumbled around inside her head.

  "Kirsty!" Gina's voice snapped her back to the present. "Tell me what happened. It hasn't made you very happy. Tell Aunty Gina all about it."

  Kirsty's lips curved into a weary smile, but after taking another sip of coffee she turned to look at her friend.

  "Tell me what you know. Then I'll fill in the gaps if I can."

  "First—Chef Antoine has got the push. Second—you're in charge of the kitchen, but I don't know if it's permanent or until they get a replacement." Gina had been ticking off items on her fingers, and now held up finger number three. "Third—I don't know what happened in Mr. Stuart's office, but since Monday, both of you have been looking like the sky's fallen in on you. On top of this, his temper's been foul. You know how he can be critical in a freezing sort of way? Well, he's found so many faults everybody's treading very carefully in case they follow Chef Antoine out the door."

  "You mean you haven't heard the scuttlebutt about Reeve troubleshooting the hotels he buys? He comes in, sorts out any problems and moves on to his next victim." Gina's expression showed her friend had heard the gossip.

  "Well, yes," Gina admitted reluctantly. "I did hear something, but so what? You know the hotel was getting run down. Poor old Mr. Bennett couldn't hack it any more."

  "I feel he's used me, Gina." Kirsty took another sip of coffee. "He got close to me so he could trap Chef Antoine."

  "You could be right, Kirst
y." Gina looked thoughtful. "I don't suppose you've heard the rest of the gossip, have you? The Garden Group's bought the theatre restaurant. It's a close-kept secret at the moment, but the head receptionist told me to keep my cool a bit longer because we wouldn't have to put up with Reeve Stuart for much longer as he'd be moving on to his newest acquisition. I'm not sure if it's right, though, because I also heard he's buying a house here on the Peninsula."

  "I'd heard about the theatre restaurant, but it makes it even worse, Gina. It still doesn't alter the fact he used me to get the goods on Antoine so he could get rid of him. He couldn't sack Mr. Bennett because the man had already retired, so he picked on Antoine instead."

  "Hey, hold on! You've got a short memory. He wouldn't have sacked Chef if he didn't have a good reason."

  "I know." Kirsty sighed. "I still feel he shouldn't have involved me. It makes me feel dirty! To think I thought I loved the guy."

  "Wait a minute! What's all this about loving him?" Gina stared at her. "I don't think you've told me everything, Kirsty. Start from the beginning and tell me all about it. You'll feel a lot better if you get all your worries out in the open."

  "Okay," Kirsty said quietly. "Let's take your queries one at a time. First—yes, Antoine's gone, but I can't tell you any more. I'm not sure if I understand the whole thing myself. Second—I'm the new head chef permanently. Mr. Stuart's looking for a sous-chef and the one we've got now is a temporary. As for the rest, well..."

  To Kirsty's surprise, tears sprang to her eyes at the memory of what had happened in Reeve's office, and she hastily pulled a tissue from her pocket.

  "The wind's got in my eye."

  "Pull the other one, girl, I'm not entirely stupid." Her friend put an arm around Kirsty's shoulders. "Come on, Kirsty. Something happened in Mr. Stuart's office and it might help if you told me about it. We've been friends long enough for you to know I won't spread it round the hotel."