by Nan Dixon
He laughed. “A little.”
She pulled a new mug from the cooler and made sure the glass didn’t hit the tap—no need to transfer bacteria. Then she updated his tab.
“Good,” Naomi said.
As it got closer to five, the orders came in faster. Still no sign of Abby. Did she sit at home eating bonbons and counting the cash everyone made for her?
“You okay?” Naomi reached into the cooler and grabbed a glass.
“Why?”
Naomi used a finger to circle Carolina’s face. “You’ve got a mean mug thing going.”
Mean mug? Her eyes flared open. “I was...thinking about something.”
“Boss lady wants us to leave our problems at the door. In here we’re all about comfort.”
Comfort? “Oh, I get it. Southern Comforts.”
“No one does it better than Abby. Hey, boss,” Naomi said loudly.
“Sucking up, Naomi?” Abby asked as she ducked under the pass-through.
“Always.” Naomi and Abby laughed.
Carolina paused before joining them.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t welcome you personally.” Abby touched Carolina’s arm.
Carolina jumped. Abby touched people—a lot.
Abby patted Naomi’s shoulder. “Can I steal her?”
“We’re in good shape.” Naomi nodded. “She’s a fast learner.”
“Good to know.” Abby waved her into the main restaurant. “I’d take you to my office, but it’s barely big enough for a desk and a couple of chairs. Let’s sit upstairs. They haven’t started seating there yet.”
Abby waved at people as she moved through the restaurant to a spiral wooden staircase.
“Wow.” Carolina’s mouth dropped open. “This staircase is awesome.”
“Thanks.” Abby chuckled. “Nathan whined when I said this was what I wanted. They had to build it on site.”
And another example of her sisters’ unending wealth. What a difference from her mother not being able to afford to paint the trim on her house. “Who’s Nathan?”
They rounded the top of the stairs and the room opened up into another dining space. “Nathan is Cheryl’s husband. You met her in the kitchen.”
Lord, were there security cameras? “I didn’t realize you were in the restaurant. I would have said hi.”
“I was at Fitzgerald House. The wedding shower luncheon went longer than expected. Cheryl sent a text that you’d arrived early.”
Abby poured glasses of water from the server station and handed Carolina one. They sat at a table with pretty flowers in a small vase. From here, Carolina could see through the large patio doors out into the courtyard gardens.
“Welcome to Southern Comforts.” Abby smiled. “I think you’ll be a great addition to our staff.”
“Thank you.”
“Naomi should have given you a good introduction to working the bar.” Abby talked through wages, benefits and scheduling. “I know we talked about you working Thursday, Friday and Saturday. But if you want to pick up more hours, let me know.”
“I will.” She needed the money. With Mamá in the hospital, she didn’t have a clue how large that bill would be.
Abby flipped through a three-ring binder, talking about hours and payroll dates. “I double-checked your online paperwork. Everything looks good.”
“The restaurant’s very organized.” Carolina had been reluctantly impressed.
“We try. Everything I’ve said is in here.” Abby handed her the binder and a card on a lanyard. “Your access card.”
“For the storage areas?”
“And the restaurant and B and B doors. You might need to bring over wine or beer to the B and B.”
“Okay.” Her mother’s request blared in her head. Bring me back something. What she’d rather do is get that blasted bird away from her mother and return it.
“I’ll offer you hours for Fitzgerald House catering events.” Abby’s eyes twinkled. “Instead of always hiring independents, I’d rather keep it in the family.”
Carolina almost spit out the water she’d just sipped. “Family?”
Abby nodded. “The employees of the B and B and Southern Comforts.”
“Oh, sure.” Carolina took another sip, looking at her half sister over the edge of her glass.
Abby’s gingery eyebrows were mashed together. “For each four-hour shift, you’re entitled to a meal.”
“That’s...generous.”
“It helps you make recommendations to diners.”
“Any chance I could trade dinner for dessert tonight?” Carolina caught her lip between her teeth.
“Dessert?”
“You have a chocolate-on-chocolate cake.” Carolina swallowed. “I was hoping my mother would like it. Her doctor’s worried about her weight loss.”
“I’m so sorry.” Abby touched her arm. This time Carolina didn’t jump. “How is she doing?”
She shouldn’t tell Abby, but she ended up spewing all about Mamá’s seizures and not knowing when she would get out of the hospital.
“She won’t be released for a couple of weeks?” Abby’s pen rattled against the table.
Carolina swallowed. She’d shared too much. “They have to get her seizures under control. Then she’ll need radiation treatment.”
Abby’s eyebrows arched. “And you live in Tybee?”
“Yes.”
“How much time are you spending at the hospital?”
“Every waking hour.” Oh, God, was Abby worried about her being at work? “Except when I’m working.”
Nodding, Abby crossed her arms.
Was Abby rethinking hiring her? She needed this paycheck. “It won’t it affect my job.”
“I’m not worried about that.” Abby’s foot jiggled under the table. “Cheryl, Nathan and the kids just moved out of one of the carriage house apartments. And Kaden and Courtney are moving out soon.”
Abby pulled Carolina out of the chair. “Come with me.”
What was happening?
Abby ran her security card over a reader and opened a door that led into the second-floor hallway. “I think this will help you.”
Help her? Carolina hadn’t had a lot of sleep lately, but Abby was confusing.
Abby guided her to a door and shook out a set of keys. “Here it is.”
Here’s what?
They walked into a kitchen. Abby nodded. “This should work.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Carolina dug in her heels as Abby pulled her through a living room. Her voice squeaked. “What’s going on?”
Abby blinked. “Sorry, I got ahead of myself. You can use this apartment while your mother is in the hospital.”
“What?” Carolina’s mouth dropped open.
“It’s furnished. Instead of driving back and forth to Tybee, stay here. You’ll be closer to the hospital, to your mother.”
Carolina collapsed onto the closest chair. “You’d do this for me—for a stranger?”
“It will help you and your mother.” Abby smiled. “Family is all we have, right? Do you have siblings?”
Family. She and Abby were half sisters. But she couldn’t say a word. Never tell anyone who your father was. Mamá’s words echoed in her head. She’d imagined horrible things would happen if anyone knew. “It’s just Mamá and I. Daddy died years ago.”
“Stay here.” Abby added, “I’ll have Marion get the cleaning crew in tomorrow for a touch-up. Don’t worry about soap and shampoo and those things, we’ll stock from the B and B. Let me show you the bedrooms and bathroom. There’s a washer and dryer. You can stay starting tomorrow.”
“You would...” Carolina started to walk but her legs wouldn’t move. She burst into tears. “...for me?”
“I can’t imagine what it wo
uld be like if my mamma was in the hospital.” Abby’s hand pressed against her chest. Then she hugged Carolina. “I want to help.”
Carolina tried to hold in her sobs. She’d thought Abby would be cruel. “I... I can’t afford rent.”
“No charge.” Abby patted her back, murmuring soft words. No one had ever been this kind to her.
“Thank you.” Carolina pulled away, brushing the tears from her cheeks. “Thank you so much.”
Abby looked at her. “You even cry pretty.”
“What?”
“When I cry, my skin goes all blotchy. You just look gorgeous.” Abby pulled toilet paper from the bathroom and handed it to Carolina. “I always wanted curly hair like yours.”
Carolina wiped her face and blew her nose. She couldn’t reconcile the Abby she’d imagined with the woman standing in front of her. If Abby knew they shared a father, would she still be this kind?
Her boss wouldn’t learn that from her.
“I’ll get you a key tomorrow.” They headed back to the restaurant. “Time to work.”
What would her mother think about Abby’s kindness? Her breath caught. She could never tell Mamá.
* * *
“I’LL MEET YOU for dinner.” Sage wanted to say no, but Kaden would probably come over and pull him out of his condo by his ear. Something his brothers had done when he was little. He sighed. “What time?”
“Contain your enthusiasm.” Kaden laughed. “Call when you get to Fitzgerald House. We’ll figure out where to eat.”
“Will do.” Over the last two days he’d taken a few more walks. He knew the placement of all the benches in a ten-block area. Unfortunately his vision still sucked. Which aggravated his constant headaches.
Before pocketing his phone, he checked for a message from Carolina. Nothing.
They might have kissed, but she hadn’t reached out. Hadn’t responded to his last text. He’d almost called too many times, but finally stopped. Obviously she wasn’t interested. Time to stop pining over Carolina Castillo.
Sage took a pill and headed out. He should have told Kaden to come to River Street. There were plenty of restaurants.
At the elevator, he headed up to Bay Street. He and two senior citizens. Great. At the top, he waited for the couple to move ahead of him. They were walking so slowly, even he could pass them.
Should he walk or hail a cab? Damn. He wanted to punch the guy who’d shot him. Or the dog who’d knocked him down.
Cab it was. When he saw Kaden, he wanted to look healthy. Kaden might be reporting his condition to their boss.
He caught a cab at the Hyatt, fuming as the cabbie took him to Fitzgerald House. He should be able to walk the stupid ten blocks.
After entering the Fitzgerald House courtyard, he sat at the first table and sent Kaden a text. In courtyard.
He closed his eyes and took deep breaths. Something smelled good. He squinted as he opened his eyes. Hell, he’d collapsed at the same table where Carolina’s magic hands had eased his headache.
Kaden texted him back. Head to restaurant. I’ll be 15 mins.
Restaurant? That must be where the great smells were from. He followed the scent, moving past a patio teeming with people drinking, eating and laughing. The sign on the door said Southern Comforts. Inside, he whipped off his sunglasses.
A hostess asked, “Can I help you?”
“I’ll sit at the bar and wait for my friend.”
“Sure. Let me know if you want a table.”
“Thanks.” He found a couple of empty seats at the end of the bar.
He boosted his butt onto the stool, moaning like he was Gramps after being in the saddle for a day.
Two women with their backs to him, worked behind the counter, drawing beers. He closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths.
“Sage?”
His eyes blinked open. “Carolina?”
The napkin slipped out of her fingers and floated to the floor.
“You got the job.” Did that make him feel better or worse since she hadn’t called?
“First day.” Her deep blue eyes had that stunned look, like a white-tailed deer caught in a four-wheeler’s lights at dusk.
“How’s your mother?” He schooled his voice, hoping she couldn’t catch his disappointment.
Her shoulders moved up and down with her sigh. His eyes dropped to her chest. Even in the modest polo, he didn’t need much imagination to remember how she’d pressed against him as they’d kissed.
So why in blazes hadn’t she called?
“They can’t get her seizures under control.” Her fingers crushed the second napkin she pulled for him. “She’s still in the hospital.”
He caught her hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” She stared into his eyes.
The noise of the room slipped away. He wanted to make the pain in her deep blue eyes disappear, too.
She shook her head. “Um, what can I get you?”
“What’s on tap?”
“First day.” She winced. “Lots of Southbound.”
“I’ll have their seasonal.” He could have one beer and make it last through dinner.
“I’ll get that.” But she stayed right in front of him.
He smiled. Maybe she hadn’t been blowing him off. Warmth flooded through him.
“Sage?” she asked.
“Yeah?”
“I need my hand back.”
Cripes. He let go and the warmth faded like a leaking balloon. He was an idiot. “Sorry.”
Over her shoulder, she quipped, “I didn’t mind.”
What? He shook his head. Mistake. Mallets pounded spikes into his eyeballs. At least the jackhammers hadn’t come out for a few days.
“Do you want to run a tab?” Carolina set a mug in front of him. Her eyes went wide. “Are you meeting someone for dinner? A date?”
She cared? He was so confused. “My coworker, Kaden.”
She checked down the bar, chewing on her lower lip. And stayed right in front of him.
“I’ve got to ask,” he blurted out.
Her eyebrows shot up. “Yes?”
Her whispered word reminded him of the way she’d whispered his name when they’d kissed. His body came alive.
“Did you...did you forget to call me?” He grimaced. “Or was that intentional?”
“I forgot.” Her hand clapped over her mouth. “With my mother’s seizures, I forgot.”
His headache eased. “So, you weren’t blowing me off?”
“No.” She set her hand on his. “Everything’s just so complicated right now.”
“Like I said, I’m available for dinner or just a shoulder to cry on.” Preferably in bed, but even he wasn’t crass enough to suggest that to her. He wanted to help any way he could. It was the Cornell way.
“Thanks.”
“So, if I called again, it would be okay?”
She nodded. “But don’t be hurt if I can’t answer.” She glanced down the bar and a patron waved. “I need to work.”
He enjoyed watching her pull beers, mix drinks and chat with customers and the other bartender. Having two hot bartenders was a good business strategy. Wine and beer were flowing.
“There you are.” Kaden sat next to him.
“Yup.” He shook Kaden’s hand. “Want a beer?”
“I’ve got it.” Kaden waited for Carolina to take his order.
“How long has this place been open?” Sage watched Kaden watch Carolina. And wanted to rip his partner’s eyes out.
“Almost a month.”
“What can I get you?” Carolina asked Kaden.
“What’s he’s having?” Kaden asked.
“Southbound’s seasonal,” she replied.
“That sound good.”
“Ar
e you good, Sage?” she asked.
“I’m good.”
After Carolina walked away, Kaden said, “Ten minutes? You work fast my friend.”
“I met her when you invited me over for dinner.” No way would he admit she’d knocked him down. “I helped her the night her mother ended up in the hospital.”
“Not the most romantic setting. But it suits a hero wannabe.”
Sage’s gaze snapped to his partner. “What?”
“You. And your hero complex.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sage clutched his mug. He didn’t have a complex.
“Right.”
Carolina brought Kaden his beer. “Enjoy.”
“What time are you off?” Sage asked before she walked away.
“Eight.”
Sage smiled. “Can I walk you to your car?”
“I’d like that.” Her eyes sparkled as she moved away from him.
“Smooth,” Kaden snorted. “Real smooth.”
Luckily, Carolina didn’t hear his rude friend.
Sage toasted Kaden and their mugs clinked. “Thanks for insisting we have dinner.”
Carolina hadn’t blown him off. He might even score a good-night kiss. Things were looking up.
* * *
SAGE WATCHED HER from his barstool. Carolina almost dropped the dirty mug she was carrying. He’d been staring since he’d finished his dinner. Not in a creepy way, just in a hot I want to kiss you again way.
She wanted to kiss him, too.
At least she’d been too focused on Sage and learning the new job to worry about Mamá.
She glanced over and he smiled. Her chest grew tight and her breath caught. It had been so long since she’d been attracted to someone. With her mother in the hospital and her career in limbo, his attention was a respite from reality.
Setting the last mug into the rack, she checked the patrons on her side of the bar. After pulling one more refill, she said to Naomi, “Thanks for your help tonight. I’m done.”
“Thank you.” Naomi rang up an order. “It would have been hard handling the crowd earlier without you. We had a good rhythm.”
“We did. But that was because you’re easy to work with.”
Naomi nodded at Sage. “Is Hot Stuff waiting for you?”
Carolina face warmed. “Yes.”
“Can’t blame you.” Naomi winked. “I wouldn’t mind a taste of him.”
