“You said to call.”
Pleasure coursed through him. “Estelle? I didn’t expect to hear from you so quickly.”
“You caught me at a good time. I’m between interviews.”
“How’s it going?” It was nice to hear her voice.
“Although it was bad when I got here, things weren’t as bad as I was led to believe. I still don’t know who has been stealing from me. I know I’ve only been here a couple of days, but I’d hoped to solve that mystery fast.”
He frowned. Someone had been stealing too? “I’m sorry to hear that. At least you have a little good news.”
“Yeah. I hate to say it, but I’m thankful the paparazzi tracked me down. Jamie was going to try to deal with all of this on her own. I suppose that’s her job, but my name is on this place and well . . . you know?”
“Sure. Have you found a strong candidate for your chef?”
“Actually, you’re not going to believe this, but I ended up hiring Gabby’s cousin. As it turns out, I was already familiar with her. Small world.”
“No kidding. So you like her then?”
“I do. She has the necessary experience. She isn’t cocky, and she runs a great kitchen according to her references. I threw her into the kitchen last night with Jeff. That probably wasn’t my best decision, but it went surprisingly well, and I was able to see her potential. She’s actually helping with the interviews as I work to build up the kitchen staff again.”
Excitement filled him. “Great. So when will you be back?”
“I’m sorry, Blake—the next interviewee is here. I have to go.”
“All right. We can talk later.” With a sigh he tossed his phone onto the bed next to him. At least she’d called. But had she deliberately evaded his question, or did she actually need to hang up?
Chapter Ten
Estelle looked around the empty dining room of her restaurant. She should have known Blake would want to know when she’d return to Oak Knoll. The truth was, things here weren’t as great as she’d made them out to sound, but she didn’t want him to worry or stress about her extended absence, so she’d downplayed her situation to him.
She had hurt Jeff far more than she’d realized. He did his best to avoid her, and it was clear she was the reason he had taken the job in New York. They had a divided workplace. Those staying supported her, and those leaving supported him. The whole thing made her sad. She still didn’t know how to make things right with Jeff. Maybe only time could do that. As for everyone else, there was nothing she could do. She hadn’t asked for them to choose a side.
Cerise couldn’t start when Estelle needed her, so she had come up with a Plan B. Maybe she should have hired someone else, but she liked Cerise, and the woman’s references were so amazing she would have been crazy to pass her up—plus she liked the idea of a female managing the kitchen. The only thing that bothered her was that no one had snagged Cerise sooner. Was there something she didn’t know about Cerise? Then again, maybe her new cook had been particular about where she applied since her current gig was pretty good.
Cerise breezed into the dining room wearing capris, a flowing blouse, and flip-flops, while carrying two tall iced teas. “I forgot how tiring talking was.” Her last word came out in a croak.
Estelle laughed. “To think I used to do it for a living. You should probably give your voice a rest. It sounds worn out.”
She nodded and took a long draw from the straw in her drink. She leaned against the chair back and closed her eyes.
“Shall we hammer out who you want in your kitchen?” Estelle asked.
Cerise’s eyelids opened slowly. “I suppose that would be a good idea.” She reached for the résumés. “No.” She slid one to the left, then another two. “Yes.” She slid it to the right. This went on for several minutes as she pored over the applicants. Since over half of the kitchen staff had turned in their two-week’s notices, there were several spots to fill.
Estelle leafed through the small stack Cerise had made. “You’d take any of these?” They didn’t need all of them, and more than likely at least one would decline her offer. It seemed there was always one person who changed their mind after the interview.
“Yes. If their references are good, then whoever you liked best will be fine with me.”
“Good. Is there anyone in particular you’d be disappointed to not have in the kitchen?”
Cerise seemed to think for a moment then shook her head. “No.”
“Okay then.” Estelle offered her hand. “I’m looking forward to working with you. And if anything changes in your timeline, allowing you to get here sooner, please let me know.”
Cerise grasped her hand in a firm shake then released it. “I will.”
“Thanks. I do have one more question that’s been bugging me.”
Cerise raised a brow. “Oh? What’s that?”
“Why hasn’t anyone snatched you up before me?” Estelle should have asked this question from the start. She prayed the reason was something she could live with.
“I hadn’t found the right fit. The idea of personally hiring most of the kitchen staff was a huge draw for me.”
“But how did you know about that?”
Cerise shrugged. “News travels.”
“I guess so.” Apparently it wasn’t only small towns that could spread information like a wildfire.
“I should head out. See you in a couple weeks.”
Estelle nodded. “Or sooner.” She knew the chances Cerise could start earlier were slim, but also wanted the woman to know she was needed ASAP.
Cerise left via the front entrance.
A few minutes later the door opened again, and Jeff pulled up short. “Oh. I didn’t realize you were here. I uh . . .” He looked around like he wanted to escape but didn’t know where to go.
Estelle stood. “Actually, I’m glad you’re here. Since we have the place to ourselves, do you think we could talk?”
His dark, brooding eyes latched onto hers. “I don’t think we have anything to talk about.”
Her chest tightened. He wasn’t going to make this easy. “Maybe not, but I have something to say.”
He ran a hand along the back of his neck, looking like he’d rather be anywhere but here. “Fine.” He glowered.
She motioned toward a chair. “Maybe we could sit.”
“Whatever.” He sat where Cerise had been.
She eased down and rested her folded hands on the table.
“I’ve already sold my home and signed a contract with the restaurant in New York,” he said “so you can’t talk me out of going.”
Her eyes widened. “Congratulations on selling your house so quickly. But that’s not what I want to talk about. I need to apologize. You were right. I don’t love you—at least not the way I should if I was going to marry you.”
“Seriously? This is what you want to say to me?” He leaned forward and started to stand.
“Please hear me out. This is important.”
He sighed and planted himself back onto the seat. “Fine, but make it fast. I have work to do.”
Her insides filled with butterflies. She took a breath and let it out slowly. “I need to apologize for hurting you. I never should have stayed in a relationship when we weren’t both on the same page. I’m sorry. I knew you wanted to get married, and I didn’t.”
His gaze locked onto hers. “Ever?”
She ducked her chin. “Maybe not ever, but you and I lacked the passion a couple should have. We were like a comfortable pair of jeans. There was no spark.”
“I like my old jeans. They’re soft, and I always know what to expect when I put them on.”
She agreed, but she wanted more. “Don’t you want a little excitement? Something less predictable? Passion?”
“I never thought about it.” He rubbed his chin as if considering her words.
Hope filled her. Maybe they could part on good terms after all. “I do love you, Jeff, but as a friend. I didn’t realize it until you
asked me to marry you. I’m so sorry. I hope you find true love in New York.”
“I appreciate that.” He blinked watery eyes and cleared his throat. “What about you?”
“Me?” Panic seized her. She had no idea what he wanted from her.
“Yeah. There’s something different about you since you returned from Oregon.”
She chuckled nervously. “I’m surprised you noticed.” Considering he’d avoided her at every turn.
“I notice everything. You seem happier somehow, in spite of all that’s going on here. Why?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t realize I was happier. I suppose working with the children’s theater could be why. Acting is my first love. I didn’t know how much I missed it.” But could there be more to it than the theater? Blake’s face flashed in her mind.
Jeff nodded. “I always knew you’d go back to acting one day. I thought being a restaurant owner was a passing hobby. To be honest, I expected you to go back to it sooner.”
She tilted her head. “You never said anything.” He really would make some woman happy one day. He was quite a catch—just not the catch for her.
“I didn’t want to push you. I figured you’d find your way back when you were ready. When you told me you were thinking about visiting your friend in Oregon for the summer, I panicked. I knew you weren’t ready to commit for a lifetime. I never should have asked—”
“Don’t you dare apologize for proposing to me.” She crossed her arms and gave him her I’m not messing around look.
He chuckled, then sobered. “Okay. I won’t.” He stood and opened his arms to her.
Estelle moved into his embrace and relaxed in his arms. “I’m going to miss this.”
He rested his chin on the top of her head. “Not as much as I will.”
Why did he have to be so sweet? Her throat thickened, and she blinked away sudden tears. She stepped out of his arms. “So how do we move forward? The kids have taken sides.”
He rubbed his chin. “Yeah, my staff is a loyal bunch. Except those who took your side.” He was quiet for a minute. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s show them that we’re friends. Maybe seeing us together again will heal the rift in the kitchen. I could use a night not filled with emotional tension.”
That made two of them. “Deal. You’re one of a kind, Jeff. I’m going to miss you.”
He reached out and caressed her cheek. “Same.”
“Hello?”
They both turned toward the door where Jamie gawked at them with wide eyes and an open mouth.
“Does this mean you’re not leaving, Jeff?”
“Nope.” He strolled to the kitchen.
Jamie rushed to her side. “What is going on between the two of you? I thought for sure he was going to kiss you.”
Estelle frowned. “No.” She glanced toward the kitchen, and for the first time since she’d come home, she felt truly happy. Thank you, Lord. She’d prayed for an opportunity to clear the air with Jeff, to give them both some hope for a cordial future. She couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.
~
A week later Estelle came to a big decision after witnessing something she had never expected—Jamie skimming money from the till. Estelle could not leave her restaurant in Jamie’s hands any longer. After closing, when everyone else had left, she called her manager into the kitchen.
“What’s up?” Jamie asked. “I was on my way out.”
The irony of the words struck Estelle as sad. She pressed her lips together and slowly untied her apron then hung it on a hook beside the door. “I’ll be right back.” She went to her office, opened the safe, and then pulled out an envelope.
“What are you doing?” Jamie asked from the doorway.
“I need your key.” She held out her hand, palm up.
“Okay.” Jamie pulled it off her key ring and handed it over. “Are you having the locks changed since Jeff left?”
“I’m firing you.”
Jamie’s mouth opened.
“Don’t say anything you’ll regret.” Estelle held out the envelope. “Your final check minus the money you stole is inside.”
“I didn’t steal anything.” Jamie crossed her arms with a defiant look on her face.
Estelle raised a brow and sighed. “I have you on video. You’re lucky I’m not pressing charges. Take the check, and don’t bother using me as a reference.”
Jamie uncrossed her arms and looked ready to cry. “I can explain.”
Estelle felt for the woman, but there was no way she would knowingly employ someone who stole from her. “I’m not interested in hearing your excuse. Please make sure you take all of your belongings with you as you leave.”
“The tabloids were right about you.” Jamie grabbed the check. “This stinks.”
“I agree. You need to leave now.” Estelle raised her chin high, refusing to give in to the hurt Jamie’s words had caused. She had worked hard to change her reputation.
Jamie called her a few choice names then stormed from the restaurant.
With shaking hands, Estelle locked up the place then went to her office. She pulled out her cell phone and without thinking called Blake.
“Hello?” His voice sounded half asleep.
Relief flooded her, and her throat suddenly clogged with tears. “Hi, it’s me.”
“Estelle?” He sounded more awake now. “What’s wrong?”
“I fired my manager tonight, and it didn’t go well.”
He let out a breath. “You okay?”
“I’ve been better.” She cleared her throat and pulled herself together. “I just wanted to hear a friendly voice.”
“Where are you?”
“At my restaurant.” But she wished she were back in Oak Knoll where life wasn’t so cruel. “I should probably head home, and let you go back to sleep.”
“I don’t need sleep. We can talk all night if you need to.”
She chuckled and felt her shoulders relax. Calling Blake had been the right thing to do. “That’s sweet, but I happen to know what a bear you are when you don’t get enough rest. Thanks for answering the phone. Good night, Blake. I’ll call you again soon.”
~
“Five. Six. Seven. Eight.” Amber clapped out the beats.
She had the kids well in hand as Blake pocketed his car keys and headed for the exit. Estelle was returning today. The past four weeks without her had been a drag, but ever since that night she’d fired her manager, she’d called him daily. They’d talked for hours over the past month, and he couldn’t wait to finally talk to her in person.
He spotted Kayla coming up the front steps of the community center.
“Whoa. Look at you,” Kayla said.
“What?” He stopped.
“You have a spring in your step. What’s going on?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She raised a brow. “Are you on your way to pick up a certain blonde that we’ve all been missing? Some of us more than others, if the look on your face means anything.”
He hadn’t realized his feelings were so obvious. “Yes. Now you’d better get inside. You’re late, and they’re about ready to work on one of your scenes.” He tried to be stern, but it was impossible today. He was in too good a mood, even if Kayla had been frequently late to rehearsals recently. He looked at her closely for the first time. “Are you sick? You look a little pale.”
“I’m not sick.” She looked toward the building. “Like you said, I’d better get in there.”
“See you tomorrow.” It was good she wasn’t sick, but something still seemed off with her. He didn’t have time to talk though, if he was going to be there when Estelle landed.
She nodded.
He double-timed it to his pickup. The drive to the airport seemed to take forever, but he finally pulled into the parking garage then headed inside. He checked the departure and arrival board and noted Estelle’s plane had landed five minutes ago. They were early. His p
ulse thrummed wildly. What if he had missed her?
He spotted a short, blonde woman heading down the escalator to baggage claim. Could it be her? “Estelle,” he called out, but the woman didn’t respond.
Now what? Wait where the flood of passengers exited on their way to baggage claim, or head down a level and meet up with her at the baggage carousels?
Baggage. He pivoted to move with the sea of bodies passing him. Even if she hadn’t gone through here yet, he wouldn’t miss her downstairs.
“Blake?”
He turned at the sound of Estelle’s voice. Relief washed over him. “Hey there, I thought I’d missed you. Welcome back.”
She looked good in a pair of white capris and a red sleeveless top. He drew her into a hug. Holding her felt as natural as breathing, but he released her quickly, afraid she’d pull away if he held her too long.
“Thanks.” She looked past him. “I thought Amber was coming for me.”
“I offered. I hope it’s okay.”
“Of course. I’m glad you came. I know we talked practically everyday, but I’ve missed you.”
Her words warmed him, and lightheartedness filled him. “I’ve missed you too.”
She grabbed his hand and pulled him along beside her. “Let’s go. I need to get my luggage before it walks away with someone else.”
He matched her stride, noticing she kept her hand firmly in his. A smile tugged at his lips. “How was your flight?”
“Uneventful. I read two magazines and took a catnap.”
“Sounds like a nice trip.”
“It was.” She released his hand then stepped onto the escalator and rode silently to the bottom level.
People waited in strategic points around the carousel. He and Estelle joined the ever-increasing crowd.
“How was rehearsal today?” Estelle stayed close to him but kept her attention focused on where the bags would come out.
“Good. When I left, Amber was running though a dance number with the kids. They were doing fantastic. I couldn’t be more pleased. But you already know that, since I brag on them often.”
She shrugged. “I don’t mind.”
“Good. I blame you for their success.”
An Encore for Estelle (Melodies of Love Book 2) Page 10
