“You’re coming in tomorrow, right? I’ve checked your schedule—you can be there at two.”
“Yeah, I’ll be there. I don’t know how much help I’ll be, though—I’m only good at chopping things.”
“That’s exactly what I need. We’re opening day after tomorrow, and I need a ton of prep work done. I need to start my broths and my stock, and I need a million onions diced, and while I like Henry, he’s not real great with knife cuts. There’s no consistency going on there.”
“And a food processor can’t be used . . . why?”
Elena lifted her head from her pillow. “Because for some things, you want the cut to be pretty. We use the food processor when things like that don’t matter.”
“I’ll count on you to tell me the difference. Now, about the important stuff. Did you get to see Tony today?”
Elena immediately felt a little less deathlike. “Yes, I did. He came over to the hotel just to see me. Well, I think he talked to Andrew for a while, but then he came to see me. And he kissed me.” She couldn’t help the grin that popped up on her face. “Twice.”
“Twice? This is better than a romance novel. Tell me more.” Gabby plopped down on the bed next to her, looking eager for the next chapter.
“He wants to see me again as soon as possible.”
“Well, of course he does! What else?”
“He smells like pine trees—real ones, not those fake air fresheners people put in their cars. Why do they do that, anyway? No one’s fooled by them.”
“I don’t know, but I’m dying over here. When do I get to meet him? And can I ask him what his intentions are and embarrass you horribly?”
“You might get to meet him tomorrow, and no, you may not ask him any such thing. We’re taking this slow—no expectations.”
“Well, that’s boring. But kissing’s not boring.” Gabby waggled her eyebrows. “Any more details about that?”
Elena thought about it and decided there was nothing more she wanted to share. She could say something about the way Tony made her go weak in the knees and how strong his arms felt around her waist, but no—she’d keep all that to herself like a delicious little secret. “No, I think that’s enough. You could go make me a sandwich, though—that would be so very kind of you.”
“I suppose I could do that.” Gabby hopped off the bed. “If he kisses you again, will you tell me about that?”
“It all depends.” It was so fun to see the look of frustration on Gabby’s face before she headed off to the kitchen.
Chapter Eight
“Thank you all for coming out to dinner with me tonight,” Andrew said, looking down the length of the banquet table. “I hope a restaurant doesn’t seem too impersonal. I wanted to cook something for you, but Marissa said I probably shouldn’t give everyone food poisoning two days before we open.”
Everyone laughed, and Tony glanced around. It looked like all the key people who had lent their skills to bringing the hotel to life were present—Griffin and Tabs were down at the end, and next to them were Rob and Maggie. Griffin’s assistant, Will, sat next to Florence, and Jimmy and his mother were on the other side. Elena was there too, sitting to Tony’s left. This had been an unexpected treat—well, the whole dinner was unexpected. Andrew had just sent out a group text asking everyone to meet him at this downtown restaurant.
“Things have been crazy the last few weeks, and they’re only going to get crazier,” Andrew continued. “I wanted to take this chance to create a calm in the storm and thank you for believing in me and in this dream I’ve had. I never knew much about my family. I only knew that I didn’t want to be anything like my father, and it wasn’t until he passed away and left me the hotel that I had any idea of my real legacy. Yes, I had to go back a generation or two to get past my father’s poor choices, but now I’ve found family I can be proud of and emulate. If I can do Adam and Elizabeth Brody proud, I’ll know I’ve succeeded.” His voice cracked on the last word.
Tony clapped, along with everyone else at the table. Saying that the older Mr. Brody had made poor choices was an understatement—Tony had watched Andrew suffer his father’s neglect for years, and his mother suffer the infidelity. The family had become broken, but now Andrew had something to cling to, a reason to be glad he was a Brody after all. If for no other reason, that’s why the hotel had to do well.
Andrew took a moment to clear his throat and regain his composure. “Well, enough with the mushy stuff. Please enjoy yourselves tonight—it’s on me.”
Everyone clapped again, and Andrew laughed before taking his seat again.
Tony leaned over to Elena. “This isn’t quite how I pictured our second date, but I’ll take it.”
“I will too.” Her eyes sparkled when she looked at him. “Do you think he really meant it when he said we could order whatever we wanted? Because I might want two desserts.”
“I think he really meant it.”
She slipped her hand into his under the table. “Can I really do this, Tony? Can I create and run a kitchen with a brand-new menu with less than a week’s notice?”
He gave her hand a squeeze. “I think you can. No—I know you can. You’ve got everything organized down to the last shred of lettuce, you’ve trained your staff well, and you’re determined. You’re going to make this happen.”
“Gabby was making me a sandwich when I got Mr. Brody’s text. I feel bad that she’s sitting at home eating bologna all by herself.”
“I feel bad that she’s eating bologna at all. That stuff’s disgusting.”
“I agree, but it’s one of the few things we could afford when my mom got sick, so it’s got some sentimental memories for us.”
“You can call her and have her join us, if you like—she wouldn’t be intruding.”
“That’s sweet of you, but she’s got school in the morning. She can party all night after she graduates.”
Tony chuckled. “Well, I can’t say that I mind having you all to myself.”
“Me neither.”
Their attention was diverted when Andrew said, “Griffin, how are things going with the search for your parents?”
“We don’t have any results yet, but Matt’s been getting a lot done,” Griffin replied. “He searched all the birth indexes for May and June for the year I was born in the county where I was found, and he’s also been looking at marriage and divorce records around that same time frame and cross-referencing everything. He’s actually in Texas right now, trying to hunt down the police officer who found me—Tony helped us with a power of attorney so Matt can ask questions on my behalf.”
Elena leaned toward Tony. “What’s going on?” she asked softly.
“Griffin was abandoned at a police station when he was a baby, and he doesn’t know who he really is,” Tony replied. “Andrew’s genealogist is helping him figure it out.”
Griffin was still talking, so Tony gave Elena’s hand another squeeze and went back to listening. “While he’s down there, he’s going to interview the McClains, the people who run the boys’ ranch where I lived, and see if he can get any more information from them. I’m not sure what kind of success he’ll have with that, but at the very least, he’ll have a good meal—the McClains are famous for their barbecues.”
“You’re making me jealous,” Tabs said. “Now I wish we’d gone with him.”
“I’ll take you down there sometime soon,” Griffin replied. “I wasn’t going to miss the opening of this hotel for anything.”
“Oh, yeah, that,” Tabs said with a grin. “You said ‘barbecue,’ and everything else went out of my mind. Sorry, Andrew.”
He laughed. “I’d go a long way for some good barbecue myself, but I’m hoping we’ve brought some home to the hotel. Elena’s put together a great Western menu for us.”
All the eyes at the table turned toward Elena, and she gave a nervous laugh. “My barbecue is pretty good, but let’s not compare it to what Griffin grew up with in Texas,” she said. “I’m sure I’d f
all short.”
Several people chimed in to reassure her, and then the conversation drifted to other things, mostly last-minute concerns about the hotel. Tony was content to sit and listen while he ate his dinner. He was Andrew’s lawyer and he’d been present for a lot of the planning, but he wasn’t actually part of the hotel per se. There were so many layers he knew nothing about.
“We shouldn’t need a full-time maintenance man until the new wing is open,” Maggie was saying, “but I would like someone who can come at a moment’s notice.”
“That new batch of drywall is the pits,” Will told Rob. “They’ll have to replace it for us.”
“I like daisies,” Jimmy said to Florence. “I think we should put daisies in the parlor.”
The hum of voices created a nice backdrop for Tony to lean over and say, “You look amazing,” in Elena’s ear.
She laughed. “You realize this is the exact same outfit I wore to work earlier, right? I didn’t have time to change.”
“You looked amazing earlier, too.”
It was corny, and Tony knew it, but it made him happy that he finally had someone to say corny things to.
***
It was eleven o’clock, and everyone had gone home. Well, almost everyone. Elena and Gabby stood in the middle of the kitchen at the Brody Hotel, looking around at the spotless counters and the rows of pans and everything they’d done that day to prepare. Elena put her arm around Gabby’s shoulders. “Thanks for coming in today. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“It was rather selfless of me, especially after you ran out on me last night to go to dinner with all your new friends.”
Elena bumped Gabby with her hip. “You know you were happier staying home and watching American Ninja Warrior.”
“Yes, but it’s the principle of the thing, and don’t forget my selflessness.”
“I will not forget it. So, tell me. Have we forgotten anything?”
“We haven’t forgotten one single thing. When Mr. Brody opens those doors tomorrow, you’re going to be completely ready.”
“He says we’re supposed to call him Andrew.”
“Well, he didn’t say that to me personally, so he’s still Mr. Brody.” Gabby turned to Elena. “You’ve done amazing things here—there’s no way anything will go wrong. You can rest easy tonight.” She paused. “But you’re still not going to, are you?”
“Probably not.” They were having a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon, with the mayor and all the members of the city council and also representatives from various historical societies who couldn’t wait to see how the hotel had been both preserved and renovated. Tony had read her a list of all the very important people who would be coming, but her mind had gone blank—there were so many. “I just keep thinking, what if we run out of food? What if one of the wait staff gets sick? What if I get sick?”
“If we run out of food, send someone to the grocery store down the street. If one of the wait staff gets sick, well, you’re down one person—you’ll survive. And you will get sick if you don’t sleep tonight, so let’s go home.”
“Since when did you start taking care of me instead of the other way around?” Elena asked as they walked out to the car.
“I’ve always taken care of you. I’ve just done it on the down low so you wouldn’t feel guilty for pushing me into an adult role too early.”
At Elena’s glance of concern, Gabby cracked up. “See? What’s up with you and guilt? You’re so easy to tease, you know that? I’m fine—I don’t need therapy. At least, not yet. Everything’s good.”
“Twerp.”
“You love me and you know it.”
When they got back to the house, Elena took a hot shower, hoping it would help her relax, and then she climbed into her favorite pajamas. She was just thinking she might try to sleep when she got a text from Tony.
Sorry if I’m waking you up.
She grinned. Haven’t started trying yet. Too much on my mind.
I thought so. Hey, I might have a surprise for you tomorrow.
Oh? What kind?
If I told you …
Yeah, yeah, it wouldn’t be a surprise. But is it a good kind or a bad kind?
Why would I bring you a bad surprise?
I just like to be prepared.
It’s a good surprise. I hope. Now you’ve got me worried.
Well, that wasn’t nice. You can’t text me at midnight and tell me you’re worried when I’m the one who’s supposed to be worried. Now we’re both worried!
No, I actually think you’ll like it.
Well, I’m not going to sit here wondering. I’m going to be a good girl and go to sleep now. I have a big day tomorrow, you know.
I do know. Good luck.
She waited for him to say something else, but he didn’t, and she smiled. All right. Time for sleep. Time to get very, very sleepy . . .
Her eyes popped open. So … what was her surprise?
Chapter Nine
“Mama, this is Tony. Are you still coming today?”
“Tony, my son? Or some other Tony? Because my son hasn’t called me for two weeks, and I’m starting to think he’s dead.”
Tony laughed. “No, Mama, it’s me. I’ve just been busy.”
“Too busy to call your own mama? There’s no such thing. You either call your mama, or you’re dead. There’s no other choice.”
“I know, Mama. I’ll do better. Now, listen. Are you coming today? You got the invitation, right?”
“I got the invitation, but I’m not sure if I’ll come. It might be a painful reminder of my son, who never calls me.”
“All right, all right, you’re mad at me, and I deserve it. But you still like Andrew, don’t you? This is his big day, and he wants to see you there.”
She pulled in a long breath. “Very well. I will come for Andrew, because he’s a good boy. He lived with his mother until she died, God rest her soul.”
“What if I told you that I have a surprise for you?”
“There’s only one surprise you could have for me that would make me feel better, and that’s a grandbaby.” She paused. “Or the mother of my future grandbaby. Mi hijo, have you found her? Are you getting married?”
Her voice had gone from long-suffering to overjoyed so fast, it made Tony laugh again. “Not yet, Mama, but I have met a nice girl, and she’ll be there today. She’s the new chef at the hotel, and she makes tortillas just like Abuela’s.”
“That’s not possible. No one makes tortillas like Abuela’s.”
“That’s what I thought do, but Elena—”
“Her name is Elena? Oh, that’s very pretty.”
“I really think you’ll like her, Mama.”
“You know that she will have to be something very special to be good enough for my son.”
“But I thought your son was dead.” He smirked.
“Oh, be quiet. I’ll be there—your sister will drive me.”
“All right, Mama. I’ll see you later.”
Tony hung up, still grinning. Under ordinary circumstances, it would be too early to introduce the girl he was dating to his mother, but they were both going to be at the hotel, and it would be silly to pretend there was nothing going on. Besides, it didn’t feel too early—not with Elena. Once he’d decided to lower his guard, she’d started to become familiar to him, as though he’d known her forever, and all his reservations seemed foolish now. Of course, they’d been foolish before, but he’d had to realize it.
He just hoped it wouldn’t freak Elena out that she was being introduced to his mother when there had only been two official dates.
***
Elena stood on the porch of the Brody Hotel, lined up with the rest of the staff, as Andrew delivered a short speech from the sidewalk. All their guests sat in chairs on the lawn, and in just moments, they would come inside and see everything that had been done to prepare for this day.
Maggie stood next to Elena, her hands clasped tightly
in front of her. “I keep asking myself if I really did dust that picture frame in the daffodil room, or if I just thought I did,” she said out of the corner of her mouth.
Elena grinned. “I’m sure we’ve all been asking ourselves those kinds of questions. I counted the chocolate cakes four times last night to make sure we had enough.”
The audience clapped, and Elena turned her attention back to what was going on. “My fourth great-grandfather started this hotel with a dream,” Andrew was saying. “He wanted to give train travelers the option of eating a hot meal along the way. He used his inheritance and he sunk it into this place, believing he was creating something amazing that would stand the test of time. Now we see that it really did stand that test.”
Another round of applause. Elena glanced over at Marissa, who looked so proud of Andrew. Her gaze never left his face.
“I’d like to thank everyone who caught this vision right along with me and made it possible,” Andrew went on. “I’ve had the best support team from my architect to my construction crew to my landscaper.” He held out his arm and indicated each person in turn. “I’ve also had the most patient, kind, and caring interior decorator I could have asked for.” He put his arm around Marissa and gave her a kiss, and everyone laughed. “Today, you’ll taste items from our incredible menu, and you’ll appreciate the high standards of our housekeeping staff. I’m so grateful for each and every person who has devoted countless hours of their time to making the Brody Hotel live again. Mr. Mayor, would you please do the honors and cut the ribbon?”
The mayor stepped forward. “Andrew, it’s a pleasure for us to see the Brody Hotel up and running again. It’s been part of the Topeka landscape since 1850, and it deserves this moment of glory.” He picked up the giant pair of scissors that had been leaning against the front doors and made a snip in the ribbon. “The new Brody Hotel is now open!”
Everyone cheered yet again, then stood and prepared to enter the building. Elena couldn’t help but feel touched that Andrew had included all of them in his speech. She’d never had a boss recognize her contribution like that, and it felt good to know that her efforts were being noticed and appreciated.
Revelations (Brody Hotel Book 4) Page 6
