Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
I nodded. “I hope so. I know I’ve done my best.”
“You know it’s okay if you don’t want to live here alone with them until they’re adults, right? To want someone in your life again? That just means you’ve gotten enough distance from what happened with Andrea that you’re ready to move on.”
I knew he’d heard about me and Shea. Word spread fast in the Beard and we’d spent Grady and Avon’s entire wedding night in each other’s arms on the dance floor.
“When will I know if my kids are ready, though?”
My dad smiled. “You’ll know. Just don’t overcompensate for what their mom did. Never being with a woman because she left for another man doesn’t prove anything. Martyrdom is a lonely pursuit, son.”
“I’m not trying to be a martyr,” I said, furrowing my brow in thought. “Is that what it seems like?”
“It seems like you’re giving up everything for them just to cover all your bases. But don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.”
After a few seconds of silent thought, I sighed heavily. “It’s hard to imagine trusting someone again. I had no idea what was going on with Andrea.”
“Don’t fault someone else for what she did. Life’s too short for that.”
I looked up at the vaulted ceiling in the great room, covered with wood planks. This house was very different from the cozy three-bedroom ranch I’d grown up in. Mom had always had something baking in the oven and we’d all gathered around the same TV to watch a show on our free evenings. There were definitely no castles. But home had been my safe place, and I loved it.
“You think this place feels like a home?” I asked my dad.
“Oh, I imagine it will. The kids will make it feel like one.”
“You know you guys are welcome here anytime. Don’t let Mom sell you on having to be invited. I want you guys here.”
He gave me a knowing smile. “I don’t think a lack of an invitation will keep her from our grandkids.”
“Good.”
“And you know, we’re damn good babysitters. When you need us. We love having them overnight.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He nodded. “Be a shame to sit in one of those rockers by yourself every day, you know. Some things are just better in pairs.”
It was eerie how well he knew me. I hoped one day I’d know my kids that well and that I’d steer them in the right direction when they needed it—whether they asked me to or not.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Shea
“Where is the gravy?”
I’d asked nicely twice; now I was yelling. I had seven plates of beef Wellington, garlic mashed potatoes and roasted veggies that were cooling by the second. I refused to use warming lamps in my kitchen because they made cooks lazy.
“Sorry, Chef.” Priscilla hurried over to ladle gravy onto the mashed potatoes on each plate.
“Everything okay?” I asked her because she was always someone I could count on to have her jobs done on time.
She gave me a frantic look. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“What is it?”
“Marie has a nut allergy. She can’t be in the kitchen tonight because of the slivered almonds on the green beans., so I put her on dishes.”
I looked over at Priscilla’s station, frustration building hard and fast when I didn’t see Marie there. Our newest employee was supposed to be backing up Priscilla tonight, which was why I’d assigned Priscilla work for two people instead of one.
“Damn, I’m sorry. You should have told me.”
“Just rolling with it during the rush, Chef.”
It was something I asked my seasoned employees to do: roll with the unexpected when things were crazy busy. I told them we’d sort out the details when things slowed down.
“You’re the best,” I said. “Ask Charlie to take over on toasting almonds.”
“I’ve got it. I’ll tell you if I need help.”
I nodded, watching as servers left with the plates of beef Wellington. It was one of the most expensive dishes we sold here at The Moose and always one of the most popular.
Nina nodded at me from the beef Wellington station, reading my mind. She knew I always asked prospective employees about allergies. Marie had assured me she had none.
Knowing the beef was in good hands, I walked into the back room, where Marie was rinsing dishes and loading them into industrial-sized dishwashers.
“Hey, do you have any allergies?” I asked.
“Oh.” She grinned at me like I’d just told a hilarious joke. “Yeah. I thought if I told you that during the interview, you wouldn’t hire me.”
It wasn’t the right time for a conversation, but she couldn’t be employed here full time, which put me in a huge bind. I’d struggled all summer to find kitchen help for the low wages Caden required we pay here.
“I actually can’t have you on dishes, either,” I said. “There could be nuts on the dirty dishes. You’ll need to clock out.”