Page 18 of The Chef's Kiss
I followed her, weaving around cubicles to the shoebox office that held a desk, two chairs, and a single plant.
“I don’t normally book the ads myself.” She shut the door. “But I’ll admit, I wanted to meet the chef who has the Superiore Bay gossip mill churning.”
Warmth crept up my neck. “You’re Harper Chapman?”
She nodded. “For now. I’ll be Harper Ashford soon though.”
I cursed. “Another one? Are you people everywhere?”
To my surprise, there was no offense in her eyes. Instead, she started laughing and couldn’t really stop. “Yes, yes, they are.” Composing herself with great effort, she gestured to the chairs. “Please, sit.” When I hesitated, she smiled. “I promise I don’t care that you aren’t from here or if you turn the new bistro into some fancy city restaurant with teeny tiny portions and big bills.”
I lowered myself into the chair.
She sat across from me. “I’m from Boston, so I get what it’s like in this town. Though, my grandmother lived here, so maybe that made it easier. And to be honest, I’ve missed some of the restaurants. What will the bistro serve?”
“Seafood mostly. Filets and prime rib as well. It will be fine dining but in a more casual setting. I don’t think people here own the kind of clothing one needs for that type of restaurant.”
She snorted. “Definitely not.”
“I’m having a problem finding staff, though. As in, zero applications.”
She thought for a moment. “Honestly, that’s not surprising. The town had to step in to force Lena and Conner to go into business together to keep it in Superiore Bay, but no one trusts it even now. They don’t want to bank their futures or their livelihoods on something that could implode.”
“Orchard Hill seems to be on solid footing.”
“The shop is, but the orchard is still struggling and hurting them. Plus, Conner was never the most popular of the Ashfords. And Lena … she almost opened the business in Hidden Cove. Not everyone has forgiven her for that. What you need is an ambassador. Someone beloved by the town who works with you. I’d suggest my fiancé, but he has his hands full right now. Maybe you should talk to Harrison Ashford. He’s the mayor here.”
Just what I wanted. To go see another blasted Ashford. “For now, I’d like to try placing a hiring ad in theWeekly Wine.”
“We can do that.” She pulled out a form. “I’ll send the invoice to Orchard Hill. How long would you like it to run?”
“Until I have what I need.”
7
JORGINA
Two of my older brothers stared at me as I wiped my mouth and backed away.
“I’m not going home!” I glared at Conrad. “I can’t believe you told them I was here.”
“It’s not like that, Jorgie.” Conrad took a step closer. “I just asked them for a favor.”
“A favor? What, you wanted them to come talk some sense into me, or did you just want someone to come get me out of your hair and off your sofa?”
Conrad looked like I’d just slapped him, and I immediately felt bad. That was when I saw the suitcase Carter carried. It was one of my old ones from when I was a kid obsessed with everything purple. The lavender overnight bag bulged and threatened to pop open when Carter set it on the ground at my feet.
“We just brought some of your things from home.”
Conner scowled at Carter. “I did all the work; you just hitched a ride.” Carter raised his hands in surrender. “Selena helped me find all the things you might need for now, but you’re going to have to face Dad eventually, Jorgie. We had a hard enough time sneaking in and out of your old room without anyone noticing.”
I wiped my face for the last traces of vomit. I didn’t need my three brothers figuring out my situation before I was ready for them to know.
“Did you get my stretchy yoga pants and a pair of jeans?” I needed comfort clothes.
“Yes. Lena figured you’d want small-town attire and maybe not so much of the designer dresses and shoes. Did you know you have dresses with the tags still on them? Like a lot of them?” Conner frowned at me, like I’d left them there on purpose. Dad’s personal shoppers were always sneaking things into my closets. Even at school, they’d stop by with more clothes than any one girl would ever need. But Dad liked having a trendsetting daughter he could spoil with all the latest fashions.
“I’m aware, but they’re all from several seasons ago. I’ll have to bag them up and donate them.”
