Page 70 of Hiding Rose
Chapter Twenty
The week had been busy, but successful. We worked day and night to finish the preparations for the cook-off in Kate and Gideon’s absence. They had to stay over in Honolulu Tuesday night when the doctors needed more time to decide about Hope’s leg. In the end, they found a small AVM, almost too minor to worry about, but since Hope is young they decided to try embolizing the one feeder shunt. Using a coil, they occluded the area giving her problems, and now they wait. The doctors told Kate and Gideon they would normally do surgery a few days after occluding it, but because it was miniscule, the occlusion may be all they need to do. They go back in three days to have it checked again, but Hope is already limping less and sleeping better. While the doctors were happy to catch the AVM early, they also agreed with Kate. The pain she’s experiencing isn’t from the AVM, but from growing pains. When there are port wine stains on the extremities, fast growth of any long bone can cause the skin to stretch. When the skin stretches, so does the birthmark, and it can cause the sensation of pins and needles or bee stings. With the help of the medication and ice, Hope is more comfortable and Kate is more relaxed, until she catches sight of me.
Once they returned from Honolulu I spent three days preparing the daycare for its true purpose. The shelves were finished in the infant room, so I filled them with supplies, and the few toys we had. Once the weekend was over we would be closing the current center for a day while we transferred toys and equipment to this center to reopen. It would be a small inconvenience for families for a day, but once their children arrived in the new center they’d forget all about it. The space is open, fresh, clean, bright, and has a view of the beach from the side windows. Construction was started on the new playground on Monday, as it appears Gideon’s reputation precedes him and they pushed the permits through quickly. After a few minor changes to the design, which I approved, he had his building permit in a week rather than a month. We were well on our way to not only having a beautiful, safe place for our employees’ children, but to starting a new program for guests as well. We would be the only resort with such an amenity, and while others will likely follow suit, we’ll still be the first.
I haven’t received any more packages from Jarrett, which could mean nothing, it could mean he’s tired of the game, or it could mean he’s still stalking me and waiting to strike. I’m protected to the hilt between Cassy watching my every move and the three panic buttons I wear at all times. A part of me wishes he would strike out at me. We need to get him off the street and into prison. Niko’s friend hasn’t been able to locate him after he got off the plane, but we do know he hasn’t flown anywhere since he got to Honolulu, at least not commercially. I’m not letting it bother me and I’m not going to miss the Great Hawaiian Cook-Off because of him. I promised Sawyer I’d be his right-hand woman. I’m great at handing things to people and staying out of the way, which is what he needs today. I’m loving being part of the events Kupid’s Arrow hosts, and I’m looking forward to next week when the hula competition is here. The event will wrap up on Saturday night, leaving Sunday, Valentine’s Day, for us lovers to enjoy. I refuse to give Jarrett any power. If he shows up, we’ll deal with him, together.
“How do I look?” I asked, turning left then right in front of Sawyer.
He grabbed me unexpectedly and kissed me hard, his lips pushing my teeth into my lips causing pain. He kissed away the sting and rubbed himself against me. I was surprised to feel his excitement on such a busy day.
“I had no idea seeing you in a chef’s coat and hat would turn me on, but I’m instantly hard,” he moaned into my ear. “As far as I’m concerned the hat and coat need to go home with you.”
I tossed my head back and laughed, picturing myself strutting around the apartment wearing nothing but the hat. “It’s a deal. Now, what do you need help with?”
He glanced around the room, and the numerous carts loaded with food and equipment stood at the ready. “My sanity?” he asked, but I shook my head.
“Sorry, nothing I can do there. I can wipe the sweat of competition from your brow. I can pass the sauce, and I can taste test, but you’re on your own with the sanity part.”
He laughed and gave me a fast peck. “I’ll have to settle for all of the above then. I don’t want you pushing any of these carts, so leave it to the busboys. Where’s Cassy?”
“She’s waiting at the bar for me to find out what’s going on,” I answered.
“I’ll tell you what’s going on,” he said sexily. “I’m about to win the cook-off with the most beautiful sous chef in all of Hawaii. To celebrate my victory, I’ll let said sous chef marinate my meat tonight.”
I punched him and laughed hysterically. “You’re so bad!” I whispered to avoid anyone overhearing me. “I can’t believe you said that.”
He leaned down and kissed my lips once. “It’s what you do to me. I’m heading out to the canopy. Grab Cassy and meet me there. We’re the booth closest to the judges table.”
He grabbed a towel and threw it over his shoulder while I saluted him. “Good luck, Chef Veggie Bear,” I said, straight-faced.
He snorted with laughter and returned the salute. “Let’s win this.”
I wrapped my lips around the tines of the fork and pulled the meat off, chewing thoughtfully. It was my fourth taste test of the day and we were nearing perfection. Chef Veggie Bear was going up against Chef Stick in the Mud from a resort on Oahu, and the place was filled to capacity with spectators. In a few minutes, the chefs would have to bring their hopefully award-winning concoctions to the judges’ table where it would be passed to spectators to vote.
“It needs something,” I said, swallowing. “How long do we have?”
He looked at his watch. “About half an hour, but we can’t do much now. It’s basically done.”
I nodded. “I was thinking it needs a touch more sweetness. Do you have any pineapple juice?”
“To what end?” he asked, wiping his hands on his now extremely dirty towel.
“I would put heated, thickened pineapple juice in a bottle and give each sample a squirt before it leaves the booth. Spicy with a final touch of tangy sweetness. Let’s try it!”
He gave me the palms up. “I don’t have any pineapple juice here. We used it all.”
I grabbed my crutches, thankful the burn on my hand had healed and I could use both of them again. The brace was helping though and I could walk straighter, faster, and longer when I wore it. “I’ll run and get it. Cassy will come with me.”
“We don’t have long,” he warned me.
I held up my hand all five fingers splayed out. “Start your final portioning and when I get back we’ll taste test it before we put it on all the samples.”
“Maybe I should send one of my guys,” he said nervously, looking out over the crowd. “There are a lot of people here.”
I laughed. “There are, which is why I’m not worried. Besides Ireallyneed to use the restroom.”
He smiled like a know it all. “I told you not to drink so much.”
