Page 68 of Colton Family Bodyguard (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“No, unfortunately.”

“Where is Evie?” Carolyn asked. “I never see you without her.”

With Hazel’s hesitation, Callum knew she was thinking twice about telling her former boss. “She’s somewhere safe.”

Carolyn eyed her peculiarly, as though not missing that Hazel had chosen not to tell her. “This whole thing must be so disruptive to your business. Without a kitchen to handle all that cooking.”

“Oh, no. It hasn’t slowed me down at all,” Hazel said. “Our suite has a full kitchen and Callum has lined me up with new customers.”

Callum wondered if she was aware of how unabashedly excited and happy she sounded to be so busy.

“He has, has he?” Carolyn looked over at him and then back at her.

“I’m supplying one of his brothers with food this week and that has already led to other customers.”

Ace had recommended a few to Callum, who had made some calls. Hazel’s business was thriving and would continue to do so.

“You always did seem charmed,” Carolyn said with a hint of resentment. “Some people are just born with luck, aren’t they? A great start to a new business and a handsome man to boot. Cute little girl. How do you do it? Is there a method?”

“I...” Hazel seemed perplexed. “I guess I just follow my heart.”

“That’s what I did and look where it got me.”

Hazel studied her for several seconds. “Carolyn, you aren’t angry with me for leaving your restaurant, are you?”

Carolyn waved her hand through the air. “Of course not. I understand people have their own lives to live.”

Her answer fell flat because she seemed to be overdoing her sugary tone.

“Yes, but my leaving put you in a difficult position. I wish you would have told me.”

“You were busy doing your thing. People do that. They move on without a second thought to those around them. I’m sure you did what was best for you and your daughter.”

“Carolyn. Maybe we should talk. You’re angry with me.”

Carolyn shook her head. “No. I just understand people.”

“People in the restaurant industry can be brutal. Not just cantankerous customers, either,” Hazel said. “Executive management and coworkers. It’s a highly stressful environment for a career. That was one of the reasons I left it. I’m not in a restaurant environment anymore. Maybe you should consider doing something similar.”

Carolyn scoffed. “You told me that was one of your reasons. You had a daughter to look after and wanted to be with her more. But that kind of choice won’t work for me. I’m not a chef.”

Did Carolyn now feel trapped in an unsatisfying career? She must prefer being the boss. Short of owning a restaurant, she’d still have to report to someone. Nobody liked that but most of them had no choice. Callum was lucky to have a boss who let him do his job and didn’t inflict any ego-driven power trips on him.

“The manager must be running late,” Callum said.

Carolyn turned to him and he saw that she recognized he didn’t believe her.

“I’m early.”

“I mean it, Carolyn,” Hazel said. “We should talk.”

Callum would not allow that unless he was right next to her. Second nature in his line of work was not trusting anyone, especially when there appeared to be a good reason not to. Why would Hazel suggest such a thing? Why did she want to talk to her? He got it that she had empathy for the woman, but maybe she was trying a little bit too hard.

“We have talked. I don’t think there’s anything left to say.”

But maybe there was something to do. And what would that be? What would Carolyn do in retaliation for Hazel causing the demise of her business?

Chapter 11

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