Page 32 of Colton Family Bodyguard (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

Callum thought she sounded wry, even cynical, and wondered why.

“Thank you, Carolyn. You always treated me so well. Restaurants can be so stressful, but you were always calm and courteous.”

Hazel didn’t seem to notice her friend’s tone. Pleasing customers with food did seem demanding, as did the work hours. Service jobs were unfortunately thankless, most of the time. A shame, given how enjoyable going out for dinner or whatnot was.

“We have to keep customers coming back.” Carolyn sounded faintly derisive.

Hazel looked at the cart behind her. “You’re making a catering delivery? You normally have others do that.”

“Yes, normally.”

Hazel hesitated, finally registering Carolyn’s sarcasm. “How are you doing? H-how’s the restaurant?”

“Oh, I had to close it.”

That came as a total shock to Hazel, Callum saw by her rounded eyes and dropped jaw. “No. What happened? You were doing so well.”

“Yes. After you left, I couldn’t find another chef as good as you. And me?” She lifted her eyes and glanced at Callum ruefully. “I am not a cook. I’m a businesswoman. This lady, however...” She gestured toward Hazel. “She is amazing.”

She sounded different now, not so brash. Did she mean the compliment?

“Carolyn. I’m so sorry. I had no idea. You should have called me.” Hazel seemed genuinely remorseful, as though she felt responsible for the closure.

“You made your decision and you gave me more than enough notice.” Carolyn shrugged. “The luck of the draw, I guess. The chefs I hired after you left couldn’t prepare the meals the way you did. Customers slowly stopped coming. And then I had a bad review and it was all over. I got out before it ruined me completely. Now I work for a catering company.” She gestured back at the cart. “A tough transition, going from entrepreneur to servant.”

Callum was good at reading people and he could tell her transition had been especially difficult. Carolyn made a good show of being a good sport but the loss had to be painful. Who wouldn’t feel that way after accomplishing so much, just to lose it? He felt bad for her. He couldn’t imagine how Hazel felt.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Hazel asked.

“No. Don’t worry about me. It’s been really great to see you again. How is your food delivery service going?”

Hazel paused before saying, “It’s going all right. I wouldn’t say I’m a raging success. I’m staying afloat.”

Carolyn smiled. “I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before you are a raging success, artist that you are. I know firsthand how your cooking can make a big impact on revenue.”

“Oh, my gosh, Carolyn. I never intended to cause you to lose business. I set everything up so the recipes would be easy to follow. You shouldn’t have suffered at all.”

Carolyn shrugged again. “You made quite an impression for me, you know.”

Hazel seemed confused. “No, I didn’t know that.”

“I don’t see how. Patrons asked to thank you personally all the time. They complimented your cooking to me more times than you know. I didn’t tell you at the time, but I was very worried about how things would go after you left. I respected your decision, though, and didn’t want to influence you. You were my friend more than you were my chef.”

“Oh.” Hazel leaned in and hugged Carolyn again. “I wish you would have told me. I could have worked part-time for you or something. Anything to help you not lose your restaurant. I know how much it meant to you.”

Moving back, Hazel looked at Carolyn with heartfelt sympathy and regret.

Carolyn met the emotion with stiffening aloofness. She didn’t like pity, that much Callum could see. Neither did he.

“Really, Hazel. I’m a grown woman. I can take care of myself. I’ll do the servant thing for a while and then start up a new venture. You know me. I’m no quitter.”

Callum believed that. He didn’t really know the other woman but she had an indomitable energy about her. No wonder she and Hazel were such good friends. While Hazel wasn’t aggressive, she had tenacity and ambition as well as talent.

“No, you are not. And you are a smart businesswoman. You belong in your own element.”

“Ms. Johnson?” a voice interrupted.

Callum saw a hotel worker approach Carolyn.

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