Page 84 of Tattered and Torn

The renovations are expected to take at least two days, maybe three. I just hope, for Gabrielle’s sake, that it all goes well. She’s worked so hard to get ready for this day.

She finally returns from the kitchen.

“How’s it going?” I ask.

She nods. “It’s going. There was a problem with the wiring to the new stoves, but that’s been fixed. And the pipes for the new industrial washing stations had to be completely redone—they weren’t up to code. Nothing’s up to code, not by today’s standards. Everything’s taking longer than expected.”

“It’s okay. These things happen.”

“Yeah, but the longer this takes, the longer the restaurant will be out of commission.”

“The guests still have the snack room, and they go to Jennie’s or Ruth’s for meals. It’ll be fine.”

She nods, trying to stay positive. Then she smiles. “It’s going to be fantastic once everything is in. The new menus arrived yesterday, so once the installations are done, we’ll be in business. Hannah scheduled a grand re-opening party for a week from Saturday.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” I say. “So are my parents. When do your parents get in?”

“They’re flying in with the McIntyres the day before the event. Shane McIntyre has a private jet, and they’ll fly in to an executive airport near Estes Park.”

Around six, the workers call it a night. They still have an hour long drive back to Denver, only to return early tomorrow morning.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” I say as I pull Gabrielle into my arms. “How about you let me cook dinner for you this evening?”

She lights up. “You’re going to cook for me?”

I nod. “I sort of planned something for us. It’s nothing fancy, but come to my cabin and let me make you dinner. I even have dessert and a bottle of wine. Then we’ll relax for the rest of the evening. How about it?”

Gabrielle puts her arms around my neck. “That sounds fantastic. Thank you.”

When all of the workers have gone, we close up the restaurant and head outside to my cabin.

Today, I snuck away to Maggie’s and to Jennie’s and picked up some things for dinner tonight. I even bought an entire coconut cream pie from Jennie—one of Gabrielle’s favorite pies. She’s always cooking for me. I want to return the favor.

* * *

When we reach the cabin, I pour Gabrielle a glass of red wine and sit her down on my sofa to relax.

“I can help with dinner,” she offers.

“Thanks, but I have it covered.” I slip off her shoes and place her feet on the coffee table. “You just sit here and relax.”

She does as I suggest, but five minutes later she’s in the kitchen looking over my shoulder. “Are you sure I can’t help?”

“I know what I’m doing.”

“What are we having?”

“Nothing as nice as what you would make, but it will suffice. We’re having picnic food—burgers, corn on the cob, and baked beans. I snuck off today and stopped at Maggie’s and Jennie’s to get everything I’d need.”

Curious, she glances around. “What did you get at Jennie’s? Dessert? Please say you got dessert.”

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” I laugh as I walk her back to the sofa, sit her down, and hand her the wine glass. “Sit and sip.”

Then I head outside to the front yard to fire up the grill. While that’s heating up, I husk four ears of sweet corn and wrap them in foil, then I prepare four burger patties. Knowing Gabrielle, she won’t eat half of this, but that’s okay. It leaves more for me.

Once the grill is hot, I put the corn on to cook. I’ll add the burgers in a bit. And when everything is cooking, I put some baked beans in a sauce pan and put them on the stove to heat.

She watches me set the table. “Can I—”

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