Page 86 of Seaside Cowboy's Second Chance

Epilogue

MARINA HELMS WINCEDas something clattered in the restaurant kitchen’s opposite corner. How exactly had she gotten herself into this situation? She was used to things being organized and everything in order. This was chaos.

“What happened?” she yelled.

“I dropped a pan,” her only remaining sous-chef yelled back.

Hopefully, not with the food in it. They were behind on the orders already.

She breathed in the scents of baked fish, garlic, and spices, doing her best to smooth her raw nerves. She was no cook, but how difficult could it be to flip a few steaks? Easy-peasy, right?

Minutes later, she was looking at charred steak. Apparently, not easy at all.

Her sister, Saylor, who was chopping a salad right now, grimaced, then turned up the air-conditioning, sending a wave of cool air through the kitchen. “Yes, the customer wanted their steak well-done, but not burned.”

“What an astute observation.” Marina groaned and started a new one with a jolt of envy toward her childhood friend, Skylar.

Skylar was on her honeymoon now, in bliss with the guy she’d always loved. No matter the years apart, Marina had reconnected with her friend recently and was happy for her. She really was.

Skylar had found her passion again in many senses, and she’d deserved it, especially after everything she’d gone through. Marina didn’t intend to get married again. One heartache and failed marriage was enough. More than enough.

She glanced with longing at the beautiful cerulean sky beyond the window and the calm waves touching the sand, then returned her attention to the skillet. Hopefully, the steak was good enough.

Her mother was on a cruise, and this was Marina’s first day working the restaurant without her. She could handle it fine. But for various reasons, several staff members had called in, unable to come to work today.

At least, the day couldn’t get any worse, right?

One of her remaining waitresses, Jan, rushed into the kitchen. “I’m so sorry, but my babysitter just called. My daughter is unwell. I have to go.”

Marina sighed. She stood corrected. It just got worse. Still, she nodded. “Of course. I hope your daughter feels better.”

Then she placed the steak on the plate with rice and green beans. She’d have to deliver it herself. And while she didn’t like asking for help, she was in too deep now.

“Thanks, Sis.” She did her best to stifle the resentment souring her stomach like acid as she hurried to the dining hall carrying the tray with the plate, a bowl of the salad Saylor had made, and a basket with biscuits emitting a mouthwatering aroma.

Saylor had stayed to help and was much better at cooking than Marina had ever been. But the rest of their sisters had returned to their busy lives in the city after Skylar’s wedding. So unfair.

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