Page 59 of Tattered and Torn
“This is impressive,” Hannah says when she finishes reading. She looks at Killian. “What do you think, babe?”
Killian laughs. “When can we eat?”
“Just as soon as the new kitchen gets installed,” I say. “It won’t be long. I’ll implement the full menu once we have all the appliances in place.”
“What about staffing levels?” Hannah asks. “Have you given that some thought?”
I nod. “I spoke to Betty and Nelle, and they both said they want to stay on. Apparently, retirement isn’t everything it was cracked up to be—those are Nelle’s words. Betty agreed. I think they like being needed. As for additional staffing, I’d like to have two additional full-time cooks, a dishwasher, and someone to do food prep. I’d like two hosts and three servers. With this level of staffing, we should be able to cover all shifts.” I look at them in anticipation, hoping I’m not asking for too much.
Hannah and Killian look at each other, saying nothing. It’s like they’re reading each other’s mind.
“I think we can manage that,” Hannah says. “In addition to the guests here at the lodge, it looks like we’ll get a steady stream of customers from Bryce. We should be able to support that level of staffing.”
“We should have a grand opening event,” Killian says. “Make it a big deal. We can invite people from town.”
“Wonderful,” I say, feeling truly giddy. “I can’t wait to see it all come together.”
Chapter 19 – John
It’s a long, uneventful day by the time we return to the barn. I tell the guests they’d better high tail it to the restaurant so they can eat before it closes. Nora sticks around to help me take care of the horses.
When the horses are all out to pasture, Nora says, “Go. Get cleaned up, and then go find your girlfriend.” She chuckles. “You know you want to.”
“You don’t mind?” There’s still a lot of work to be done—cleaning the tack and putting it away, and later bringing the horses in to their stalls to eat their grain.
“Go,” she says, nodding toward the door.
“Thanks, Nora.”
She shoos me away. “Hey, Burke?”
I pause. “Yes?”
“She’s way too good for you, but you deserve to be happy.”
“Gee, thanks.”
I head out the back door and race up the hill to my cabin. Upstairs, I grab a quick shower and change into jeans and a plaid shirt and go downstairs. I’m grabbing a much-needed drink of water in the kitchen when I hear a knock at my door.
I glance out the peephole and am both surprised and pleased to see Gabrielle standing there holding a tray with two covered plates.
“Hi,” I say as soon as I have the door open. I step back. “Come in.”
She steps inside. “I brought us some dinner. I thought we could eat here in your cabin if you don’t mind.”
I take the heavy tray from her and set it on my dining table. I lift one of the covers to see filet mignon, tiny red potatoes in melted butter, and something that looks like long, skinny broccoli with small tops. “Fancy. Hey, is that supposed to be broccoli?”
She smiles. “No. It’s broccolini, a hybrid of broccoli and gai lan, also known as Chinese kale. Try it.”
I pick one up and take a bite. “Mm. That’s good.”
“They’re roasted with garlic. Everything tastes good when it’s roasted with garlic.”
I return the rest of broccolini to my plate and wipe my hands on a napkin. “My compliments to the chef,” I say as I pull her into my arms.
She laughs. “You haven’t even tried the steak yet.”
“If you had anything to do with it, I know it’ll be good. Where’d you get the meat?”