Catering to Love Read Online Free Page B
Author: Carolyn Hughey
was a little nervous about it. As she strolled up to the reservation desk, she saw a couple with three children was ahead of her. The kids were becoming impatient and rambunctious while the father conversed with the clerk, a young woman with long red hair that fell on her shoulders in a soft curl. Gabi stopped listening and turned to check out the rustic lobby. There was a bar off in the corner and a beige sofa, where a handful of young men sat in front of a large flat-screen television watching a football game and urging their team to score a touchdown. She felt an internal smile, wondering if they were locals, until she remembered she wouldn’t have time for boyfriends or dating. Working in a restaurant kitchen was quite demanding and didn’t leave much room for socialization. She’d been spoiled working for Cassie at the Widget. It gave her all kinds of time to date and do the things every young woman enjoys—like shopping. She’d prided herself on having a black belt in shopping. No doubt she was really going to miss that, but if her goal was buying the business, then she’d be spending money on other things, not clothing. Seriously, where was she going to go anyway? She sighed, but quickly reminded herself this was what she wanted and every choice had a trade-off. She looked forward to the hustle-bustle, the juggling act of making sure everything was cooked at the same time, and the things she could always count on learning from her peers.That’s what gave her a thrill. So if it meant giving up dating and shopping for a while, she’d survive in order to go back to doing what she loved. When Gabi saw the couple head down the hallway, she returned to the reception desk. “Hi,” she said cheerfully, “I have a reservation under the name of Johnson.”
The clerk smiled, causing Gabi to have an immediate attraction to her bubbly personality: It was very much like her own. The fact that she was probably the same age made it even nicer. She smiled when she noticed the freckles scattered across the bridge of the young woman’s nose. The clerk typed something into the computer. “Yes, here you are.” She squinted her eyes and focused on the screen. “It looks like you’re staying with us for two months? Is that correct?”
“It is,” Gabi said, grinning.
“Oh, wait.” The clerk gave a toothy grin. “I know who you are—I just heard about you this morning. You’re going to buy Carters’ Mill.” She stretched her hand across the counter. “I’m Stephanie Potter, and I’m so happy to meet you. It’s always nice to have new business owners move into the area with fresh ideas. The Carters have owned that place for a long time,” she said in a rush of words. “Hey, you’re going to change that very outdated menu, aren’t you?”
Gabi gave a soft chuckle. “Yes, and yes. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I’m not the owner yet.”
“I thought you already closed.”
Gabi jerked her head back. “How do you know all this?”
“Small town, big mouths.”
“Hmm, very interesting. So then I guess you know that I’ll be starting to work there on Wednesday.”
“I do. You’re gonna love it. I know you will.”
“I hope you’re right.” Gabi took the room key from her, “I’m very happy to meet you, Stephanie.” She stepped away and headed for her room, the excitement mounting with every step. This was going to be a good year. She could already feel it in her bones.
Stephanie had given her a room on the third floor overlooking the outdoor pool. But she was even more excited about the indoor pool she’d passed on her way to the elevator. She intended to take full advantage of it. She’d need it after standing on her feet all day, working in the kitchen. Yeah, those jets in the spa were going to be her favorite part of the day. She exited the elevator and walked down the hall to her room, shoved the keycard into the lock and entered her room. It wasn’t anything fancy, with a king-size
The clerk smiled, causing Gabi to have an immediate attraction to her bubbly personality: It was very much like her own. The fact that she was probably the same age made it even nicer. She smiled when she noticed the freckles scattered across the bridge of the young woman’s nose. The clerk typed something into the computer. “Yes, here you are.” She squinted her eyes and focused on the screen. “It looks like you’re staying with us for two months? Is that correct?”
“It is,” Gabi said, grinning.
“Oh, wait.” The clerk gave a toothy grin. “I know who you are—I just heard about you this morning. You’re going to buy Carters’ Mill.” She stretched her hand across the counter. “I’m Stephanie Potter, and I’m so happy to meet you. It’s always nice to have new business owners move into the area with fresh ideas. The Carters have owned that place for a long time,” she said in a rush of words. “Hey, you’re going to change that very outdated menu, aren’t you?”
Gabi gave a soft chuckle. “Yes, and yes. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I’m not the owner yet.”
“I thought you already closed.”
Gabi jerked her head back. “How do you know all this?”
“Small town, big mouths.”
“Hmm, very interesting. So then I guess you know that I’ll be starting to work there on Wednesday.”
“I do. You’re gonna love it. I know you will.”
“I hope you’re right.” Gabi took the room key from her, “I’m very happy to meet you, Stephanie.” She stepped away and headed for her room, the excitement mounting with every step. This was going to be a good year. She could already feel it in her bones.
Stephanie had given her a room on the third floor overlooking the outdoor pool. But she was even more excited about the indoor pool she’d passed on her way to the elevator. She intended to take full advantage of it. She’d need it after standing on her feet all day, working in the kitchen. Yeah, those jets in the spa were going to be her favorite part of the day. She exited the elevator and walked down the hall to her room, shoved the keycard into the lock and entered her room. It wasn’t anything fancy, with a king-size