She waved a hand, expression satisfied, and nodded her head. “That’s all I needed to know. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Everything okay?” Alicia asked. Her smile faltered as she took in my expression.
“Yep!” Jeannie kissed my cheek and strode away. “Just getting her recipe for that cheese ball.”
Alicia quirked a brow as Jeannie dropped behind the wheel and drove away.
Ilona watched from the porch as I headed back inside. “Hey! That was my cheese ball. Whoa,” she said, quickly changing tones. “I was only teasing.”
I blinked, and the earth tilted slightly beneath me. If Joyce figured out that overworked moms were hiring a personal baker, and the baker was me, a neighbor who’d recently left the communitywithout notice, she’d tell everyone who’d listen. That news would undoubtedly get back to Robert, who’d immediately aim his proverbial gunfire at my company, and he’d do all he could to burn it down.
I walked to the dining room, unsure what Jeannie’s news meant to me, or what it could amount to, if anything. Then I poured three glasses of wine before turning to Alicia and Ilona. “I’m not sure, but I think I might have a cataclysmic problem.”
Chapter Twenty
Fall bloomed fully as I grew roots in my life and found my place among the tight-knit staff at Chez Margot. Most employees had been there for years, and I was honored to be part of the family. Lucas worked closely at my side until I felt comfortable on my own. Then he’d begun the long, nerve-racking process of writing a proposal for his small business loan.
Any bank would be remiss to decline his request, in my opinion, but perhaps I was biased. Time and personal experience with Lucas had slowly etched away my hard-as-granite stance against the male of the species. Maybe they weren’t all villains, but they definitely weren’t all like Lucas.
From a purely unemotional standpoint, the bank approving the loan seemed like a no-brainer. Chez Margot had an excellent, dedicated staff and a prime location, and the proposed menus were impeccable. If that wasn’t enough, the restaurant had a large customer base passionate about their favorite French restaurateur.
Still, Lucas worried.
He had a vision for his business, and he wanted it so badly. So, it surprised no one when he called the entire staff in early one morning for a professional photo shoot. “To capture the personal side of life here,” he said.
I arrived, sleep deprived as usual, but with my hair and makeup done, something I typically skipped when going to work. It had takena single day in the kitchen to see that any and all attempts at looking cute would melt away long before my shift ended.
Pam, who typically staffed the front desk, met me at the welcome stand. “You look incredible,” she said, tugging a blond section of hair over her shoulder.
“Thanks. I love your braids,” I said.
She beamed. “Pigtails increase tips. It’s been tested.”
I grinned.
“It’s so strange seeing the kitchen staff all dressed up,” she said. She motioned to the men and women who, like me, were usually covered in grease and sweat but today were freshly showered and photo ready.
“Anyone in particular?”
A deep blush spread over her freckled cheeks.
“Like John?”
Pam gasped. “How did you know?”
“Mother’s intuition?” I guessed.
She considered that a moment. “Do you think I have a chance?” she asked. “Or is it weird to crush on someone I work with?”
My traitorous gaze jumped to Lucas, and he immediately turned in my direction. “Nope, I think some of the most incredible romances probably began at work.” I wasn’t sure where I got that idea, but it pleased her, so I was thankful for the thought.
“Pam, Sophie,” Lucas called. He waved us closer, and we hurried to join him.
Lucas introduced us to Emily, a local photographer, then let her take charge. After she took each of our photos individually, she staged small group photos around the kitchen and dining area, then stayed to take candid shots when we began our prep work for the day.
I was in the ladies’ room when my phone alerted me to a new email. I washed up and took a quick peek on my way back to my station. The preview stopped me in my tracks.
Ancestry Seeker: Your results are in
