“Thank you.”
Without wasting another minute, he returned to the kitchen, washed his hands, grabbed an apron, and followed Vanessa’s instructions.
Andy and Charlie came back twice for lemonade refills. Although the flow of orders coming into the kitchen slowed over the next hour, there was still more than enough work for David to continue helping.
At one-thirty, Andrea joined them in the kitchen. “I think we’re over the busiest part of the day. Have either of you had a lunch break?”
“Not yet,” Vanessa told her. “It’s great having David’s help.”
He’d spent most of his time toasting paninis and preparing the ingredients for more savory dishes. “It’s like being home for Christmas, but twice as busy. If anyone wants lunch, I’m happy to do their job until they get back.”
Andrea opened a container of cookies and filled the jar she’d brought in with her. “We should be okay. Katie’s making the coffee and hot chocolate drinks while Rosalie takes a break. I’ll take the food orders and deliver everything to the tables. Are you happy to keep helping Vanessa in the kitchen?”
“Of course I am.”
“When Rosalie gets back, she’ll take over from you and Vanessa while you both have a break.”
“What about your lunch?” David asked.
“I had a quick snack before you arrived. I’ll have lunch after everyone else has returned.”
“I haven’t seen Andy and Charlie for a while. Are they okay?”
“Katie’s mom came back to the café and took them home with her. They were getting bored.” A bell pinged from the front counter. Andrea picked up the jar of cookies and smiled. “I’ll take these with me. Could someone refill the plate of muffins that are on the front counter?”
David walked across to the storage shelves. “I’ll do it.” If he didn’t enjoy his job at BioTech so much, he could imagine himself working in a café full-time. But for now, he’d have to console himself with being a not-so-quiet silent partner.
Andrea ended the call she’d made to the local bakery. After closing the café, she’d done a quick stocktake of the food they still had left. Unfortunately, she’d underestimated how much they’d sell today.
The cakes and cookies baking in the oven would help, but she still had another hour of food prep ahead of her.
David walked into the kitchen holding a broom and dustpan.
She smiled at the pink and white stripped apron he was wearing. “I’ve spoken to Travis at the bakery. He can supply an extra order of croissants and bagels for tomorrow morning.”
“That’s great. Was he surprised by how many you sold today?”
“Surprised and delighted. It will probably be a lot quieter tomorrow, but it was good to know we have the community’s support.”
David emptied the dustpan, then washed his hands. “What do you want to do with the muffins we didn’t sell?”
“Mabel will pick them up when she drops off the boys. Pastor John’s happy to use any leftovers at The Welcome Center.” She picked up a container. After all their extra baking, there were only a few muffins left. “If you could put them in here, that would be great.”
“Consider it done. How does it feel to have the first day out of the way?”
Andrea leaned against the counter. “Wonderful. I was worried something major would go wrong but it didn’t. Are you happy with how your investment turned out?”
“I always knew The Starlight Café would be a success.”
A warm blush spread across her cheeks. “I still have a long way to go, but everyone enjoyed the food and Vanessa and Rosalie are incredible. I even heard some of the customers were impressed with the tall, handsome man who served them.”
David grinned. “It’s my East Coast charm.”
“All I can say is you’re lucky you’re still single. Half the women in the café would have gladly taken you home to meet their daughters and granddaughters.”
“I wasn’t worried. You would have protected me.”
She laughed at the smug expression on his face. “Only because you’re my business partner.”
