“The wait is over for tables,” Flo stated loudly, coming into the kitchen.“I think the worst of it is over.It won’t be long before the lunch crowd starts, though.”
“Mike’s here,” Hazel announced as she got a fresh glass of iced tea.“Who made tea?”
“I did,” Joesph answered, cutting more lemons.
“Bless you, child.”She kissed Joesph on the cheek.“You want me to send Mike back here or seat him in the dining room?”
“Out in the dining room,” Jamie answered.He stopped for a moment.“On second thought, can you send him back here, please, Hazel?”
Jamie took a moment to take a quick inventory of things that they were either out of or about to run out of.
“Here he is,” Hazel said, rushing Mike into the kitchen.
“Uh...Hi,” Mike said as Minnie scooted around him, giving him a weak smile.
“Hi.”Jamie wiped both hands on his apron.“I have a really big favour to ask you.”
“Sure.”
“Excuse me,” Florence said as she pushed Mike further into the kitchen and away from the swinging door.“Bad place to be standing.”
Mike only laughed while still looking at Jamie.“What can I do to help?”
It took Jamie a few seconds to get his brain to function.Mike just looked so sexy in his uniform.“Uh...I was wondering if you could, possibly, maybe...run to the store for me?We’re running out of just about everything, and we still have lunch to go.”
“Hey, Joesph,” Salzy called across the kitchen.“Think you could stack these plates over next to Walter?”
“Sure.”Joesph jogged over towards the dish pit.
Mike’s eyes were bigger as he watched the controlled chaos of the kitchen.He turned back to Jamie.“Sure.Not a problem.”
Jamie handed the man a list and his new debit card.“I put my cell number at the bottom of the list.Call me if you have any questions.”
Mike read the list, nodding his head.“You really want that many strawberries?”
“Yes, if they have them.If not, just grab all the berries you can.”
“Twelve dozen extra-large eggs?”
“Yes.Oh...and...”Jamie took the list back, pulled a pen from his chest pocket, “And four pounds of butter.”
Mike’s eyes were wide.
“When you come back, pull around to the back door.”Jamie looked up at theveryhandsome man.“I promise to make it up to you.”
Mike laughed.Jamie thought he could feel the laugh go through his chest.It was deep and grumbly.I’d really like to know what sounds he makes in bed.Jamie blinked his eyes several times.Where did that come from?
Joesph had pulled on a plastic apron and was helping Salzy with the backed up dishes, and pots, and pans.Walter was scrubbing down the flattop.Dexter was slicing tomatoes.Timmy was forming burgers.Jamie was making biscuits as quickly as he could.
“Are we going to have any chicken fried steak for lunch?”Hazel asked.
“What about pie?”Florence leaned against the wall, next to the drink station, catching her breath as she fanned herself with a paper plate.
“Yes, to both.”Jamie looked up.“I sent Mike to the store.I’ve already got the pie crust made, so I hope to be making at least three more pies.”
“Jamie, just to let you know,” Florence pushed away from the wall, “But I’m too old for this.”
“If you’re that old, then you shouldn’t be flirting with customers.”Jamie grinned as he saw the look of indignation on the woman’s face.
