"Months ago," Buddy says. "We're still licensed, but haven't hired a cook since Sheila left."
My eyes dart from the menu and then to Buddy.
"What are you thinkin' about, Penny? You've got that crazy look in your eyes."
I grin from ear to ear and ask, "How about I do some cooking for you tonight? Can you handle the bar by yourself?"
"You even have to ask?" he asks, pretending to be offended by my question. "Can you handle the kitchen by yourself?"
"You even have to ask?" I retort, mimicking him.
He smirks. "Fine. But you've got your work cut out for you. The kitchen isn't exactly in order. And, like I told you before, the oven is broke, but the burners on the stove and the deep fryer should still work."
I go through the doorway leading to the back room and flip on some lights. The kitchen is in complete disarray, so I set out rearranging and preparing, thankful for the distraction. This is exactly what I need right now. A huge distraction from a certain someone.
After an hour of busting my ass cleaning, mopping, doing dishes and rearranging spices and ingredients, I walk up to Buddy and hold out a long list.
He looks at my paper warily. "What's this?"
"A grocery list," I say with a grin. "You're going shopping."
* * * * *
"OOH WEE!" BUDDY calls out as he runs into the kitchen. "I have five more orders for you, Penny. Think you can handle any more?"
I dab a small towel over my sweat-soaked forehead and give him a nod. I think I've bitten off way more than I can chew, but the bar is making money hand over fist, and I am completely distracted from all the wrongs in my life at the moment. So I guess I shouldn't complain too much.
Buddy places more orders down on the counter. "I called Colt to come help tend bar. So if you get overwhelmed, I should be able to help you in the kitchen," he says before walking back out to the front.
My heart sinks, but I try to just brush it off. I never know what kind of mood Colt will be in, but I try to hope for the best. I haven't seen him since he stormed into the bar last night after my date with Tucker. I know he was upset, but I'm sure he'll just pretend that he wasn't.
Sighing, I get to work on two more chicken wing orders. I throw a few baskets down into the deep fryer and then return to the grill to flip a few burgers. I'm glad I had enough sense to only put burgers, fries and wings on the menu tonight. Otherwise, I don't think I would have been able to keep up.
A few minutes later I hear Colton's voice from the front of the bar. Soon after, Buddy walks through the door again saying, "Tell me what I can do."
I motion to the deep fryer. "Those baskets of fries are almost done. Pull them up when the timer goes off. I'll make these burgers, and then we can throw some of these meals together and get them out."
We work well as a team, and Buddy divides his time between helping me in the kitchen and helping Colton serve drinks. I've never seen the bar so busy, and it seems like more and more people keep coming in. Word of mouth travels fast in a small town, and crispy-fried comfort food is always sure to draw in the masses.
I make sure to put a little extra salt in the food. I learned a tip in culinary school that salt makes you thirsty, so I'm sure they are selling a hell of a lot of beer out there. I smile as I realize that with my baked goods and cooking I can really help Buddy and Colton save this bar. It feels so good to help out two of the most important people in my life…even if only one will truly appreciate my efforts.
The night winds down gradually. After the last person leaves, Buddy locks the front door and sighs with relief. As Buddy and Colt focus on the front of the bar, I focus on cleaning up the kitchen and making sure everything is good to go for the next shift. I have another grocery list ready to go since we pretty much sold out of everything Buddy had picked up earlier.
As I'm wiping down the countertops, I feel a pair of arms bear hug me and whirl me around the room. "Penny, you're amazing!" Buddy announces. He sets me down and turns me to face him. "I could just kiss you right now!"
I hold up my finger in protest. "But you won't."
He chuckles and shakes his head. "You are savin' this bar, Penny. I don't know what we would do without you."
My eyes flicker to movement in the doorway, and I see Colton leaning against the frame. I don't expect him to praise me, and he doesn't. I turn my attention back to Buddy and say, "I'm just going to finish cleaning, and then I'm going to get some much needed sleep." I'm exhausted, and my feet are hurting like hell. But all in all, it was a great night.
"Sounds good. I'll go close out the register," he says with an enthusiasm that makes me smile.
Buddy walks past Colton, and I set out to scrub the prep area. After a few moments, I forget Colton is even there until he says my name. My dish rag stops mid circle, but I don't look up. I can tell he's pissed off at me again, and I don't even want to guess as to why this time. "You don't have to thank me, Colt."
"I wasn't goin' to thank you."
I glare up at him. He's standing there with one leg crossed over the other, leaning against the doorjamb. He looks cocky and hot as hell, but it just makes me even madder. "Well, I didn't do it for you anyway. I did it for Buddy." I don't know why the hell he has to keep making my head spin with all of his mood swings. It's annoying as hell and makes me madder than heck.
