“Great. Glad to hear it. I, uh, have some time tonight if you need any help with the dinner shift.”
She wondered if the brunette—or the blonde—had left him at loose ends. Then she remembered his defeated posture when she’d walked in, and was filled with mixed feelings. Who exactly was Connor Sullivan?
“The shift’s covered, but thanks.”
“Are you sure? I can bus a table with the best of them.”
Maybe he just wanted to check up on her. See if she was running things to his liking. She couldn’t help bristling a bit. “I’m sure. We’re fully staffed tonight.”
A shadow moved over his face, and something in his gray eyes pulled at her. “Great, great. So it’s working out all right? You think you’ll stick around a little while?”
“I don’t see why not. You’re keeping your end of the deal. But you’ll continue to look for someone...?”
“Absolutely. The ad’s still posted. I really appreciate your stepping in last minute.”
“No problem. I enjoy the work.” She moved toward the door. “Well, listen, I should get back.”
“Darren will be there within the hour. He’ll get you fixed right up.”
“Thanks.” She gave him a parting smile that wasn’t as confident as it probably looked. Then she left the building and headed back up the boardwalk.
She couldn’t figure out the man. As soon as she decided he was one way she saw something that made her question herself. Then again, after what had happened with Nick, was it any wonder she didn’t trust her instincts?
She was thrown once again an hour later. She’d run back to the house to change her clothes before the dinner rush. As she was leaving the house someone was emerging from a white crossover in Connor’s driveway. The brunette from the dock. She bent her upper body into the back seat and emerged with a Crock-Pot.
Maddy rolled her eyes. Apparently Connor had found something to do tonight after all.
Chapter 13
“Crab cakes on the fly!” Maddy called through the kitchen window.
A server had dropped a platter, leaving table five unfed and waiting. Maddy went to the table, assured them their meals were on the house, and went out to the deck to help the busboy with the recently vacated tables.
It was just into the dinner hour, and she was beginning to hit her stride. The staff was adjusting to her leadership, and she was feeling confident about the workings of the restaurant. She was beginning to enjoy the casual vibe with the country music and loud chatter.
On this Wednesday evening it was only a half-full house, leaving her plenty of time to pitch in. She wiped down the nearest wooden table, vaguely aware of two women who’d been seated at table seventeen. The server had been sent on break.
Rather than pass the table to another server, she grabbed menus and approached the table. “Hi, welcome to the Landing.” Her eyes connected with one of the women and her smile faltered.
It was the brunette she’d seen with Connor on the pier and again at his house yesterday with the Crock-Pot. Maddy’s eyes went to the other woman, who was also familiar. The blonde. Ms. Yoga Pants.
At the same table. Together. Looking at her with curious eyes.
Maddy shored up her smile. “Um... Can I get you something to drink?”
“We’ll just have water,” Crock-Pot said.
Maddy dashed off to fetch their drinks. What in the world? Why were they here together? She had to be missing something.
A minute later Maddy delivered the water. “Have you decided what you’d like, or do you need a few more minutes?”
“So you’re Maddy...,” Yoga Pants said.
Maddy eyed the woman. “Yes...”
Crock-Pot tucked her short hair behind her ears. “We’re Connor’s sisters.” She began introductions.
Hissisters?
