When he heard his name called, his heart sank.
He’d taken second.
He’d missed his opportunity to work with Paul Hawkeye.
What was his reward for all of this labor? A set of kitchen knives.
Numb, he heard Alicia’s name being called for first place, the cash prize and the internship. Uncle Seb called the winners onto the stage, and they all smiled for a photograph. Maybe they even bought that his smile was genuine. After the media moment was over, Zach made sure to shake the hands of the other contestants, giving each a compliment on their dishes. He’d sampled a few of them, and they deserved the kudos.
Uncle Seb handed him the set of knives. “Congratulations on second place. I know you were hoping for better. Maybe next time.”
Zach tightened his jaw. He and Ava would need to cook their hearts out at the charity competition the following weekend, because he needed to win it. That was his only chance to wow Anne Green or Paul Hawkeye. His only chance to turn his life around.
Chapter Eight
Chalk it up to another poorly thought-out decision. Ava tapped her pen on the legal pad she held. Did she really agree to compete in the charity contest with Zach? Yesterday had been a roller coaster with him, and in the waning light of a Sunday afternoon, Ava wasn’t sure anymore.
She needed to win that contest. Being able to include the event in her articles would be a unique angle. They would have to learn to work together somehow.
Ava sat at a picnic table near the contest pavilion. Around her, the crowd that had gathered for the chili cook-off dispersed throughout the festival grounds. The setting sun cast long rays, coloring everything around her rosy gold. The smell of cooking oil lingered in the air. And did she smell popcorn?
She jotted down “popcorn” on her pad. The list she’d been making all day in between interviewing the chili contestants now read:
Fruit
Umami
Fat and salt
Buy Kleenex
Donuts
Rosemary
Popcorn
A jumbled list of random thoughts for picking out a dish for the competition. Oh, and an addition to her grocery list.
If only she could add “agreeable partner” to that list. Her shoulders slumped. Every interaction with Zach seemed fraught with misunderstandings. But they did promise to start over. Maybe it was time for her to make good on that promise.
She wandered toward the contest tent. Zach was in the spot where he had competed the day before. He hadn’t competed in the chili competition, but he was here anyway, bent over, running a rag across the workbench. Huh. Generous with his time, even when he didn’t need to be.
“I’m pretty sure they have people for that,” Ava said. She leaned her hip against the table.
“I told Dani I could help out. She seemed tired, so I sent her and the others home after the chili cook-off. She hasn’t spent much time with her new husband this week, and I don’t mind cleaning up.” Zach ran the wet cloth over the door of the tiny oven.
Ava spotted a bucket of soapy water, a second washrag hanging on the side. She picked up the rag, wrung it out, and began wiping down the other workstation. “Do you think they’ll assign us this same space?”
He glanced at her, then back at the oven. “Maybe we can put in a good word with Dani. It would be nice to work in a space I’m already familiar with. As long as no one considers it cheating.”
“I think we’ll be fine. I didn’t see anything about that in the judges’ handbook.” Look at that. Several sentences in a row, and no one was fighting. It was like a miracle. “Good effort yesterday. I really liked your peach tart.” She gave the table one last swipe. “Anything else need to be wiped down?”
“I think we’re good. Thanks for your help. And your compliment.” He dumped the bucket of soapy water onto the grass behind his station. “Are you heading back to the hotel? I’ll walk you.”
Ava blinked twice. Chivalrous Zach was new. “I thought I’d find the source of that delicious popcorn smell.”
“Yeah, it’s been tantalizing me too. I think Pop’s Corn from Port Joseph has that booth. Follow me.”
