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“The last people were out by eight thirty. I was already cleaning up the kitchen by then. Once they paid their bill we locked up for the day.”
“I think my father kept the doors open until nine each night. He was afraid to turn someone away. I guess you’re seeing a lot of poor business practices, aren’t you?”
“To each their own,” he said. “I’ve got more experience in what works and what doesn’t. That pie works for me. You can use those pecans. I’d like to have one or two desserts that are always on the menu. What are your thoughts on making them a few times a week? Like the rest of your shifts this week. I always want fresh, but it’s fine for the next day too if we plan it that way. It’s not like you’ll work daily and can make extra.”
She knew her grin was filling her face. “I can do that,” she said. “Just tell me what desserts you want to be there.”
“The blondies for sure. Something chocolate too. I’m not there to do my cake all the time. I don’t even have it in my restaurant every night.”
“Do you want me to come up with a few different chocolate things to try on Friday and over the weekend?”
“Sure,” he said. “Just clear it with me first. I like to know everything being served.”
“That’s not a problem,” she said. “Thanks again, Duke.”
“For what?” he asked. “I should be thanking you. Or congratulating you. Not many can outsell me when it comes to food.”
She heard the laughter in his voice and wished she could have seen his face in that relaxed moment. He was so big and rugged looking. Like nothing she’d ever been attracted to, but this time she found she was.
“I’ll take it,” she said. “The highlight of my year for sure.” Which probably made her sound like a complete loser in his eyes.
“Glad I could help,” he said. “I won’t be in tomorrow. I’ll stop in on Friday to check on a few things early on, but then I’m working at Duke’s the rest of the weekend.”
Which meant she wasn’t going to get to see him. Oh well. She had to get that thought out of her head.
“Then I’ll see you on Friday,” she said. “And I’ll text you tomorrow if it’s okay with a few more things I’d like to try to make.”
“Please do,” he said. “I’ll be ordering food by noon tomorrow if you can let me know by then. We’ve got the delivery on Friday. I’ll make sure you’ve got what you need.”
“Oh,” she said. She hadn’t thought of that. “Sure. I’ll let you know in the morning.”
“Thanks,” he said. “Talk to you later.”
He hung up before she could say bye. She wanted to frown over that being rude but then told herself he was a busy man and she should be thrilled he was giving her a chance.
7
Not Your Problem
Hadley got to the pub at nine on Sunday thinking she’d be the first one but noticed that there was another car in the parking lot.
She unlocked the back door and saw Diane there. One of the cooks. “Hi,” she said to Diane. “You’re here early.”
Diane turned and looked at her. “What are you doing here?”
“Baking the desserts for the day before I work the front. Why?”
Diane was frowning at her. “I guess I heard you did that the other day, but I don’t normally open.”
Diane had worked for her father for a year. She knew Diane wasn’t thrilled with Duke being around either. She’d heard the murmurs on Friday night when she’d been getting ready to leave and the chef was talking loudly, saying she didn’t care for the changes and was going to cook things the way she wanted regardless.
Since Hadley was used to keeping to herself, she hadn’t said a word. Not that she’d seen Duke to even tell him.
He’d shown up on Friday to look over the shipment of the food he’d ordered for the weekend, stayed a few hours and did the schedule for next week along with a few other things and then said he was returning to Duke’s.
It’d been busy on Friday and she made crazy tips. Her desserts were selling out on top of it.
There was a pride to her work that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Though she went home with sore feet and an aching back, it was a satisfying feeling she hadn’t experienced in longer than she could remember.
