had a craving for your almond-crusted tilapia. If you wouldn’t mind running out and picking up a few fillets, I’m sure he would be delighted.”
When Mimi hesitated, Cassie said firmly, “I’ll handle Consuelo.”
Mimi frowned. “And the others?”
“The whole crew. I promise.” Cassie gave her a conspiratorial smile. “This could take a while. You might want to catch an early movie before you pick up that fish.”
Mimi nodded sagely. “I leave the situation in good hands, I see.”
“The keys are in the Rover. Take it.”
Mimi bit her lip to hide a smile but didn’t quite succeed as she left the house. Cassie took a deep breath and headed toward the kitchen. She marched in and stared down the group gathered around Rhett’s table. Cassie could hear Breck’s “Go, General!” urging her on.
Taking the offensive, she locked eyes with an older woman with graying hair who sipped on a cup of hazelnut roasted coffee.
“Hello, Consuelo.”
The soon-to-be former housekeeper eyed Cassie suspiciously. “Who you? I no know you.”
“I’m Cassie Carroll, Rhett’s assistant. You’re trespassing on private property.”
The three younger members sitting around the table murmured in low voices, giving Cassie dirty looks as they conversed rapidly in Spanish.
She let them finish before she charged ahead. “Fortunately, I’m from Texas and caught everything you just said. No, I’m not some cheap whore like Randal James, nor am I a blood-sucking cunt. I’m Mr. Corrigan’s executive assistant and speak on his behalf.”
The atmosphere crackled with anger. Maria, whom Cassie remembered was Consuelo’s daughter and Rhett’s former cook, shook her pudgy finger at Cassie.
“You no tell us to go. We work here. Like you do. Mr. Rhett tell you that. Go get him. You see. He make you say sorry.”
Cassie held her ground. “Mr. Corrigan had me hire new staff in your place. I’m sure your sons noticed how nice the grounds looked as you arrived. Ditto with the house. And Mr. Rhett is very pleased with his new cook.” Her jaw set as she studied them. “I won’t ask again. Leave now—or I’ll call the police and have you arrested.”
Both of the young men, in their early twenties, jumped to their feet, waving their hands. “No policía. No policía, senorita.”
Maria interjected, “Mr. Rhett like my cooking. He love empanadas and my casserole. He no make me leave.”
Cassie took a step forward. “You chose to leave, Maria. Over and over again, just like your mother and your brothers. Did you think Mr. Corrigan would continue to put up with that? All of you abandoned him with no notice. His patience has run out.”
She slammed a hand on the table. “I do the hiring and firing around here now and we have enough help. I’ll see that Mr. Corrigan gives each you an excellent reference but you will not be working here anymore. Lo entiendes?”
Consuelo reeled off a string of vulgarities in a mix of Spanish and English, growing more animated as she spoke.
Maria and the two men joined in, loudly caterwauling, their protests rising in volume.
“Enough!”
Rhett stood in the doorway, hands fisted at his sides.
Consuelo immediately appealed to him, rising from her seat and rushing to him.
“Oh, Mr. Rhett, I sorry, so sorry. We go to see Pedro, but he bad. Very, very bad. I tell him I leave him and send no more money. No more! We never go Mexico again. No good there.” She brightened. “I stay and Maria cook for you now. You no look good, Mr. Rhett. Maria make you soup and tortillas.”
Before Rhett could reply, Cassie stepped in. “No, you will not fix Mr. Corrigan anything. He just ate. You will leave the property and not come back.”
Rhett glanced at Cassie. “Sweetheart, that’s kind of harsh. Consue—”
“Rhett, just leave, okay? They know they did wrong and they don’t work for you anymore. I won’t have you put dependable people out of work simply because Consuelo and company got it in their heads to waltz back.”
“I can afford—”
“I know you can afford to keep everyone employed. It’s the principle of the thing. They were disloyal and disrespectful when they up and left with no notice, time and time again. They should not expect to be forgiven, much less step into their former jobs.”
He looked miserable. “Maybe I could help them find jobs.” He brightened. “Hey, Maria, Mr. Ken has always loved your cooking. Let’s see—”
She stood firm. “If they apply for a job, you can give them a decent rec. You don’t need to find it for them.”
Rhett took a deep breath.