Needing Happily Ever After - Elena Aitken Page 0,76
keeps you so busy?”
Brody couldn’t help it, a chuckle slipped out of his mouth. He tried to cover it with a cough, but he couldn’t be sure it worked. Not that anyone was paying him any attention. All eyes were on Audrey.
“Well.” The other woman pulled herself up, and pushed her shoulders back. “I don’t think—”
“Don’t worry about a thing.” Sarah waved her hand casually. “I’ll take care of all the details.” She beamed at the other parents who were all watching the little drama unfold. “I’ll sort out some details on my end and send out an email. Have a great day everyone.” And just like that, she spun on her heel and with her head held high, walked away.
Like all of the others, Brody watched her go with sheer amazement on his face. He’d been spending more and more time with Sarah since moving to Glacier Falls, and he was really enjoying getting to know her, but yet, even after all this time, she still had a few surprises up her sleeve. And dealing with mean moms was an impressive skill to say the least.
He made small talk for a few more minutes, high fives all the kids and took his own leave shortly after.
It was hot, and he would have loved to spend the rest of the day sitting in the shade somewhere, preferably with his feet in the water underneath the cool branches of a pine tree in the forest, but it was not to be. He had a restaurant to run, and despite his wildest dreams, Birchwood wasn’t yet running itself.
The moment he stepped inside the restaurant, he knew something was wrong. If it was hot outside, it was an absolute sauna inside the walls. He went immediately to the thermostat on the wall, and groaned. He tapped at it, the extent of his knowledge to make it work again.
“Shit.”
The last thing he needed was one more thing that wasn’t working. Not when his list was already growing beyond the scope of things he would be able to handle—or afford. But air conditioning was going to have to go on the list. When he moved to Glacier Falls from his small town in rural Saskatchewan, he never would have expected it to get so hot in the middle of the summer. After all, wasn’t it supposed to be cool in the middle of the mountains? Apparently not so much. Not that he minded. At least, he wouldn’t have minded the heat if the air conditioning wasn’t broken.
How was he supposed to serve customers when it was so hot?
He pushed his way into the kitchen, where it must have been at least ten degrees warmer if it were even possible. “Tell me you brought a repair guy?” Amy, his head chef greeted him from behind the stove. “I feel like I’m going to pass out.”
“How long has it been broken?” Forgoing his usual chef jacket, Brody grabbed an apron and tied it around his waist. “This is crazy.”
“You’re telling me.” Amy wiped her brow and leaned against the counter. “I was going to get some stock started, but I think I might just abandon that plan altogether.”
“Agreed. Try not to use the stove or the oven for anything. Maybe we can offer a special cool summer menu?” His brain started to spin with ideas as he spoke. “We can do a gazpacho, and salads of course. Maybe a ceviche and some sushi rolls.”
“I like it.” Amy switched off the stove and her attempt at stock. “Especially if it keeps me even a little bit cool.”
“And for dessert I’ll whip up some sorbets and maybe another ice cream cake.”
“Another ice cream cake?” Amy wiggled her eyebrows. Brody had hired her about three months ago, and they’d become quick friends. She was a few years younger than he was, fresh out of a basic culinary program in the city and she’d proved to be not only a lot of fun to spend his days with, but also an incredibly talented chef. It was only a matter of time before he lost her to bigger and better things. He’d missed her on a professional level and as a close friend when that day came. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that cake in the freezer,” she continued. “I also noticed the note on it that said not to touch.”
“It was a test cake.”
“Riiigght.” Amy rolled her eyes. “A test cake. Interesting that it also happens to be mint chocolate chip.”
“Why is that interesting?”
“Oh, only because I happen to know that mint chocolate chip is a certain little girl’s favorite flavor.”
Brody turned to look at his friend. “And how do you know that’s Rory’s favorite flavor?”
“It’s every little girl’s favorite flavor, isn’t it?” She shot him a look, but Brody wasn’t imagining the blush he saw on his friend’s face. Sarah had mentioned more than once that Amy had been spending quite a bit of time around Rory’s auntie, Nicole. Brody definitely wasn’t going to ask, because it wasn’t his business, but judging by Amy’s reaction, his suspicions were correct and there was something more than friendship going on between the two.
“Sure it is.” He winked. “But you’re right, it is Rory’s favorite, and I was going to take it over there later. But first, let me pull together some type of hot weather menu.” He moved to leave Amy in the kitchen, to head into his tiny office, when she stoped him.
“Don’t forget to call a repair man.”
He flinched, hoping she couldn’t see his reaction. “Of course. I’ll call a repair man.” He dropped his head and rubbed his temple as he mentally added, And the money to pay for it.
Wanting Happily Ever After, Sarah and Brody’s story is next!
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