Cooking Up Love (4 page)

Chapter 4

T
abby shrieked and leaped to the closest object above the floor, the kitchen counter. A pan of white sauce crashed to the floor, its contents splashing across the sparkling tile. A drop burned Tabby’s skin through her wool stockings.

Mary squawked and clasped a hand over her mouth as she backpedaled from the room.

Adam whirled, brandishing a wooden spoon like a weapon. “What is it?”

“A mouse.” Tabby pointed behind a small table with wheels. Goose bumps crawled up her spine.

Adam laughed. “You’re afraid of a little four-legged creature?”

“Don’t jest. Kill it!” She tucked her legs under her long skirt.

“What is going on in here?” Mr. Hastings stormed into the kitchen, eyebrows raised and hands on his hips. “Miss McClelland! Get off the counter this instant.”

“But, Mr. Hastings, there’s a—” She clamped her lips together at Adam’s fierce shake of his head and hid her trembling hands in the folds of her apron.

“A what?” He snapped his fingers, motioning for her to get down.

Tabby gulped and slid off the counter. “A mouse, sir.”

“Impossible.” His took a deep breath. “Mice are not allowed in Mr. Harvey’s restaurant. I will be letting Miss O’Connor know of your shameful behavior. Of that there is no doubt.”

Lump in her throat, Tabby’s shoulders slumped. Averting her eyes from Adam and the young man already at work cleaning up her mess, she lifted her skirts and carefully made her way back to the dining room.

“The water, Miss McClelland.” Miss O’Connor scowled.

Oh! That’s why she had gone into the kitchen. She turned and dashed back for the wheeled cart with pitchers of fresh water. She slipped on the spilled sauce, windmilled her arms, continued her slide past the cart and came to a crashing halt against Adam’s chest. His strong hands steadied her. Goodness.

“Are you all right, Tabby?”

She was anything but. Especially with his arms around her, which was entirely inappropriate and could get them both reprimanded no matter how innocent. Still avoiding his gaze, she rested her forehead against his solid chest, just for a moment while she caught her breath, then nodded.

Willing her heartbeat to return to normal, she guided the cart into the dining room. What could Adam possibly be thinking of her ridiculous behavior? Other than his laugh, and her insane response, she hadn’t looked his way again. But it had felt good to have him hold her. She shoved away the foolish thoughts. She was a Harvey Girl. Work came first.

She rolled the cart to where the other waitresses stood, and waited while each took a pitcher. This day might be her first, and last, once Mr. Hastings had a chance to talk to Miss O’Connor. She prayed she was wrong.

Needing to think of a way to redeem herself, she gave a faint smile and took up her position next to Mary at their table.

“What happened in there? Was that a mouse I saw?” Mary glanced toward the door. “Mr. Hastings came from the kitchen perfectly livid.”

Tabby squared her shoulders. “We’ll talk later.”

“There’s a spot of hollandaise on your shoe.” Mrs. O’Connor stopped next to her. “Clean it at the first opportunity. We do not condone slovenly appearances.”

Tabby groaned as her smile faded. The head waitress condoned very little, and now Tabby had another strike against her. Her hopes of adventure in the West were dying by the minute. If she lost her job, she would have no funds available for a trip to anywhere.

Mary waited for the head waitress to move on. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. Families are the easiest to please. Much better than a society lady on her own who tends to be demanding. No one will notice your shoe.”

“I pray so.” Tabby stepped forward. “Welcome to Harvey’s. My name is Tabitha and I will be serving you today.”

“Thank you.” The woman sat. The look on her face seemed apologetic. “My brood does tend to be rowdy, and I’m at my wit’s end.” She waved a hand. “It will be nice to have someone else deal with them for half an hour.”

Tabby feigned a smile. She turned from the woman to Mary with wide eyes and a silent plea for help. Mary nodded toward the table where plates of crisp salad sat in front of each customer. She’d been so flustered with the mouse she hadn’t noticed Mary return to the kitchen for the salads. Gracious, she hoped the other waitress hadn’t seen her in Adam’s arms.

“May I please take your drink orders?” Tabby folded her hands.

“I’ll have the coffee.” The gentleman nodded. “My wife, tea, and the children, milk.”

Tabby hurried to turn their cups to the proper positions so the drink girl would know who ordered what. “Someone will have those to you directly. I will see to your meals.” She gave a slight bow and backed away. Whew. That wasn’t too hard. She hurried to the manager and waited while he cut thick slices of ham to be added to the plates.

“Quickly, ladies,” he warned. “The food must be served hot. Miss McClelland, please fetch me another platter.”

“Yes, sir.” Tabby rushed through the kitchen doors. “More meat!”

Adam handed her a platter.

She hadn’t expected such a load. Surprise crossed her face as she grunted under its weight.

“Can you carry that?” Adam reached out.

“Of course.” It wouldn’t do to add dropping a slab of ham to her sins of the day. Hefting it higher, she struggled back to the dining room and plopped it next to Mr. Hastings.

“A little more finesse, please.” He waved his butcher knife, his voice rising above the clatter of the patrons. “Now, see to your table.”

Must he embarrass her so? She managed to do that quite well on her own.

Tabby nodded, grabbed her customers’ plates and rushed back to her table. By the time the train left, perspiration dotted her brow and her shoulders ached. It was only lunchtime. How would she make it through dinner?

* * *

Compassion for Tabby filled Adam. His heart rate ticked up a notch as he cleaned the stove. Was it thoughts of her or the physical labor she endured? First the mouse incident, then the crazy slide across the floor and smacking into him, and finally the heavy meat platter. He grinned, remembering the way her face reddened. What a day she’d had. If only he could help her. His gaze landed on the posted rules. His shoulders slumped. He’d find a way.

“Josiah.” Adam waved his hand. “Find that mouse hole and plug it, will you? We can’t have a repeat of this morning. I’m sure Miss McClelland isn’t the only lady with an aversion to rodents.” They weren’t his favorite critter either, especially in the kitchen.

“Yes, sir.”

Adam reviewed the dinner menu and wondered how Tabby fared after the lunch rush. A lot of customers brought their own midday meal, making the noon hour less hectic than dinner. He’d heard no more roars of disapproval from the manager or the “wagon boss,” so he hoped Tabby’s morning fiascos hadn’t gotten her fired.

Many girls made mistakes in their first days. Tabby’s were minor compared to what could have happened—like a full plate of hot gravy in someone’s lap. He grinned. If that disaster were to happen to anyone, it would be to her.

“May I have a rag, please?” The diminutive girl had snuck up on him. “I have a spot of sauce on my shoe.”

He handed her a clean rag. Exhaustion clouded her fair features. “Sit for a minute. You look like you’ll fall over at the slightest provocation. Not that I’m averse to picking you up, but it wouldn’t look right to the others.”

“Please don’t tease after this morning’s embarrassing episode. I apologize for my forwardness.” She dropped to a straight-backed chair. “Whew, I’ve never worked so hard in all my life.” She bent to wipe her shoe. “I think my body hates me.” She straightened with a red face. “I hope I don’t sound ungrateful for the work or your concern. I assure you I’m not.”

“No, just honest.” He leaned against the counter, admiring the way her hair escaped its bow and curled around her face. “Can I get you a drink of water?”

“I would love one, but please hurry.” She glanced toward the door. “I can’t take too long.”

Adam fetched a glass and filled it from a pitcher. “Twelve-hour shifts can wear a person down. You have to take breaks.”

“I can’t. Not after this morning.” She took a gulp and handed it back to him. “Thank you. I must get back before I’m missed.” She fluttered out the door like a runaway sparrow.

“You shouldn’t flit around her.” Josiah straightened from behind the counter. “You know the rules.”

“Yeah, I do.” Adam tossed the rag into the laundry. “I just gave her a drink. That shouldn’t be against anyone’s rules. Besides, I’ve seen you ogle the ladies when you sneak out back for a smoke.”

Josiah grinned. “The ladies do like a bad boy. But you don’t seem the type. Just telling you to be careful. I saw your face when you held her this morning.”

“I’ll be careful.” Adam cast another glance toward the door, hoping to catch another glimpse of the girl he shouldn’t be talking to. Not only did the rules discourage relationships, but a pretty face could halt his dream in its tracks.

The door opened again and Tabby peered in. “We’re out of clean silverware.”

“I’ll get it, miss.” Josiah ducked into the pantry. “Dishwasher didn’t show up again. Means I’ll have to wash. I hate washing.”

Adam grinned at his complaining. “Better chance of you keeping your job.”

Tabby gripped the edge of the open door. “Wish I had that. I haven’t heard from Miss O’Connor yet. What is she waiting for?”

“The fox isn’t after the chickens yet. Don’t worry without cause.”

“Right.” She backed out.

“You have that look again.” Josiah appeared with a tray of clean utensils.

“What look?” Adam dropped the evening’s menu in the sink of dishwater.

“Like the sun just went behind a cloud.”

“Shut up.” He fished the soggy paper from the water and spread it on the counter. The ink had run, but was still legible. Tonight they would serve braised duck. He’d better get his mind on work.

He chuckled and sent up a prayer that Miss O’Connor wouldn’t fire Tabby. Life would be interesting with Miss McClelland around, and Adam felt they could both use a friend.

Chapter 5

“M
iss McClelland, my room, please.” Miss O’Connor turned and marched down the hall, her heels clacking out Tabby’s doom.

“Good luck,” Abigail said, removing the pins from her hair.

“Thanks.” Tabby laid her hairbrush on top of her dresser and quickly tied her hair off her neck. “I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”

“Don’t fret.” Abigail smiled. “I won’t give your bed away just yet.”

What would she do if she were fired? Tears stung Tabby’s eyes. Exhaustion weighted her limbs, yet she forced her head high. She would not cow under the head waitress’s stern gaze.
Lord, give me strength.

She’d dawdled too long making herself presentable, most likely adding another demerit to the list Miss O’Connor probably had sitting on her desk. But she couldn’t have dashed off right away with her hair in disarray. Not unless she wanted the wagon boss to die of apoplexy.

Tabby stopped at the threshold of Miss O’Connor’s room, took a deep breath and knocked. The door was open, but she knew the woman stood on strict propriety and would not appreciate someone entering without permission.

“Come in and close the door, please.” Miss O’Connor sat behind a simple wood desk, hands folded in front of her, a pair of spectacles perched low on her nose.

With trembling hands, Tabby did as instructed. She released the breath she’d been holding, then turned to face the wagon boss.

Miss O’Connor laid the glasses on the desktop, and sighed. “I am grievously disappointed in you, Miss McClelland.” She tapped a sheet of paper with her index finger. “You came with high recommendations from Mrs. Harvey herself. Seems you made quite an impression on her during your interview. I must confess, I don’t see what she saw in you.”

Tabby swallowed against the mountain in her throat and begged her legs not to fold. She felt seconds away from being fired.
Lord, make it painless.
She blinked back tears and focused on a dark spot on the wall above Miss O’Connor’s head. “What do you see, miss?” Oh, why couldn’t she hold her tongue?

“I see an impertinent girl who thinks her job is something to be ridiculed.” Miss O’Connor planted her palms flat on the desktop and pushed to her feet. “Mr. Hastings came to me after the dinner hour with a ridiculous story about you perched on a counter.” She took a sharp breath. “As if that were not enough, one of the other girls came to me with an eyewitness account of you being hugged by our chef. Miss McClelland, I don’t know what background you came from, but—”

Tabby opened her mouth, then clamped her lips tight and bit her tongue. Let the woman think what she wanted. Tabby didn’t need the approval of anyone but God. She had done nothing wrong with Adam and would not apologize for it.

Apparently Miss O’Connor saw her attempt at speech. She paused for a moment, giving Tabby time to answer. When she didn’t, the woman continued. “We have strict guidelines here. I’m afraid I must give you a mark for today’s performance. At this rate, you won’t drop in ranking very quickly. I hope you do better with the rest of your training. The other girls are bypassing you with their efficiency. You may leave,” she said with a dismissive flip of her wrist.

Did she say Tabby was inefficient? She went to bed each evening bone-weary, doing twice as much work as the other girls. But wait. Tabby blinked. “You aren’t firing me?”

“Not just yet, Miss McClelland. Keep up the shoddy work, and I’ll have no other option but to release you from your duties.” Miss O’Connor positioned the glasses back on her face and slid the paper from her desk into a drawer. She sighed. “I am not so naive as to think that the ladies keep strictly to the rule about no fraternizing, but please, if you insist on jeopardizing your moral standing, please be discreet. Good night.”

Tabby forced her rubbery legs to carry her out the door. Once in the hall, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Her heart was beating faster than the wheels on the train that had brought her there. How many warnings did a girl get before being fired? Maybe she hadn’t performed as bad as she thought. After all, her behavior had been completely respectable. Or maybe God still had work and further adventure for her at Harvey’s Topeka restaurant. Despite the reprimand from her boss, she couldn’t wait to see what the future held.

The clock downstairs gonged nine, signaling that she had one hour left before curfew. Without a second thought, Tabby dashed downstairs and out the kitchen’s back door.

The cool night breeze washed over her, drying her tears. She took a deep breath and sat on the stoop. Maybe she should make this a nightly ritual, at least until winter set in. A time to unwind and watch the stars after a hard day’s work. A few moments of precious solitude after a busy restaurant and a chattering roommate.

She leaned back against the still-warm brick of the building. Receiving a mark hadn’t deterred her determination to seek adventure and move every six months down the Santa Fe line. If anything, it strengthened it. God wouldn’t have given her a spirit for adventure if she weren’t to pursue it, would He? No, she wouldn’t get attached to this place.

What had the head waitress meant about being discreet? Were Tabby’s morals in question because Adam had prevented her from taking a nasty fall? Surely not. Would the woman rather Tabby had fallen to the hard tile floor and possibly suffered injury?

The door opened. Kitchen light flowed out into the darkness, outlining Adam’s frame. Tabby’s breath hitched. She tucked her trembling hands into the folds of her skirt. No matter how much she convinced herself she had no time for romance, the man did things to her heart that no other man ever had. Things that left her confused and scared.

No, she couldn’t get attached to Kansas or any person there. She was strong-willed. It shouldn’t be too difficult to ignore the way her blood raced when the handsome chef walked by.

* * *

“Good evening, Tabby. Mind if I join you?” Adam shut the door quietly behind him.

“Of course not, if you don’t think we’ll be in trouble.”

“Why would I be in trouble for taking out the garbage?” He grinned and set the garbage pail on the ground before lowering himself beside her, their shoulders touching in the confined space of the step. “Have you heard from the wagon boss yet?”

“Yes.” Her soft answer led him to believe the worst.

“I’m sorry. It won’t be the same around here without you.” He wasn’t sure which hurt more, knowing she was leaving or the fact that he would care. He reached for her hand, then was reminded of the intimacy of the gesture and folded his hands in his lap instead.

She laughed, a light breathless sound that sent tingles up his spine. “I wasn’t fired, just reprimanded. Seems one of the other girls saw my outlandish behavior with you in the kitchen, and Miss O’Connor thought the worst.”

“Did you explain that you slipped and almost fell?”

He felt a warm sensation from her shrug against his shoulder. “No. The woman will believe what she wants.” She shifted. “I didn’t feel the need to clarify a situation that didn’t warrant it. If I had explained, she would have thought I was arguing with her or covering up some worse sin with my denial. I’m only here until my contract expires, so I’ll try hard not to let Miss O’Connor’s personal feelings about me affect me overly much.”

Adam felt suddenly alone although only inches separated them. He wasn’t sure how he felt about her strong desire to leave. “I, for one, am glad you’re staying. At least for now.”

“Thank you, although I fear it isn’t wise for us to form a friendship.” She stood. “Others will think the worst. If it’s a woman you’re looking for, there is a courting parlor, but I’m afraid it will have to be someone else.”

Adam jumped to his feet and laid a hand on her arm. “Please, I wish only to be friends. I’m not looking to get married.” No, he’d tried that before and all it had left him with was a broken heart.

“Good, I could use a friend more than a suitor.” With a swish of her skirts, she rushed into the kitchen.

Spirit light, Adam retrieved his garbage pail and set off across the yard to the larger can. He made a mental note to return to the steps tomorrow night at the same time. Maybe it could become a time for him and Tabby to talk about their day. A peaceful end to each busy day.

“Tsk tsk, Adam.” The glow of a cigarette alerted him to Josiah’s presence. “Did you choose not to heed my advice?”

“Just taking out the garbage.” He put a hand on the doorknob. Why did the other man care? He chased after all the waitresses. Why should he bother Adam about spending time with just one? A very special one, at that.

“With a pretty little gal. Best be careful, my friend. You could get burned.”