Second Chance Cafe (13 page)

“When will you do the surgery?”

“As soon as we can. I’m hoping we can schedule you for first thing in the morning. After a day or two in the hospital, if there are no complications with the surgery, you can go home.”

Ethan let the words sink in:
Eight or more weeks of recovery.

The café.

As much as he liked Mark, Ethan wasn’t sure he felt comfortable handing over his entire livelihood to him after just a couple of weeks of working together. But what choice did he have? Eight weeks? He couldn’t close for that long. More medical bills. More café bills. The stress of his predicament inundated his entire body. Ethan inhaled and felt tense all over.

Dr. Nichols told them he’d schedule the surgery and disappeared down the hallway. Isa squeezed Ethan’s hand.

“Are you okay? What are you thinking?” she asked.

Father, You helped me before. I could really use Your help right now.

Ethan held her hand tight. “I’m worried about the café,” he acknowledged.

She touched his face and kissed his forehead.

“I’m more worried about
you.
The café isn’t going anywhere. It’s going to be okay, Ethan.”

“Will you pray, Isa?” he asked weakly.

Isa smiled. “Are you sure? You know me—my prayers tend to become unreasonable outbursts.”

That brought a smile to his face. “I’ll chance it.”

Chapter 17

I
sa stayed at the hospital all night, sleeping on the cot in Ethan’s room. She’d called in a friend to cover her shift. By six o’clock the next morning, she sat up and stretched, desperately needing coffee. Ethan’s surgery was scheduled for 8:00 a.m. She looked over at him asleep in the hospital bed and got to her feet, arching her back and yawning. They’d talked well into the night—about the café, about the surgery, about their relationship. Isa needed time to process all that had been said between them. She headed to the cafeteria in search of a hot cup of anything caffeinated. Time to process proved impossible, seeing as how everywhere she turned, she knew people. She had to explain about Ethan’s surgery over and over to her colleagues. She headed back to Ethan’s room as quickly as possible and was glad to see him awake.

“Nervous?” she asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed. He shook his head.

“At this point, I just want to feel stronger, Isa. Whatever it takes.”

“Does that include following the doctor’s orders and letting your body heal?” she said, her eyebrows raised.

He nodded. “Absolutely. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m just not sure what to do about the café.”

Isa frowned. “Ethan, one thing at a time. Let’s get you through surgery, then tackle the problem of what to do about the café.”

“Do I at least get a kiss before I’m wheeled off to go under the knife?”

Isa laughed. She leaned over and kissed him. “I’ll be here when you wake up,” she promised. Ethan nodded silently. The laughter and ease in the room faded with the looming surgery. Isa brushed Ethan’s hair from his forehead, remembering the first night they met. “You’re not alone. You know that, right? I’m here. And God’s here.”

Surprisingly, the reminder comforted her as much as she could see it surely comforted Ethan. The crinkle in his brow smoothed and he took a deep breath.

“You’re right. God’s got this.”

Once he was taken out for surgery, Isa walked slowly back toward the waiting room, her heart overwhelmed. She wasn’t afraid necessarily, though she knew all surgery included risk. Her thoughts shifted to Ethan’s forthcoming recovery. He’d be unable to work for weeks. She understood the pressure of restaurant life. And she understood the huge financial investment that came with such a venture. No wonder Ethan was worried about what would happen to the café.

God, please provide help for Ethan. Please don’t let him lose all he’s invested.

Isa turned the corner to the waiting room and stopped in her tracks. Her mom and dad sat together, talking quietly with Maggie and José. Leo looked half asleep on one of the sofas, and next to him Mandy sat with her eyes glued to her phone. Baby Tony slept in a car seat on the floor. Isa’s cousin Angelina was flipping through the channels on the waiting room TV.

Her mom looked up. “Isabella! How’s Ethan?”

The sight of her family already in the waiting room so early in the morning flooded Isabella’s heart. Tears came without notice and rolled down her cheeks. Within seconds her mother and Mandy and Maggie and Angelina were surrounding Isa, cooing and fussing over her as though she were a child. Leo stood with a worried look on his face.

“Is something wrong? What’s happened to Ethan?”

Isa shook her head and wiped the stream of tears from her face. “No, he’s okay. I mean, they took him into surgery but he should be fine. It’s just—I didn’t expect you all to be here.”

“Isabella, we’re Romanos. Where else would we be at such a time?” Leo said. Baby Tony squirmed and made a peep and Mandy moved to check on him. Isa sat down sandwiched between her mom and dad and laid her head on her dad’s shoulder.

“Dad,” she whispered, “I love Ethan.”

He smiled and took her hand in his. “I know. And I love you.”

A wave of more tears came over Isa.

I see it now, Father. Your presence. In the fact that my dad can even be here. In the love of my family showing up for me without me even calling. In the incredible man You’ve brought into my life who needs my help.

Isa blinked.

She knew what she had to do.

“I need to run down to the E.R. for a little while,” Isa stated, standing up. She looked over at Maggie. “Mags, come find me if there’s any update on Ethan.” Her friend nodded.

“Text me if you need me,” Maggie said. Isa took off toward the elevator.

* * *

Ethan opened his eyes.

“Hi there, Ethan. How do you feel?”

Ethan recognized the woman speaking to him as one of the nurses he’d met earlier. Karen was her name, or maybe it was Melissa. He couldn’t remember.

“Groggy,” he answered.

She nodded. “That’s normal. The surgery is over and you’re in your recovery room now. Dr. Chong is on his way to talk with you. I’m going to go let your friends and family know that you’re awake. I’m under strict instructions from Isa.” She winked at him and left the room.

Friends, not family.

Ethan tried to shake off the uninvited depressing thought. He was lucky to have such good friends. He was lucky to have Isa.

But…Father, just once it would be so nice to have family of my own.

“Ethan.”

He opened his eyes again. Isa leaned over him, inspecting every inch of him, her eyes darting back and forth to the monitors.

“How are you?” she asked.

“I’ve had better days, I guess,” he said, and she sat back with a chuckle.

“I bet.”

The door slid open and Dr. Chong, the neurosurgeon who had performed Ethan’s surgery, walked in, a smile on his face.

“Ethan! Welcome back.” He stepped close to the bed. His eyes scanned the chart in his hands before he looked up at Ethan and Isabella. “We’ve got good news. The surgery went well. Everything looks good. We’re going to keep you here overnight for observation, but I think you can go home tomorrow. I’m recommending you wear your back brace for a few days just as a precaution. But I’m pleased with the results of the surgery.”

Relief washed over Ethan. Once Dr. Chong had again stressed his instructions for recovery to Ethan, most of which involved therapy and rest, he left. Ethan looked around the room, noticing for the first time the balloons and flowers.

“Company 51 sent the balloons,” Isa explained. “The Romanos sent the wildflowers. Oh, and a bouquet came from Redeemer Community Church, as well. The associate pastor stopped by while you were still in surgery. Mark and Carson and the girls at the café sent flowers, too.”

“That was nice of them,” Ethan said, still trying to pull himself out of the emotional rut he’d fallen into. “I think…I need some rest, Isa,” he said, hoping she wouldn’t feel offended.

“Of course you do,” she said soothingly. “But could you see a few visitors first? The chief is here.”

“Okay,” Ethan agreed. “Tell him to come in.”

Isa kissed the top of Ethan’s head and rushed back toward the waiting room. Ethan laid his head back onto the pillow and closed his eyes, wishing he didn’t feel so low.

“Ethan!”

His eyes fluttered open at the sound of people pouring into the room. His jaw dropped as most of Company 51 squeezed into the room, along with Isa’s family.

“I don’t think they allow this many visitors!” he said.

Isa glanced behind her toward the hallway. “He’s right, everybody! You won’t be able to stay long.”

Isa’s mother came over to him. She kissed his cheek and told him how glad they were that the surgery went well. Gabriel Romano sat in a wheelchair by the bed. He gave Ethan a warm smile and patted his arm.

Within moments a nurse came in to shoo out the rowdy crew of Company 51. Ethan didn’t mind the noise. He appreciated the roomful of people.

“Thanks for coming,” Ethan said to the chief as the guys filed out of the room.

“You’re family, Ethan. Family sticks together. I look forward to seeing you back at the house when you’re ready,” Chief Rawlins told him.

“Thanks, chief,” Ethan said, clearing his throat to keep the tears at bay.

“We’ll be back soon, Ethan,” Mandy said, bouncing Tony in her arms. “Leo’s going to send over dinner from Romano’s for you tonight.”

Ethan smiled. “Sounds great. Thanks, you guys.”

“Anything you need, Ethan, we’re here,” Leo said sincerely.

Ethan just nodded, unable to speak. Next to him, Isa found Ethan’s hand and locked their fingers together. Everyone said their goodbyes and left the two of them alone.

“So that’s what family feels like,” Ethan said, his words breaking.

Isa rested her head on his shoulder.

“You should get used to it, Ethan. None of us are going anywhere.”

Chapter 18

I
sa fluttered around Ethan’s apartment, arranging the many bouquets of flowers and organizing the freezer filled with meals from Leo and Mandy.

“Isa,” Ethan called from where he sat on the sofa. “You’re going to be late if you don’t leave now.”

“I know,” Isa said. She stopped what she was doing and walked over to him. “I’m leaving.”

“Tell Maggie and José I wish I could be there.”

“They know,” Isa assured him. Bianca was being released from the hospital and Isa wanted to be there to see it. “I’ll be back later before my shift tonight. So don’t do anything. Just watch TV and text me if you need me to come back earlier.”

“I’ll be fine,” Ethan insisted.

Isa left in a hurry. Minutes later she pulled into the hospital parking lot and ran to the entrance just in time to see Maggie and José walking slowly toward the front door.

“Isa! You made it!” Maggie’s smile widened. José ran ahead to pull the car around and the two girls sat at a bench together by the door. Bianca still looked tiny in the car seat Maggie was carrying.

“I bundled her up. She’s so little,” Maggie said.

Bundled
was a bit of an understatement, in Isa’s opinion. Bianca couldn’t have caught a chill if there’d been one in a thirty-mile radius. But Isa just smiled.

“How’s Ethan doing?” Maggie asked.

“He’s okay. He just got home yesterday and he’s already feeling bored today. But don’t worry. I’m not going to let him do anything crazy like buy a new business.”

Maggie chuckled. “So what’s happening with you guys? Things seem to be getting serious.”

Isa shrugged. “We’ll see, I guess. He needs me right now.”

Maggie touched Isa’s shoulder. “And what about you, Isa? Do you need him?”

“I really care about him, Mags,” Isa said. “I keep hoping… How do you know if a relationship will last?”

“Relationships last because people
make
them last, Isa,” Maggie said, her words soft and kind but honest. “It doesn’t just happen. It takes work. It takes sacrifice, forgiveness, loyalty and grace.”

José pulled the car up and Maggie asked Isa to take some pictures as they loaded Bianca into the car for the first time. Happy to oblige, Isa took several photos and then hugged Maggie tightly before she and José climbed in their SUV. Isa waved as they drove away. She thought of the excitement of entering the hospital as a couple and then leaving as a family of three. She wondered if such a day would ever be in her future.

Isa stopped by the café on her way back to Ethan’s apartment. There were more customers than she would have expected for so late in the afternoon. She immediately started helping bus tables. She passed Jenny on the way back to the kitchen.

“Thanks, Isa. We’ve been busy today,” Jenny told her as they rubbed shoulders coming in and out of the kitchen.

“I can tell!” Isa said.

She waited till after closing to talk to Mark. “We’ve got to have more help if Ethan’s not coming back anytime soon. Carson is only part-time,” he said.

“I know. Ethan knows, too. I’m going over there as soon as I leave and I’ll talk to him.”

Mark nodded. Isa finished helping the girls clean the dining room and then left for Ethan’s. Checking the clock, she knew she’d need to rest sometime before her shift.

She heated up one of Leo’s frozen meals and then sat on the love seat across from where Ethan sat on the sofa while they ate dinner together.

“The café was busy when I stopped by.” Isa broached the topic carefully.

Ethan’s eyes brightened. Then his brow furrowed.

“Was Mark able to handle the rush?”

“He needs help,” Isa said.

Ethan nodded. “I’ll have to hire someone.”

“I have someone in mind,” Isa said, her eyes on the fettuccini on her plate.

“Really?” Ethan asked, interested. “Who? Do they have experience cooking or waiting tables?”

“Oh, both. Lots of experience.”

“Sounds good. Can you get me a résumé?”

“Sure. But I’ll have to update it. My current job history is more medical than culinary.”

Ethan looked confused. “You’re talking about…you? You have a job, Isa.”

She set her plate on the coffee table and looked at Ethan. “Just hear me out. You need help. I’m willing. You don’t have to say yes, of course. It’s up to you. But I’ve talked to my supervisor and I can cut down my hours. I’d only be working one night shift every other week. The rest of the time, I can work at the café. I can cook, if that’s where you need me most.”

“Could you also be the manager?” Ethan asked. Isa paused in disbelief.

“You want me to oversee the café and the workers?”

He nodded. “I trust you more than anyone, Isa. I know you’ll do a great job.”

Isa let those words sink in.

“So…you’re saying yes?” she asked.

“I’m saying thank you. And I insist on paying you, but I’m not sure I can match what you’re making at the hospital.”

She smiled. “Lucky for you, I’m willing to work for less.”

“Charity case, am I?”

She laughed. “Does that bother you?”

“Not if it means you’re going to be working at my café.”

Isa kept giggling.

“What’s so funny?” Ethan wondered.

“I’m just thinking of how Leo and my father are going to react to the news that I’m now cooking for and managing a café. I’ve balked at the thought of working for Romano’s ever since I graduated high school.”

“I know you’re not a fan of restaurant life, Isa. The fact that you’re willing to do this for me—well, it means a lot,” Ethan said seriously.

The laughter faded from Isa, but the smile remained. She liked Ethan’s ruffled hair, the intense look in his eyes, the Company 51 T-shirt that was obviously his favorite, gauging by the fraying sleeves and holes near the neckline. In short, she liked everything about Ethan. She liked him so much that working in his kitchen didn’t even sound like a sacrifice to her.

“I’ll talk with Mark tomorrow and ask him to show you how to make all the menu items. I know you’ll catch on quickly. I mean, you practically rewrote the recipe for my corn chowder.”

“True,” Isa said with a dramatic sigh.

* * *

Isa spent the next few days shadowing Mark and cooking more than she had for the past several years. She’d forgotten how much work it was to produce enough food to feed a restaurant filled with people. After training with Mark, she’d go back to Ethan’s apartment and continue practicing for hours, with Ethan to direct her and make sure she was making each dish according to what he wanted.

Her first morning as manager/chef of the Second Chance Café found Isa to be a nervous wreck. She arrived early, trying to steady her nerves as she prepped her workstation. She walked around the empty kitchen, drinking an espresso while memorizing every corner of the kitchen.

Father, I can’t believe I’m doing this. I didn’t expect to be so scared. What if I can’t run this kitchen?

Isa nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of a knock on the exit door. She glanced at the clock and realized that the knock probably came from Mark. She walked over and opened the door.

“Leo!” she cried, throwing her arms around him. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that an espresso?” he asked. “I’d love one.”

“Come with me to the coffee bar. Now, I repeat, what are you doing here? It’s the crack of dawn!”

Leo sat perched on a barstool while Isa made him an espresso.

“I’m here because
you’re
here. I’m not going to miss my sister’s first day as a chef.”

The catch in Isa’s throat was immediate. She swallowed hard. “I’m terrified,” she confessed.

Leo seemed unfazed. “Of course you are. This is a big deal. You don’t want to mess things up.”

Isa crossed her arms. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. I feel
so
much better now.”

Leo sipped his espresso. “You’re not going to mess up, Isa.”

“How do you know?” Isa asked meekly.

“Because being in the kitchen is second nature to you. And I know from experience how bossy you can be. In other words, you’re a natural-born leader, little sister. Don’t let your nerves tell you otherwise. Don’t forget, I’ve tried to get you to work for me for years. I know you’ve got the Romano-family instinct when it comes to cooking.”

Isa smiled, absorbing her brother’s confidence in her. “I couldn’t handle you trying to tell me what to do and you know it.”

Leo laughed. “That’s for sure.”

“Do you have any tips for me?”

“Yes. Make sure you enjoy your work. And don’t forget to eat. There were so many times that I worked hours upon hours without stopping to eat. The result is a chef who barks orders at people and has a short temper. Take breaks. Hydrate. Ask for help. Delegate. You’re the one who reminded me to delegate, Isa. And it was good advice.”

“I just can’t believe I’m doing this. I’ve avoided restaurant life for as long as I’ve had a choice in the matter. But here I am, back in the kitchen.”

Leo chuckled. “And Ethan didn’t even have to ask. You just volunteered for him.”

“I guess you’re right.” A tiny smile made its way to Isa’s face. “Leo, thanks for showing up for me this morning.” Isa looked across the bar at her older brother and a million pictures raced across her memory. She could see them at the breakfast table when they were still in elementary school; she could see Leo teaching her to play basketball; she could picture them racing down the stairs together every Christmas morning during her childhood.

Her heart twinged at all the memories. She loved her brother. And the fact that he was sitting at the Second Chance Café coffee bar at five in the morning told her how much he loved her.

Seek and you will find me.

Isa closed her eyes for a moment.
Thank You, Father. You sent my big brother to be with me, to help calm my nerves, didn’t you? I know You’re here with me, too.

“I need to finish prepping,” Isa told Leo, glancing at her watch. Leo downed the rest of his espresso, then slapped the top of the bar and stood up.

“Let’s prep, then, Isa.”

“If you’re staying, I’m putting you to work,” Isa warned him.

“Just tell me where you want me, Chef,” Leo answered.

Chef.

Isa tied her apron around her waist and waved as Mark entered the kitchen. She took a deep breath. All the butterflies in her stomach couldn’t squelch the feeling that she was exactly where she wanted to be. The Second Chance Café needed her. And maybe more importantly, Ethan Carter needed her.