11. Chapter 11
This morning’s breakfast rush was everything I hoped it would be. Everyone was raving about the pancakes and all the women thought the heart shaped bacon was such a cute touch. I added a fruit bowl with cantaloupe cut with small heart shaped cutters.
It was a total hit. Which is great for the inn, and the bakery.
Now I’m back in the kitchen to start making a strawberry cheese danish and donuts for Emerald Roasters. And while those bake, I have to make picnic baskets for some of the guests who are going out on snowmobiles later. With the added meals at the inn I’m spending a lot of extra time in the kitchen.
Alone in the kitchen, however, means extra time to dwell on Liam. Emma is going to take care of some housekeeping in the rooms so I don’t even have her to distract me.
I grab the puff pastry I made yesterday, and the strawberries from the refrigerator. The fresh strawberry jam is my favorite part of this breakfast delicacy.
As I slice the strawberries, I note to myself that I didn’t see Liam this morning during breakfast. I don’t know why I keep getting my hopes up with him. He hasn’t texted me back, and he hasn’t come to the inn. It’s like he’s actively avoiding it because of me. The more time that passes, the more the anger takes over.
“Oh my God, that was such a good rush this morning!” Emma bursts through the kitchen door.
“It was a good turnout.” I say stirring in some sugar to the strawberries on the stove.
“Why don’t you sound more excited?” She leans a hip on the counter next to the stove.
“I am! I passed out a lot of cards for people to order before they leave, so that’s great,” I say, a little more animated and cheerful.
“But, Liam didn’t show up?” She raises her eyebrows in my direction.
“He didn’t. I don’t know why I expected him to. He hasn’t made any effort to talk to me in two days. Honestly, if he acts this childish, it just pisses me off.”
“I get it. But he’s struggling lately. He’s had a really tough time. Not saying that excuses his behavior. But just give him some time.” She places her hand on my shoulder .
“Yeah, sure, I’ll just—” The bell from the front desk cuts me off.
“Sorry, be right back.”
I slide my jam off the burner to let it cool, and start pulling out the items to make the sandwiches for the guests’ picnic basket.
Wiping my hands on my apron, I walk out into the main room to check the status of what’s left from earlier. I don’t get far before I hear Emma talking about me.
“This is Violet, she’s our chef here, so if you need any meals prepared for lunch or dinner, just let her know. She usually keeps the fridge stocked though. Breakfast items are put out every morning for the guests as well,” Emma explains to the guest checking in.
I’m not sure why she points me out specifically. Usually she just tells the guests and we have a paper request form they can fill out and leave on the island for me.
“Hi, it’s so nice to meet you,” I extend my hand to the man.
“It’s lovely to meet you as well.” His eyes roam up and down my body and I want to shy away under his intense gaze.
There is something so familiar about this man. I swear I know him, but I can’t figure out from where. He fits the bill of every asshole I ever met at Larry’s parties or election events. The typical New York Wall Street guy.
“I have jam on the stove, I need to get back to the kitchen but please let me know if you need anything.”
I scurry back to the kitchen, grateful to be away from him. Something about the way he looks at me makes me feel uncomfortable, along with the feeling that I know him .
I’m just packing up the sandwiches into the cooler when Emma comes back into the kitchen.
“Damn girl, he was hot, and clearly interested in you!” Emma says excitedly.
“You think? He was a little intense with the staring.” I scrunch my nose up.
“He’s from New York City too, maybe it’s just one of those aggressive New Yorker personality trait things?”
“Maybe that’s why he seems so familiar. I swear I know him. But I don’t know from where. What is his name?” I know New York City is big, but his face is so familiar.
“Alexander Williams. He said he’s here on business. But I don’t know what he actually does. I didn’t ask because I was too busy trying to figure out if he’s as muscular as I think under his suit.” She winks at me.
“The name doesn’t sound familiar. Maybe I’ve just seen him around, we did a lot of catering for businesses on Wall Street with the culinary school. He seems like the type to be on Wall Street.” I place the cover on the cooler and push it to the side of the island for the guests to pick up when they’re ready.
“Maybe. Either way, you should get to know him. He is clearly interested and I bet it would motivate Liam to get his shit together!” Emma grabs a stool and sits at the island. I guess she’s here to stay, good thing I don’t mind the company.
I don’t know if her plan is a good one though. Liam never has been one to play games. He wants whatever you have to say to be said straight. So I don’t know that I would want to make him talk to me by making him jealous. The risk of that plan backfiring on me is too high .
I think the better option would be to package up some pastries and donuts and deliver them to him. Force myself into his space so he can’t avoid me anymore.
I smile to myself at the plan. As soon as these are done, I will pack them up and find him in the barn. I’ve noticed the light on in there late into the night the last two nights.
I mix up my strawberry jam and cream cheese to throw into the refrigerator, all the while crafting what I want to say to Liam.
It’s been a long day in the kitchen. I’ve only gotten about an hour break to sit by the fire and eat my lunch in between preparing meals, breakfasts, pastries, and picnics. I’m glad for the extra money to help Gran and Liam but I’ll be even more glad to be done tonight.
I’ve just packaged the strawberry cheese danish and the donuts for Liam in our signature Sweet Violets packaging when someone comes into the kitchen.
“Hi, I just came for some dinner, don’t let me bother you.” Alexander, the guest from New York walks to the refrigerator.
“No bother at all. I was just finishing up. The meals are organized together. There is meatloaf with mashed potatoes and vegetables, Chicken fajita bowls, and I just added some sandwiches with pasta salad.”
I turn away to place the box for Liam by my phone while he chooses a meal .
“Do I just heat this up in the microwave here or is there another spot for guests?” He gestures toward the microwave with the chicken fajita bowl he chose.
“Here is fine.” I nod in return.
I stack the boxes of pastries for Emerald Roasters on the counter. Wyatt is going to stop by and grab them after his shift tonight so he can drop them off for me. I think he only offers so I will cook him breakfast.
“Would you care to sit and chat? I’ve been in meetings all day and could go for a friendly conversation about the area.” He pushes the stool out with one foot.
I chew on my bottom lip, hesitantly taking in the situation. I really want to find Liam so I can relax and continue reading the book he found for me.
I glance out the window and see that the barn lights are off still, so he isn’t back in there yet. I sneak another glance over at Alexander. He seems to be enjoying his meal instead of the view of my body so maybe it wouldn’t be awful to stay and talk while I wait for Liam to head into the barn.
“Sure. I can do that.” Going to the refrigerator I pull out a sandwich and pasta salad for myself.
After an entire day of cooking, even the microwave seems like a lot of work.
I join Alexander at the island, “What brings you to Balsam Cliffs?”
“I work for a large company in New York City, we acquire other businesses and I am checking out a business nearby to analyze the risks and rewards to see if it’s worth acquiring.”
“Oh, that sounds…interesting.” I take another bite of food to avoid more conversation. I know his type. Arrogant. Works for a conglomerate that eats up mom and pop shops for breakfast and spits out a chain in its place.
“Not really.” He half-heartedly chuckles, “But it pays the bills.”
And clearly very well judging by the brand of his suit and the fact that he’s still buttoned up tight with a tie at the end of a weekend day spent working.
“How about you? You own a bakery in town?”
“No. My Grandmother owns it. It’s currently under renovation but we had contracts to fill here at the inn and the coffee shop in town. So the Keatons were kind enough to let me work in their kitchen.” He stares at me as if waiting for more information.
I look down at his bowl to see that he has to be the world’s slowest eater.
“The Keatons are?” He waves his hand around in the air like I should have known this was his question without him saying a thing.
“The family that owns and operates this inn. It’s been in their family for generations. Liam, the current owner is third generation.” I answer with a pride in my voice for all Liam is accomplishing with the inn.
“So what brings people to Balsam Cliffs then as a tourist?” He finally takes another bite of his dinner.
“Well the inn is connected to the trails for off road vehicles, the hiking is incredible in this area, the beaches, or just a quiet kind of off-grid break.”
“That sounds...quaint.” His face scrunches in disgust at the thought of being off grid .
The kitchen door once again opens and I’ve never been so thankful for an interruption. Except that it’s Liam’s face I see when he comes through.
“Oh, uh, I need some dinner. I didn’t think anyone would still be here.” He stammers out, his eyes bouncing back and forth between Alexander and I.
“I bet you didn’t.” I give him a knowing look, letting him know that his avoidance of me isn’t so secretive.
He glares at me, and turns to Alexander, “Hi, I’m Liam Keaton. I see you’ve met Violet.”
“Oh the owner! Nice to meet you. I’m Alexander Williams. I’ll be staying here for the week, and a few times over the next couple of weeks for work.” He puts on a sickeningly fake smile, so much so I almost roll my eyes at him.
“Great.” Liam answers, but doesn’t sound like he actually thinks it is great.
He reaches into the refrigerator and pulls out a sandwich like I did. Except instead of leaving he pulls a stool right up next to me, sitting so close that our thighs brush together.
Before he opens his meal, he places his hand on my thigh and leans in to kiss my cheek while keeping eye contact with Alexander.
I stiffen under his touch. I wasn’t ready for the jealousy game that he wants to play.
Only Alexander doesn’t break eye contact with Liam either, and now I’m in the middle of some awkward as hell pissing match between the two men who don’t seem to be thinking of me at all.
I push my stool back hard enough that it falls over. I step over it to bring my container to the sink and right the stool. I grab my phone and the box for Liam. When I get close enough I drop it on the island in front of him, far enough up that the thud is audible and the pastries are likely broken.
Fuck him. He deserves no pastries after this stunt.
“These were for you. I was going to come find you after but since you’re here you can take them yourself. Have a good night out in the barn.” I turn to face the other man in the room. “Alexander, I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening. I would recommend relaxing by the fire in the living room. It’s beautiful at night.”
I turn and leave the kitchen. Marching my ass right up the steps into my room, ignoring Emma’s open door policy and opting for a hot bubble bath instead.
Fuck them. How dare they act like I’m some commodity to win over and lay claim to. That’s no different than Linda and Larry using me for their own damn image.
I slam around in my room, finding cozy pajamas to lay out and running the bath. I pour in extra bubbles than needed and set up my tray that goes across the tub and holds a glass of wine and my laptop for some trashy television in the tub.
I’ve never been more proud of myself for the forethought of buying those small wine bottles at the grocery store. I twist open my merlot and slide into the hot bubbles.
I sink down further, grateful that Emma convinced Liam to go with the tubs big enough for two. The hot water soothes my sore muscles from the day.
My mind however is racing. How dare Liam kiss my cheek in a display of ownership over me in front of Alexander. And Alexander, what the hell does he think he’s going to get from staring like a creep and then locking eyes daring Liam .
My phone dings with a text message, I bring my arm out from the bubbles and grab my phone to see Liam’s name flash.
Liam: I’m sorry.
Liam: Thank you for the pastries, they’re delicious. But I had to share some. photo of a black cat eating the cheese mixture off the danish.
If he thinks that’s enough, he’s dead fucking wrong.