Chapter Twenty-Five
“We’ve got a thirty-minute wait for a table,” Florence announced as she barrelled into the kitchen, grabbing two breadbaskets. “Dang it. We’re gonna need more biscuits for lunch, Jamie.”
“Got it.” Jamie stirred the extra-large pan on the stove, making more sausage gravy. The last batch had run completely out, even though Walter had made extra and tried to stretch it as far as he could.
“Minnie, do you have a second to make more coffee. We’re totally out.”
“I can’t.” Minnie was scrambling as she cut more lemons for iced tea.
Salzy and Joesph came in the back door. Jamie looked up. “Can one of you make coffee. Might need two pots?”
“Holy cow,” Salzy looked at the pile of dirty dishes stacked up, some even on the floor.
“How do I make coffee?” Joesph asked, hurrying over to the drink station.
“Open one of those dark brown packets in the box on the lower shelf. Pour it into the basket over the burner. Make sure there is a pot under it and then hit that red start button. Then do the other pot beside it,” Florence said as she hefted up a large tray, stacked with food.
Joesph was already opening the packet. “Don’t I have to put water in it?”
“No, it’s plumbed in,” Jamie answered.
“I’ll jump on these dishes,” Salzy said as he put on a plastic apron.
“Can I get two stainless-steel bowls cleaned and at the ready?” Jamie asked, still stirring the gravy, shaking black pepper over it.
“On it,” Salzy answered, the sprayer already in hand.
“What else can I do?” Joesph asked.
“Cut lemon wedges,” Hazel said as she filled a pitcher of tea for refills. “Oh, and then make some more tea.”
Jamie watched as Timmy and Dexter were working together as fast as they could, helping each other in getting orders out. I’m going to have to hire more kitchen staff than I first thought. This is crazy busy.
“Uh, how do I make tea?” Joesph asked, looking into the large empty urn that usually held the finished tea.
“Okay, Walter, this should see you through to the end of breakfast.” Jamie held a large spoon over the skillet. “You need anything else?”
“I can handle this for a few minutes.” Walter glanced up at Jamie. “Doesn’t mean I can’t use your help in a bit, though.”
“Yell if you need me.” Jamie turned to Joesph. “I’m coming.”
“Are you always this busy?” Joesph asked.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen it so busy,” Jamie answered as he moved one of the freshly brewed pots of coffee to a side warmer. “I’ll give you a quick walk-through on the tea. Thanks for jumping in. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s all good. I don’t mind. It gives me a lot of information on how things work, which makes for better designs.”
Jamie nodded as he continued the tea-making education.
“This is the last of the strawberry pie,” Minnie called out.
“86, the strawberry pie,” Jamie yelled out, then wrote it on the chalkboard by the swinging doors.
“86 the country fried steak,” Dexter hollered. “I’ll pull some out of the freezer for lunch, but that will be the end of it.”
“Jamie, we’re close to running out of eggs,” Walter said as he hustled out of the walk-in. “This is just nuts.”
“The wait is over for tables,” Flo stated loudly, coming into the kitchen. “I think the worst of it is over. It won’t be long before the lunch crowd starts, though.”
“Mike’s here,” Hazel announced as she got a fresh glass of iced tea. “Who made tea?”
“I did,” Joesph answered, cutting more lemons.
“Bless you, child.” She kissed Joesph on the cheek. “You want me to send Mike back here or seat him in the dining room?”
“Out in the dining room,” Jamie answered. He stopped for a moment. “On second thought, can you send him back here, please, Hazel?”
Jamie took a moment to take a quick inventory of things that they were either out of or about to run out of.
“Here he is,” Hazel said, rushing Mike into the kitchen.
“Uh... Hi,” Mike said as Minnie scooted around him, giving him a weak smile.
“Hi.” Jamie wiped both hands on his apron. “I have a really big favour to ask you.”
“Sure.”
“Excuse me,” Florence said as she pushed Mike further into the kitchen and away from the swinging door. “Bad place to be standing.”
Mike only laughed while still looking at Jamie. “What can I do to help?”
It took Jamie a few seconds to get his brain to function. Mike just looked so sexy in his uniform. “Uh... I was wondering if you could, possibly, maybe... run to the store for me? We’re running out of just about everything, and we still have lunch to go.”
“Hey, Joesph,” Salzy called across the kitchen. “Think you could stack these plates over next to Walter?”
“Sure.” Joesph jogged over towards the dish pit.
Mike’s eyes were bigger as he watched the controlled chaos of the kitchen. He turned back to Jamie. “Sure. Not a problem.”
Jamie handed the man a list and his new debit card. “I put my cell number at the bottom of the list. Call me if you have any questions.”
Mike read the list, nodding his head. “You really want that many strawberries?”
“Yes, if they have them. If not, just grab all the berries you can.”
“Twelve dozen extra-large eggs?”
“Yes. Oh... and...” Jamie took the list back, pulled a pen from his chest pocket, “And four pounds of butter.”
Mike’s eyes were wide.
“When you come back, pull around to the back door.” Jamie looked up at the very handsome man. “I promise to make it up to you.”
Mike laughed. Jamie thought he could feel the laugh go through his chest. It was deep and grumbly. I’d really like to know what sounds he makes in bed. Jamie blinked his eyes several times. Where did that come from?
Joesph had pulled on a plastic apron and was helping Salzy with the backed up dishes, and pots, and pans. Walter was scrubbing down the flattop. Dexter was slicing tomatoes. Timmy was forming burgers. Jamie was making biscuits as quickly as he could.
“Are we going to have any chicken fried steak for lunch?” Hazel asked.
“What about pie?” Florence leaned against the wall, next to the drink station, catching her breath as she fanned herself with a paper plate.
“Yes, to both.” Jamie looked up. “I sent Mike to the store. I’ve already got the pie crust made, so I hope to be making at least three more pies.”
“Jamie, just to let you know,” Florence pushed away from the wall, “But I’m too old for this.”
“If you’re that old, then you shouldn’t be flirting with customers.” Jamie grinned as he saw the look of indignation on the woman’s face.
Hazel and Walter both started laughing and laughing hard.
Florence squinted her eyes at Jamie. “If you weren’t the boss... I’d... I’d do something. I don’t know what right off, but it would be something!”
Everyone in the kitchen laughed at that, even Joesph.
Mike walked into the kitchen via the back door. “What’s so funny? What I miss?”
“We were just discussing Flo’s age,” Jamie said.
Everyone started laughing, again.
“Well... I never!” Florence stood up straight and started toward the dining room.
“Hell, at your age, I bet you’ve done it at least twice!” Jamie yelled out after her.
Hazel had bent over at the waist, and she was laughing so hard. “Oh, Jamie, you’ve gone and done it now. That red hair on her head prob’ly has a hornet’s nest in it.”
Mike chuckled along with the others. “I’ve got all the stuff you asked for.” He thumbed over his shoulder.
“Salzy, Dexter, can you guys get the supplies out of Mike’s truck, please?” Jamie held up his flour-covered hands.
The two men followed Mike out the back door.
Jamie couldn’t help but notice Mike’s butt, which looked like two fine hams, tightly wrapped in khaki. Oh... My... God. Jamie had to shake his head to get his focus back to what he was doing.