Chapter Nineteen
It was official. Kelley could fly now.
She ended the phone call where she had just been offered the head chef position at an award-winning fine dining restaurant in a luxury resort in Las Vegas.
Kelley now had everything she needed—a job. Exactly what she wanted—a place to make her culinary mark. And no further reason to stay in Gold Finch.
She pressed her palms flat on the metal desk in the Galloping Fork Diner office and searched for that joy. Any minute it was going to sweep through her and she would be beyond thrilled. Kelley watched the second hand tick around the wall clock hanging above the door and waited.
Nothing.
She was flattered, of course.
Honored to be selected.
Pleased with such a solid offer.
But ecstatic or elated or even delighted—she was not feeling that.
Pushing out of the creaky chair, Kelley gave up the wait and went in search of Frannie and her mom to give them the good news. She was frowning when she pushed through the swinging door into the dining area and stepped into a full-scale summer garden party.
Dozens of floral horse collars were propped on chairs around the room.
More flowers in a burst of rainbow colors waited in vases and buckets.
There were yards of shimmery ribbon spools.
So many sequins. Hot glue guns. Needles and thread.
Bright costumes. Cowboy hats. Cowboy boots.
Laughter. Too many folks to count. And such beautiful chaos that Kelley’s smile bloomed from cheek to cheek.
The dance team shouted her name and waved from the other side of the room.
Kelley found a path over to the group of spirited teenage girls, stopping to chat with locals on the way.
Finally, she reached the girls, and their excitement at volunteering washed over her as they presented her with one of their floral garlands now adorned with beautifully intricate bows in coordinating colors.
Encouraging them to keep going, Kelley spun around when her name was shouted again.
Frannie and Amy Peterson, the head coach of the dance and cheer teams, motioned to her from a window booth. But Kelley was stopped by the florist, Nora, who recommended that Kelley sell her miniature strawberry cake towers and signed up on the spot for a standing weekly order.
Finally, she reached her sister’s booth. Frannie promptly climbed out and dropped a gold circlet onto Kelley’s head. Amy lifted up Kelley’s costume for her to see, a perfect outfit representing Strength for their Heart of a Champion parade float—a crimson suede split skirt with a fitted top.
The dance coach looked happy with the team’s efforts. “We added antique gold trim to your skirt and your top to match what we added to Maple’s red saddle blanket.”
“We are going for bold, deep red and antique gold for courage and heart to represent strength,” Frannie explained. “We want you to feel fierce and elegant.”
Kelley drew her finger over the subtle shimmer in the metallic thread and appreciated every stitch. “I approve.”
Frannie fist-bumped Amy, then Frannie wrapped her arms around Kelley and said, “Glad you like it. If this is our last parade together, I want to make sure we go out in style.”
Last parade with her sisters… Kelley startled and swallowed around the sudden knot in her throat.
She hugged Frannie a little bit tighter.
They debated the trim for the three sashes—one for strength, stamina and speed—that each sister would wear.
Picked the flowing chiffon ribbons for Frannie’s speed theme.
And designed a flower crown for Laura-Beth’s stamina costume.
The cheer team captains came to find out if Kelley had more caramel apple bites. A quick trip to the kitchen and the captains took the platters to hand out the sweet treats. More than one local recommended adding the caramel apple bites to the secret special menu Kelley was supposedly building.
Kelley chuckled and eyed Beatrice and Lynette. “I thought a secret special menu was supposed to be, well, secret.”
Beatrice chuckled loudly. “It’s not a secret for friends and family, Kelley.”
Lynette grinned and spread her arms wide. “And we are your community, Kelley. You’re stuck with us.”
Stuck with them. No, Kelley was lucky to have them. She turned around to refill water glasses and pulled up to avoid bumping into Rosalind Sterling.
Rosalind wrapped her in a warm embrace. “What wonderful fun this evening has been.”
Kelley nodded and said, “I’m glad you are enjoying yourself.”
“I’m even more excited for the parade tomorrow.” Rosalind trailed behind the lunch counter. Rosalind continued, “Now, I was talking to a few of the teachers from the high school earlier.”
Kelley scooped ice into a pitcher and filled it with water, only half-listening. A burst of laughter from the widows’ corner caught her attention. Smiling, she glanced at Rosalind.
The former high school principal resumed speaking. “And there are a handful of students interested in culinary arts, so we thought it would be quite beneficial if you spoke to them.”
Kelley blinked and sputtered, “Me?”
“You’re talented, experienced, and I believe you can offer them sound advice,” Rosalind said.
Kelley set the pitcher on the counter. “You want me to mentor potential culinary arts students.”
Rosalind’s eyes widened, her expression delighted. “Oh, that would be above and beyond. I can only imagine how grateful the students would be.”
Kelley knew how grateful she was for her grandfather and Trudy taking her under their wings for so many years. Now she was getting the chance to pay it forward. And that felt more than right. Kelley nodded. “I would like that.”
“We won’t overwhelm you,” Rosalind assured her. “We will work around your schedule. My, this is very exciting.”
It was. Very exciting. She apparently had a community behind her and now she was getting involved even more. And that joy Kelley had searched so hard for in the office after her call finally began to surface.
The diner’s front door swung open, and Pauline swept in, a brilliant smile on her face and a glow all about her. She tossed her arms over her head and announced loudly, “I accepted an offer!”
The tile floor seemed to give way under her boots. Kelley braced her hand on the lunch counter.
“It’s an offer for my hand in marriage!” Pauline flashed her left hand and revealed a beautiful diamond ring.
Kelley gaped and took in the bold sparkler adorning her boss’s finger.
“I am going to be Mrs. Eric Grahame.” Pauline pressed her hands to her cheeks. Her eyes flared wide. She hopped in place and shouted excitedly, “I’m getting hitched, and everyone is invited to the wedding.”
Cheers and congratulations resounded from every corner of the dining area. Hugs followed and good cheer swelled again and uplifted the gathering even more.
Pauline finally made her way over to the lunch counter and plopped down on a stool. She set her elbows on the counter and marveled at her engagement ring. A hint of breathless wonder brightened her words. “Kelley, I’m getting married.”
“Congratulations are definitely in order.” Kelley set a cup of hot water and a mint tea bag in front of her boss and asked, “When did this happen?”
“Tonight. At dinner,” Pauline sighed as if she still did not quite believe it was true. “Eric cooked spaghetti and meatballs at his place. You know that’s my favorite.”
Kelley raised her eyebrows.
“It was quiet. Private.” One more long sigh and Pauline added, “Romantic and absolutely perfect.”
“It sounds like it.”
“Do you know he was worried it wasn’t flashy enough? Not grand enough.” Pauline chuckled and fixed her tea. “I told him I’m too old for such nonsense.”
“Pauline,” Kelley scolded her boss. “Don’t say that.”
“Then you don’t think I’m too old to be a blushing bride?” Pauline looked at Kelley.
“I don’t think you’re too old to be anything,” Kelley assured her. “Especially in love and happy.”
“Thank you for that.” Pauline took a big breath and released it. “I don’t think I’ll be able to stop smiling even if I try. I might fall asleep smiling.”
“As you should,” Kelley said and envied her boss. How precious it was to be so full of joy that her smile could not be contained.
The parade preparations continued, but wedding chatter also swirled through the conversations.
The evening finally drew to a close with Coach Amy declaring it was time for everyone to go home and get a good night’s rest. Parade participation required high energy and enthusiasm, no yawning or tired waves.
It was some time later when, once the kitchen and dining room were cleaned up, Frannie, Pauline and Kelley collapsed into a booth and propped their feet up on the opposite bench.
“Nice work, ladies.” Pauline leaned her head back and considered Frannie and Kelley across the table from her. “You know all these flowers gives this place a botanical, outdoorsy vibe.”
“Don’t tell me you want to do a botanical-themed menu,” Kelley said, playfully.
“No,” Pauline retorted. “But what about outdoor dining?”
Kelley shifted on the bench and smiled. “Like summer patio dining.”
“Yes, but make it once a week,” Pauline said.
“A summer Friday night date night on the patio,” Frannie chimed in.
“I like that,” Pauline said. “A special summertime event with a special menu curated by Kelley.”
Her own menu at the diner. That intrigued her.
Kelley lowered her feet to the floor and sat up straighter.
Even more, she felt her excitement begin to stir.
However, the idea of her own menu was just the beginning.
Kelley cleared her throat and decided to stop standing still and jump in.
“Pauline, I’ve got an offer for you, too. ”
“I’m happy to be your travel companion, Kelley, but my home base is here now,” Pauline said, with conviction.
“As it should be,” Kelley replied. “You are engaged now and from the sounds of things soon to be married.”