Chapter 14Stella
Chapter Fourteen
Stella
Orchid was bustling with the dinner crowd, plates clinking and glasses chiming in a way that was like a beautiful melody to me. I stood at the pass, my mood buoyant. Last night’s date had wrapped me in a rather unexpected cocoon of bliss that not even the busy evening rush could penetrate.
“Stella, table five loved your dorado catch of the day,” chirped Lucy, our ever-energetic server, as she whizzed past me with two empty plates.
“Thanks! Glad to hear it.” My lips curved into a smile. I’d completely revamped the menu, putting my own signature stamp on it, and my feet wanted to dance at how well it was going over with diners.
I continued to check orders, my hands moving unconsciously, even as my mind wandered. The gentle rock of Aiden’s boat, the salt in the air mixing with his scent, and the moonlight, all taking me back to that kiss—it was all etched in my memory.
The way he’d looked at me, with that intensity that seemed to see right through to the center of me, made my stomach do somersaults. Aiden Mitchell was no longer the determined boy who had left Dove Key in his wake. He was now a man, steady and sure, his blue eyes reflecting the depth of the ocean he so loved.
I was still processing his story. He’d hurt me deeply, and part of me didn’t want to find sympathy for him. But somehow, I had. And now I had a name to go with the missing years. Ainsley. And instead of feeling outrage and betrayal, compassion had filled me for their shattered relationship. Then a sense of relief that she was firmly in his rear-view mirror. As Aiden had recited the tale, regret had been written all over him, along with the deep desire to make up for his mistakes. He was here and wanted to be with me. Now.
The fluttering in my abdomen gave way to a familiar tug of war within me. Our complicated history wasn’t the only issue in our way. My career was my current love, and Orchid was the ambitious venture that consumed all my attention. Could I really afford to lose focus now? Yet, the idea of Aiden wanting to win me back, to prove we were worth a second shot, made my smile return.
Because, despite the heartache and the catharsis, that kiss was what I kept returning to. I wanted more of that.
“Chef, table seven sent this back.” This time when Lucy returned, her tone was apologetic. She placed a dish in front of me. “They said the risotto is… overdone.” Her pause let me know the diner had said more than that.
“Overdone?” My jaw dropped, and my feet didn’t feel like dancing anymore. I had made the dish myself. I glanced down at the creamy swirl of shrimp risotto, the pink crustaceans peeking through like hidden treasures. Tasting a spoonful, I let the flavors settle on my tongue. It was cooked to perfection, just the right bite to the rice, the richness of the stock marrying beautifully with the seafood.
“Lucy, this is exactly how it’s supposed to be.” My frustration simmered beneath my calm exterior.
Lucy rolled her eyes. “I know. This guest has been complaining about everything since she got here. She ate at Dorado this afternoon and I heard all about it. The coffee was too hot, the toast on her sandwich too crispy?—”
I shook my head decisively. “Doesn’t matter. The last thing I want is her unhappy and making a scene. Tell the woman I’m sorry to hear the risotto wasn’t acceptable. I can make her another one, but risotto isn’t Minute Rice. It’ll take a little while.”
But Lucy was already shaking her head. “She said she doesn’t want a replacement.”
I schooled my face into a mask of professional regret. “Offer her a dessert on the house, then. Maybe the lemon panna cotta? That’s Rea’s specialty and everyone loves it.”
“You got it.” Lucy nodded, already pivoting on her heel to smooth things over.
As she scurried away, I stared at the offending dish. Doubt crept in, wrapping its gnarled fingers around my confidence. Was it perfect, though? Orchid was the culinary heart of the Lower Keys. Every dish that left my kitchen carried my reputation with it. And my dreams.
“Chef, you okay?” asked Luis, concern furrowing his brow.
“Fine,” I lied, plastering a smile on my face. “I think I’ll step out for some fresh air for a few minutes, though.”
He nodded, looking unconvinced, and returned to his station. I drew a deep breath, the familiar scents of thyme and garlic grounding me. I couldn’t let self-doubt sabotage me. Not when I had fought tooth and nail to get here. Orchid was my vision brought to life, and I’d be damned if I let one persnickety guest shake my resolve.
Stepping out the back door, the bracing air was a welcome respite. The breeze tousled my hair as I walked toward the covered outdoor area where guests often enjoyed their meals al fresco.
But my reprieve was short-lived when I saw several empty hangers dangling from wrought iron posts along the path. Empty hangers where handmade lanterns should have been. I stopped cold, gaping at the edge of the path. The lanterns weren’t just decorations. They were antiques that had hung for decades, part of the Calypso Key legacy .
Like the orchids that had gone missing.
And the hedge trimmers might not be ornamental, but they hadn’t grown fins and swum away either.
“Ben Coleridge,” I muttered under my breath. It had to be. All the thefts had taken place outdoors, where he worked. And God knew he’d never accomplished anything productive or upstanding in his whole sorry life. My phone vibrated in the pocket of my chef’s jacket. Pulling it out, I saw Hunter’s name flashing on the screen. A smile tugged at my lips despite my frustration. “Hey, you.”
“How’s my big sister doing?”
The smile dropped off my face. I glared at the ground, dirt scattered on the side of the path. “It’s been a pretty stressful shift. And it’s only half over.”
“You sound pissed. What’s up?”
“You have great timing. I just noticed several missing lanterns outside Orchid. You know, the antique ones?” I paced, kicking at an innocent pebble. “And of course, there’s the whole Aiden situation.”
“Wait. Back up. Missing lanterns and Aiden? That’s one hell of a cocktail. I take it things have heated up between you and the good doctor.”
I’d always been able to discuss my problems with Hunter. Though not a big talker about his own difficulties, he was a great listener. I eased out a long sigh. “Yeah. He kissed me. And I… well, I guess I kissed him back. But I’m not sure if I should dive into whatever this is. Not now, with everything at stake career-wise.”
“Stella, you’re the most stubbornly independent woman I know. People do manage to juggle both careers and boyfriends rather regularly.”
“Whoa. Boyfriend is a strong term. And how would you know? When was the last time you dated anyone?”
He didn’t rise to the bait or the subject change. “No comment. Focus on what matters, sis. I doubt Aiden’s the same guy who took off years ago. And you’re not the same girl.”
I bit my lip, considering. “Enough about my love life. Let’s get back to the theft. Ben Coleridge works on the landscaping crew that’s doing the grounds update. It’s an awful big coincidence that he shows up and shit starts turning up missing, isn’t it?”
“Ben, huh?” The protective edge returned to his voice. “Don’t go playing detective, Stella. And for God’s sake, don’t confront him. Do you even have proof he’s involved?”
“Well, no. But he’s such a snarly shit.” I’d come across him on my run the other day as he dug a trench. He’d barely stopped to acknowledge me, his eyes going hard as I gave him a cool nod.
Hunter’s sigh came through the phone. “Being an asshole isn’t a crime, or else I’d be in jail. This isn’t exactly your territory, you know. I can come down, poke around a little.”
We both knew Hunter’s suggestion was more than just a casual visit to see family and sightsee. With his background in military Special Forces and current private security work, he’d know exactly what to look for.
“That might not be a bad idea.” I rolled my shoulders, the weight of both issues bearing down on me. The conversation left me with a mix of relief and worry—not just about the thefts, but about the possibility of letting Aiden back into my heart. “We’ll talk about it some more. I need to head back to the kitchen.”
“Anytime. Stay safe, okay?”
“Always do.”
I hung up, my resolve hardening. Ben Coleridge was the worst apple in a bad bunch. Who knew, maybe he had a grudge against me. The thefts hadn’t started until I took over as head chef. As for Aiden… well, that was a storm I’d navigate when the skies inevitably opened up.
The following afternoon, I shaded my eyes with my hand as I wandered down the path toward the restaurant. Shark Bait was entering the canal after the morning dive trip, and Maia tossed a line to Gabe, where he tied it around a cleat on the dock. The sight brought on a pang of longing inside me. Like my other siblings, I’d grown up on the water and been certified to dive as a teen. It was practically the family pastime, but I hadn’t been diving in far too long.
Though if Hunter came around more, that might change. Evan accepted that he couldn’t dive anymore and didn’t resent any of us who did. But I was under no delusions that his easygoing attitude would extend to Hunter, who had caused the diving accident that left Evan paralyzed. They’d only been nineteen and eighteen that day they dove the shipwreck the Benson , and things had gone horribly wrong. Evan’s body had mended over the years, but only over the past few months had he been willing to speak with his little brother. And though Hunter also carried deep scars from that day, they were on the inside. Hunter had planned on a fun adventure that day, not a trauma that would derail both their lives.
But I didn’t have time for diving right now anyway. I turned my gaze away and skirted the lobby on my way to Orchid to start my shift. My mind should have been on my prep work, but it was cluttered with the thefts—those missing lanterns had tipped me over the edge. Ahead, the landscaping crew was busy planting a new palm tree, standing tall and expectant, its fronds still bound. And there he was, in the midst of it all.
Ben—his name alone was enough to raise the hackles on my neck.
Gabe had mentioned to me that he and Ben had recently had a conversation. Apparently, it hadn’t been an overly friendly one. But since neither of them ended up in jail this time, it had to be considered an improvement. Ben and Gabe had gotten in a bar fight when Gabe first moved back, and both had spent the night in the local lockup. I shook my head. Coleridges and Markhams were like bleach and ammonia—a very bad combination.
Hunter’s advice to stay out of the theft situation filtered through my mind, then I disregarded it. I’d never depended on a man to fight my battles, and I wasn’t about to start now.
“Ben!” I called out, striding toward him with purpose sharpening my every step.
He turned, his green shirt sticking to his back with sweat, hands covered in dirt. His normally light-brown hair was darker where sweat matted it to his head. Seeing me, his broad shoulders tightened, as did his jaw. I couldn’t deny he was a handsome guy. Too bad it was wasted on such an asshole.
“Stella.” The neutrality of his tone and light-blue eyes failed to mask the tension already coiling between us.
“So last night, I noticed that three of our antique lanterns were missing.” My voice was tight with accusation. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
“Huh?” His brows knotted together as he leaned on his shovel. “Why would I know anything about that?”
He was tall and I had to stare up at him, which only pissed me off more. “Because things have been missing for weeks. Ever since you started working on the grounds. Coincidence?”
“Yeah, Stella. Coincidence.”
I stepped closer. “I don’t believe you.”
Ben let the shovel drop to the ground and braced both hands on his hips. “Oh, I get it. You think because I’m a Coleridge, I’m automatically a thief?”
“Not just that. How many times have you been picked up for drunk and disorderly again?” I crossed my arms as my question hung heavy in the air, unspoken history coloring every syllable.
“Not for a while. Not since your brother picked a fight with me. I’m working this job to get a clean slate. Not to be hassled because of old news.” His voice rose, and the muscles in his neck tensed, cords standing out.
“Then who is it, Ben? Because someone’s stealing things around here, and I can’t just ignore it!”
“Look, I get it. You’re pissed off. But slinging mud at me without proof is low.”
“Low?” I echoed, incredulity lacing my retort. “I’ve known you practically my entire life, and I know what you’re capable of. What’s low is thinking you can walk onto this Key and not be held accountable.”
“Accountable for what?” His hands spread in a gesture of innocence—or perhaps defiance. “I’ve done nothing wrong, Stella. And I sure as hell don’t need your family breathing down my neck.”
“I think maybe you do,” I snapped.
“Whatever.”
With that, he turned back to the fledgling palm tree, leaving me to grapple with a storm of emotions. Frustration surged through me, and my head pounded with my racing pulse. Hunter’s words echoed in my head, urging caution, but he wasn’t here. Ben Coleridge might deny any wrongdoing, but I wasn’t ready to let this go.
Gritting my teeth, I stalked off, then veered toward another landscaper who was filling in dirt around a newly planted croton. “Excuse me,” I called out to a wiry man and doing my best to be polite. His nametag read Marcus. He halted, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.
“Ms. Markham.” His greeting was cautious but polite.
“Have you seen anything strange around here? We’ve had some things go missing.” Though he must have overheard my tense conversation with Ben, I kept my tone even, not wanting to seem too accusatory.
Marcus shook his head, his eyes reflecting sincerity, or what I hoped was sincerity. “No, ma’am. We come here, do our work, and leave everything as it is. No touching.”
“Are you sure? You’ve seen nothing?” Frustration seeped into my words, despite my efforts to contain it.
“Believe me, we wouldn’t risk our jobs,” he said firmly before returning to his task. His denial did little to assuage my suspicion. Of course the crew would speak up for each other.
I whirled toward Ben, who worked a short distance away. “My family has let you continue working here despite?—”
“Despite what? My last name?” His eyes flashed with a mix of challenge. It was clear that Dove Key hadn’t offered him the fresh start he’d hoped for. “Maybe I was a fool for thinking it’d be different this time.”
“Maybe you were,” I shot back. “Having things disappear isn’t exactly helping your case, you know.”
“Yeah, well, neither is accusing people of things they didn’t do,” Ben replied without looking at me, his voice laced with a bitterness that made me bristle. “Should have known better than to expect more from a Markham.” The way he sneered our family name made my breath catch.
“Take it easy, Ben.” The foreman, a stocky man named Walt, approached with a protective stance, like a bear guarding his territory. “Miss Markham.” He nodded in my direction. “I can assure you, we don’t hire thieves. Ben has done good work for me.”
“We’ve had several items go missing since you guys started working,” I pointed out, my voice steady despite the frustration boiling within me. “Someone took them.”
“Then look elsewhere because my guys are clean.” Walt crossed his arms over his chest, his crewcut almost bristling. Every line of his body spoke of unwavering conviction, challenging me to argue further.
But I knew a brick wall when I saw one. A united brick wall. “Fine. Thank you for your time,” I said evenly, while biting back the words that wanted to escape.
Then I spun on my heel. Leaving the gardeners to their tasks, I could feel the weight of their stares on my back. A mixture of anger and helplessness churned inside me as I walked away. I hadn’t expected Ben to just fall to his knees and confess, but I felt better having had my say. Now he was on notice.
I marched to the front of the restaurant, where my eye caught the beautiful Phalaenopsis Aiden had found at the farmer’s market. The other sat across the entryway, and both were stunning additions. I took several minutes to calm myself, closing my eyes and listening to the gentle rhythm of the waves against the shore. Finally, I entered the kitchen and nodded to the two prep workers hard at work for tonight’s service. Slowly, methodically chopping potatoes, Matt was coming along well. I patted him lightly on the shoulder. “Nice job with those. Your knife skills are really coming along.”
Glancing up briefly, he shot me a smile. “Thanks, Chef. I’m getting faster every day.”
I grabbed a scoop of ice and pushed through the double doors into the empty dining room. Could Ben be innocent? The timing was too much to ignore, but maybe it was someone else on the crew. I shook my head. What better way to keep a low profile than by convincing everyone you’ve changed?
Continuing the therapy I’d started outside, I stopped before a beautiful specimen of Oncidium, its delicate pink blossoms ready to dance away. I placed an ice cube in the pot, letting the soothing, familiar motions of tending to my orchids distract me from my troubles.