Chapter Fourteen
“Are we ready for tonight?” Eileen flipped the grilled cheese sandwiches. Everyone was walking around just a tad anxious about tonight’s grand opening.
“What would happen if I said no?” Eloise looked a surprising shade of pea green.
“You’re not nervous, are you?”
Doing her best to grin as wide as she could, Eloise shook her head before shifting to a nod. “Scared to death,” she laughed.
“Nonsense. We all know how good you are. The whole town is dying to eat at your restaurant.”
The poor woman’s face changed from wicked green to ashen gray. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“There, there, dear.” Eileen turned off the stove top and walked over to where Eloise searched her bag. “All will be well. I promise.”
The way the young chef’s face lit up, Eileen got the feeling she hadn’t heard that very often in her life.
Taking a chance, Eileen pulled her house guest into a warm embrace. “We’ll all be there to cheer you on, but you don’t really need us. You’re a great chef, and a good boss, and tonight will not disappoint.”
“Thank you.” Eloise’s smile reached her eyes this time as she straightened, clasping the truck keys from her purse. “Is Danny outside with Gray again?”
Eileen shook her head. “No. He got a letter in today’s mail run, and I don’t think he liked it, because Gray came across the room and sat at Danny’s side. Now the two are upstairs in his room.”
“Oh.” Eloise’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t hear any noise or I would have knocked on his door.”
As if summoned by his sister’s will, footsteps tapped down the stairs and across the hardwood floors until he came to a stop in the doorway. “Hey, Sis.”
Eileen hadn’t known Danny very long at all, but even she could see that smile was as fake as Nancy Bergman’s boobs.
“You ready to go?”
He shook his head. “I’m a bit tired. I think I’m going to stick around here. Maybe later see if Sean wants a little help in the barn.”
“He always wants help on this ranch,” Eileen teased, hoping to induce a little sincerity in that smile. No glory.
“Oh.” Eloise seemed to be debating what to say next. Straightening her shoulders, and bobbing her head, she plastered on a forced smile of her own. “That’s a great idea. Not much you can do at the restaurant but helping out around here would be nice.”
Still holding that same half-hearted grin, Danny nodded. “Yeah. That’s what I thought.” He waved at the two ladies, and the dog still on his heels, turned and headed back to his room.
Eloise spun about and looked at Eileen. “Who was the letter from?”
Shrugging, Eileen shook her head. “Don’t know. I didn’t see it. Sorry.”
“No, nothing to be sorry about.”
“Do you have time for lunch?”
Her hand immediately flew to her stomach. “Couldn’t eat a bite. I’ll snack at the restaurant once I’m sure everything is on track for tonight.”
Though she didn’t like sending anyone out on an empty stomach, Eileen understood battling nerves. “Fair enough. Go and knock ’em dead.”
Eloise laughed for real. “I sure hope not.”
Covering her mouth with her hand, Eileen had to laugh as well. “Break a leg?”
Still laughing, Eloise nodded. “Works for me.”
Eileen kept her eyes on Eloise until the door closed behind her. She had no idea what was going on with Danny and that letter, but nothing was going to mess up opening night for that sweet woman—not if Eileen had anything to say about it.
It had taken Eloise a good long while to settle into her role for the day and stop worrying about Danny. The VA had dropped the ball and in the short time since his arrival she could see his confidence slipping. Hannah and others had offered him some time with the horses, but Danny seemed determined to wait for the VA. Maybe she was over-worrying. Everyone was entitled to have an off day, even her brother. Checking her reflection in the restaurant’s bathroom mirror one last time, she couldn’t help but smile. The pristine white chef’s coat with her name embroidered in blue looked perfect against her black pants. Tonight was finally happening—after weeks of preparation, menu testing, and training staff, the restaurant was opening to the public. And according to Aunt Eileen, who she’d learned was never wrong; everything was going to be perfect.
The dining room gleamed. Every table set with crisp white tablecloths, polished silverware, and small vases of wildflowers Sarah, her head server, had arranged that morning. The kitchen hummed with activity—everyone scurried back and forth like ants on a mission.
“Everything good in here?” Eloise asked, stepping into her domain.
“Yes, Chef,” they responded in unison, the respect in their voices warming her.
The sound of footsteps on the stairs drew her attention. Quinn appeared in the kitchen doorway, work boots and jeans grimy from the apartment renovation.
“We’re finishing up early,” he said, washing his hands at the prep sink. “Don’t want hammer sounds during your big night.”
She smiled, grateful for his thoughtfulness. “How’s it looking up there?”
“Plumbing’s done, electrical’s done, waiting on inspections to close it up.” His eyes swept appreciatively over her chef’s whites. “You look official.”
“Feel official too.” She checked her watch. “Forty-five minutes until doors open.”
Her staff busy with last-minute details, one in the pantry, another in the walk-in fridge, more in the main dining room, they were momentarily alone in her prized kitchen.
“Nervous?” Quinn seemed to linger by the sink, not ready or willing to leave.
“Maybe I was a bit this morning, but now that I’m here and it’s all coming together, excited might be a better word.” She blew out a long slow breath. “Though my brother looked like he might pass out when I mentioned how many reservations we had.”
Quinn nodded. “It will probably be a while before he’s okay with crowds. Maybe never. Not everyone likes crowds.”
“I know, he just, well, he didn’t used to be that way.” She straightened his collar without thinking, then recognition dawning, her hands stilled. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” His voice dropped lower, his hand took hold of hers. “I like having you fuss over me.” Something in his expression made her breath catch. The kitchen suddenly felt warmer, the space between them charged with possibility.
Neither dared blink. His head dipped slightly, and her mouth went dry as her heart raced like a thoroughbred waiting for the sound of the starting gun and the gate to open. When his lips brushed gently against hers, she was pretty sure that racing heart stopped. A whisper of a kiss, over almost as soon as it began, yet still sent sparks of electricity rushing through her.
The sound of the cold storage door latching shut, and several voices calling out around them, sent them pulling apart. Those beautiful blue eyes had darkened to the color of storm clouds.
“For luck,” he murmured.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of activity. By six-thirty, every table was filled. A slew of Farradays had come, as well as the sisters, and a plethora of Red Hat ladies, Danny conspicuously absent but sending a good luck text that made her smile. The production crew filmed discreetly from strategic corners, capturing the restaurant’s debut for the show.
Eloise moved between kitchen and dining room, checking plates, greeting guests, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Whenever she caught Quinn’s eye across the room, that moment in the kitchen hovered between them like a shared secret.
Near eight o’clock, she spotted Danny slipping quietly through the front door. He’d come after all, taking a small table in the corner where he could watch without being surrounded. The tension in his shoulders was visible even from across the room.
When she approached his table, he managed a smile. “Looks like a hit, Sis.”
“You came.” She squeezed his shoulder.
“You can thank Gray and Aunt Eileen for that.”
“Excuse me?”
He chuckled, an earnest chuckle. “Aunt Eileen explained that no matter what else is happening in the world, this would be your only opening night, and everything else could wait.”
She had a feeling that Quinn’s aunt was referring to that unknown letter in her own way.
“And Gray, well, he convinced me that I’m stronger than I think.”
“He did, huh?”
Danny nodded.
“Do I want to know how he did that?”
With a shrug, Danny raised his hands. “Would you believe, he told me?”
That made her laugh. “You know, I actually would believe that.”
“There you go.” Danny lifted the menu to read.
“Whatever you want is on the house.”
He bobbed his head at her and holding the menu, looked over the edges at her. “You go do you. I’ll be fine.”
Oh how she hoped so. At first her brother had seemed so relieved to be in Texas, but things weren’t coming together the way she’d imagined. Something was bothering him, she knew it, could feel it in her bones, but didn’t have a clue what to do or say about any of it. Was it the lack of therapy, or had moving him here been a mistake? And who was that letter from that seemed to have nudged him into a darker place? Taking a second to give him a fast kiss on the cheek, she spun about and chiding herself for worrying too much, returned to the kitchen, catching Quinn watching her. When their eyes met, his expression softened. She wondered if that kiss still lingered on his lips the same way it had on hers. More than once she’d been tempted to lift her fingers to her mouth and make sure she hadn’t dreamt the whole moment. Though if she were honest with herself, except for her concerns over Danny, everything else in her life right now seemed like a dream. What had she done to deserve this place, this man?
The crowds had thinned. To Quinn’s amazement, even though the restaurant officially closed at 9 p.m., at 8:55 folks were still coming in to be seated. From the murmurs he’d heard, the restaurant was going to be a huge success. It already was.
From where Quinn sat with his family, he’d noticed Danny slip in quietly and settle in a small corner table. When he’d stood to invite Eloise’s brother to join them, his aunt, the mind reader that she seemed to be, grabbed his wrist and shook her head.
If there was one thing he’d learned as a kid and been reminded of as an adult, it was never argue with Aunt Eileen—you will definitely lose. So he’d kept one eye on Danny, and enjoyed his meal with his family. Now that everyone else at the table had said their good-nights, thanks to the long drive back home and children rising early in the morning and dragging their parents out of bed, maybe now was the time to approach Danny.
A second dessert in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, he weaved his way to the corner table. “I’ve been abandoned. Mind if I join you?”
Having kept his back to the Farradays most of the night, Danny glanced over his shoulder and spotted the now empty table. He hesitated a bit longer than Quinn would have liked, but finally nodded. “Sure.”
“Thanks. I’d have looked awfully silly all by myself at that big table, and I’d only get in the way if I retreated to the kitchen.”
“Everyone seems to be having a good time.” Danny fiddled with a dessert spoon.
Quinn nodded and stabbed at his crème br?lée with his own spoon. “Have you tried this?”
“Not here, but I’ve had El’s crème br?lée. It’s definitely five stars.”
“Six,” Quinn deadpanned, delighted to see a twinkle in Danny’s eyes that matched the twitch in his smile.
“You like her, don’t you?” Danny said.
“Of course I do. Everyone likes your sister.”
“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.” The smile had slipped, but the darkness in his eyes had disappeared. He was in protective big brother mode.
Holding his spoon over the creamy dessert, Quinn heaved a sigh and looked up at Danny. “Yes. I like your sister.”
Their gazes level, Danny studied him longer than Quinn liked. “You do know, if you hurt her, I’ll see to it there’s hell to pay.”
“I’m not going to hurt her.” The words tumbled out before he even had time to think about it. If anything, he was more worried that she’d give up on Texas, go back to Chicago or some other place more exciting than this corner of the world, and leave his heart shattered in itty-bitty pieces.
Danny suddenly leaned back, his shoulders the most relaxed that they’d been all night, his eyes pensive, serious, and suddenly sparkling. “You love her.”
It wasn’t a question, but he nodded anyway. Until now, he hadn’t wanted to admit that even to himself, but this was no time to be kidding anyone. Not her brother, and not himself. “I’ve never met anyone like her.”
“They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Danny offered his first sincere smile in days.
“Not to be trite, but like the movie said: She had me at hello.” He debated whether or not to pry, but everyone had been tiptoeing around Danny for days. “Want to tell me why you sat all by yourself?”
“No.”
“Okay.” Quinn stabbed at his dessert again, afraid to look up. “You got a problem with me and your sister?”
The silence hung so long that Quinn raised his gaze to meet Danny’s. Dark eyes, lacking all light stared at him. Danny was fighting his own private battle and Quinn didn’t have a clue what to say or how to help.
“No.” Danny heaved a sigh. “I think this is where my sister belongs.” His gaze darted around the new restaurant. “Here, in Texas. Here with you.”
Something in Danny’s tone raised the hackles on Quinn’s neck. “And you? Do you belong here?”
His gaze dropping to the dessert again, Danny stared long and hard before blowing out a slow shallow breath. “You know, I think I may have a dessert after all.”
Quinn didn’t know what demons the man was battling. He wished that he, his family, and Eloise could talk Danny into giving Hannah and the horses a chance to ease whatever troubles seemed to be fighting him. Quinn understood that they needed to be patient, but he couldn’t help but think something was bringing Danny down and if he gave up on his sister and this town, it would break Eloise’s heart, and Quinn wouldn’t be able to handle that. Somehow, he had to find a way to help save Danny from himself. He just had to.