Chapter Six A Taste Testing
Jane
The air felt warmer than it should have with all the people inside my kitchen.
The lights from the crew setup cast bright patches across the counters and made the metal surfaces shine too much.
Everything felt louder, too. James was giving what he called a quick overview of his culinary philosophy while a cameraman nodded solemnly, as though James had uncovered the secret to the universe in a bowl of softened butter.
I kept my eyes on the pans warming on the stove and focused on steady movements.
I needed to finish the sauces first, then the garnishes, then the final plate assembly before the scheduled tasting with the bride and groom.
Meri moved around the room with a calm energy that helped.
She offered a whisk before I had to ask, grabbing plates and silverware her usual quiet precision.
She shifted a stack of bowls to the left because a cable ran too close to them which presented a hazard.
Her quiet presence steadied me in a way that made my shoulders lower just a little.
“You are doing beautifully,” she said as she passed behind me with a towel. “Your sauce is perfect.”
I nodded once, because if I spoke too soon I might lose my focus. I tasted the reduction again and closed my eyes. Good. It tasted like I wanted it to. Warm, wintery, balanced. At least that part of the day had gone right.
Mom came in then, moving with the nervous enthusiasm of someone determined to look helpful.
She smoothed her sweater, checked her watch, then stood in the doorway like she was deciding whether to come in or escape.
“Jane, dear, how are we doing? Everything looks wonderful in the dining room. I cannot believe we are already hosting our first wedding tasting. The cameras are so exciting, are they not? You look very professional. Maybe smile a bit more when they point the camera at you.”
I pressed my lips together for a brief moment and nodded. “Thank you, Mom.”
She clasped her hands tightly. “The bride is thrilled. Well, at least that is what Kitty said. And the groom’s mother asked if we have an iron, which must be a positive sign.”
Meri rolled her eyes before stepping into the pantry. Mom didn’t seem to hear her. She floated back toward the lobby, calling out, “They should arrive any moment. Do let me know if you need extra napkins.”
I exhaled slowly and focused on slicing citrus peel for one of the desserts. The aroma lifted into the air and helped cut through the scent of equipment and too many people breathing in a small space. I leaned into it for half a second.
Braxton appeared near the door. He didn't say anything at first, only scanned the room like he was assessing a building plan.
Then he stepped forward and gently lifted the cable trailing across the floor, moving it closer to the wall.
One of the camera operators paused in confusion until Braxton pointed toward a better angle for the shot.
The man nodded and shifted several inches to the right, opening up a clear path that had not existed a moment before.
I noticed the difference immediately. I could actually move from the stove to the counter without navigating through a maze of equipment. I looked at Braxton. He gave me a small nod, nothing showy. Just a quiet acknowledgment that he had done something to help.
“Careful with that one,” he said to a crew member adjusting a tall light. “If it tips even a little, you will lose your framing.”
The man thanked him and corrected the angle. Braxton stepped back, pretending to study the ceiling like that had been his task all along. I felt a small smile tug at my lips.
Kitty rushed in then, breathless and bright. “The bride and groom are here. They are adorable. The groom brought his own notebook of ideas. He looks terrified, but in a sweet way.” She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Are we ready?”
“Yes,” I said, plating the food..
She went to fetch them, and Meri brought out a pitcher of water with quiet efficiency. The dining space had been set with candles and small evergreen accents. Mom had arranged the napkins three different ways before settling on one. The effect was charming, if slightly crooked.
The bride entered first, her eyes wide with excitement.
She wore a soft cream sweater and held her fiancé’s arm with affection that made my chest tighten a little.
The groom carried a garment bag, his coat, and what appeared to be a notebook wedged under his elbow.
Both sets of parents lingered near the doorway, unsure whether to hover or sit.
“Welcome,” I said, offering a warm smile. “I am so glad you are here. We have several dishes for you to try.”
The bride beamed. “Everything smells amazing. Truly. This whole place feels magical.”
The groom nodded vigorously. “Yes. Magical. Really magical.”
I began presenting the first dish. Before I could finish explaining the flavors, James stepped forward and placed himself directly in the line of sight of the nearest camera.
“What Jane means,” he said smoothly, “is that this dish embodies a seasonal philosophy of layered texture and brightness. When I conceptualized the winter theme, I knew we needed this as an anchor.”
I paused. He had not conceptualized anything. He had arrived this morning and immediately taken over the counter where I needed to work. But I kept my expression polite, because this was their tasting, not a battleground.
The bride tasted the dish and closed her eyes with an expression of genuine delight. “This is beautiful. I could eat an entire bowl of this.”
The groom nodded so hard I feared he would lose balance. “Yes. Yes, that is what I meant. Magical.”
Mom clasped her hands and whispered something about how proud she was. Meri discreetly collected a fallen napkin and replaced it with a clean one.
We moved through each plate, and the bride’s enthusiasm only grew. The groom wrote notes I suspected were illegible when he checked them later. Their parents smiled warmly. The crew tried to capture every reaction, sometimes with a zeal that required Meri to intercept wandering cameras.
With each compliment the couple gave, I felt a soft warmth spread through my chest. It felt like validation, like proof I could hold onto when James tried to direct attention back to himself. Even so, each interruption made my pulse jump.
When the final dish was set down, the bride looked directly at me. “These are perfect. You understood what we wanted completely. I already feel at ease knowing you are handling the food.”
Her words hit me harder than I expected. I nodded once, trying not to let my voice waver. “Thank you. That means a great deal.”
Kitty clapped her hands lightly. “This is going wonderfully. I’m so glad you chose the SnowDrop Inn for your venue.”
James smiled like the thought had been his all along. “Indeed.”
When the couple left to explore the inn, James cornered me by the counter in the kitchen. He lowered his voice to the tone he used when giving corrections.
“You plated everything well enough, but tomorrow we should refine your technique. Your citrus garnish needs more confidence. And perhaps let me lead the dessert reveal next time. The cameras prefer a more dramatic flourish.”
I felt myself shrink without meaning to. Somewhere in my chest, an old hurt stirred. I gripped the edge of the counter and tried to breathe through it. Before I could respond, Braxton appeared beside James.
“James,” he said casually, “the director wants you in the lobby for a few reshoots. Something about a walk-through cut.”
James blinked. “A what?”
“Walk-through. Three angles. They need you now,” Braxton cheerily said.
The nearest camera operator perked up. “Yes. We need you in position.”
James straightened his jacket and gave me a final nod. “We will continue this later.”
He followed the crew out, already narrating something about lighting.
My shoulders dropped the moment he left. I felt like I had been holding myself too tightly for too long. Braxton didn’t ask what James said. He simply picked up a towel and helped wipe down a section of the counter with calm, steady movements.
“Are you alright?” he asked quietly.
“Yes,” I said. “I think so.”
“Shall I punch him for you?”
Startled, I looked at Braxton.
“Just a thought,” Braxton murmured before giving me a smile. He started running hot water in the sink to wash the pans.
I reflected that I just might take Braxton up on his offer if I ever worked up the nerve. I stepped in to help and we worked side by side, cleaning the kitchen in quiet companionship.
Meri returned to clear the tasting plates and gave me a small nod. Mom swept in to say she thought everything had gone beautifully and that I should remember to rest before tomorrow.
Braxton finished straightening the last tray of utensils and stepped back. “You handled that well.”
I let out a breath I had been holding for longer than I realized. “Thank you for helping. I did notice you making sure I had room to work.”
“You did all the hard stuff,” he said. “I just moved people out of your way.”
“That helped more than you know,” I whispered.
He held my gaze for a heartbeat. Then he glanced toward the hallway like he was trying to decide something. Whatever thought he had, he kept it to himself. I felt a little happy at the idea that he had been thinking about how to make any of this easier for me.
I finished tidying the last station and hung my apron on its hook. The kitchen looked more peaceful now, though the faint hum of equipment remained. The tasting had gone well. The couple loved the food. That needed to be what I held onto.
When I stepped out into the hallway, the air felt cooler.
Lamps glowed softly along the walls, and shadows stretched across the floor.
I walked through the lobby, past the tree with its delicate silver ornaments, and out into the courtyard.
The night air stung my cheeks, but it felt clean after the noise inside.
A warm light shone from the pool house window. Lucy was inside, probably reading with blankets piled around her. I felt a tug of relief. At least we had warmth now, thanks to the boys. And tomorrow morning we would figure out a shower schedule. We would make it work.
As I reached the door, I thought of the moment Braxton stepped between me and James without making me feel helpless. I thought of the way he noticed when I was struggling even before I did. And I thought about how, despite the mess of the day, his presence had made me feel less alone.
I opened the door quietly, letting the warmth wash over me. Lucy looked up from her book with a grin.
“You survived,” she said.
“I did,” I replied, closing the door behind me. “And they loved the food.”
She held out a blanket like an invitation. “Come tell me everything.”