Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Kylie was more than impressed by Tidewater, and they had barely seen any of it.
While she had been invited to several business lunches and dinners with clients at posh restaurants during her Dallas working days, the entire atmosphere at Tidewater was a cut above.
She eyed her surroundings with interest as Ty led them to an open area.
“This is where the daily breakfast buffet will occur,” he told them.
“The light is excellent, and the nearby kitchen will ensure food is piping hot when delivered to the guests’ tables.
By serving here every morning, it will allow the other restaurants to remain closed and focus on their lunch and dinner offerings.
We also have a poolside bar and snack shop, where Texas items such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and Frito pies will be offered, along with a few more elevated items, such as Caesar salad wraps, ceviche, and fish tacos. ”
Ty pulled out a seat, which Kylie took, and Zane sat opposite her.
“Our coffees are one of the best things on the menu, from regular blends to any latte, mocha, or cappuccino you might want. Over there is the coffee bar, which will have offerings you’d like throughout your day.
Coffees such as flat whites, cortados, and Americanos.
Iced brews. I’m a tea drinker myself, and we have a large variety of teas.
The chai and matcha lattes are my favorites, but we also will serve everything from Earl Grey to a plethora of herbal teas. ”
“I’d like to see more than one coffee and tea bar on the property,” Zane said. “Could you add protein drinks, as well? Maybe cold foam and high protein drinks?”
Ty whipped out his phone and jotted a few notes. “I’ll make that happen. Frankly, I think our staff would enjoy having access to that variety, as well.”
“I hope the staff knows they can partake in the offerings from the coffee bar. If not, I’ll make them aware of it. Once I’ve toured the entire facility, I’ll be sitting down with everyone as a group and letting them know my expectations for Tidewater.”
“You’ll find it a collegial group, Mr. Wagner.”
“Zane. I’m not much on formality.”
Ty smiled. “What can I get you to drink? And any preferences on menu items?”
Zane looked to Kylie. “What would you like?”
“I’ll take any latte you have with protein in it.”
“I’ll bring two for you,” Ty said. “One will be sugar-free.”
“Even better,” she said enthusiastically. “And some juice.”
“I’ll provide a juice sampler for each of you. It will contain orange, pomegranate, and apple, as well as two blends. One is a citrus combo of orange, lemon, and grapefruit. The other a green power juice, with apple, kale, lemon, and cucumber, flavored with ginger.”
“Sounds awesome,” she said.
The chef turned to Zane. “Your drink order?”
“Two coffees. A medium roast and a dark roast. And the juice sampler sounds terrific.”
“I’ll have those beverages right out,” Ty promised. “I’ll follow it with a variety of bites from our menu.”
“I like surprises,” she said. “Bring it on.”
For the next hour, they tried a few bites of everything brought out.
The first round was eggs Benedict, and Ty prepared them in a traditional fashion, as well as with smoked salmon, steak, and lobster.
Servers appeared nonstop, with everything from blueberry, banana, and chocolate chip pancakes to Belgian waffles to what she’d always called pigs in a blanket though she thought they would have some fancy resort name.
Numerous egg dishes came out. Eggs in a basket of sourdough toast. Frittatas.
Egg tacos. Meats included bacon, sausage, and ham.
Every dish was definitely elevated, with hints of herbs and spices scattered through various items.
“I’m stuffed,” she proclaimed. “I think I’ve eaten a bite or two of everything that’s come out of the kitchen. I’m not sure I can stand, much less walk and tour Tidewater.”
“Movement is good for you,” Zane said, mischief glinting in his amethyst eyes.
Ty appeared for the first time since they began eating, having allowed servers to present every dish to them.
“Any favorites?” the chef asked.
“If I say everything, would you be upset?” Zane asked. “Because let me tell you, each morsel I put in my mouth surpassed the one before.”
Ty looked pleased. “I’m happy you’re happy.”
“I can’t wait to see what you have on the dinner menus. I’d like hard copies of those from each restaurant so I can study them. I’ll star the ones I wish to try.”
“Tonight?”
“No, I’m eating with Gran and Gramps tonight. I’ll be back at Tidewater first thing tomorrow, however. Would you have time to meet with me then and go over the menus?”
“I’d be happy to.”
The men arranged a time and place to meet, and Ty promised the other chefs would attend so that Zane could ask questions of them, as well as see what those menus consisted of.
“Are you ready to see the kitchens and restaurants now?” Ty asked.
Zane stood. He pulled out Kylie’s chair and assisted her to her feet.
“Lead the way.”
For the next half-hour, they saw everything related to food preparation and the various dining rooms. Kylie admired the décor and was astonished at the size of the kitchens, especially the large, walk-in freezers.
“You could put an army in here and still have room left over,” she teased.
“While we bring a lot of fresh ingredients in each day from the mainland, a huge freezer is essential,” Ty said.
When they saw the final restaurant, Zane thanked Ty for his time, saying, “I know you weren’t expecting to spend your morning this way. I appreciate you cooking for us and playing tour guide.”
“I’m always happy to show off my cooking skills, as well as the place the magic happens,” the chef said.
After that, Zane took her throughout the hotel, though they didn’t linger at any particular place, given the tight schedule they were now on, having spent so much time with Ty.
They saw various rooms and suites, the fitness center and indoor pool, library, karaoke and dance club, and scattered bars.
What she liked most was the luxurious spa, with massage rooms, sauna, cold plunge pools, hot tubs, and even an ice room.
They left the main building, and he showed her the bungalows.
“Obviously, these offer more privacy and are intended for that guest who wants a getaway but also prefers having conveniences close by.”
“My friends are going to really have fun here this weekend.”
“I’ll watch out for them and make certain they have a good time,” Zane assured her. “I only wish you could join us.”
“Me, too,” she said, her tone wistful.
They took the golf cart to see outside portions of the resort.
The property had a golf course, trails to ride bikes or jog, tennis courts, and a place to check out water sports equipment.
They left the cart and briefly saw the outdoor pools, and then she said, “It’s time to head back to the ferry.
I wish we could stay all day, but business calls. ”
His gaze penetrated hers. “I’m ready for the business part of our relationship to be over.”
Chills danced along her spine, the good kind, and Kylie knew the attraction she felt to him was definitely returned.
Would she be brave enough to act upon it once they hammered out a deal?
They returned to the golf cart and boarded the waiting ferry. As she had expected, they were the only passengers.
Danny said, “Good to see you again, Zane. Move around and ask about whatever you see. I’ll take us back to the mainland while Kylie gives you the tour.”
“The ferry is maintained by Danny and Dad,” she explained. “It’s almost twenty years old but in excellent working condition. Let me show you around.”
Kylie explained how the hull was made of steel, acting as the main body and the structural support of the ferry.
“While steel is preferred because of its strength and cost effectiveness, aluminum is often used. Being lighter, the ferry is propelled through the water more quickly in that case. Let’s go look at the propulsion system.”
She explained this ferry was a diesel-electric propulsion system.
“I’d like to change to an alternative fuel method, though, when the family purchases our next ferry.
Those have better fuel efficiency, as well as protecting the environment.
Here are our engines and propellers. I can give you a detailed explanation if you want it. ”
“Hard pass,” he joked.
“The super structure is next. That includes the bridge, cabin, and other facilities, which need to be stable and yet accessible. You saw the seating.”
“I noticed unlike other ferries, this one doesn’t have space for cars.”
“The Island never really had room for them. The social facility was so close to the docks, they were never needed. That’s why we bought this particular ferry, one which had no space for cars. This way, we have more bench seating, both inside and outside.”
They were almost back to the Bay by now, so she said, “I need to show you the mooring and berthing systems. As the ferry slowed, Kylie pointed out the mooring lines, winches, and fender racks as Danny maneuvered the ferry and secured it to the dock.
“Thanks for the ride, Danny,” Zane said.
“Any questions? Probably not. Kylie is pretty thorough,” Danny said.
“None. I think she dummied down things for me, but I have the gist of the ferry and how things work. Thanks for your time. I’ll be seeing you some as I go back and forth between the bay and Tidewater.”
“Have a good day,” Danny said. He looked to her. “Knock ’em dead, Sis.”
She laughed as she and Zane left the vessel and returned to her car.
“I definitely won’t need lunch,” she told him. “Maybe not even dinner. That breakfast was outstanding.”
“I agree. We’re very lucky to gain a chef of Tyler Chastain’s status. It’s a real coup for Wagner Enterprises. He’ll definitely attract guests to Tidewater.”
They reached her car, and Zane opened her door for her.
No one had done that for years, certainly not Brady.
He’d usually texted her from the car when he picked her up for dates, and she had gotten in while he scrolled through his phone.
Marriage hadn’t changed things. Kylie thought how her dad still opened the car door for her mom, and a lump swelled in her throat.
She quickly swallowed it as Zane got into the passenger seat.
“I have one stop to make before we hit the library,” she said, pulling out her phone and bringing up her Sonic app. “Want anything from Sonic? I live on diet limeades.”
“Make it two. A large for me. Gosh, I haven’t had Sonic crushed ice in years.”
She placed their order and drove a few blocks, pulling in and accepting the two drinks from the carhop. Zane passed her a bill.
“For the tip.”
She couldn’t help but see it was twenty dollars, and the carhop was ecstatic when Kylie passed it over.
“Thank you so much!” she said, beaming at them.
“That was generous of you,” Kylie said, rolling up her window.
He took a long sip before answering. “My days bussing tables and taking orders are still fresh in my mind. Food service is hard work which most people never think about. I’m in a position to tip generously, so I do.”
It was just one more thing she liked about him.
“I worked my way through college in a restaurant. Started as a hostess, but I also did time as a server and bartender.”
“So, we have that in common,” he said, his words causing that tingle to return to her limbs. Kylie told herself to ignore it. Right now, he was the enemy. Well, not quite the enemy, but not someone on the Mayfield side. She needed to wrap up the deal.
And then see if he might be interested in sex.
Her face grew hot at the thought, and she quickly picked up her Styrofoam cup, taking a long sip before replacing it in the cup holder.
“Here’s the library,” she said brightly, turning into the parking lot and finding one of the last places available.
“It’s really crowded,” he said.
“Must be a story time day. Summers, they offer story time for babies and toddlers, followed by another session with preschoolers, and then one for young elementary kids.”
They exited her car, with Kylie retrieving her battered briefcase from the backseat, carrying it in one hand and her diet limeade in the other.
“Your briefcase looks as if it’s seen better days.”
She laughed. “I got it as a graduation present from high school from Karl and Danny. While everyone else at UT slung a backpack over their shoulders, I was traipsing about campus with my briefcase. I used it after graduation, as well, until I left the corporate world. It’s over ten years old.
I should look into getting a new one someday. ”
They entered the library and she waved at the clerks on duty at the desk.
“We can bypass them,” she told Zane. “I’ve already booked the room.”
She led them to a line of five, small conference rooms. “During the school year, middle and high school kids book these for group projects and study sessions. With school being out, we really had our pick.”
Kylie came to a stop. On the door was a sign reading MAYFIELD/WAGNER – 10-5.
“I see Mayfield listed first,” Zane noted, opening the door and allowing her to step inside.
She flipped on the lights and set her things on the table. “It’s alphabetical,” she explained.
“Sure, it is,” he said knowingly.
They both took a few minutes to remove everything from their briefcases. She had a laptop and he had a tablet. They logged in using her hot spot.
“I have a VPN, but this is business. I don’t want anyone trying to hack in and see what we’re up to,” she explained.
He piggybacked off her hot spot, and they also pulled out file folders with notes. Kylie had several pens and highlighters lined up, as well, loving a good, color-coded set of notes.
“Ready?” she asked.
He looked at her a long moment, causing color to blossom on her cheeks.
“I’m ready. Why don’t you start? I’ll chime in if I have any questions.”
Kylie took a deep breath—and began.