Chapter 2
Brianna drove down Jefferson and frowned. A police car was double-parked in front of her restaurant. No... they were in front of the small shop next door. She slowed to a crawl and craned her neck to see what was happening. Mrs. Paradelle was motioning to the broken storefront window. Ouch. That would cost a pretty penny to replace, especially if Mrs. P. didn't carry good insurance.
She sped up and went around the block, turning into the alley behind the restaurant. There were four parking spaces reserved in the rear for her restaurant. One for her, one for the front of house manager, one for the chef, and one for deliveries. Her staff parked farther down in the large parking lot at the end of the block. She paid their parking fees as part of their compensation package. Small things made a big difference to her staff, and she hadn't lost an employee in two years. They were happy, she made a decent income, so it was a win-win for everyone.
She drove her old SUV into her slot, locked it, and headed into her pride and joy. Horizon. The establishment she'd turned around—with a little help from her cousin, Justin. The man had a Midas touch, and when the restaurant came onto the market, she’d asked for his advice. He was so generous that he and his wife Dani flew in from New York and did a walkthrough of the property. He rattled off countless suggestions, and Dani had done a survey on the location, deeming it in a great central placement with future growth potential. With solid advice from Justin and Dani King, she purchased the place and slowly implemented the changes he'd recommended. Mortgaged to the moon, turning a real profit had taken years, and because she'd invested her profits without paying herself as much as she paid the chef or the manager of the front of the house, she'd lived frugally.
She unlocked the back door and let herself in, turning off the alarm after she locked herself inside the building. Her office was off the kitchen, away from the public spaces. She flipped on the light to her tiny space and turned on her computer. She'd already dropped the cash deposit from last night in the nighttime drop box for her bank on her way to Ryker's, but she still needed to do her accounting, go through the orders, and pay vendors. There was always something to do.
The restaurant came to life shortly after she entered her office. She could hear the kitchen staff laughing and the clang and clink of pots, pans, and utensils being used. Garlic and onion and the smell of roasting beef reminded her tonight's special was prime rib. She needed to tell the chef to save her two servings. They usually sold out before the restaurant closed. Ryker loved it, and they'd had several late, late dinners at his house or hers. Her phone rang, and she glanced at the face before rolling her eyes. Her mom. She picked it up and put it on speaker. “Hi, Momma. I'm not late calling, I told you I was calling at ten.” She glanced at the clock. She still had twenty minutes.
“I know, but I need to pop over to Gage's school. This week is the big book fair, and I volunteered to work it. I wasn't sure if I'd told you. I didn't want you to think I'd ducked your call.” Hannah King laughed.
The lighthearted sound made her smile. “You forgot, but it's not a problem. Why don't we do lunch next week after the book fair is done? We can visit and catch up.”
Hannah squeaked, “On clam chowder day?”
She laughed at her mom. “Yes, and bring Sharon with you. Chef has a recipe for sourdough bread that is fabulous with a salted herb butter he's created. It is divine.”
“That sounds wonderful. I want to hear all the details about your new beau. I know you wanted time to spend with him, but it's been a long time. Perhaps we can schedule a dinner at the house?”
“Mom, this is the first genuine relationship I've had. I like this guy and I don't want the boys pulling their puffed-up caveman routine. And Daddy... he will grill him.”
“Your father has grilled none of your boyfriends.” Hannah tsked and continued. “I can talk to the boys. They'll behave.”
“Maybe we can talk about scheduling a dinner next week at lunch?”
“That wasn't a no.” Her mother pointed the obvious out.
“To be honest, Mom, he's said he doesn't have a problem meeting you. It's me. I don't want to jinx this.”
“Brianna Marie King, your family is not a jinx!”
“No, I didn't mean it that way. I am just afraid of pushing it too fast, of doing something that will break this wonderful bubble we have surrounding this relationship. He's so good to me, Mom. I'm terrified of screwing it up.” She stared at her desk blotter, not really seeing it.
“Honey, if this man is right for you, having him meet us will not screw it up. If your brothers trying to protect you chases him away, maybe he's not strong enough to be there for you.”
“Mom, the boys would never run him off, it's the fact that they'll be assholes on purpose.”
“Language.”
She rolled her eyes at her mother's caution. “Mom, he's an amazing man.”
“Then let us meet him, honey. I promise to put the boys on notice.”
“And the McBrides, too.”
“I'll talk to Sharon. We still can snatch those young men by the ear and twist if we need to do it.”
She chuckled at the thought of her mom grabbing Brock or Brody's ear. Blayze—that she could picture. “Okay, we'll set a date next week at lunch.”
“That sounds perfect.” Hannah sighed. “Brie, honey, I'm so happy we've gotten closer and can visit about things like this.”
She closed her eyes and smiled. “We were close before, Mom, but
