“Seems things are rather hot here in the kitchen.” An older gentleman was standing at the other side of her serving counter watching her with familiar eyes. Had they met before in Sydney? She couldn’t be sure.
“When it’s busy like this, yes it is.” She topped the water bottle and placed it down on the counter before holding out her hand. “Lena Hawkins.”
“I know who you are. I’ve eaten at your last restaurant.” He looked around and his gaze went to the milking tubes hanging up in the ceiling. “You’re certainly nothing if not creative.”
“Thank you. I try not to be too mainstream. Did you enjoy your meal?”
“Yes, yes I did. The venison, I believe it was grown on the farm attached to the restaurant. Seems like a pretty good deal for you to have the meat on hand.”
It certainly makes me happy. “I couldn’t agree more. I hope I did it justice.”
“That you did. It was perfect in my opinion.” He startled when a large man’s hand rested on his shoulder.
“Not giving my chef a hard time are you, Father?” Adam smiled at Lena. “Lena, meet my father, Judge Chapman.”
“Your father? Wow, Judge Chapman, how lovely to meet you. It’s a long drive for a meal, don’t you think?” I smell a rat here, Adam, and you will tell me what’s going on later.
“When Adam told me he had the perfect place for me to come and celebrate a dear friend’s birthday how could I refuse. We decided a few days in the valley would be worth the drive and I was right. It was.” He winked at his son. “You’ve done a lovely job here, Lena. We’ll certainly be back again.”
“Thank you, that means a lot to me.” She saw her parents watching from the table they were sharing with Adam. “Perhaps you’d care to join my parents for coffee later on. I’m sure they’d like to meet you.”
Adam smiled at her. “I was going to suggest it anyway, Father, after you’ve cut the cake and finished off that bottle of champagne you brought for Jeff. Ben and Sofia would love to have a drink with you.”
“It would be my pleasure. Well, lovely to meet you, my dear. I must get back to my guests and see if they’re ready for the cake. Bye now.” He turned and made his way through the packed restaurant to his table and Adam stepped over to Lena, cupping her chin in his hand.
“Brilliant job tonight so far, my love. If there was any need for a redemption evening, I’d say you’ve nailed it.”
After the staff started bringing back the clean plates, she’d thought the same. Her shoulders drooped and she forced a tired smile to her lips. “I certainly hope so. Some good recommendations would go a long way to repairing all the damage that’s been done.”
“I have something special for tonight, just for you and me. Up for it after closing time?”
“Kyle—”
“Is being picked up by Gail as soon as dessert service is over. Mitch called him before and he ran it past your mother because you were so busy. He didn’t want to disturb you when you were ‘in your zone,’ as he called it.”
That child knows me well. “Wonderful. That’s great; means I can sleep in tomorrow and not feel guilty for not spending mother time with him.” Bliss.
“You can sleep in with me.” He looked at her with dreamy eyes and her heart melted. Things were going to work out, she could tell, even though it was still too new to say out loud. After giving it serious thought and arguing with herself long into the night when she should have been sleeping, Lena had come to the conclusion that Adam was right. They both had to move on and do what felt right for them. Living in the past wasn’t going to work unless they wanted to stay there and she for one, didn’t. Lena wanted love and she wanted it now.
“Lena!” A loud cry across the crowded room made her heart almost drop to a standstill.
“Jeff?” Her mouth opened and the words wouldn’t come out. She turned to Adam who shrugged his shoulders and looked at the man descending on them.
“Lena, my darling. Oh honey, please forgive me.” He nudged Adam out of the way and wrapped his arms around her, smothering her in a cloud of Amarani aftershave. He held her up and twirled around before dropping her back onto the ground.
“Sweet thing, I have done you an injustice and tonight I had to come and apologize to you.” He kissed her on both cheeks and waved his hand in the air. “Can you ever forgive me?”
“Um, I’m not sure what’s going on, Jeff.”
“Well, here’s the thing. When Leoni was looking for somewhere nice for a birthday bash I was keen to stay in Sydney, but the judge talked us into coming here and well...” His face turned red and he bit his bottom lip. “I have to eat my words. I never should have given you that lousy review when family commitments had you closed for the night.” He glanced over his shoulder at her parents and waved his fingers. “I got stood up on the night and I took my frustrations out on you. Unforgiveable I know.” He huffed. “So very unprofessional and I have to apologize.”
You might need to do more than that, pal. “Hmmm.”
“Your poor father had a terrible time, didn’t he? And I promise to take it all back. I’m writing you the best review ever because you deserve no less, Lena. I was in a foul mood and took it out on you.” He batted his eyelashes at her. “Please say you forgive me, Lena, please.”
Most of the diners were watching the
