Part 15 (1/2)
”Yes? Any solution would be welcome.”
When he was silent, she sighed. ”Yeah, I don't have a miracle up my sleeve, either. Okay, meet us at the market in forty-five minutes,” she said. ”We'll check out what's available and I'll come up with a menu. Then we'll put it all together and pray that it works.”
CHAPTER FIVE.
CAL WALKED THROUGH the dining room at eight-thirty on opening night. Every table was full and there wasn't an empty seat at the bar. Quiet music blended with conversation and laughter from the guests. He could smell the various foods and hear the comments of surprise as people tasted one of Penny's many special dishes.
The disaster had been averted.
Three hours at the market, with everyone running around buying mushrooms, shallots, fish, sh.e.l.lfish and ingredients for salad had produced a Chef's Menu that should fool everyone. He couldn't believe she'd pulled it all together so quickly, but she had.
He crossed the floor and pushed through the swinging door. In contrast to the quiet elegance of the dining room, the kitchen was a loud, bright, crazy house of activity.
”Fire up!” one of the cooks yelled. ”Fire up, you skinny-a.s.sed sonofab.i.t.c.h.”
”Puta,” the other man replied without looking up from his pan where he sauteed shrimp with various vegetables.
”Table three. I'm waiting on bisque,” Naomi yelled from the front. ”Bisque, ladies. How hard is that?”
Another chef pushed a full bowl toward her. She grabbed it, put it on a tray, expertly turned, then hustled out into the dining room.
Cal moved next to Penny who watched everything anxiously. She fingered the orders lined up and then turned to him. ”What's the next seating?” she asked.
”Two tables of four are going to open up in about five minutes.”
”Okay, once they're seated, switch the menu.” She shook her head. ”I hate this.”
”I know. I'm sorry.”
”Ha. Like that helps me now.”
He was just as p.i.s.sed as she was, but figured there was no point in showing it. One of them screaming was enough. But the contracts with the old supplier had already been canceled and the new company would start in the morning. He would be there himself to make sure everything was up to standard. If it wasn't, there would be h.e.l.l to pay.
”I've never had to do this,” Penny said. ”It's opening night, Cal. I'm playing fast and loose with the menu. One special order could sink me. I don't need this kind of pressure.”
The small printer in the corner spat out three more orders. Penny lunged for them. He sidestepped her and started out of the kitchen. On his way, he pa.s.sed Naomi.
”She still threatening to kill you?” the other woman asked.
”Not to my face.”
”You should have been here earlier.” Naomi lowered her voice. ”Orange sherbet. Bring her some and she'll be eating out of your hand. a.s.suming you're into that sort of thing.”
He looked at Naomi. ”Why are you being nice to me?”
She grinned. ”Because s.e.x with your brother was so amazing, I'm feeling at one with the world. I'd say that you should try it, but that's a place neither of us wants to go.”
”You got that right.”