Part 5 (2/2)
”Maybe we can double our staff for a few hours.” I open the birthday party calendar and staff schedule. ”If we can host a great birthday party for Mike Harrison's daughter, Edison might be even more inclined to sponsor the festival.”
”And let us cater their picnic,” Allie adds. ”But we don't have the capacity for thirty-one kids in the party room. Plus a lot of the parents might stay.”
”We'll use the Kansas Farm room too,” I say. ”And the outdoor terrace. This is great, Allie. We'll show them how good we are and establish a relations.h.i.+p. Do we have his wife's contact info?”
Allie digs in her ap.r.o.n pocket for the party request form and hands it to me. ”I already emailed her this morning and told her we couldn't host that many kids.”
”Allie, we can do it.” I unfold the paper. ”When did she schedule the party?”
”Two weeks from Sat.u.r.day. She wants the full Wizard of Oz package.”
”I'll call her.” I reach for the phone. ”If we plan for enough staff, we'll be fine.”
A hint of irritation radiates from Allie. I try to ignore it as I leave a message on Monica Harrison's voicemail.
”It's not just about the cafe, Allie,” I say apologetically, putting the phone back onto the receiver. ”I didn't realize I'd be responsible for finding sponsors for the festival. But I asked Edison Power to be our highest level sponsor, and if they agree, we'll be able to have a children's stage at the festival and hire Slice of Pie to play.”
”But the festival has nothing to do with the cafe,” Allie says with a frown.
”Look, I'll handle it all,” I promise her. ”And I won't schedule anything without your okay.”
She shrugs, not looking entirely convinced or happy. Regret twists my insides as I watch her turn and leave the office. Since becoming partners, Allie and I have disagreed on things over the past couple of years, but we've always managed to reach a compromise and never stayed irritated with each other for very long.
I start to go after her with the intention of making amends when the phone rings.
”Wonderland Cafe,” I say into the receiver. ”This is Liv.”
”Liv, it's Monica Harrison. You left a message about my daughter Becky's birthday party?”
”Yes, thanks for calling me back. I wanted to tell you we'd be happy to host it for you, and after talking to my partner, we found a way to accommodate your entire guest list.”
”Oh, that's wonderful. Thank you so much. Becky will be thrilled.”
I write down the details of her request and email them to Allie before gathering my things to leave. I get Nicholas into his car seat and text Dean, asking if he can join us for lunch. When he doesn't respond right away, I drive to King's University.
The campus is milling with people walking to and from cla.s.s, boots slos.h.i.+ng in the melting spring slush. The gra.s.s of the quad is starting to turn green, the bare trees budding with leaves.
The door to Dean's office in the history department is half-open. His baritone voice drifts into the corridor, along with another man's accented tone. They're talking about the Altopascio monastery and the damage from the earthquake.
I stop outside the office, taking Nicholas out of the stroller before he starts fussing. A young woman with brown, curly hair caught back in a bun comes down the hall toward me, her stride purposeful and a stack of folders in her arm.
After a second, I realize it's Jessica Burke, Dean's whip-smart, former grad student who earned her PhD a few years ago and has since been doing postdoc work in England.
”Jessica?” I stop and wave at her. ”I didn't know you were back in town.”
”Oh, hey, Liv.” She approaches to give me a quick hug. ”I just got in a few days ago. My father pa.s.sed away last week.”
”Oh, no. I'm sorry.”
”Thanks.” Sadness flashes behind her attempt at a smile. ”He was sick for awhile, so it wasn't unexpected but still...”
She shakes her head and turns her attention to Nicholas. ”Wow, look at how big Nicholas is getting. I've been keeping up with him by reading your Liv in Wonderland blog. He's adorable.”
”Thanks. If there's anything you need or anything I can do to help, please let me know.”
”Actually, I might be on the lookout for a part-time job,” Jessica says, letting Nicholas wrap his fist around her thumb. ”My postdoc at the University of Leeds is over, so I'm looking for a professors.h.i.+p somewhere. I'm also hoping to be able to stay with my mom for awhile since she's pretty broken up about my dad. I'd like to help her out as much as I can.”
”Of course. Are you looking for a professors.h.i.+p around here?”
”If I can find one, but my chances are slim just because all the positions are already taken,” she replies. ”Dean is keeping an eye out for me, and he's going to spread the word to other state universities.”
Before I can respond, the door of Dean's office opens wider.
”You'd be an excellent fit for the WHC, Dean.” The other man's lightly accented voice carries into the corridor. ”I don't have to tell you that opportunities like this don't come around very often.”
”I appreciate that, Hans,” Dean says. ”And I'm honored that you'd think of me.”
Something in his voice indicates he really is honored. I wonder what opportunity they're talking about.
The two men step into the corridor. Hans is a slender, blond man wearing a well-cut gray suit and small, round gla.s.ses. He looks vaguely familiar, though I can't immediately place him.
”Hey, Liv.” Dean catches sight of me and lifts his hand in greeting. ”What are you doing here?”
”We thought we'd see if you were free for lunch.” I walk toward him as Nicholas starts to squirm, reaching out for his father.
”Hans, Jessica, and I are heading to a meeting over at SciTech,” Dean explains, hefting Nicholas into his arms. ”They're helping us with a.n.a.lyzing the seismic reports from the quake. Hans, this is my wife Olivia. Liv, Hans Klasen. You met at the Medieval Studies conference a few years ago. Hans is the director of UNESCO's World Heritage Center.”
”Of course.” The pieces click, and I hold out my hand in greeting. ”Pleasure to see you again, Dr. Klasen.”
”Hans, please. You as well.” He indicates Nicholas with a smile. ”You hadn't had your son last time we met. He is two years now?”
”He turned two in January, yes.”
”Beautiful child.” Hans touches Nicholas's brown hair. ”Strong resemblance to his mother.”
”Lucky kid, huh?” Dean asks, winking at me.
”Indeed,” Hans agrees.
”Charmers,” I remark, flattered nonetheless. ”Hans, how long are you staying? Maybe both you and Jessica can come for dinner one night.”
”I'm afraid I leave tomorrow for Was.h.i.+ngton, DC,” Hans explains. ”I stopped for a lecture in Chicago and the SciTech meeting. Also to convince your husband to come for the interviews.”
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