Alaskan Holiday
Page 22

“Okay, fine, tell me what she said.”
“I can mention his name?”
“No.” The word burst out of me in a fit of impatience.
“Okay, then. It was late, and she sounded really tired.”
“She’s working a lot,” I murmured, remembering how exhausted she sounded whenever we spoke. It didn’t matter what time of day it was. Mornings or nights. Chef Anton was doing his best to control her life. I realized now that that was all part of his scheme. If she worked sixteen hours a day, she wouldn’t have the time or energy to date anyone but him.
“Other than the one who shall remain nameless, she didn’t talk about work. She was real happy to hear from me.”
I wouldn’t have expected anything less. Josie often asked me about Jack; I knew she missed him and that she was on his mind as well.
“Josie invited me to visit her in Seattle; she said she’d cook for me.”
That explained why he was looking to book a flight out of Ponder. He was willing to go to the trouble and expense so Josie would cook for him again.
“She said I could visit anytime. I was thinking the sooner the better, you know? Strike while the iron is hot. And seeing that you’re heading that way yourself, I thought I’d tag along.”
Not exactly the plan I had in mind. Then again, having Jack accompany me might prove to be an advantage.
“I’m thinking that between us we can convince her to return to Ponder,” Jack continued. “She misses us.”
“It’s something to consider,” I agreed, unwilling to commit.
“You’re smiling,” Jack noted, grinning himself. “First time in a long time.”
He hadn’t been around when Josie and I were on the phone.
“So you gonna let me fly to Seattle with you?” he asked.
“I’m thinking about it.”
“What’s there to think about?” Jack argued, his eyes widening. “You want to win back Josie or not? You have to know I’m your best bet.”
“That’s debatable,” I grumbled.
Jack ignored that. His eyes got big. “I’ve got an idea.”
This might prove to be dangerous.
“We’ll surprise her,” he burst out excitedly. “We won’t let her know we’re coming and show up at that restaurant where she’s cooking. It’ll be a little Christmas surprise. What do you think?”
That isn’t a bad idea, I thought to myself, and it would give me a chance to see firsthand what her relationship was with the chef.
“Palmer?” he asked, interrupting my thoughts. He stared intently at me, awaiting my response.
I nodded my head in agreement. I hadn’t counted on traveling with Jack, but he’d put up a good argument.
His grin was contagious. “As a bonus, maybe we can convince Josie to cook for us. What could be better than that?” he exclaimed. “Think she’ll have my stroganoff on the menu?”
“Can’t say. Maybe.” That was Jack’s favorite dish, and Jack claimed no one came close to cooking it as well as Josie.
“I have to go on to Pennsylvania,” I reminded Jack. “Seattle is only a layover. I only intend to stay a few days, if that.” It all depended on Josie’s reaction. If my fears were realized, I didn’t plan on sticking around.
“Okay. Go do what you need to do in Pennsylvania and come back to Seattle. I know you’re obsessed about that chef guy, so while you’re away, I’ll do a bit of snooping and give you a report on anything I find out.”
Briefly, I considered his proposal, but it didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t want Jack spying on Josie.
“Thanks, but no thanks. Josie and I will figure this out ourselves.”
“You sure?” He didn’t look like he believed me.
I assured him I was, but, bottom line: I’d never been less sure of anything in my life.
CHAPTER 12
Josie
“I’m leaving for work now,” I called out on my way to the front door.
“Josie.” Mom rushed out from the kitchen, rattled and nervous. “I’m gone overnight and won’t be back until late Sunday.”
“Mom, you’ve told me this at least three times today.” I didn’t know what was up with my mother, but it was obvious now that something was going on that she wasn’t telling me.
Something was up with Palmer, too. We had barely spoken since Thanksgiving. There’d been a couple brief phone conversations that felt stilted and awkward. I’d asked him both times if there was a problem, and he denied that there was. It was all so strange. We continued to text, but those messages seemed abrupt, almost like hearing from me was an imposition.
“You’ll be all right without me?” Mom called after me.
“Of course. Enjoy yourself and don’t worry about me.”
“Okay.” This trip was with Carol, her best friend, to the quaint Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth, tucked away in the Cascade Mountains. Carol and Mom were taking the train and spending the day touring the picturesque shops. Leavenworth was everything Christmas, oozing charm in a festive winter wonderland. Then on Sunday afternoon the train would deliver them back to Seattle. For years, visiting Leavenworth had been a holiday tradition for Mom and me.
Not this year, though. With my work schedule, Mom and I hadn’t been able to find time for any of our usual traditions. I hadn’t baked a single cookie or made our family’s special recipe for handmade chocolates. Mom had baked fruitcake without me, and that just felt wrong. I was missing out on my favorite time of the year.
When I’d entered culinary school, I’d dreamed of creating amazing dishes. While working at the lodge I had free rein in the kitchen and was able to design my own menus. At the restaurant, I was constantly under Chef Anton’s thumb, with no creative freedom after the first days of helping him with the original menu. I wasn’t allowed any originality, or even a chance to make suggestions to the menu. Because he was so often absent, I’d tried adding my own flair to a dish and had been severely reprimanded. The only reason he’d learned about what I’d done was from a customer who had complimented him. I’d heard from one of the servers that Chef had taken the credit.
I paused long enough to hug my mother. “Have a wonderful time.”
“We will.” She looked sad and guilty, though.
“Mom, go and enjoy yourself. We’ll get to Leavenworth next year.” But not if I continued with Chef Anton.
I left the house with frustration growing inside me. This opportunity hadn’t turned out to be the career break I’d thought it would be. Then again, to be fair to Chef Anton, my mindset might have been all wrong. While my head and hands were in the work of the restaurant, my heart remained in Ponder with Palmer and all my friends there. I lived to hear from Palmer and feared I was losing him, though I didn’t know why. Drowning in doubts, I was agitated and edgy, not getting enough sleep and not taking time to eat.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Mom, too. As much as she loved and supported me, I sensed my mother was ready for me to find a place of my own. She’d grown accustomed to living by herself, making plans with friends, living her own life. All this was good and as it should be. Mom liked having her own space, and by living at home, I seemed to be intruding on her newfound freedom.
It was time for me to move out. I’d changed, too. Living in Alaska, I’d become independent. I loved my mother and was grateful to her, yet I was ready to be on my own also.
* * *
—
When I arrived at the restaurant, Chef Anton was in a rage. The fresh produce truck had arrived and there’d been a mixup with the order. Instead of the broccolini and cauliflower, they’d delivered a triple order of red radishes. Chef was on a rampage, blaming everyone in the kitchen, insisting the mistake had been an attempt to sabotage him and his reputation.
“Out, all of you! Out of my kitchen!” he screeched as I arrived. He looked directly at me and the rest of the crew. “You’re all fired. Every last one of you. Leave me.” He dramatically waved his hand, dismissing all of us.
The line cooks stood frozen in place, not knowing what to do. The prep cook stood in wide-eyed terror. Everyone looked to me to resolve the issue.