The Reluctant Bachelor. Syndi Powell

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СКАЧАТЬ need to think about it. I’ll call you in a few days.”

      “Call me next week. The answer will still be the same.”

      Dan stood and placed a hand on Rick’s shoulder. “You’ve got to think of the family, little brother.”

      Rick shook his head and bit back a laugh. “I am thinking of the family. You’re focusing on the company’s bottom line.”

      “You don’t understand the hole we’re in. And if we fail, this town will never be the same—” Dan broke off and shook his head. “Never mind. This was a mistake.”

      Rick got to his feet and leaned in toward Dan. “Why would we fail?”

      “Maybe if you read those company reports I send you more than you read the sports pages, you might understand why I’m here.” Dan took one last sip of coffee before slapping the mug on the table. “Thanks for the coffee.”

      Rick was getting pretty good at making people storm out of his diner.

      * * *

      ELIZABETHSTAREDINTOher suitcase as if a waitress uniform would magically appear. Thankfully, she’d never had to go the same route as her mother. She’d known someone who knew someone offering a job as a page on a studio lot when she turned sixteen, and she’d been into television ever since. It was all that she knew. All she wanted. That was why she had to use this week to convince Rick to do the show. If that meant washing mountains of dishes and pouring rivers of coffee, she’d do it.

      A pair of khakis peeked at her from the bottom of the suitcase, so she pulled them out and found a sleeveless green shell and matching short-sleeved top to go with it. It was better than nothing. Or at least better than the sopping oxford and slacks that hung over the shower curtain rod in the tiny bathroom of her room at the bed-and-breakfast.

      She returned to the diner to find Rick barking orders to his cook through the window. He looked comfortable here. As if he knew that he’d be doing this for the rest of his life.

      Unfortunately.

      Didn’t he see that he had so much more to offer? She’d watched the dailies again from the last show he’d done and knew that he was made for bigger things than running a small-town diner. Maybe he didn’t want to work for the family company, but he wasn’t being challenged here. That was where she came in. She needed to broaden his horizons. Provide him with a better life. Success on the show would mean opened doors for him, and he could write his own future. Be a celebrity chef if he wanted. Get his own cooking show and endorsement deals.

      “I’m back.” She did a Vanna White impression and turned around. “Will this suffice for a waitress?”

      Rick looked her up and down, then grimaced. “You sure you want grease to touch that silk shirt?”

      “It’s either this or another suit.” She put her hands on her hips. “I didn’t exactly plan on working at the diner this entire week with you.”

      “The diner is my life now.” He looked at her outfit again. “We’ll go shopping after lunch.”

      She could handle shopping. That thought might get her through whatever he had in store for her. “Is that part of my small-town education?”

      Rick grinned and handed her a clean apron to tie around her hips and a blank order pad. “I’ll help you with the first three tables, and then you’re on your own. Got it?”

      She produced a popular television show and made it look easy. How hard could this be? “I think I can handle taking a few orders.”

      Again with the smile. Why did she get the feeling that there was more to this?

      “I’ll still help you with the first three. They can be tricky.”

      Rick chose the first table of two older women, who chatted with each other more than glancing at their menus. Elizabeth approached them. “Good afternoon, ladies. What can I get you today?”

      Talk ceased as they turned to look at her. Perused her outfit. Glanced at Rick. Then sighed collectively. The woman with salt-and-pepper hair spoke first. “Well, aren’t you the cutest thing?” She turned to Rick. “Where did you find her?”

      Rick stepped forward and clasped his hands behind his back. “She’s just helping out a few days for the Pickle Festival. So be gentle with her.”

      The two women gave each other telling glances. The fading redhead turned to Elizabeth. “What soups do you have today?”

      Elizabeth glanced at the back of her order pad, where she’d written them. “Chicken noodle. Clam chowder. And vegetable.”

      The women resumed looking at their menus. The salt-and-pepper looked up at Rick. “Char’s coming in for the festival this weekend, you know.”

      Rick gave a tight smile. “You must be looking forward to seeing your daughter.”

      Elizabeth glanced at him. He tugged at the collar of his T-shirt and rolled his head on his shoulders. Clearly not a good topic.

      “What she’s looking forward to is seeing you again, Rick. Should I tell her to give you a call?”

      Rick shifted on his feet until Elizabeth stepped in. “Actually, he’ll be busy with me this weekend. Working the festival and all.” She glanced at Rick. “Isn’t that right?”

      Rick sighed and nodded. “Yeah, that’s right. It’s gonna be pretty busy, Mrs. Stanfill.” When the older woman wrinkled her nose, he quickly added, “But I’ll be sure to say hello if I see her in town.”

      Red gave her friend a sideways glance, then offered a big smile to Rick. “Donna will be in town, as well. You be sure to say hello to her, too.”

      Rick nodded, but he looked as if he’d agreed to pour salt into old wounds. “Elizabeth, why don’t you go ahead and take their orders? I’ve got to check on something in the kitchen.”

      Rick left her standing alone. She took a big breath. “So what can I get you?”

      * * *

      ELIZABETHWASCONVINCEDthat he’d chosen the three most difficult tables to train her on. They all wanted specific orders rather than something off the menu. Maybe he’d put them up to it. Maybe he’d told them to be difficult. She groaned and hoisted the tray of food for the second table onto her shoulder like Rick had shown her. It was heavier than it looked, and she almost sagged under its weight. A drop of oil dripped from the tray onto her blouse.

      Great. She’d definitely need that trip to the clothing store. How did people not have to buy a wardrobe at the end of the day working in food service? If nothing else, she would appreciate how hard her server worked the next time she ate at a restaurant. She promised she’d tip better if she could get through this afternoon.

      By the end of the lunch rush, she found herself again at the back booth, her feet up and resting on the seat across from her. She’d developed blisters. She must have the way her feet throbbed and ached. She needed better shoes. New clothes. What else would this glimpse into Rick’s life cost her?

      “Here.” Rick set a plate laden with a BLT and fries СКАЧАТЬ