Page 20 of Finding Yesterday

HERE I AM, standing in the parking lot of The Fine Bone.

There’s a hammered bronze cow statue at the entrance, and it makes me miss the old restaurant that Hannah and Max ran here. This building, a ways from downtown, is a historical landmark. Through the 1900s, it was a train station for the workers of the ruby mine on the opposite side of the hill. Hannah had named the restaurant The Ruby Stop, a homage to its past. Mama was a history buff too—just another thing she had in common with Jack’s grandmother.

Now, it’s a cow that I’m sure is supposed to look classy. But that’s never made sense to me. Vegetarian restaurants don’t have broccoli statues. That would be just…tacky. So, why should this be any different?

I wished they’d still kept the place a nod to its rich history, but maybe since Hannah passed, it’s too painful for Max to have it as it was before? But Jack could’ve at least put some focus on the beauty. The building is on top of a hill, which provides fantastic views—downtown Blue Vine in one direction and the rolling vineyards in the other.

I walk over and run my fingers over the divots of the metal bovine, wondering how they get those to look so even. A yearning for Tangz washes over me, and I can’t believe how much I miss being there, cooking the food, making new dishes, and talking with the customers.

Sweet mother.

I had my own vegetarian restaurant, and now I’m interviewing for a line cook job at a steakhouse.

But I remind myself that just because I’m here to show Jack how much I appreciated his gesture, it doesn’t mean I have to accept a position at his restaurant.

The thought does little to calm my nerves, and the scared part of me wants to jump back in my car and drive away. I’m sure Shirley would give me an interview at Boon’s Diner.

Fortunately, I don’t have time to change my mind because a chilly breeze kicks up, and I’m not wearing a jacket. The cold air blasts through my thin suit material, and I rush inside, not needing another reason to be shaky. I’m already nervous enough about this interview, and I’m not exactly sure why.

Maybe it’s that I don’t want to let Jack down after he talked me out of the cellar at my wedding. And now, he’s trying to help me out of another tough spot. Maybe he feels guilty for being a part of what went down, although he shouldn’t. It wasn’t his fault, and even jobless and living with Daddy, I’m glad I didn’t stay with Hudson.

Truth be told, it’d be nice to impress Jack, even if I don’t want the job here.

He’s the season two winner ofGrade A Chef. That definitely has to be why I’m so nervous.

And I need to show my siblings, Emma especially, that I’m not a total screw-up.

Stepping out of the entryway and into the restaurant, it appears I’m the only non-employee in here, which makes sense. It’s ten-thirty in the morning, and the place just opened to get ready for the lunch crowd, I’m sure.

It’s strange being somewhere so high-end for Blue Vine. There’s definitely no other restaurant this nice in town. It has crystal glasses, cloth napkins, modern industrial decor, and a bar stocked with top-shelf liquors.

When I inhale, the smell of sizzling steak makes my mouth water. I don’t eat meat for health and environmental reasons, but oh, sweet mercy, what I wouldn’t do for a medium-well filet mignon right about now.

It was definitely easier to avoid meat working in a vegetarian restaurant. How would I stay strong, working in this smell, day in and day out?

I don’t know, but right now, I’ve got to pull myself together.

“Can I help you?” The hostess interrupts my thoughts.

“Oh, hello,” I blurt, approaching her. She’s wearing a red, silky low-cut shirt, and my eyes zero in on her cleavage like magnets. There’s justsomuch of her breasts showing. I blink, forcing myself to look at her face. “I’m Claire.”

“I’m Kristy.” Her smile is bright but forced, like she’s getting paid for it. Which she is. “How may I help you?”

“Oh, sorry.” I shake my head. “I have an interview with Jack. For a cook position.”

“Of course.” She waves her hand, her long fingernails bright red, like her shirt. “Follow me.”

Kristy ushers me through the swinging doors of the kitchen.

And the kitchen! Top-notch, stainless steel appliances fill the pristine room. The open shelves are filled with every tool imaginable, some of which I recognize only from cooking shows.

Looking around, I’m definitely excited to see how Jack manages this place.

A few cooks are here doing what appears to be some prep work. As we walk past the grill and the piles of raw meat slabs, I notice how each has been cut with practiced precision.

Once we’re at the back office, Kristy knocks on the door. When Jack opens it, he’s wearing a sharp dress shirt and a bright smile. “Hey, Claire. Welcome.” He waves me in.

“Thank you for having me.” I rub my hands together as I enter, my nerves ratcheting up when he shuts the door behind him. I sit in a guest chair and hand him my résumé.

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