Page 4 of Second Chances in Cedarwood

He grabbed his phone, wallet, bag and keys, then headed out to the garage. Fifteen minutes later, he was striding into the back of the restaurant. He settled at his desk in his office, a one-time closet. Once he’d ordered the needed supplies, he washed his hands, then tied on his apron. The next step was prepping the stovetop and chopping the onions. He added chili to the warmer and added extra cheese to the bin. He liked to have as much as possible done before Anna arrived, just in case he needed her to prepare more toppings or get chili from the warmer.

Anna strolled into the restaurant and tossed her jacket onto Jack’s desk. “Hi, boss man. Did you end up going to the park or did you wuss out?” She washed her hands, then donned her apron. “Please tell me you met up with him.”

“How’s Adam?” He finished chopping another onion. “And yes, I did meet up with Henry.” He didn’t mind her asking questions or pushing him to talk to Henry, but he hated talking about his private life.

“Oh, he’s fine. I got him started on that computer program for preschoolers.” She stirred the chili. “Best decision ever. He’s talking more and trying to read. Really seems like it brought him out of himself.” She paused. “Maybe I should get you on that site.”

“I talk.” He’d chatted quite a bit with Henry. Hell, he’d told Henry more than he’d said to most boyfriends.

“You keep yourself so guarded.” She frowned, then opened a package of buns. “One of these days, you’re going to find a great guy, but you won’t give him a chance to get to know you.”

“You don’t know that.” He had to change the subject. “How’s Nick?”

“I stopped seeing him.” She shrugged. “Nick and I realized we weren’t going anywhere. He wanted to move to Smithville and I’m not moving. Not when I have to get Adam into preschool. I don’t know about the preschools there, but I like the one here in town. Miss Julie rocks. She helped Barry when he wouldn’t learn to read.”

She’d switched topics to her children.Good.He’d rather talk about them, even if he knew the stories, than his dating situation.

“But you avoided it,” Anna said. “You need action. You’re not getting any younger and if this guy—who seems decent—is interested, then go for it.”

“I need action like I need a hole in the head.” He finished cleaning up after prepping for the morning. “It’s almost ten-thirty. Ready?”

“As always.” She turned the sign around and, within a minute, the first customers ventured into the shop.

Jack forgot about dating, his love life and everything else. It was time to get to work. Once he started cooking, he had no time to think about Henry or the way he liked talking with him. He wanted to see Henry again, but first, he had to get through the workday. The blur of people in and out of the shop made keeping up with the time of day impossible. The orders racked up and he wished he had someone at the register. Then he and Anna could cook while the third person took the money.

At two in the afternoon, Henry arrived. Jack tamped down his excitement. He thought Henry wouldn’t show up.

Henry ordered, but with the slowdown in people at the shop, Jack had a second to talk.

“I’ll bring this out to you.” Jack finished Henry’s order, then rounded the counter. Anna could handle the two orders pending. He joined Henry at the table. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Henry accepted the food. “Thanks. I thought I’d come at a slow time.” He nodded to the door. “Looks like it’s ramping back up.”

Jack didn’t bother to turn around. The ding of the bell told him everything. “I’ll be back.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Henry smiled. “I’ll wait for you.”

“Thanks.” Jack resumed his place behind the counter.Jesus.He hadn’t expected so many people to come in at two. The rush tended not to happen until half-past. He shook his head and forced a smile. In the space of forty-five minutes, he made fifty hot dogs and ran out of chili. He hadn’t been this tired in forever.

At three, Jack gestured to Anna to turn the sign around. He made the last three orders, then engaged the lock on the door. Henry still sat at his regular table and scribbled in his journal.

Jack wiped his hands on one of the rags, then tossed the rag onto the cutting board. “I’m taking a break.” He sank onto the chair across from Henry. “Where were we?”

“You were hustling and bustling.” Henry closed his notebook. “Rest.”

“You spend a lot of time here. Are my hot dogs that exciting?” He laughed. “Or are you looking for a job?”

“I like to write here. The atmosphere is conducive to creativity,” Henry said. “But what do you want me to do? I’m game to help out.”

“Want to work the register? Anna writes the amount on the bill and you give them change.” He didn’t tend to use paper order sheets, but if there were three workers and Henry needed to learn the prices, paper would work. “You won’t have to cook. Just handle the money.”

“Why not?” Henry shrugged. “I’m game, like I said.”

He’d just hired a worker…the man he maybe kind of wanted to date. Probably not a good idea.Is it?Jack needed the help. Maybe the time together would show him what kind of man Henry was and how Henry handled stress. Then again, he should probably go out with Henry a few times before he hired him. Oh well. All he’d done was offer a job and could fire Henry if things didn’t work out.

“When should I come in?” Henry asked. “What’s the dress code?”

“Ten-thirty tomorrow. Wear a T-shirt and jeans.” Jack snorted. He’d never had a dress code the entire time he’d owned the shop. “You can say no. It’s not world travel and it’s probably going to be boring.” He had to give Henry an out.

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