Page 67 of Stronger Than Blood
I nodded and couldn’t help my excitement. “I… yeah, I’m in.”
Just then, Brenda walked in, shocking us. “I thought you were off today,” I said.
“I am, but Lucy called in sick, and I didn’t want to leave you short while you’re getting your feet wet,” she said, looking at Essie.
“Well, about that… Mick and I have a proposal.”
We spent too much time discussing my idea, and as a result, we were late getting the food started for the Sunday crowds. I could tell Brenda wasn’t sure about our plans, and I almost told her to drop it. I knew her priority was to retire, not create more expenses for herself.
After I helped them get up and running, I rushed to Granny’s house just as she and Kalinda were waking up. “I’m going to head to bed,” I told them before kissing Granny on the cheek. “I’ll be here tonight if you wanna have some alone time,” I told Kalinda when I went into the kitchen to talk with her.
Kalinda nodded, and with that, I headed up to my old bedroom, set my phone alarm, and crawled into bed. I dreamed of baking cakes and pies and learning to bake bread and other desserts as well. Maybe even donuts, although that wasn’t in my dream, more something I added when I was waking up.
I should’ve told Brenda not to worry about it, but jeez, it was my dream. The restaurant could easily integrate it without affecting its traffic in any way. Sure, we’d need to hire staff to manage it, but at least having another person would help when someone called in sick. There’s no reason why the bakery staff couldn’t lend a hand on the other side. Just, of course, would it pay for itself?
I believed it would. Piston Creek loved its desserts. Hell, I sold a lot of my stuff while working at Milners’ to Piston Creek residents. I know because they’d told me when they bought one of my pies or cakes.
I crawled out of bed, showered, and came downstairs to find Kalinda combing Granny’s hair as they watched TV.
As I sat down, Kalinda stopped mid tease on Granny’s hair and smiled. “Something’s happened, something important,” she said.
I shook my head. “Sometimes it’s hard living with a psychic,” I said instead of answering.
“Oh, please. You love me,” Kalinda said, getting a chuckle out of Granny.
“That’s proving to be true. So… I talked to Brenda about expanding the baking and possibly even putting in a bakery. I… well, I wasn’t going to because I didn’t want to be a bother, but Essie sorta pushed the issue.”
Kalinda smiled, and Granny looked over at me. “You know, that restaurant has been run by your people since it opened. I know she’s got Elias’s niece taking over the cooking, andrightfully so, 'cause that’s not your gift, grandson, but it sure would be nice to have one of us keeping on the legacy.”
“Do you think I’m asking too much, though? I mean, she’s wanting to retire.”
Granny raised her hand to stop me. “Listen, Mick, Brenda has told me herself you’re a cash cow. Don’t be feeling bad about making her more money, especially if you’re going to do all the work.”
I nodded, feeling better. Granny was the best at breaking things down. “Okay, well, we’ll see what she says.”
“She’s going to say yes,” Kalinda said, her eyes slightly unfocused before she smiled and went back to teasing Granny’s hair.
“Of course she is. She’d be a fool if she didn’t,” Granny added.
I went to the kitchen, automatically stirring the pots as I’d been instructed to do since I’d moved in years ago. I was about to dash back upstairs when I turned and saw Rory walking in from the garden. “Um, what’s up?” I asked as he came in and washed his hands.
“Oh, Mrs. Ida put me to work. We’re going to have to pick those green beans again tomorrow, even though your cousin Joann did it just last week. They’re going to go bad if you wait much longer.”
“Ugh, don’t ever say that around Granny. She’ll be out there on her hands and knees,” I said, causing Rory to chuckle.
“I told Mrs. Ida that if you didn’t mind, I’d spend the night again, and we can get an early start. There’s a lot out there, Mick. A whole lot.”
I laughed. “Oh, trust me, this isn’t my first rodeo. Yeah, sure, but I slept all afternoon, so I might not be ready to fall asleep early. It takes me a while to get reacclimated to being off nights.”
“Oh,” Rory said, a naughty smile growing on his face. “I’m sure I can keep you busy.”
I laughed, and after he kissed me, I pushed him back to avoid a scene in front of the women.
He just laughed, then added, “It’s all good.”
We walked into the dining area when Rory asked, “What’re you gonna do with all those beans?”
“You’re gonna can them,” Granny said. “Just ’cause I may not be here doesn’t mean you won’t need them. Don’t worry, Mick knows how.”
