Page 66 of Pulled By the Tail
She escorted the human woman, holding a toddler on her hip, and the Tal female adolescent through the foyer into the conservatory. The adolescent was all long limbs and angles, her head swiveling as she took in the ornate details of the room.
“You did your research.” The woman had a British accent, softened by her time on Corra.
“Just the basics. If you explain to me what you need for your event, we’ll make it happen,” Georgia said.
“Kalini! I found it.” Another adolescent, this one male, dashed through the foyer, waving a plush doll.
“Thank you, Dare.” Kalini gave the plush doll to the child, who happily jammed it into his mouth.
The baby was a human-Tal hybrid with pale stripes and the trademark Tal ears and tail.
“He’s adorable,” Georgia said, unable to help herself.
“She, actually. Felicity.” As if sensing she was the center of attention, she buried her face against her mother. “She’s a bit bashful.”
“How old?”
“Eighteen months.”
Georgia felt herself go all gooey for the baby, for what she and Talen had made.
“You look familiar,” Dare said, addressing Georgia. “Did Aunt Amity yell at you at the café?”
“Your aunt is the madwoman who runs the café?” That had been such a spectacle. She had politely requested not to have cilantro in her dish because it tasted like soap to her and received a lecture about understanding the complex flavors and how dare she question a professional chef. Yeah. Good times.
“She yells at everyone. Don’t be embarrassed,” he said. “Are you looking for a cook? I have experience and I’ve worked with Aunt Amity for a long time. No matter who you have running your kitchen, I guarantee I’ll be able to work with them, no problem. Dare Isteimlas, by the way.” He held out a hand.
Her first impression had been wrong. This was not an adolescent, but a young adult who had not entirely grown into his frame. He was tall, on the lanky side, but he would fill out in a few years. “I wasn’t planning to interview today, sorry.”
“That’s not a no.”
“Dare. Enough.” Kalini handed him Felicity. “Make yourself useful and watch your sister.”
Georgia continued the tour. They went through the conservatory, past Quil elbow-deep in dirt, through the formal dining room and the unfinished terrace, admired the snowy landscape, and finished at the ballroom.
With the subflooring exposed and the plaster walls unfinished, Georgia realized her mistake. She should have finished with the conservatory, as it was the most impressive space in the house. “I know it looks rough, but the major work has already been completed. We’ve completely upgraded our electrical and environmental system. The subflooring was replaced but once the plaster is patched and finished, the new flooring will be installed. Everything is right on schedule and it’ll be ready for your event.”
“Seems a bit grand,” Kalini said.
“How many people do you expect?” She already knew. Kalini had already contacted her, expressing worry that even though her family was small, they had to invite all her and her husband’s coworkers, Clarity’s friends, and neighbors. The crowd would simply be too large for their home. The event was practically in the bag, but still, Georgia worried. This would be their first hosted event and it had to go smoothly, starting with assuring them that the ballroom would have a floor.
“This is perfect!” Clarity clapped her hands together. “Can we use the terrace?”
“Weather permitting.” And if the stonework got patched. She’d bump that up on the to-do list. “The far windows can be folded open, so you’d have direct access to the terrace.”
Kalini sighed. “Her heart’s already in it. Are you sure all this will be finished in time?”
“Work is scheduled to be finished next week, so yes.” She fudged the dates. The work should be finished in ten days, barring a disaster. “Would you like to review the menu? We have a very talented cook who makes wonderful desserts.”
“I’m afraid we have a chef in the family. She’ll make our lives miserable unless we let her cater. Will that be an issue?”
“Not at all.” Catering the event would have been good practice for the kitchen, but perhaps it would be best to just focus on the basics of hosting the event. Tables and chairs needed to be arranged, as well as serving the food and drinks.
“What do you require as a deposit?” Kalini asked.
Fantastic. Her first booking.
Chapter 15
