Page 50 of Stronger Than Blood

Chapter forty-six

Mick

It surprised me how quickly life returned to normal. I mean, normal in the spiritual sense. Our lives were anything but normal.

It took longer than we anticipated for Uncle Eddie’s stash to be sold.

Mostly because Jonah had to ensure everything was managed legally.

For the most part, I let Jonah handle what needed to be done, and with the power of attorney handed to me by Granny, I mostly just signed all the necessary documents so we could sell it to our very interested party.

I’d begun meeting Essie every Sunday morning since she’d started taking over for Brenda. “To get her feet wet,” Brenda had said.

“Do you think you can handle all the baking? I can handle the regular food prep, but trying to manage the pies and cakes you sell, along with the stuff for the buffet, seems overwhelming,” she’d admitted to me the last time we met.

I couldn’t help but smile. “Essie, I used to make at least five times the desserts I make here, and that was every night. We are nowhere near my capacity.”

“So, do you think we could sell more?” she asked.

I shrugged. “Maybe,” I said, looking around. “If I share a thought with you, do you promise to think about it before we bring Brenda in?”

Essie cocked an eyebrow but nodded. “As long as it’s just an idea, I’m not sure why I’d have to tell her.”

I swallowed hard. I knew I was stepping outside my boundaries and would probably never even mention it to Brenda because, for real, the woman wasn’t known for dealing with new ideas well. Hell, even now, I knew she regretted the baked goods over at the hotel.

“Okay, come here,” I said and walked around to the section of the restaurant opposite the kitchen and larger dining area.

“So, this area is rarely used because it’s the farthest from the buffet.

It’s also far enough away from the kitchen that our wait staff tends to discourage people from sitting here at night when we're taking table orders. So, if we were to move these coolers out and put a couple on that end, I could easily fill these up and turn this section into a bona fide bakery.”

Essie looked around the room, a frown on her face. I could tell she was thinking about what I’d said. “Are you sure this isn’t used very often?”

“Positive. I mean, this is a large building, too big for the type of service we have. Most people are in and out within thirty minutes during the day. At night, when the servers seat people, they always direct them to the left side of the restaurant. In fact, I’ve been in here when this section is completely blocked off. ”

“You think there’s enough interest in the baked goods?” she asked.

I just chuckled. “You know I sell out every weekend. Not to mention, we consistently get more orders every weekend. I barely have enough time to put anything out for customers to buy. However, if I worked a regular schedule, with at least a forty-hour week, I’d be able to fill orders and keep these coolers filled. ”

“You think Brenda would be against it?” she asked, and I nodded.

“Yeah, she’s ready to retire. Even before that, she had all she could handle with the restaurant.

I… well, to be honest, Essie, I think she only offered this to both of us because she knew I needed the work, but I don’t want to be just a weekend warrior.

I’d like this to be a real job, a real career.

With Brenda leaving, I’d like to take this section over and turn it into the bakery I’ve always wanted to run.

That way, you’ll have your part, and I’ll have mine. ”

Essie nodded. “My turn, come with me,” she said and led me into the back, to the kitchen.

I followed her to where we kept dry goods.

“I think this is the wall that separates the kitchen from the dining room.” She looked around and smiled.

“This is just where Brenda tosses the overstocked stuff, like extra flour, canned goods.”

She pointed to a corner where we stored the mop and brooms. “As you can see, this area is not being used. So, if we move the shelves from back there up to here, move the mop and brooms to the area where the clean-out traps are located, you can open a door between that side of the restaurant and the kitchen.”

“That would make it a lot easier to move stuff into the coolers,” I said, excited at the thought.

“We could also add another oven and sink, which will cost, but not too much, and you can become more autonomous. That way you won’t have to work all night—you can do your baking during the day and not be in the way.

This would be your workspace,” she said, and when I looked at her this time, she was actually smiling.

“What do you think it’d cost?” I asked, concerned.

“Not much. The plumbing is already run into the wall here, and there’re electrical outlets all around the space, provided there’s enough amperage to support another oven. I’m assuming you’ll need some prep space. I think, Mick, this might be the best idea for everyone.”

“So, does this mean you’re going to take Brenda up on her offer?”

“Are you?” she asked.

I looked down, thoughts flowing through my head faster than I could process. “I’d like to, but I’ve already agreed to help with the microdistillery. It’s always been my dream to have a bakery, though. Well, not always, but it has since I started cooking.”

“Then let’s make it happen, but first, you need to commit. If you're willing, we can present the idea to Brenda. We can talk about how to pay for the improvements and get things set up for you to make it happen.”

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, and rightfully 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.”

I nodded. “I do, indeed,” I admitted. “Kalinda, are you about done? I’m starving.”

“Yep, just need to spray it,” she said, picking up the huge can of hairspray and coating Granny’s hair before swiveling her wheelchair for us to see.

“Wow-wee, Mrs. Ida, you look plumb good enough to eat,” Rory said.

“You wish,” Granny joked. “I’m hungry too. Why don’t we move to the kitchen and eat?”

“Not me, I’m afraid,” Kalinda said. “I’ve decided to let Jonah take me out to eat at some place he said had delicious steak in Chattanooga.”

Granny turned in her seat and looked at Kalinda. “Why didn’t you let me be and focus on getting ready? I didn’t know you had a date, or I wouldn’t have asked you to fix my hair.”

Kalinda just smiled. “Oh, I have time. Jonah won’t be here for at least another hour, but you all go on and eat. I’m gonna get a shower and get pretty.”

Granny patted Kalinda’s hand and said, “You can’t get pretty when you already are.”

Kalinda’s eyes danced with the compliment. She bent over before kissing Granny on the cheek, then hurried into the bedroom to get dressed.

“Well, boys, looks like it’s just us tonight. Let’s eat; then I’ll play you a game of poker.”

“Ugh, she’s gonna clean us out,” I said, getting a smile out of Rory.

“Would give up every penny to spend the night with such a pretty lady and her handsome grandson.”

Somehow, the man had managed to get a blush out of Granny and me at the same time. Some people were just too smooth for their own good.