Page 86 of Traces Of You

Food service was nothing she’d ever thought to do in her life and wondered why when she loved to cook and secretly dreamed of a home and family to care for.

Maybe that was why she was so drawn to Brooke. She looked up to her and how she cared for her family and raised her children.

“Everything looks wonderful and we know it tastes even better.” She went with her gut and gave Brooke a hug, got a big squeeze and a rub on her back.

“Let’s get out there and hope everyone feels the same way.”

“Tell me what you want me to take out,” Lexi said. Bobbi Jo, who was a server for the lunch crowd in the cafe, was working also, the cafe having shut down for the event today.

“If you don’t mind, Lexi,” Brooke said, “could you just walk around and pick up empty glasses and plates, and make sure the table is full of the dips, bringing things back and forth?”

“Phew,” Lexi said, wiping her hand across her forehead. “Thank God. I was terrified I’d drop something walking around with a tray on my shoulder. I’d rather mill around and keep my eyes on everyone. Lots of hotties out there.”

Reenie wasn’t interested in anyone other than Ford and didn’t know why Lexi wiggled her eyebrows at her when it was said.

She picked a tray up and walked out of the kitchen, Gale rushing in. “Sorry I’m late, Mom.”

She moved around the room. There were at least forty people in here already, Bobbi Jo making her way on one end so she moved to the other.

When she turned after one rotation in the room, she saw Gale smiling and carrying a tray too.

“Would you like something to eat?” Reenie turned the tray so they could see it. “These are mushrooms stuffed with apples and sausage. And this is my favorite. A pulled pork bite with Clay’s original hard cider.”

“Thank you,” the woman said, taking a napkin off the tray and helping herself to one of each. “You’re Ford’s girlfriend, right?”

Guess it had made the rounds. “I am.”

“He’s a great guy. We went to school together.”

“Oh,” she said. Which meant this woman was in school with her too, but hadn’t recognized her. “Yes, he is a great guy.”

“Many have been trying to land him for years. Not sure what magic you cast on him, but hope it sticks.”

Reenie forced a smile on her face. “Me too. Excuse me.”

She didn’t want to come off rude but couldn’t stand around chatting either.

Her tray was empty in ten minutes and she was rushing back in to grab another. Brooke had everything in an assembly line and trays lined up for the three servers to move around with.

When she passed the bar, Ford winked at her. He, Callum, and Ash were manning the bar and filling glasses while she’d caught sight of Clay welcoming people and mingling.

An hour later, she’d lost track of the number of trays she’d come in to get, and the ache in her feet and legs from the amount of steps she’d taken without stopping. “They sure are a hungry crowd,” she said.

“That’s a good thing,” Brooke said. “What’s the feedback?”

Ford’s mother looked almost anxious and ready for negative reviews. “All good. The pulled pork is a colossal hit, the same with the bacon bite tarts. Everything is getting spectacular remarks too, but those two get the most.”

“Meat,” Brooke said, nodding her head in agreement. “I should have figured. It’s good to know though. If it was a room full of women, the sweet stuff might be a bigger hit.”

“I agree, but I heard a few women talking about a baby shower here and all the pastries from the bakery. Not sure if you thought of putting menus together for different events. Just a thought.”

“A great thought,” Brooke said, pulling her phone out and making a note on it. “Three more hours to go.”

“Don’t remind me,” Reenie said, grabbing a tray. She was going to drop into a deep sleep tonight.

Gale came in and stopped next to her. “I’m not going to be able to type on Monday. My elbow is cramping already and my toes are aching.”

“You’ve gotten soft, Gale,” Brooke said.