Second Chance at the Orchard Inn, page 17
Jude took in the expression on his dad’s face, along with Jenna’s chagrin.
Something had hit the fan, and he was about to find out what, and how much.
“Sure, Dad. What’s up?” He kept his tone neutral because his dad could be fired up about any number of things.
“This.” He slapped down an open notebook.
Jude’s notebook from the truck, from his talk with Aurora, with pages of ideas about a farm-to-table restaurant.
“That is a notebook,” he said blandly, his stomach tying into double knots.
“It’s a book of plans. For a restaurant that you’ve told me nothing about.”
Jude considered telling his dad they weren’t plans at all. That he was merely daydreaming about something that’d never happen, but that’d be a lie. It’d be a betrayal to Aurora and to his sisters. That notebook was both a dream and plans, and Jude was tired of playing this game with his dad about the farm’s future.
“It’s brainstorming plans, Dad. Ideas. Nothing is written in stone.”
“Ideas that you’ve left me out of. Jenna told me you’ve been thinking about expanding. Talking about it.”
“True. But we didn’t want to trouble you with something we’re just considering and talking about.”
Jenna stared him down, as if trying to speak without saying a word.
“You’ve been tired lately,” Jude continued. “We didn’t want to pile this on you.”
Jenna’s eyes were now about to pop out of her skull. Bonnie and Meredith had huddled closer, clearly wanting to know what was going on, while staying out of the line of fire.
“This isn’t some problem that fell out of the sky onto the farm.” His dad jabbed a finger toward the notebook. “This is a problem you’re about to bring down upon us.”
“I’m not bringing anything down on us.”
“This concerns me, and you’ve left me out.”
“I know, but whenever we’ve tried to talk to you about expanding and diversifying the farm’s business—”
His dad scoffed.
“You do that,” Jenna jumped in.
“Exactly. You don’t want to hear about changes. You cut us off before we can ever start talking to you about it.”
“That’s a bunch of bull, and you know it.”
Jude shook his head. “No, actually, it isn’t bull at all. We’ve tried for months to discuss ideas with you, and you shut us down. You don’t want to hear any of them.”
“We can’t discuss it with you, so we discuss it with each other,” Jenna added. “We’re not leaving you out intentionally. We’ve tried including you on everything.”
“You shouldn’t be discussing it at all.” He spun toward Bonnie and Meredith. “Are you both a part of this too?”
To their credit, the two of them stood there, stone-faced, neither denying nor confirming the accusation. They weren’t neck-deep like Jenna and Jude, but Jude appreciated their silent support.
His dad refocused his anger on Jude and Jenna. “You’re all in on this together. You’re going to open some restaurant without ever telling me?”
“No,” Jude insisted.
“I’m the last one to know about anything. First about Bonnie and Meredith and now about this.”
“Dad,” Bonnie pleaded.
Jude moved closer to his dad. “We were going to talk to you about the restaurant. As soon as we had all the information and had decided it’s what we really want to pursue. We’re not doing anything to you. It’s a family discussion. That’s all.”
“What do you even know about restaurants?”
“Not much,” Jenna admitted. “That’s why we brought in Aurora to consult.”
Jude cringed. Dragging Aurora into this wasn’t going to win their father’s favor.
“We got her input. That’s all,” Jude explained.
“Why would you ask her for anything?”
A decade ago, he hadn’t had the will to fight his dad or his opinions about Aurora. Times had changed though, and so had he. “Aurora knows her stuff, Dad. There’s no one I know with more restaurant experience than her. No one has her expertise. You should hear her talk. She knows what she’s doing.”
His dad sniffed at the notion.
Jude ground his back teeth together. “She’s worked in restaurants for the last ten years. She’s been in the trenches and worked her way up, seen what makes success and failure. Look what she’s done for her family’s inn. She knows a lot more than any of us.”
Including you, he wanted to add. He was not going to let his dad bulldoze over the fact that Aurora was the best person to ask about and involve with this project.
“And she thinks this is a great idea,” Jenna added.
“Well, lah-de-dah. Aurora thinks it’s a great idea.”
“That’s enough.” Jude stopped him. “Regardless of what you think about Aurora from back then or even now, she knows this business.”
Jude picked up the notebook. He hadn’t stood up to his dad ten years ago, but he could stand up for both of them now. “If she says it’s a good plan, then it’s a good plan. She said we could be profitable within a few years. It’s a viable investment and I like the idea. In fact, we all like the idea.”
“Where would you even put it?”
“In the barn Jude refurbished,” Jenna answered quickly. “I’ve checked on building out some of the renovations and the cost is less than we thought, especially if we do some of the work ourselves.”
“You’ve got it all figured out then, huh?”
“Don’t be like this,” he pleaded with his father. “This could really work and be huge for the farm. We could use a boost to keep this business thriving, in the family, and all of us able to stay on full-time—for years to come. But we need to all be on the same page.”
“Then you can forget it.” His father looked them both in the eyes in turn. “It’s my name on this farm, my name on the deed. I’m not opening a restaurant. And that’s final.”
Their dad turned on his heels and marched out of the office.
Jude didn’t have the heart to point out that he wouldn’t be doing much of anything to open the restaurant. They didn’t expect him to take on that much manual labor. Their father could barely handle the responsibilities already on his plate. The plan never included their dad actively contributing.
Maybe Jude should feel bad about that, but it wasn’t about leaving his dad out because of ill will. His dad had earned his retirement. He deserved the time to relax a little and let his children pick up the weight.
If only he’d let them.
Jenna balled her hands into fists, her mouth pinched tight as she watched their dad storm off. “He’s being completely unreasonable,” she hissed as soon as he was out of earshot.
Jude shook his head and tucked the notebook into the back pocket of his jeans.
“You have to make him listen,” she insisted.
“You can’t talk sense to him when he’s like this.” Jude tried to will his heart rate back down. “He’s made up his mind and arguing won’t change it. Problem is, I don’t know what will.”
Bonnie and Meredith joined them in the office.
“It’s not just the restaurant,” Bonnie said. “He’s trying to process that his daughter has a girlfriend too.”
“He’s doing okay with that though,” Meredith offered. “I mean, arguably, he handled our news better than this.”
“Maybe Dad won’t change.” Jenna marched toward Jude. “But at this point, what could it hurt to push?”
“What would you have me do?” Jude asked.
“Stand up to him more. Push harder,” she said.
“Great idea, Jen. Let me go chase him down and keep arguing. Turn this into a full-blown family fight and get us all kicked off the farm and out of the will. I’m sure pushing harder would really bring him around to our way of thinking, lickety-split. Have you met the man?”
“Don’t use that tone with me.”
“I can’t help it, I’m frustrated.”
“Well, so am I!” Jenna tossed her hands up.
Jude started to pace his office.
“Okay,” Bonnie spoke calmly. “Let’s all just take a deep breath. We can’t take it out on one another.”
“Yeah,” Meredith agreed.
“No one needs to say anything to Dad right now. Let him cool off.” Bonnie nodded.
“Maybe everyone should cool off before taking any next steps,” Meredith added.
They were right. Jude kept pacing. Blood rushed in his ears; his muscles tightened. What were they going to do now? They could try to start moving forward without their dad’s approval. Push ahead and let him wallow in his anger.
He and Jenna both had access to the business accounts.
But wouldn’t that go over like a fly in the punch? If John Jones let it be known in town that his children were bowling him over at the farm, they’d lose customers right and left.
No.
“Do you think your dad would be more open to discussions once he calms down?” Meredith asked.
“No,” all three of them answered at once.
Her eyes went wide. “Okay then.”
But somehow, they had to get their dad’s approval. They couldn’t progress without it.
He wished he could talk to Aurora. Get her thoughts on what had just transpired, and where to go from here. And he just plain wanted to talk to her.
“I need to get some air.” Jude grabbed his truck keys from the desk.
“You’re leaving? Now?”
“I thought we were all cooling off. Besides, I can’t think cooped up in here. I’ll be back later.”
The Jones family was at a crossroads, and somehow, Jude had to find a way through.
Chapter 18
With the kitchen clean, Aurora took a break. She was enjoying her iced tea when her phone buzzed on the counter.
The name Mark filled the circle on her screen.
Her manager in Los Angeles.
“Crap,” she muttered, and set down her glass. This was it. This was the call he’d promised.
“Hello,” she answered.
“There she is. Our long-lost sous chef. How are you?”
“Good. I’m good.”
“Glad to hear it. Then I guess I’ll cut to the chase, since I know Sloane has already told you about the Malibu venture.”
There was no point in being coy. “Yes, she did.”
“I know you took an extended leave and had some stuff to deal with back home.”
And that was months ago, she filled in the unsaid portion of that sentence.
“But we’d like you back for the new restaurant.”
Aurora’s hearing went fuzzy, her stomach knotting up double. Instead of feeling the fireworks she’d expected, she felt numb.
“Chef Jon will be joining you. Both of you will head it up.”
That was…different.
“So, we’d be creating the menu together or—”
“The menu is already decided.” A pinging sounded on Mark’s end of the line, like he was getting in or out of his car. Wait. Was he driving? Driving around, giving her this news like this wasn’t her life they were talking about? “The restaurant is seafood forward, sushi, featured fish, and shellfish.”
Not really where her talents shined brightest, but she could make it work.
“Hang on a sec.” He rifled around for something. “And we need you back next week. I’ll let you pick the day but make it before the weekend. We need to go out to the location on Saturday.”
He hadn’t even asked if she wanted the position—which, perhaps, was silly. Who, in her shoes, wouldn’t want it? But she’d have no say in the menu? She’d be co-head and, essentially, do the restaurant group’s bidding.
“Text me tomorrow and let me know what day you’re back in town. Hang on again.” Mark spoke to someone else in a muffled voice. Apparently, he was driving around, with someone else, while discussing her future.
Once upon a time, she’d wanted nothing but a head chef role in a big restaurant. No questions would’ve been asked. She would’ve dived right in.
But this wouldn’t really be her restaurant, would it?
She wouldn’t have just an investor or even business partner. This restaurant would be someone else’s.
This place in Malibu would be someone else’s dream. Not hers.
Their idea, their vision, their menu. Their everything. She’d be an employee, a worker bee, not a partner and not an owner.
And taking this job would mean leaving. Again.
“Listen kiddo. I have to go. Text me tomorrow.”
Aurora opened her mouth, but the call had already ended.
“Thanks?” she said into the silence.
She shoved her phone into her pocket and glanced around the kitchen.
Normally, when her mind was filled to the brim and almost overflowing, she found solace and sanity in cooking. She’d start sautéing garlic and onion, without fully knowing what she might make. The creativity, the improvisation, the process, was what calmed her mind, and the world would slowly start to make sense.
Right now, though? The last thing she wanted was to be in a kitchen alone.
She needed to get outside.
Her feet took her to the front porch, but then she kept walking. If she stayed on the porch, her sisters would find her, and they’d want to talk. She needed to think.
She started down the driveway of the Orchard Inn, seeing that path like she’d never seen it before. Their driveway was beautiful. Lined with stone fruit trees all around. Green and vibrant. Alive. Breathtaking. The rolling hills beyond her home echoed more of the same.
Unsure of where she was going, she took a left and kept walking. She needed to move and be in the fresh air. It helped.
Aurora let out a long, suffering sigh. “Really?” she asked the sky.
All she’d wanted for years was the opportunity to head up a restaurant. Now the moment was here, and there were all these strings attached.
No input, no creative contribution, she’d be co-head at a place that served cuisine that left her feeling the least inspired. Seafood was great, but a menu of only seafood didn’t light her creative fire. Actually, this new offer left no room for creativity. All the major decisions for the restaurant had been made for her.
She’d gotten her dream, but it was skewed.
“It’s way off.” She shook her head as she walked.
Now what? She could consult her sisters, but she already knew their thoughts on the matter.
They’d want her to stay in Texas.
But staying in Texas couldn’t equal working at the inn forever. It’d mean working with Jude. Working for Jude?
“Ugh.” No, she didn’t want that. It’d have to be working with.
She couldn’t be Jude’s employee and she couldn’t stay at the inn forever.
Helping her sisters and contributing to their investment was one thing. Being an event caterer and working in a bed-and-breakfast as her life’s work for forty more years was another.
Honest and challenging work, sure, but her heart was in restaurants, not catering. Even in Texas, her dream would be to head up a restaurant. Preferably her own.
Even Jude’s wouldn’t be “her” restaurant.
But being here, having her sisters closer, permanently, warmed her heart. Helping them find a proper replacement at the inn, being nearby in case they really needed her or she needed them—the notion held a lot promise.
What if she got stuck here though? She could stay in Fredericksburg, Jude’s restaurant could never happen or, worse, it would, but they couldn’t find a way to work together. She didn’t want to cater events for a lifetime and then, there she was.
No prospects, no hopes—her dream, gone.
Her head throbbed with too many thoughts. Maybe she should’ve stayed in the kitchen and cooked after all.
“Just stop,” she admonished herself.
She was going to blow a gasket if she kept on.
Walking. All she needed to think about right now was walking without falling into a ditch somewhere.
She was almost a mile down the rural road when a familiar truck rumbled past her and hit the brakes. The driver’s-side window came down as she neared.
“You resort to hitchhiking just to get outta here?” Jude asked.
Aurora smiled at the sight of him. His ropy forearms in short sleeves as he held the wheel. The way he’d held her last night.
The way he’d kissed her.
No one had kissed her the way Jude did. Like she was the air he breathed.
Aurora cleared her throat. “I’m taking a walk to clear my head.”
“Tell me about it. I’ve been driving around for almost half an hour, doing the same.”
And he’d ended up here.
Jude smirked. “It isn’t working for me. How about you?”
She smiled despite herself and stared at her dusty shoes. “Not really.”
“Want to jump in? Ride around for a bit?”
Her plan had been time alone. Time to think. Reflect. But this was Jude, looking yummy in his worn T-shirt and jeans, tousled hair and gentle smile. And, like Beth said, she needed to talk to him. Talking to him might bring clarity.
“Sure,” she said.
His smile broadened. “Don’t cross this road though. Let me U-turn up there and I’ll come back down to get you.”
Always cautious. Always thinking about the risks.
He drove on up and turned around using the closest driveway and pulled up beside her. “Hop in.”
“We’ve done a lot of driving around together,” she said as she climbed into his truck.
“It’s the only way I get a moment alone these days.”
Speaking of a moment alone—she grabbed her phone and sent her sisters a quick message, so they’d know where she was.
Jude cruised the country roads, his radio playing low, and they remained silent for an entire song.
“Were you headed anywhere in particular?” he finally asked.
“No. You?”
“Not at first. Getting out to clear my head was my only plan. Then I ended up on your street.”
