***Reagan***
SittingacrossfromMary and Jim Stovall in a simple white dress, no one would’ve ever assumed that I’d done the things I’d done the night before. I was professional but dressed for the weather. With my hair pinned up in a bun and just a touch of makeup to hide my hangover, I was putting my best foot forward meeting my new employers. I was even relaxed and having a nice time.
It helped that Mary and Jim were sweethearts. They were just a bit older than my parents would’ve been and clearly over the moon for each other. They’d insisted on feeding me dinner and having wine at their massive kitchen island while talking about what I’d be required to handle.
As a personal chef in LA, I’d seen and done almost everything. Mary and Jim were going to be a cakewalk. Neither of them had any dietary restrictions, but they kept their granddaughter half the week and she was allergic to several things. We talked them over and I made notes, already planning meals in my head.
Their house was just outside of town, a new build that would’ve been pretentious if not for Mary’s warmth. Their kitchen was a chef’s dream. My fingers were twitching to touch everything and find out what was hidden in the drawers. The two subzero fridges and hidden walk-in pantry that had been professionally organized made my toes curl. I was beyond eager to get started.
Mary patted my hand, drawing me back to the conversation, and grinned. “You’re practically vibrating. I’ve never seen anyone so excited about a kitchen before.”
I looked around again and sighed. “It’s just so perfect. I worked as a personal chef for the executive suite in a company in LA and it was cushy, I won’t lie, but the kitchen was cramped. I can make magic in this kitchen.”
Jim’s laugh boomed through the kitchen, filling every nook and cranny with happiness. “We require much less than magic, I promise. I’m just so glad everything lined up the way it did. It’s not easy to find personal chefs in Lunar, New Mexico, believe it or not. You arrived right at the perfect time. Especially now that our little Iris will be here during the days now that school is out. She’s either with Mary or Kathy, her nanny, but if they don’t have to be responsible for feeding her, it’s so much easier.”
“What Jim isn’t telling you is that I nearly killed us all last year. I tried to make one of my mom’s recipes. Polk salad…apparently, there’s a method to cooking it or it’s not safe to eat.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “That’s not the only time, either.
I hid a giggle behind my hand. “Well, I’ll take care of everything. I’ll have breakfast ready before you head to work every morning, Jim, and I’ll prepare fresh meals whenever you and Iris are ready for them during the day, Mary.”
“And you can leave dinner with reheating instructions. I refuse to let you stay here all day long. You’re young; you need to be out living.”
I scrunched up my nose but didn’t say anything. They didn’t need to know that I’d gladly stay hidden in their kitchen day after day if it meant I could avoid the living I’d done the night before.
A beep sounded through the house and a childish giggle followed. Mary smiled brightly. “That’ll be Iris. We had Jenny bring her over so you could meet her.”
I stood up and put my wine down, eager to meet the little girl who seemed to own the hearts of the kind couple behind me. When she sprinted into the kitchen, I immediately saw why they were wrapped around her finger. She was beautiful, with a smile so wide, it should’ve hurt.
Iris’ dark, curly hair and dark eyes, combined with her olive skin, were familiar, but I couldn’t place why. Not until I heard Theo’s voice coming closer, the deep tenor lowered as he spoke to a person I couldn’t see yet. And then I saw her. Jenny. Jim and Mary’s Jenny was my Jenny. Not that I would, or could, really claim the woman, but as much as she’d filled my nightmares as a teenager, I felt like I had some claim on her.
Theo trailed in behind her, his head lowered as he finished what he was saying to her. His hand rested on her back, all traces of the man I’d spent the night with gone.
My stomach twisted painfully, but I somehow managed to keep my composure, despite the storm raging in my head. Was Theo married? Was he married to Jenny? That would’ve come up the night before, surely. Why was he there, touching her? The girl, the beautiful Iris, she was definitely his. He had a kid. He had a kid with Jenny.
“Come here, silly girl. Give Grandma a hug.” Mary scooped the girl into her arms and then turned to face me. “This is Reagan, Iris. She’s going to be working here from now on. She’s going to make sure that Grandma doesn’t burn any more dinners.”
Iris, who was probably a year younger than Posie, lit up. “That’s amazing!”
I kept my face turned away from Theo and smiled at his daughter. “I’m famous for my pancake towers, and Grandma says that pancakes are one of your favorites.”
“Pancake tower?!”
I nodded, feeding into her excitement. “A whole tower. Taller than you!”
“Whoa!”
Jim moved around and drew my attention to Jenny, who was staring at me like she’d just stepped in something that wouldn’t wash off anytime soon. Jim clasped her on the shoulder and smiled kindly at her. “Do you know Jenny? And Theo? They’re Iris’ parents. This is a small town, but I know you said you’d been gone for a while.”
Jenny smirked. “We know Reagan. We all graduated together.”
Jim seemed to think that was a great thing. “Look at that! Mary and I married after Jenny had already graduated, so I wasn’t around for that time, unfortunately. It’s amazing that you all already know each other. This will be seamless.”
I could feel Theo’s eyes on me, but I wasn’t looking at him. I didn’t care if my life depended on it. I kept my eyes on Jim and smiled politely. “It’ll be great. I promised my nieces I’d be home to read them bedtime stories tonight, so I should get going.”
“I’m sure they’re ready to claim all your time now that you’re back home. I understand. Do you want me to box up anything for you to take with you? You didn’t get to try the pie.” Mary put Iris down and rushed towards the pie. “It’s from Landings.”
I laughed easily like I wasn’t freaking out inside. “Of course, thank you. Thank you both so much for dinner. It’s been so nice meeting you. And you, Iris. I can already tell that we’re going to have a lot of fun making pancake towers.”
Jenny made a disbelieving sound from behind me, and of course, Theo was silent. My blood slowly started boiling. Nothing was any different. It was like we were all in high school again. Only, I wasn’t a dorky kid who was silly enough to think men were worth it at all costs.
“You’re sure you’ll be ready to start on Wednesday? If you need a few more days to settle in, I understand.”
I touched Jim’s arm, finding the older man’s thoughtfulness nearly enough to make me emotional. He was nothing like my father, but he was fatherly enough to hit me in my heart. “I’ll be good to start. Thank you. After not working for two weeks, I’m beyond ready. Plus, with this kitchen, you’re lucky I’m not begging to start right now.”
He laughed his big laugh and squeezed my hand. “Be careful what you wish for.”