An Uncertain Dream by Judith Miller

Author:Judith Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2008-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chef René stood near the kitchen door and greeted Olivia when she crossed the threshold. ‘‘Your Fred does not appear to be in good spirits this morning.’’

Olivia removed the pins from her hat. ‘‘My Fred is worried about what will happen to my position here if management should win this battle. He believes that once we are married, I will be discharged.’’

‘‘Oui. If they lose, he is most likely correct.’’ He flicked his wrist in a defiant gesture. ‘‘But I would fight to keep you on my staff.’’

‘‘Thank you, Chef René , but I wouldn’t ask you to do such a thing. Though I long to continue my work as a chef, I will follow Fred. Who knows where it might lead me?’’

‘‘This is true. And if that day should arrive, you may depend upon Chef René for an excellent reference.’’ He leaned across the work table. ‘‘One that is genuine!’’

Olivia grimaced at his subtle reminder of the falsified letter she’d used to gain employment at the hotel when she and Charlotte had first arrived in Pullman. Those early lies had caused her more problems than she could have possibly envisioned.

‘‘And what would you think if Mrs. DeVault had to leave her position as your baker?’’

He scowled at the question. ‘‘What you have suggested is not humorous, Miss Mott. I would be outraged by the suggestion.’’ The chef stepped around the worktable. ‘‘I am quite fond of Hazel, and I do not wish for that to happen. I suppose I would marry her—then what would Mr. Howard do?’’ His belly jiggled and his laughter echoed off the kitchen walls.

Olivia stared at him, unable to believe her ears. ‘‘You’ve only known her six weeks.’’

‘‘You are counting?’’ He motioned for her to hang up her hat. When she returned with her white jacket and toque, he pointed to the eggs. ‘‘We don’t have many guests. That should be enough.’’

Once she’d completed the task, she stepped away from the stove and tapped his arm. ‘‘Would you truly consider marriage to Mrs. DeVault when you barely know each other?’’

‘‘Let me tell you something about love, Miss Mott. It does not take months or years to know when you have found the right person. Hazel brings out the best in me, and I like that. When you reach my age, you can’t afford to wait too long with such decisions.’’

Olivia clasped a hand to the neck of her tunic. ‘‘You mean you’ve already asked her?’’

‘‘Non. But only because I fear she will say we must wait. If the strike should cause difficulties with her employment . . .’’ He shrugged his broad shoulders. ‘‘Then I believe she would readily accept my proposal. At least I hope she would.’’

Even though Olivia had realized early on that the chef and Mrs. DeVault had become fast friends—she had even mentioned to Charlotte the possibility of a romantic link between the pair—Chef René’s admission of love and a possible marriage at this early date surprised even her. She wondered what Fred would think.

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