But For Grace (HEARTSONG PRESENTS - HISTORICAL) by Bateman Tracey V

Author:Bateman, Tracey V. [Bateman, Tracey V.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Nine

Star stared in horror at Michael.

He winced at what must surely burn like fire.

“What are you doing here?” she whispered, though she doubted he could hear her through the raucous laughter filling the dining room—completely at Michael’s expense.

“I came to take you home,” he replied through gritted teeth.

Resenting his assumption that she would jump at the chance to return to the farm, Star nevertheless couldn’t help the thrill she felt that he’d come after her.

He pulled out his handkerchief and uselessly rubbed at the mess down the front of his shirt. “Doesn’t look like you’re cut out for this kind of job anyway.”

“I wouldn’t have spilled the food if you hadn’t pulled my arm and scared me half to death.”

He glowered. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” she snapped back. “I am good at serving customers. It’s what I did at Luke’s. . . .” She broke off and clamped her lips together. Clearing her throat, she then slowly forced herself to meet his inquisitive gaze.

“You didn’t leave so much as a note.”

The quiet statement sent a quiver through her stomach. “I know, and that was wrong of me. I should have explained.”

Stepping closer, he towered above her, taking Star’s breath away. “Explain now.”

“Hey, Girl! Is that my food your beau’s wearing?”

The room erupted in renewed laughter.

Dread wormed its way through her stomach as Joe appeared at the kitchen door, obviously summoned by the noise.

“What’s going on out here?” he demanded, then seeing Michael’s shirt, he scowled. “Guess I just lost me another worthless serving girl.”

“No, please!”

“It was my fault, Joe. I grabbed her arm.”

The grizzled cook glanced from one to the other, grunted, and fixed his gaze on Star. “That’s coming out of yer pay. Get back here and dish up another bowl. Harvey ain’t gonna wait all day.”

“Yes, Sir,” Star replied, her cheeks burning under the reprimand.

“Jane!” Joe bellowed. “Get out here and clean up that mess the new girl just made.”

“Please, don’t bother Jane. I’ll clean it up in a jiffy—just as soon as I take Harvey a fresh bowl of stew.”

“You got yer hands full. Or are you trying to tell me how to run my business? I fired the last girl because she thought she knew how to run the business better than me.”

“Oh, no, Sir!”

“Fine.” He closed the kitchen door, but his voice slammed through the wood and filled the entire dining room as he hollered once more. “Jane! Get down here and clean up this mess!”

Never in all her years of serving food at Luke’s had Star spilled anything on a customer. Now Michael had to go and make her look incompetent. She turned her glare upon him. Gathering a deep breath for control, she focused on keeping her voice calm. “I am sorry I didn’t say good-bye. It was truly inexcusable. But as you can see, I have my hands full at the moment.”

He scowled. “Would it interest you to know that Aimee cried because you left?”

“She did?” Oh, the darling child. Star already missed her terribly.

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