Southern Comforts by Nan Dixon

Author:Nan Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-11-27T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Rule #17—Hard work makes dreams come true.

Mamie Fitzgerald

CHERYL CLEARED THE last of the breakfast dishes from the dining room. It was always nice to see the guests talking to each other. In fact, the two Moon couples who’d lingered over coffee were driving to Bonaventure Cemetery together. Not what she and Brad would have done on their honeymoon, but it was a highlight for so many of their guests.

Someday she planned to take Josh there to see what all the fuss was about.

She rolled the cart into the kitchen. The scent of warm melted butter and sugar had her closing her eyes. It always smelled fantastic in here. This was the heart of the B and B. Here was where Abby made her magic.

Miss Abby was alone. Cheryl tapped her fingers against her leg. Now was the time to ask for help.

“Hey, Cheryl.” Abby looked up from the cake she was frosting.

“That looks gorgeous.” Cheryl spotted more red-and-orange frosting between the layers of yellow cake. Abby was covering everything with thick caramel-colored icing.

“I decided to try some new flavors in the tort fillings.” Her hand was steady as she worked. She wiggled her eyebrows. “I’ll test it on our teatime guests.”

“It’s amazing what you can do with just a few ingredients.” The dishes clanged and chimed as Cheryl loaded the dishwasher.

“You’re right. Sometimes I forget how simple baking really is when I get caught up in the techniques.” Abby finished the frosting and wiped the plate. “Done.”

“How did you learn all this?”

Abby moved the cake in the cooler. “I went to culinary school in New York. But I learned the most from working under some great chefs.”

Culinary school. It sounded like a dream. “Sometimes you have your friend helping in the kitchen. Did he go to school like you did?”

“Yes, but he trained here in Savannah.” Abby started tidying up her dishes.

“Oh.” How could Cheryl ever afford training when she had to work to feed her son?

Abby brought a load of pots to the dishwasher. “Are you interested in learning the culinary arts?”

“I’d like to do what you do. People love your food.” Cheryl puffed out a deep breath.

Abby grimaced. “Darn. All our good employees move on.”

“I don’t want to leave.” Cheryl’s words rattled out. “You and Marion took a chance on hiring me. I would never leave you in the lurch.”

“I’d say we were the lucky ones.”

“But I want to provide a good life for Josh.” She sighed. “I was hoping there’d be some sort of on-the-job training.”

Abby tapped her finger on the counter. “I have a Sauté Sisters group coming in next week.”

Cheryl hadn’t figured out all these sister events. “What will they do?”

“I’m giving them cooking lessons.”

“Wow.” That sounded incredible.

“Why don’t you join us?” Abby suggested.

“Me?” Cheryl’s heart beat a little faster. But then reality hit. “I have to work.”

“The classes are short. We start at ten and run until twelve-thirty for two days.” Abby grinned. “We can figure it out.”

“That would be... Yes. Yes!”

“I like this idea.

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