Harlequin Heartwarming September 2015 Box Set by Cynthia Reese

Author:Cynthia Reese
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Harlequin Heartwarming
Publisher: Harlequin

CHAPTER THREE

DURING HER FIRST week at the Rusty Anchor, Harper learned to bite her tongue each time Connor asked her to do something. She became adept at offering him a forced grin and going about the most odious chores he assigned, determined that he would have nothing to complain about regarding her work. If he was looking for a reason to fire her as payback for that long-ago review, she’d give him none. And if he thought piling on the cleaning duties would cause her to give up, he clearly didn’t know her that well.

She did everything he required to the best of her ability.

The bathrooms sparkled. The floors were soon spotless. The stainless-steel counters and sink in the kitchen positively gleamed. She dusted, she scrubbed, she polished. She did the laundry and even ironed the linen napkins without being asked. And eventually, at the end of that first week, Connor ran out of chores.

“Have you cleaned the bathrooms?”

“Done.”

“Disinfected the waste bins?”

“Finished.”

“There were some dishes—”

“Scrubbed, dried and put away.”

He finally looked up from where he’d been studying an order form on his desk.

“The flatware?”

“Polished and the place settings laid.”

He opened his mouth, but she continued before he could speak.

“The napkins are ironed, the glasses are shining, the trash cans are empty, the floors are mopped, the salt and pepper shakers are filled, everything is stocked and I disinfected all the menus. Rafael and I finished cleaning the oven hood, and we organized the storage room like you wanted. I even helped Erin prep ingredients for the dinner crowd.”

Connor closed his mouth, and she felt a surge of triumph.

“Will there be anything else?” She knew her voice was a touch too syrupy by the way Connor’s eyes narrowed.

“All right, then,” he said grudgingly. “I suppose it’s time to teach you the menu.”

* * *

THE FOLLOWING DAY, Harper surveyed the multitude of dishes spread across the stainless-steel counter in the Rusty Anchor’s kitchen. Connor stood on the counter’s opposite side, sporting his chef whites with his arms crossed over his chest in what Harper could only label a defensive posture. She was more nervous than she’d thought she’d be, now that she was faced with learning the restaurant’s menu.

“So, we’re just tasting the dishes?”

Connor’s expression remained flat. “I’ll explain a dish, then you’ll taste it so you can make the appropriate recommendations to customers.”

She swallowed. “Okay. Where should we start?”

He pointed at the plate nearest to her. “Let’s begin with the fish. Pecan-crusted seared salmon with wilted greens and a maple balsamic glaze. Sides are either the wild-rice pilaf or sweet-potato pancakes, which is what I’ve plated here.”

Harper used her fork to flake into the fish. The salmon’s color was beautiful with a pale pink center. She scooped up a bite and popped into her mouth, all too aware of Connor’s eyes on her. The fish was cooked well, and the pecans lent a nice crunch. She wasn’t impressed by the maple glaze, which was a bit too sugary for her palate.

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