Still Crazy by Judy Prescott Marshall

Author:Judy Prescott Marshall [Marshall, Judy Prescott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Judy Prescott Marshall
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Kourtnee was ready and willing to do whatever it took to get the inn prepared. I was so grateful; I let her take over the office. She ran the ad and a week later, on a warm spring afternoon, an outdoor dining room had been set up in preparation for chef number one. Both chefs were arriving on Wednesday. Each person would cook lunch for the existing staff and the workers. We set up tables and chairs out on the rear patio.

The first chef, Michael, was in great shape, and he was a little mysterious looking. He stood about five-feet-ten inches tall, with jet-black hair and dark brown eyes. When he spoke, his voice sounded both calming and alluring. He promised to excite everyone’s pallet with his flair for herbs. Michael had studied at the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, New York. After graduating, he had worked in several of the finest restaurants throughout the south, near his hometown.

Michael said he enjoyed preparing both Northern and Southern dishes. He loved to use local produce and fresh garden herbs. He enjoyed cooking healthy dishes that were tasty and fun to eat. For lunch, Michael prepared chilled curried zucchini soup, asparagus wraps, and veal and prosciutto bundles. Orange glazed baby carrots on a bed of chopped baby greens and radicchio, along with a fresh strawberry – rhubarb sorbet.

Right before Michael served his creation, he extended his hand out to everyone. While still holding my hand, he made eye contact with me, leaned in very close, and thanked me for allowing him the opportunity to prepare the day’s meal. I only smiled back at him. Any other time, my heart would have skipped a beat. Michael was very attractive. Too bad my heart was both cold and heavy, like steel.

I heard Molly as she whispered, “Ooh la la!”

I thought Molly was my wild one.

I leaned over and asked her if she noticed how every word seemed to come from his heart, especially when he was describing food.

Molly tapped me on my leg. “I like standing next to him. I can feel his energy.”

We both agreed: Michael was intoxicating and electrifying.

Not surprisingly, everyone enjoyed the meal, starting and ending with a cold dish.

The next day, was Chef Stefan turn. Stefan was a large man. Not heavy, just big. He chose to serve buttery leek soup, swordfish beurre blanc, roasted mixed vegetables with orzo, mixed salad and fudge rum chocolate cakes for dessert. The staff agreed with me. It would not be an easy choice.

“Hey, Julie,” Kevin said, “I was thinking maybe we should set up for dinner out on the back terrace. That way we can all watch the sunset together.”

“What a great idea, Kevin.” I smiled. “I’ll go and inform Kourtnee right now.”

Kourtnee had crystals hanging from fishing line in every tree along the terrace. At the base of the trees, she set tea lights. While Teresa, Bea, Molly, Kourtnee, and I set the tables, Kevin began to light the many tea lights.

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