Written in Stone by Diane Bator

Author:Diane Bator [Diane Bator]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Diane Bator
Published: 2024-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter ten

After my late-night stroll on the beach, I was too tired to focus. I stumbled downstairs for a cup of coffee before I even got near my laptop. At least I remembered to bring down the empty mug and plate. Maybe she had a thermos or a carafe I could borrow.

“Good morning.” Anna handed me a clean mug before I could ask. “Did you sleep well? I hoped the herbal tea would help you sleep. I thought I heard you go out last night.”

I poured some coffee then added cream and sugar. “I was trying to work through a scene and got so absorbed, I forgot it was there. Sometimes a walk helps me think. Next time I’ll dress warmer. It was too cold out for pajamas last night.”

“No doubt. I saw your note about the lights. I’ll have Sal take a look.” She opened the oven to check on a batch of muffins, then pointed to a bowl on the counter. “Could you give me a hand? Just give that pancake batter a stir while I put the bread in to bake.”

“Sure.” I set my cup aside to grab a large bowl with chicken designs on the sides. While I stirred the batter, Anna placed three loaves of bread dough in the oven, then flipped the muffins onto a cooling rack. “How long have you worked here? It’s like you’re one with the kitchen.”

Anna refilled her cup then added two teaspoons of sugar. “I started working here a few months after it was built. Bebe had her hands full with reservations and staff. Then Jack died and I couldn’t let the place fall apart, so I offered to run things while she grieved. Only she never came out of it. Jack was her whole world.”

I scraped a layer of batter off the side of the bowl while she heated a family-sized griddle Emily would drool over. “It must be difficult for you to do everything on your own. Was Bebe able to help?”

“Sheila looks after the cleaning and laundry. I take care of everything else.” Anna pulled a pint of blueberries and a strainer filled with strawberries from the fridge. “Some mornings Bebe would bake and entertain, then be half asleep by dinner. After I cleaned up, I could prep for the next day and watch a little television without worrying she’d leave on a burner or wander into the Strait.”

I dropped a splatter of water on the griddle. It sizzled and danced across the hot surface. “This is a beautiful place to spend a vacation. I’ll bet there’s a lot to do in the summer.”

“Kayaking. Hiking. Farmers’ markets. This place and Bebe take…” Anna paused. “They took up a lot of my time. I miss the routine. I feel lost without her.”

“I wish I’d known her.” I poured puddles of batter onto the griddle, making six four-inch pancakes. “Is this good?”

“You’re a natural,” she said. “Do you cook at home?”

“My roommate’s the chef. She’d love the chance to work in this kitchen.

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