Wild Fire (The Fairy Tale Match Series) by Danielle Rose-West Page B

“You sure you’d want to work here honey? This isn’t a
fancy restaurant. We’re just a small diner in a small town.”
    Laura hesitated. “I don’t have formal
qualifications,” she warned Martha. “But I would love the chance to work with
food.”
    “That don’t matter none if Kerry
recommends you, but I can’t afford to pay you to start with,” Martha told
Laura. “I’m really on the breadline as it is. I have creditors coming out of my
ears. It’s going to take a miracle to get me back on my feet. Truth is, I may
go under without being able to pay you a cent.”
    “That’s not a problem,” Laura waved
her hand in the air in dismissal. “It would give you a chance to see if you are
happy with my food and how I work without me feeling pressured. Besides, you’re
a friend of Kerry’s and I’d like to help. I’ve always hated bullies and if I
can help you take one down, that would be my pleasure.”
    “Well, we could give it a go, if
you’re sure?” Martha said eagerly. “I’ve got nothing to lose and would I love
to get one back on that Blankton. When can you start?”
    “When do you want me?” Laura asked.
    There was a crash from the kitchen, followed
by a torrent of curses.
    “What the hell is going on in there,
Alfred?” Martha yelled.
    “The damn pan fell off the cooker
again, Ma,” came a young man’s voice.
    “Is that my order he just dropped?”
asked the grizzly looking man on the other end of the counter. “I can’t sit
here another two hours while that son of yours cremates something else and
calls it food. I’m sorry Martha, but I just can’t keep on supporting you when
the fare in here wouldn’t tempt a dog!”
    “Sam, please don’t leave just yet.
I’ve just hired a new cook,” Martha held her hand up in an effort to stop Sam
from leaving. “Would starting right now suit you, honey?” she asked,
desperation etched into every line of her face.
    “Of course,” Laura leapt off the seat
and turned to Sam. “What did you order, sir?” she asked him as she rounded the
counter.
    “I just want a decent lunch. Whatever
you can cook up for me as quickly as possible.” Sam sat back down on his stool.
“Mind you, if this isn’t edible, I’m not paying!”
    Laura shot round to the kitchen,
finding a young man of about twenty standing to one side nursing a burnt hand.
She gave him a quick smile as she surveyed the stock of ingredients available
to her. Martha popped in to check on Alfie and to hand Laura an apron to cover
her dress. Laura quickly whipped up a homemade burger and chips, adding her own
mayonnaise to the bun with the salad. She brought the steaming plate out to
Sam, filling his coffee cup up as she went.
    He sniffed the plate appreciatively
and took a huge bite of his burger. He ate in silence for some time before
Martha ran out of patience. “Well, how’d she do?” she asked.
    “It’s not bad, Martha. Course, I’ll
have to check out how she does with something other than a burger, but this
will do. I’m glad I stayed.”
    Martha sighed with relief and walked
over to Laura where she stood by Kerry. “Believe me, from Sam that’s high
praise. That man would complain about heaven!” she rolled her eyes
dramatically. “You really saved me today honey, but it’s going to take more
than one plate of food to save this place.”
    “What we need is to re-launch the
diner with a new menu,” Kerry suggested. “Advertise that there is a new cook
and try to draw people in again. I think the upcoming barn raising would be the
perfect time and place. It would pitch you against Blankton directly. I bet
Laura’s cooking will win hands down!”
    “Well it’s a good idea,” Martha
sighed. “I guess this is my last chance to save my business, so I have to take
it. Can we get things ready in time?”
    Laura was already thinking hard and
making plans. “Would it be okay to use the kitchen at the ranch, Kerry?” she
asked. “It will be much easier to work