glance over at him again, gauging his reaction. He seems happy with my answer, giving me a small, knowing smile filled with delight; a smile that I return.
The ribs are delicious and better than any I’ve ever had. And since I’ve worked for a caterer and in every type of restaurant imaginable, that’s saying something. By the time the meal is finished, I’m stuffed to the gills with food. I’m afraid they may have to roll me out of here. And even better, my stomach seems to be content with the food which amazes me even more than the fact that I just stuffed myself full of enough food to feed a small village.
“You feeling okay?” Travis whispers, giving me a look of concern.
“So far, so good. Just to be safe, where’s the bathroom?”
“Just on the other side of the stairs is a small half bath. If that one’s in use, there’s another up the stairs, second door on the left.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“Boys, I believe it is your turn to clean up. The girls and I are going outside to sit around the fire. You can all join us when you’re done cleaning up and making the to-go bags,” Mrs. Stevens announces before vacating her chair. “Shall we, ladies?”
Avery, Erin, and Brooklyn immediately follow her towards the kitchen and out the backdoor while all the men left at the table grumble loudly. I sit there for a moment, not really sure if I’m supposed to follow them or stay with Travis and help clean up. I’d happily offer to help him. I’ve quickly realized that he’s my rock in this time of uncertainty, and just being near him helps keep me calm and relaxed.
Mrs. Stevens reaches the back door and turns towards me. “That means you too, dear. Come outside with us.”
When I reach the backdoor, I can’t help but panic a little at the thought of being outside alone again with his mom and sisters. “I’d be more than happy to help the guys clean up. I didn’t help cook any of that delicious food. I’d be happy to do my part.”
“Oh, nonsense, dear. The boys can handle it, and you really don’t want to be around when they all start in on each other. In fact, they’re probably already arguing over who’s going to do what. They all hate clean up which is precisely why I chose that moment after dinner to announce they would all be doing it before I walked away. If you would have stayed in there, you would be doing it all by yourself,” she said with a knowing smile.
“It wouldn’t have bothered me, Mrs. Stevens. It was a delicious meal, really. I would have been happy to have helped,” I reply as I take a seat on a cozy outdoor seat for two.
“Elizabeth, please,” she says with a smile.
The fire is blazing, warm and comforting. The girls all jump into comfortable conversations. Avery recaps her recent honeymoon trip while Erin discusses a new Teen Read program she’s about to start at the town public library.
“Josselyn, did I hear you say that you’re looking for a job?” Mrs. Stevens asks.
“Um, why yes. Yes, I am.”
“I’m good friends with the family who owns the diner in town. I heard yesterday when I was getting my hair done that they are down a waitress. I’m sure they would love to have someone with your experience.”
“Oh, that would be great. Maybe I’ll stop by tomorrow and fill out an application.”
“I’ll give Jane a call tomorrow morning and let her know you’re coming in. She’s a sweetheart to work for, I’m sure.”
“Thank you for the lead. I appreciate it,” I reply as the back door opens. The guys all file out, arguing over who gets the last of those yummy rolls to take home.
“Travis, you’re not taking the damn rolls home. You got them the last time. If you argue with me anymore, I’m going to punch you straight in the face,” Nate hollers as he walks out the door.
Mrs. Stevens exhales loudly and shakes her head.
Travis walks over and flops down in the two-man chair with me and I can instantly feel heat radiating off his large
The ribs are delicious and better than any I’ve ever had. And since I’ve worked for a caterer and in every type of restaurant imaginable, that’s saying something. By the time the meal is finished, I’m stuffed to the gills with food. I’m afraid they may have to roll me out of here. And even better, my stomach seems to be content with the food which amazes me even more than the fact that I just stuffed myself full of enough food to feed a small village.
“You feeling okay?” Travis whispers, giving me a look of concern.
“So far, so good. Just to be safe, where’s the bathroom?”
“Just on the other side of the stairs is a small half bath. If that one’s in use, there’s another up the stairs, second door on the left.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“Boys, I believe it is your turn to clean up. The girls and I are going outside to sit around the fire. You can all join us when you’re done cleaning up and making the to-go bags,” Mrs. Stevens announces before vacating her chair. “Shall we, ladies?”
Avery, Erin, and Brooklyn immediately follow her towards the kitchen and out the backdoor while all the men left at the table grumble loudly. I sit there for a moment, not really sure if I’m supposed to follow them or stay with Travis and help clean up. I’d happily offer to help him. I’ve quickly realized that he’s my rock in this time of uncertainty, and just being near him helps keep me calm and relaxed.
Mrs. Stevens reaches the back door and turns towards me. “That means you too, dear. Come outside with us.”
When I reach the backdoor, I can’t help but panic a little at the thought of being outside alone again with his mom and sisters. “I’d be more than happy to help the guys clean up. I didn’t help cook any of that delicious food. I’d be happy to do my part.”
“Oh, nonsense, dear. The boys can handle it, and you really don’t want to be around when they all start in on each other. In fact, they’re probably already arguing over who’s going to do what. They all hate clean up which is precisely why I chose that moment after dinner to announce they would all be doing it before I walked away. If you would have stayed in there, you would be doing it all by yourself,” she said with a knowing smile.
“It wouldn’t have bothered me, Mrs. Stevens. It was a delicious meal, really. I would have been happy to have helped,” I reply as I take a seat on a cozy outdoor seat for two.
“Elizabeth, please,” she says with a smile.
The fire is blazing, warm and comforting. The girls all jump into comfortable conversations. Avery recaps her recent honeymoon trip while Erin discusses a new Teen Read program she’s about to start at the town public library.
“Josselyn, did I hear you say that you’re looking for a job?” Mrs. Stevens asks.
“Um, why yes. Yes, I am.”
“I’m good friends with the family who owns the diner in town. I heard yesterday when I was getting my hair done that they are down a waitress. I’m sure they would love to have someone with your experience.”
“Oh, that would be great. Maybe I’ll stop by tomorrow and fill out an application.”
“I’ll give Jane a call tomorrow morning and let her know you’re coming in. She’s a sweetheart to work for, I’m sure.”
“Thank you for the lead. I appreciate it,” I reply as the back door opens. The guys all file out, arguing over who gets the last of those yummy rolls to take home.
“Travis, you’re not taking the damn rolls home. You got them the last time. If you argue with me anymore, I’m going to punch you straight in the face,” Nate hollers as he walks out the door.
Mrs. Stevens exhales loudly and shakes her head.
Travis walks over and flops down in the two-man chair with me and I can instantly feel heat radiating off his large
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