Chapter 27: John

Chapter 27 – John

Finally, after waiting three weeks, the kitchen renovation is underway. Fortunately, I don’t have any trail rides scheduled for today, so I’m hanging around the restaurant so I can be of help to Gabrielle.

Today’s the day. The new appliances are being installed. There are half a dozen trucks and vans parked in front of the lodge—delivery trucks, two electrician vans, two plumber vans, and a van from the kitchen supply store. The project manager is here to oversee the installation.

Poor Gabrielle is runnin’ around like a chicken with her head cut off—trying to be everywhere at once, answering questions, directing traffic. Somehow she manages to maintain her composure through it all.

The restaurant is closed to guests today, of course. Instead, Hannah and Killian are directing everyone to either Jennie’s Diner or Ruth’s Tavern for meals. Nelle and Betty are helping out at the diner.

All of the old, outdated—and mostly rusty—appliances have been hauled outside and are being loaded into a truck for disposal. The new equipment, all shiny and wrapped in plastic, is spread throughout the dining room. Right now the kitchen is pretty empty while the electricians and plumbers are rewiring and replumbing. It’s a huge undertaking.

Gabrielle rushes past me holding some drawings and schematics, which she takes to the workers in the kitchen.

The renovations are expected to take at least two days, maybe three. I just hope, for Gabrielle’s sake, that it all goes well. She’s worked so hard to get ready for this day.

She finally returns from the kitchen.

“How’s it going?” I ask.

She nods. “It’s going. There was a problem with the wiring to the new stoves, but that’s been fixed. And the pipes for the new industrial washing stations had to be completely redone—they weren’t up to code. Nothing’s up to code, not by today’s standards. Everything’s taking longer than expected.”

“It’s okay. These things happen.”

“Yeah, but the longer this takes, the longer the restaurant will be out of commission.”

“The guests still have the snack room, and they go to Jennie’s or Ruth’s for meals. It’ll be fine.”

She nods, trying to stay positive. Then she smiles. “It’s going to be fantastic once everything is in. The new menus arrived yesterday, so once the installations are done, we’ll be in business. Hannah scheduled a grand re-opening party for a week from Saturday.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” I say. “So are my parents. When do your parents get in?”

“They’re flying in with the McIntyres the day before the event. Shane McIntyre has a private jet, and they’ll fly in to an executive airport near Estes Park.”

Around six, the workers call it a night. They still have an hour long drive back to Denver, only to return early tomorrow morning.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” I say as I pull Gabrielle into my arms. “How about you let me cook dinner for you this evening?”

She lights up. “You’re going to cook for me?”

I nod. “I sort of planned something for us. It’s nothing fancy, but come to my cabin and let me make you dinner. I even have dessert and a bottle of wine. Then we’ll relax for the rest of the evening. How about it?”

Gabrielle puts her arms around my neck. “That sounds fantastic. Thank you.”

When all of the workers have gone, we close up the restaurant and head outside to my cabin.

Today, I snuck away to Maggie’s and to Jennie’s and picked up some things for dinner tonight. I even bought an entire coconut cream pie from Jennie—one of Gabrielle’s favorite pies. She’s always cooking for me. I want to return the favor.

* * *

When we reach the cabin, I pour Gabrielle a glass of red wine and sit her down on my sofa to relax.

“I can help with dinner,” she offers.

“Thanks, but I have it covered.” I slip off her shoes and place her feet on the coffee table. “You just sit here and relax.”

She does as I suggest, but five minutes later she’s in the kitchen looking over my shoulder. “Are you sure I can’t help?”

“I know what I’m doing.”

“What are we having?”

“Nothing as nice as what you would make, but it will suffice. We’re having picnic food—burgers, corn on the cob, and baked beans. I snuck off today and stopped at Maggie’s and Jennie’s to get everything I’d need.”

Curious, she glances around. “What did you get at Jennie’s? Dessert? Please say you got dessert.”

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” I laugh as I walk her back to the sofa, sit her down, and hand her the wine glass. “Sit and sip.”

Then I head outside to the front yard to fire up the grill. While that’s heating up, I husk four ears of sweet corn and wrap them in foil, then I prepare four burger patties. Knowing Gabrielle, she won’t eat half of this, but that’s okay. It leaves more for me.

Once the grill is hot, I put the corn on to cook. I’ll add the burgers in a bit. And when everything is cooking, I put some baked beans in a sauce pan and put them on the stove to heat.

She watches me set the table. “Can I—”

“Nope. Just sit and relax.”

When everything’s done, I join her on the sofa and steal a sip of her wine. When I make a face, she laughs.

“Still prefer beer,” I say. “So, tell me how the renovations are going.”

She runs through her day, telling me about the good and the bad. “But overall, I think it’s going to turn out great.”

When the timer on my phone goes off, I run outside to flip the burgers. “Do you want cheese?” I ask her when I come back inside.

She gives me a look.

“Okay, yes on the cheese.”

When the burgers are nearly done, I lay thick slices of cheddar cheese on them to melt. And moments later, I bring in all the food and set it on the table.

Gabrielle joins me, and I motion for her to take a seat. “It’s a perfect picnic,” she says, smiling as she grabs a bun for her burger.

I set the bowl of baked beans on the table, and then I grab butter for the corn and condiments for the burgers. Lastly, I refill her wine glass and grab a cold beer for myself.

Once I’m seated, I ask, “Am I forgetting anything?”

“I don’t think so.” She takes a bite of her burger and moans in pleasure.

“Good?” I ask.

“Perfection. You should come work in the kitchen. We can use all the help we can get.”

I laugh. “No, thanks. Unless it involves a grill, I can’t cook. I’d better stick with horses.”

After we finish eating, we clear the table and load the dishwasher. “Go sit out on the porch swing, and I’ll bring you a surprise.”

Grinning, she goes outside. I get out the coconut pie I bought at Jennie’s and cut us each a slice. When I carry our dessert out onto the porch, she beams. “You are so good to me,” she says as I hand her a plate.

She takes a bite of her pie. “Ohmygod, this is so good.”

By the time we’re done with dessert, the sun is setting and the bats are out, flying overhead as they search for their supper.

As the swing gently moves back and forth, I put my arm around Gabrielle’s shoulders and draw her close. There’s something on my mind, but I’m not sure this is the right time to bring it up. “Gabrielle, there’s something I’ve been wanting to say to you.”

She takes my left hand in hers and links our fingers together. “And, what’s that?”

“I’m hoping it’s not too soon to say this.” The last thing I want to do is mess things up between us.

“You can tell me anything you want,” she says.

“Are you sure? Anything?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Maybe there’s something I want to tell you.”

I smile. “I brought it up, so I get to go first.”

She laughs softly. “Fair enough. Go ahead.”

As my pulse starts racing, I lean closer and kiss her temple. “Is it too soon to tell you I’m in love with you?”

She’s silent for a moment. For two moments. My heart goes from racing to slamming into my ribs.

“No, it’s not too soon,” she says. And then she releases my hand and turns to face me. Her soft hands come up to cup my face, and when I look into her eyes, I see the glitter of tears. “John Burke, I love you, too.”