Rosewood Lane (Cedar Cove #2)(80)

“As you know, we’re looking for a chef. One who’ll oversee the menu and work with us closely as we grow.”

“That’s why I’m here. I’ve been cooking at André’s for the last three years. I created their menu, which has an emphasis on seafood.”

“And before then?” Seth had already reviewed the resumé, but he wanted to hear the details from Jon. He and Justine had made a point of visiting André’s twice to sample Jon’s signature dishes.

“I was at the VFW in Olympia. I have references if you want.” He handed Jon a single sheet of paper with a list of names and telephone numbers.

“Where did you get your training?” The resumé had been decidedly light on that kind of information.

He tensed a little, but that might have been Seth’s imagination. “Picked it up here and there. I don’t have a lot of formal education. I started out as a short-order cook for a breakfast place in Tacoma and worked my way up. It isn’t like I’m going to have my own TV show soon, if that’s the kind of chef you’re looking for.”

“It isn’t,” Seth assured him. He couldn’t afford a celebrity chef, anyway. He remained curious about Jon’s background, but didn’t press the issue. “I understand you’re also a photographer.”

Jon nodded. “I’m a damn good chef, but my passion is my camera.”

He didn’t hide his love for his work and that suited Seth.

“If you’re willing to give me a chance, you won’t be sorry,” Jon said fervently.

Every instinct Seth possessed told him to hire the man. “I’m going to start stocking the kitchen in a month’s time. Can you be ready by then?”

Jon nodded. They discussed wages, benefits, recipes and other details. When they’d finished, Seth took him around the restaurant and was pleased when Jon offered him design and decorating tips. He liked his ideas and shared them with Justine that evening.

“I had a feeling Jon Bowman was going to be the one,” she told him as Seth worked in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

“I did, too.”

Justine sat in their living room with her legs propped up to keep down the swelling in her ankles. At six months, the swelling was only slight, but still a concern. Seth had taken over the cooking and been inventive with eliminating salt.

“I feel like a walrus,” she complained, planting her hands on the small round bulge of her abdomen.

Seth leaned over the back of the sofa and kissed her neck. “You look so beautiful,” he murmured. “Not like a walrus at all—although they do have their charms.”

“Get serious, Seth.”

“I am serious.”

She turned her face to him and they kissed, and he realized—as he did every day—how much he loved his wife.

“Tell me what you know about Jon Bowman,” he said, a few minutes later as he dished up seafood fettuccine.

“Like what?”

“His background. Do you know anything about it?”

Justine needed to think. “Not much. He used to sell his pictures through the gallery on Harbor Street

. Why?”

“He seemed a bit…edgy when I asked about it.”

“Where did he go to school?”

“He didn’t say, but I talked to two of his references. Both were managers at restaurants where he’s been employed and they sang his praises.”

“Have you ever seen his photographs?”

Justine moved toward the table, where Seth held out her chair. “Maryellen showed me a few of them before Christmas. They’re absolutely fabulous. You can feel the emotion and the beauty.”

“Hmm. Maybe we should buy a few. Hang them in the entrance. What do you think?”

“I think my brilliant husband has just had another wonderful idea.”

They smiled at each other, fully satisfied with their lives.

Fifteen

Rosie had the house completely to herself. A hundred times over the years she’d yearned for a few hours alone, especially before a major holiday. Zach never understood how much work went into these family celebrations. For Easter, there was a dinner to prepare, to which they usually invited friends and other family—although things would be different this year. Then there was dyeing eggs and making up Easter baskets for the children. Although Allison and Eddie were older, Rosie felt obliged to maintain tradition.

Now that she had the time to do all this without interruption, she found herself fighting off a sense of melancholy. The children were spending the day with their father, and it went without saying that Janice Lamond would find some reason to join them.

Curious though she was, Rosie refused to drill the children about the other woman. Naturally she was dying to know if Janice and her son were at the apartment at the same time as her kids. But she refused to drag them into this divorce, no matter how tempting it was to learn what she could about the other woman’s activities.

Working in the kitchen, Rosie mixed up Eddie’s favorite gelatin salad and placed it in the refrigerator to set. For Easter she always served ham but only because that was what Zach preferred. Since she no longer had to accommodate her husband’s likes and dislikes, she’d bought a prime rib roast. It was a small act of defiance, one that made her feel—just a bit—like an independent woman who made her own choices.