Safari Island Shifters: The Complete Collection(54)

After all the food was out, she finally went to talk with Maura and Branch. She noticed there was a lot of uneaten food on the table. They looked happy, but she was worried. “How was everything?”

“It was so good,” Branch said. “I wish Maura could have tried more, because your chicken dish was my favorite entrée.”

Clem clasped her hands in front of her to keep from putting them on her hips. “You didn’t try anything?”

Maura shook her head sheepishly. “I’m a vegetarian. What I could try was great, though.”

Clem couldn’t resist; she put her hands on her hips, her typical PO’ed pose. “Vegetarian? Ward, why didn’t you tell me?”

“They wanted to try meat dishes too,” he said. “I told you to have one meatless dish.”

“But I would have made more.”

“I think it’s good, though,” Maura assured her. “Branch eats meat, so I didn’t want a meatless dinner.”

Shoot. That gave Parker the upper hand. Most of her dishes had meat in them. There was only one choice for the vegetarian bride.

Clem was starting to get mighty nervous. Ward had sandbagged her. Had she known about Maura’s eating preference, she would have added one more meatless appetizers.

“She can make meatless stuff too,” Polly said. “She cooks for my friends all the time. If you like her food, Clem will be able to make whatever you want.”

“We did like it. But we liked Parker’s food too.” Maura looked at Branch. “Which is why we have a strange request. You’ll probably say no, but would you consider working with Parker to cater the wedding as a team?”

Clem could barely hear over the pounding in her ears. Her body was hot and she knew her face had to be all red. Work with Parker? As if she wasn’t good enough on her own? “I can make vegetarian dishes.”

“We know,” Branch said. “It would just be really cool to have a chef who specializes in vegetarian dishes too. This would be the best of both worlds.”

“I’m sorry,” Maura said. “This was probably wrong of us to spring on you. We’re going to go, and you can tell Ward whatever you decide. No matter what, I’m still a big fan of your cooking.”

“Thanks.” Clem kissed Maura on both cheeks and shook Branch’s hand. “You two have been great.”

The couple left hand in hand. As soon as they were out the front door, Clem rounded on Ward. “Are you kidding me? You make me fly halfway around the world and you don’t think to tell me a crucial detail? That was highly unprofessional. You just wasted my time.”

Ward’s already fair skin turned ghost white. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think they’d go for Parker. You’re right. This is all on me.”

“You’re darn right it is,” Clem said.

“So we’re going home, then?” Polly was twisting a lock of her blonde hair around her hand nervously.

“Not quite yet,” Clem said. “Don’t worry, you’ll get to go to the restaurant. We’re staying for the full week, as promised.”

“I may have a way to make this up to you,” Ward said. “You’re looking for new opportunities, right?”

Clem nodded. “I am.”

“What about a guest spot at one of our restaurants?”

She laughed. “Sounds more like a good thing for you and your company.”

“True, but it could be good for you too.”

“I’m going to clean up,” Polly squeaked before scurrying back to the kitchen.

“She hates fighting,” Clem explained. “Such a soft heart.”

Ward smiled wryly. “Not ever a problem you would be accused of having.”

“You’re giving me a BS offer. It would be huge for you to have me working here. Parker Travers and me? Sounds like you’re winning.”

“But it would be like training wheels for you.”

Clem bristled. “I don’t need to be babied.”

“That’s not what I meant. This is a chance for you to try out your skills without anything to lose. You could do a winter here at Blue Ridge, our newest eatery.”

“Keep talking.”

It didn’t sound all bad. Her ma would have to work out the details, but it could be beneficial. It would be nicer than having to keep traveling to find a good spot. She would have time to decide what she wanted to do. And world-class chef Parker Travers would only be a stone’s throw away. He might even be able to answer a few questions for her. Not that she was in any way interested in him. She could use a new mentor, and he’d opened up restaurants all over the world. He might have a thing or two to teach her.

“You do a three-month stint at Blue Ridge. Your own menu, and you train the staff. You’d be compensated generously for your time of course. We’d want to do a big media splash beforehand. Leave right before the holidays if you want. Obviously, I haven’t pitched this to your agent or my bosses, but that’s generally how it goes.”

“Talk to everyone and give my agent the deal,” Clem told him. “But I think it sounds good so far.”

“I’ll talk to everyone tonight. I hope we can have something hashed out before you leave.”

“Sounds good.” Clem shook his hand.