Trois

 

In the kitchen, Leona opened cupboards in a frantic search for club soda.

"Don't bother. I can't believe you did this to my new dress. Do you know how much this cost? Nothing you use will get this stain out. How could you be so stupid?" Daggers flew from Marissa's violet gaze.

Shock rocked Leona.

Marissa's expression was pure hatred and anger.

"And another thing: quit trying to get Cameron's attention. He would never look twice at a lowly chef like you. I'm warning you. If you pull this kind of stunt again, I'll have your job."

Leona bit her tongue to keep from telling this self-centered diva where she could take her attitude. A few years ago, that's exactly what she'd have done. While she still had a long way to go, her growing faith in God kept her from going down that road again. The Lord continued to help her exercise more self-control than she ever thought possible.

Be humble.

She took a deep breath and then closed the cupboard door. Give me Your words, Lord. "I'm sorry about the dress, Marissa. I would be happy to try to get the stain out. If you want to go upstairs and change, I'll come get the dress from you and work on it."

Marissa glared at her. "Are you crazy? You're not touching this dress. I don't know what you're up to, but believe me, you've messed with the wrong person. Don't think you'll get away with this."

"I…but—"

Marissa lifted her hand to silence Leona. "I don't want to hear anything you have to say." She stormed up the back staircase.

Leona ladled the potato soup into bowls for the next course. Great. How could she ever overcome this? This reeked of her high school days. It always seemed popular people hated her. She placed the bowls on a tray and began filling more for the next tray.

Chef walked in. "How you doin'?" He sprinkled grated cheese and freshly chopped parsley into each bowl.

"I'm OK. She was a bit upset."

"Don't worry about her. You didn't do it on purpose. Everybody knows dat." He stopped sprinkling and turned to her. "Especially Cameron."

"I feel like a fool and a failure."

He narrowed his eyes. "I don't want to hear dat kind of talk. You are not a fool or a failure and you shouldn't be letting dat girl make you feel like one." He handed her the tray. "Go."

"Shouldn't you—"

He raised one eyebrow—his classic I'm-serious-don't-argue look. "Go."

She lifted the tray and walked toward the dining room. Lord, Your strength. Please, I need it.

Marissa had returned to the table wearing a sparkling red gown. She smiled at Leona as she approached her chair. "Maybe we should let the head chef serve this side of the table." She laughed.

This was it. How she handled this would set the tone. "If you'd feel more comfortable with Chef Julian, that is not a problem. We can arrange that for you." She skipped Marissa's chair and served the remaining guests.

Julian entered with the other tray.

Leona glanced toward Marissa's empty place.

Chef Julian nodded and began serving. Because Marissa was on the opposite side of the table from where Chef was serving, she received the last bowl.

They returned to the kitchen and began working the next course. "What is going on? I taught you better than dat. You serve people regardless of how you feel." His dark eyes bored into her.

"She asked for you to serve her."

"She did, did she? Of all the childish prima donna attitudes"—he slammed the drawer shut—"I've never seen such a spoiled brat."

Leona stopped working and waited for him to look at her. "Chef, it's OK. We'll be God's hands and feet these next few days. Remember, we can't do it if we're angry or judgmental."

He took a deep breath and wrapped his large arm around her shoulders. "Ah, petite, you always know jus what to say to calm me down. Le Bon Dieu knew what he was doin' when He sent you to me."

The good Lord had known exactly what He was doing. God had shown Leona that beneath Julian's gruff exterior lay a kind-hearted man who'd had more heartache than one person deserved. Her heart had bonded instantly with his when she'd learned that Julian's wife and daughter had disappeared without a trace over twenty-five years ago. She'd become the daughter he'd wanted, and he'd become the mentor she needed.

When salads were plated, they walked out to retrieve the empty soup bowls.

"Julian, the soup was wonderful. I see you've added your signature kick to it. Very good," CG said.

"I can't take the credit." He pointed toward Leona. "It's Miss Buquet's recipe."

The other guests complimented the food as well, except for Marissa, whose soup bowl remained full. Chef took the side of the table where Marissa sat. "Didn't like the soup, Miss Madison?"

"Oh, it was fine. Just a bit cold." She flipped strands of her long blonde locks behind her shoulder.

"Would you like for me to warm it for you?" Julian's words dripped with kindness.

Leona was proud of him. Even if he didn't feel the kindness, at least he was trying.

"Nah, that's fine. Besides, I don't need the calories." She turned toward Cameron. "I'm sure Cameron would hate for me to get chubby while I'm here."

Pink spread across Cameron's fair cheeks.

Leona cleared the dishes and returned to the kitchen for the next course. As she served the salads, she couldn't help but overhear the dinner conversation. The guests discussed the latest big movie filming on location in Italy.

Marissa leaned forward and turned to the end of the table toward the other guests. "Yes, I hear a certain famous director of that movie is sleeping with his famous leading lady." Her violet eyes sparkled as she relayed the news. It was as though she imparted the latest ground breaking bit of juicy information everyone needed to know.

Lord, enter her heart. Show her a better way. Show her You.

 

****

 

Cameron hated Hollywood gossip. He wished Marissa had not felt the need to share the latest rumor. The director was a friend and as much as he hated contradicting her, he couldn't let the lie spread. "I'm sure that rumor gets started about every director and leading lady for every big film. I know Garrison, and I'm pretty sure it's just nasty gossip. His wife is on location with him, as is the leading lady's husband."

Marissa's smile dimmed. Something replaced the sparkle in her eyes—disappointment? Anger? Cameron couldn't tell which. She stared at him. Would she have a few unkind words for him later? He hoped not.

Cameron was relieved when his Dad spoke. "On a happier note, I found out this week that we received the final permits and licenses to expand our company to New Orleans. Cameron will transfer there to get it off the ground after the first of the year. The movie industry is booming there, and I'm excited to be part of it."

"Really? How interesting. Cameron, you bad boy. You didn't tell me you were moving to New Oryleens. Shame on you." Marissa's furrowed brow and tight lips let him know she was not happy with him regardless of how casual sounding she tried to make her words.

He met Leona's gaze and found comfort there, as though she sensed his unease and wanted to encourage him.

Julian clapped Cameron on the back. "'Bout time you come back to God's country."

"I'm looking forward to being there again. Especially for the food and the wonderful people." He stole a glance in Leona's direction. While she busily cleared plates, he didn't miss the huge smile she sported.