Chapter 1

 

Olivia’s hand slid from her hip as she looked around the small café. A long sigh erupted. She closed her eyes, cautiously reminding herself she was taking a break from rich businessmen, famous stars and billionaire clients that she had crossed paths with for the past eight years.

During the time she spent working at The Traveling Chef, an elite company that caters to discretionary clients, Olivia thought she had seen it all. Then, when her grandmother died, it hadn’t taken much for her to come home, leaving the world she knew behind. There were so many reasons why she decided to leave New York City and start over. Frankly, the main reason was that she was burnt out living in the fast lane.

And, maybe one other reason she didn’t want to think about right now.

Home, sweet, home. Where the lush country hills surrounded Hideaway Lake and the peace in the valley refreshed the soul. It was like living in a world so far away from the bright lights and fast-paced crazy life. This was what she needed right now and with Olivia back home, it would be good for her mother, who was making her own changes after the ridiculous divorce her parents went through.

The soft hum of an engine caught her attention as an older model golf cart pulled up to the glass doors of Olivia’s new café. Her brother hopped from the cart in one swift move and pulled open the door with a huge smile across his face. The sound of children’s laughter and shouts as they spent their time playing on the sandy beach by the lake drifted inside.

Olivia grinned. “My, oh my, aren’t you peachy today. What’s going on little brother?” Olivia raised her hands to her hips again, realizing all of a sudden that she did it more often than not. Laura often did the same thing. Was she becoming her mother?

Cole shrugged and tilted his head. “Are you ready to open up yet? It’s been like two weeks since the inspection. Everyone is asking when the café will open up.”

“I knew that question was coming. Grand opening is in a few days, but that is not what I asked you, little bro. Why the grin? What have you been up to?” She slid onto the wooden bar stool at the counter. “I just poured myself a cup of coffee. Grab a cup from the counter over there and sit with me.”

Cole picked up the cream-colored porcelain cup, holding it out as he slid in beside his sister. She filled his cup from the carafe on the counter and began to load up her own with an overflowing spoonful of sugar and fresh cream.

“Olivia! That’s not a cup of coffee, you’re making a dessert.” He looked totally disgusted and took a gulp from his own, which was free from any condiments.

She laughed. “It’s exactly what I need right now. A little indulgence isn’t going to hurt me.” Olivia tucked a hand under her chin as she stared at him. There was something different about Cole. He seemed more calm than usual. At peace. Happy. Not as nervous as he was when he first came home.

“It’s your health going to hell in a handbasket,” he warned.

“You are three years younger than me and sometimes you act like the oldest.”

He grinned. “I’ve always known I was more mature than you, sis.”

She laughed. “So, tell me bro, how are you really doing since the episode with that poor, misguided woman?”

“You mean Sherri? She’s far from poor, sis. Actually, she’s been getting treatment and dealing with her mental health.”

Olivia still worried. “It’s a shame, really. I know she thought she was in love with you, but hopefully in treatment they will make her realize you didn’t have the same feelings that she did. I’d hate to see her come back here and stir things up again. Our little town is peaceful and serene, the perfect place to hide from the world.” Was that what Olivia was doing here? Hiding from the world? Or, just the part of a world she had been involved in for the last eight years?

Cole shook his head. “From what the counselor said, Sherri’s been messed up since she lost her parents and her uncle is the cause of most of her issues. I hear he’s trying to make it right. She’s getting good care. I’ll be honest with you, sis. I’m glad it all came out. I feel like I can finally breathe and move on with my life.”

Olivia gave him a hug. “It’s okay, bro. We all make bad choices at times.”

“All except you, Olivia. I’ve never seen you do anything except make good choices to forge ahead. Look at you, a big chef who worked with some of the smartest businessmen in the industry. You’ve cooked for Senators and maybe even the President for all we know.”

Olivia tousled his hair like she would a three year-old. “You will never know, bro. I can’t disclose who I worked for or what they were doing, and who they were doing it with,” She added. “I signed a disclaimer.”

Cole laughed. “Not even to your own little brother?”

Olivia shook her head and stood, stretching her long legs. “Especially my little bro. Some secrets will have to stay with me until the end of time.”

He sighed. “It’s fine. I have other things to keep my mind occupied with.”

Olivia laughed out loud. “You mean Madison?”

“You know it. Unlike you, sis, who has every available man in Hideaway Lake pining over you, I found one girl who seems really nice. I think things may get serious before too long.”

“We’ve all watched things unfold, Cole. I’m happy for you. As for me, I’m working on me. Not even interested in any man right now.”

He stood, downing the coffee in one gulp. “Men pining over you certainly won’t hurt your business. They’ll all be hoarding over you, coming to the café, hanging out here all day long, waiting for you to notice one of them.”

“You paint a horrible picture, Cole. A little flirting never hurt anyone, but I’m not interested in a man right now. I’m opening in two days and I need to finish training my employees.”

Cole looked around and shrugged. “I don’t see any employees here.”

She ruffled the top of his hair again. Olivia had been doing that since they were little. “They’ll be here in a half hour. Meanwhile, if you would, how about helping me carry those Adirondack chairs to our private beach.”

Cole followed her outside where an Amish man had delivered five acacia wood chairs earlier. Even though she had some small bistro tables outside on the patio, the private beach in front of the café was the perfect spot for them. Olivia had already placed a fire pit there earlier.

Cole picked up two chairs, one in each hand. Olivia grabbed one and began to lug it to the beach area, which wasn’t far from the patio. They both tried to reach the intended space before the other. Olivia got there first since Cole had a heavier load. After shaking his head and mumbling something she didn’t understand because she beat him, he went back for the last two chairs as Olivia arranged them around the fire-pit in a quaint, cozy circle.

Cole plopped down on one of them. “You are so competitive. I was actually going to offer to set up all the chairs so you didn’t have to, but I know how you are.”

She leaned back, ignoring his words and stared at the water. “This is nice, isn’t it?”

“It sure is.” Cole stared at her. “Olivia?”

She sighed. He was forever interrupting her train of thought. But, his voice sounded pretty serious. “What, Cole?”

“I get the feeling that you are running from something.”

“Look, I don’t think it is any of -”

He held up a hand. “Don’t speak. Let me say this while it’s on my mind. I just want you to know that whatever it is, I’ll always be here if you need me. No matter what.”

His kind, brotherly words almost brought Olivia to tears. He knew her better than anyone. They were only three years apart and sometimes she thought they were more like twins. “Thanks, bro. I knew when I picked you up on my way here that day we came home for Grandma’s funeral, that something was going on in your life, too. I guess we must have sibling intuition or something. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“I know. You always are.” Cole squeezed her hand, then stood and stretched before walking towards his golf cart. “I’ll be here for the grand opening.”

“You better be,” she shot back.

Olivia sat on the Adirondack chair staring at the crystal water, following the slight waves as children frolicked at the public swimming area just down from her private beach. The dark secret she held in her heart and soul was starting to eat her up inside. If only things had been different, but they weren’t. She had worked so hard at The Traveling Chef and it had paid off for years.

Now, here she was, in a rural town in a small café that she could run with her eyes closed. This month was already starting to get busy for the whole area as guests rented the many cottages by the lake. Her mother’s bed and breakfast was filled to capacity. It was a different type of challenge, one that Olivia hoped would keep her mind occupied so she didn’t have to think at all. The truth was, it hurt way more than she wanted to admit.

Olivia was glad to be free from the world that she knew and yet sometimes her heart ached to be back there. But, this was good for her. Being away from the ungrateful guests and from the filthy rich men who cheated on their wives at conventions and private parties had taken a toll on her.

Not only that, but Olivia had also done the one thing that she swore and was warned never to do. Fall for a client.

She’d take that secret to her grave.

 

*****

 

“You will have patrons sitting outside on the covered front porch. I’ve placed five small tables there. On the back patio, there are six bistro tables and chairs with umbrellas. For those who want to enjoy the shade, make sure you send them to the front.” Olivia didn’t mention the Adirondack chairs by the fire pit to her staff. She wasn’t sure yet what she’d use that area for. Even though she had a cute little balcony upstairs that faced the water, the thought of her bare feet in the sand while sitting closer to the lake seemed much more intriguing, and relaxing.

The staff nodded in understanding.

“Any questions?” she asked, wanting to make sure they were paying attention.

Five pairs of eyes stared at her, waiting for her to speak. She was used to running things. A staff of five was much easier than twenty. She felt at ease and motioned for everyone to sit. They all chose the wooden bar stools with comfortable backs at the counter. She plopped down on the empty stool. “Okay, so I’ve trained all of you individually and got to know each one of you. I’ve held up the grand opening long enough, but learning to work together is too important to miss the steps I took the past two weeks. Now, I want each of you to introduce yourself to your co-workers. This café will be run like a well-oiled machine, so it’s a good idea to get to know one another. Who wants to go first?”

The staff looked surprised but it didn’t deter Olivia. She knew they had to get to know each other in order to work together. It was her strategy in working and training each staff member alone. Olivia didn’t play games when it came to working. She had been trained by the best and expected hard work from every individual.

“I’ll go first,” the oldest of the crew announced. “I’m Melissa Jenkins. I’ll be working as the evening cook.”

Olivia interrupted. “Chef. Don’t degrade yourself. You trained as a chef.”

Melissa nodded. “Okay. I’m Chef Melissa, but everyone can all call me Chef Missy. I’m thirty-five and divorced, and living back home with my widowed mother who needs assistance with her daily living. I’m taking the evening shift from five to nine in order to be there for her during the day.”

“Thank you, Chef Missy. What she didn’t tell the rest of you is that she went through Culinary school and at one time worked in a prestigious boutique hotel in Pittsburgh. I would like the same respect shown for her as you’ve all shown me.”

Heads nodded in agreement. Missy’s cheeks were bright red. She was a quiet woman, tall and thin, with dark brown hair pulled back tight in a ponytail. Her eyes were sad, yet Olivia noticed a sturdiness and tenacity in the woman’s spirit. She needed more confidence, but that would come in time. Olivia would make sure of it.

No one else spoke up. Olivia raised an eyebrow, sitting quietly while waiting for the next person to speak. It wasn’t long before another voice rent the air. “Hello, I’m Chloe Case. I’m an unwanted child of parents who never married and my mother never told me or my father of my existence until I graduated this year. I thought he had died. What a surprise to know he hadn’t. If you want to know, my father owns Case Security in town. I haven’t reached out to him yet. I suppose he’s heard by now that I am here, but I’m not getting too excited that anything will change in my life. I’m going to be the Chef’s assistant on both shifts, to be used when I am needed. Kind of like my life.”

Olivia shook her head as the other staff members stared at the girl. “That was quite the introduction. Do you want us to feel sorry that you came from a broken home? We are a team that will work together through all of our issues and problems and when you are working you will keep those issues under the covers.”

“Yes, Chef Olivia. I will. But you did ask us to introduce ourselves.”

Olivia grinned, admitting to herself that she liked the girl’s spunk. Chloe was going to be surprised to learn that her father was anxious to meet her. It was a wonder he hadn’t tried to hunt her down, but Shar had talked him out of it. Shar and Ryan had been dating for a while now. Since Shar was a local attorney who dealt primarily in divorce and custody cases, he listened to her words and made the decision to let Chloe be the first to make a move when she was ready.

Olivia didn’t see Ryan as the kind of man who waited long or listened to anyone’s advice but his own. Only time would tell. For Chloe’s sake, Olivia hoped it would be soon. The girl was lost. Hopefully, the café would be a good distraction for her.

“Hi everyone. I’m Alexis Harper. You can call me Lexi. My parents are local artists that travel all over the world to shows. I’m left here alone most of the time, but the good news is I want to go to art school after taking a year off. So, here I am, the next famous artist of Hideaway Lake.”

Olivia clapped. She gave Lexi a bow. “You’ve added to our little group nicely. You omitted what you will be doing here.”

“Oh,” she giggled at her own mistake. “I’m the daytime server who is hoping to make lots of tips!”

The others gave her a welcoming smile. She was full of energy and would be a positive influence to the others. Except Olivia sensed there was an underlying sadness that Lexi hid quite well.

“I’m Kayla Sawyer. I may as well tell you how old I am because every time I mention I have a three year old, people round their eyes and can’t believe it. I had Harper when I was fifteen. I know, it was young and I made a bad decision, but now I’d never change it for the world. So, if you want to judge me for being a young single mom, then do it behind my back. I live for my daughter, and everything I earn here goes to provide for her. So, if you don’t like it, stuff it, because I’m not going anywhere. I need this job.”

Olivia laughed out loud. “There you have it, folks. A single mom with an attitude. I liked you from the moment I met you, Kayla. Don’t change for anyone.” Olivia turned to the last girl.

“Hello, I’m Mia, the evening server. I don’t need the money. Life sucks and I can’t stand being at home, so here I am. Anything more you want to know about me, look it up. My parents are always in the news. You can’t miss the entertainment they provide to the world. My parents are famous musicians.”

The reason Olivia hired Mia was not for her skills. She lacked a pleasant attitude and her eyes were dark and angry. But, she also had a fighting spirit that fed fuel to a burning fire that Olivia didn’t want to see put out. The girl needed a family. Badly. It was Olivia’s hope that some good would come out of hiring her. Hopefully, Olivia hadn’t made a mistake.

“We all have some sort of personal issues,” Olivia began her speech, wanting to make it clear there would be no foul play during work hours.

Instead, Mia had the whole team laughing hysterically. “Why do you call this place Olivia’s Café? It should be called The Misfit Café. Look at us and hear our stories. We’re doomed.”

She hit the nail on the head. Every single person was hunched over laughing. Olivia glanced out the window and the first thing she saw were five chairs around the fire pit. She knew at that moment what she’d use that area for.

“Everyone, turn around and look at the beach. Do you see the Adirondack chairs and fire-pit on the beach?” After several nods and grunts, she continued. “That’s our space. Our team. While you are in this building working, I want you to give me your best. If you need to walk away or have a few minutes to yourself, go there. It will be our space. I’ll have an EMPLOYEE ONLY sign put up.”

Olivia knew in that moment that space was going to become much more than it appeared to be. Maybe this café was filled with misfits, but she was starting to realize that maybe this small café idea wasn’t so bad after all. It may provide the healing her heart needed as well.

“Let’s run over the plan for opening day one more time.”

“I’d rather sit out there,” Mia complained.

Olivia smiled. “When we’re done.”

 

*****

 

“Mom! Where are you?” Olivia closed the screen door after running across the street and up the slight hill to the Hideaway Inn. She had promised to show her mother how to make Steak with Drunken Mushrooms, one of her mother’s favorites. Olivia had made it for a family meal when the Bed and Breakfast had first opened and now her mother wanted to serve it for a special meal tonight.

“In the kitchen!” Laura called out.

Olivia made her way through the empty parlor and dining room and entered through the kitchen door. It stood slightly ajar, probably so her mom would hear when someone came through the front door. Even though it was private and closed off to the guests, several times Olivia discovered her mother had invited a guest or two in her private space to have coffee or dessert in the kitchen instead of the dining area.

That was her mom. She’d always make others feel as if they were at home. It may be a bed and breakfast to some, but her mother wanted the Inn to feel like a place where her guests and visitors felt safe and comfortable. And they did. The reviews were phenomenal and the place was always full.

“Hi, mom! I’m here, finally.”

Laura turned and smiled at her only daughter. “I hate to take you away from prepping for your grand opening, but I’m stuck.”

Olivia stared at the mess on the stove and counter. She walked to the back door, pulled an apron from the hook on the wall, and tightened the ponytail on her head. “Okay, Mom. You can’t make Drunken Mushrooms like that. Did you follow the recipe I wrote down for you?”

Laura blushed. She didn’t answer and Olivia didn’t even have to look up to know her mother had not even glanced at the recipe. “I was trying to remember how you made it. You did tell me.”

Olivia closed her eyes and shook her head. “How much are you planning to make? Do you plan to feed everyone?” The bed and breakfast was filled to capacity. Then it occurred to Olivia that her mother didn’t serve supper, only breakfast and sometimes lunch. What was going on?

Laura Myers was standing with both hands on her hips. Olivia cringed. She was starting to realize how much she was like her mom now that she was living so close to home again. Then, she noticed her mom was biting her bottom lip. What! Her mother was a very confident woman and this was not like her at all. Olivia went to her and gave her a hug. “Okay, what is it?”

Laura sighed. “We know each other so well, don’t we?”

“We do.” She took her mom’s hands in hers. “What are you afraid of, Mom?”

Laura let go of her hands and turned to the window. She stood still for a moment while Olivia surveyed the mess she’d have to clean up. Olivia knew her mom needed a moment.

Laura turned and with worried eyes, confessed. “I’m making dinner for Joe and I tonight. The Inn will be empty since everyone is going to the opening of the amphitheater tonight. Free tickets were sent over earlier. Joe and I decided not to go, so I thought I’d make him a nice meal.”

Olivia knew her mother was good at cooking and should not have had so much difficulty with this rather simple meal. “That’s a nice gesture, Mom. Why did you call me, then?”

Laura shook her head. “I’m a wreck! The Inn has been running at full capacity for the last few weeks and I haven’t had a moment to myself. Not that I mind or am complaining, but when does one find time to date?”

Olivia smiled. “You are supposed to go out to eat, Mother. Not spend the day cooking and making such a fuss. Am I the daughter here, because I swear I should be the mother!”

Laura laughed and moved across the room to embrace Olivia. “You are so right. Except Joe has been working so hard on the plans for the mansion on the hill that he’s had nothing but back to back meetings for the past few weeks. We haven’t seen each other in so long and when I asked him if he was taking care of himself, he admitted he’d been buying food at the local grocery store in the deli section or at the drive-thru. Pre-made food. So I offered to cook a good meal.”

“Ahhh, and he wants to spend time with you alone. I get it, but men forget it takes time to prepare a good meal.”

Laura shook her head. “I started out well, but I’m overwhelmed today. I want it to be nice for him. It’s really important.”

Olivia held up her hands. “Never fear, Mom. I’m here now and can whip this up like nobody’s business. Get out of the kitchen. Go to your space and take a relaxing bath. You deserve some time to yourself.”

“I can’t do that, Olivia.”

“Of course you can and you will.” She began to move her mother towards the door that led into her private quarters. “Go on. I insist.”

“But, what about your café? I’m sure you have tons of work to do for tomorrow’s grand opening.”

“Nope. Everything is finished. I whipped my team in shape and we’re ready to open. Now, if you will leave, Mother, I can get this done. Go on.”

Laura slid through the door with a relieved look on her face. Olivia glanced over to the door a few times, thinking she’d try to come help, but to her relief, Laura stayed put.

Cooking always gave Olivia joy. This she can fix. A messy counter was easily cleaned up and in no time she’d start over. Even the attempt at cooking was fixable with a few tweaks.

If only she could fix what had happened to her before she came home. If it were only that easy.