| |
Kirsty didn't go home during the next two days. The day after the passionate kisses Reeve was stronger, and they breakfasted on the front veranda. It could have been the fresh air or the company, but the juice and toast had never tasted so good.
"What would you like to do today?" Reeve asked as they lingered over their coffee.
"Doesn't matter what I'd like to do. It depends more on how you're feeling." Her hands reached above her head, and she stretched luxuriously. "Personally, I feel like lazing around and doing nothing. All work and no play makes Kirsty a very exhausted girl."
"You've been doing nothing but work these last few weeks. I think we should follow your suggestion and stay in bed all day."
"I said no such thing! Besides, you said you couldn't wait to get out of bed." Kirsty glared at him, then saw the laughter in his eyes. "Stop teasing me. Anyway, if you want something to eat I'll have to spend some time in the kitchen."
"Let's go for a walk first." Reeve helped her stack the dirty breakfast dishes, and together they carried them through to the kitchen.
"Are you sure you're up to it? Wouldn't you like a shower first to freshen up after the fever?"
"I'll have one when I come back. I think I'll be all right as long as we don't go too far," he replied, drawing her arm through his. "Leave the dishes and we'll do them later."
Arm in arm they wandered through the overgrown garden.
"You really should get someone to see to this." Kirsty tugged herself free from a rose which had rambled too far over the path. "If you leave it much longer, you'll have to have it re-landscaped."
"Somewhere in amongst this jungle is a garden seat." Reeve picked up a stick and whacked indiscriminately at the nearby plants. "Ah here we are."
Under a layer of rampant convolvulus Kirsty could just make out a wrought iron garden seat, but when Reeve at last cleared a space, the covering of green slime prevented them from sitting down.
"Well, it was a good idea while it lasted." Reeve shrugged, then held out his hand palm up. "I think it's starting to rain."
He'd hardly said the words when the heavens opened and the rain poured down, turning the overgrown garden into a quagmire. They ran back to the house, slipping and sliding. It was only a short distance, but by the time they got there, they were soaked through to the skin.
"Phew!" Kirsty shut the door and leaned against it to get her breath back. She glanced across at Reeve and noticed his heavy breathing. "Are you okay?"
"Just a bit winded," he panted. "Haven't got my strength back properly yet. Where are you going?"
"To run you a bath. If you don't get warm and dry, you'll catch a chill." Reeve's chuckle stopped her as she headed out the door.
"In case you hadn't noticed, I haven't got a bath. Only a shower."
"I hadn't really noticed. I've been using the one in the laundry area to make sure I didn't disturb you. Warming you up is the important thing, and a shower will do just as well. Now get under the warm water, and I'll grab you some dry clothes."
Kirsty heard him turn on the water and with dry clothes in hand she entered the bathroom. Her assumption he would be behind the shower curtain or door, could not have been further from the truth. The modernized bathroom had the shower as an integral part of the room, with no door to cut it off from the other areas. Reeve stood under a strong stream of steamy water, and Kirsty caught her breath as her eyes devoured every detail of his body.
He stood with his head bowed, his back toward her, with hands leaning against the wall of the shower, legs apart so the water streamed over his back in rivulets.
"Enjoying the view?"
Kirsty blushed and rushed from the room. Too embarrassed to face Reeve she rushed out onto the covered veranda and breathed in the damp air to calm herself. When she returned to the house Reeve sat on the sofa watching the television. He made no mention of the shower incident.
"Come and sit beside me. I think you'll enjoy this program."
When she nervously lowered herself next to him, he leaned back and placed his arm around her shoulder. A glance toward him caught his attention and he leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek.
Day by day, Reeve's strength grew and their passion grew alongside this. His touch brought them into each other's arms, their lips touching, arms holding each other in a loving embrace. One evening, he lit the log burner and they sat on the floor in the circle of warmth, Reeve leaning against a chair with Kirsty propped between his thighs.
"Do you own this property?"
"Yes, I bought it for the peace and quiet." Reeve grinned down at her. "I lease out the paddocks, though, all but the top one. There's such a stupendous view I couldn't bear not to be able to go up there when I feel like it. If the weather's good we could climb up there tomorrow."
"Only if you feel up to it." Kirsty was still curious. "Where do the rest of your family live?"
"I think I told you my sister lives in Sydney. She's married with a little boy. I try to get over to see them as much as possible. "
Kirsty glanced up and saw a wistful look in Reeve's eyes.
"Not as often as I'd like to, though. How about you? Anybody else but you and your parents?"
"Nope. Oh, there're aunts, uncles and cousins, of course, but apart from them, there's only me, Mum and Dad."
"Ah, the makers of the delicious Mansion vintage. I'd like to meet them some day. They must be nice people if they can make such a fine wine." He stretched his arms above his head, then brought them down around Kirsty and kissed the top of her head. "They also made a lovely daughter."
"How about your parents? Did they live in New Zealand?"
"Yes." The word lacked emotion, and she glanced quickly at him.
"Sorry, but it still hurts. They were killed in a car accident about eight years ago. It's the reason I own the Garden Group of hotels. They started it and left it to me to carry on."
They talked for a while longer, then Kirsty realized Reeve hadn't spoken for some moments. Looking up, she saw he had fallen asleep and she slipped from his arms and knelt beside him.
"Reeve, come on, sleepyhead. It's time for bed."
He groaned in his sleep, but then his eyelids flickered open, and she helped him get up and go into the bedroom.
"Reeve, you need to get some rest. You've been overdoing things and a good night's sleep won't hurt you."
He didn't reply and when she turned back after removing his shoes, he had fallen asleep. A smile on her lips, she pulled the covers up to his chin.
Saturday afternoon the sun shone brightly and Reeve took her up through the paddocks to the top of the hill. As they ambled along in the sunshine with arms entwined, he sighed.
"It seems such a shame I have to go back to the hotel tomorrow."
"You could always leave it until Monday, then we'd have the whole weekend before we even have to think about work." Kirsty crossed her fingers hoping he would agree.
"No, my love." Reeve planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. "Much as I'd love to stay here with you and forget the rest of the world, I'm afraid I've got to get back to the office and sort things out."
"Oh, all right." Kirsty pouted, not willing to let go of these halcyon days. "You don't want me to come in until Monday. Have I got it right?"
"You don't mind, do you?" Reeve glanced down at her, his eyes suddenly serious. "Chef Antoine will be easier to handle if I'm not being distracted by your beautiful face." He turned her to face him and bent his head to kiss her lips. His hands began to roam over her back.
"Stop it, Reeve. Somebody might see us." Kirsty laughed, a feeling of breathless anticipation stealing over her.
"Nobody can see us here, we're miles from the nearest road, and the closest house is mine." Reeve continued stroking her body but suddenly stopped.
"Reeve. What's wrong? Are you feeling okay?" Kirsty squirmed round so she could see his face.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just had a thought."
Kirsty snuggled into his arms, relieved he hadn't had a relapse. He kissed the top of her head.
"You know I think a lot of you, don't you?"
"I sort of got the idea."
Where is this leading? Think a lot of me, is he telling me this is as good as it gets?
"This isn't going to sound right, but I need you to keep your distance from me when we get back to work."
"Why?"
"Remember I asked you to trust me." He looked at her and Kirsty nodded. "I need you to have faith in me for a little bit longer. I can't tell you why, but no one must know how I feel about you."
Kirsty struggled to sit up then looked him straight in the eye. His expression told her how serious his words were, but his eyes looked at her with such love and longing she couldn't refuse his request.
"I'll do as you ask, Reeve. I don't like being deceitful, but I'll do it."
"Thank you." He pulled her toward him and kissed her hard and long. When he released her Kirsty felt dizzy with passion.
"Reeve, I love you."
Now her reaction to his touch fell into place. She'd been falling in love with the man. Gloriously, wonderfully in love.
"Happy?" Reeve hugged her close and stroked her hair.
"Very." Kirsty snuggled into his arms.
A breeze blew up, forcing them to get up and return to the villa hand-in-hand. They spent their last evening together curled in each other's arms in front of the fire then went to their separate beds. The next morning they parted with fond looks and a touching of hands as Reeve drove off to the hotel, and Kirsty returned to her small Orewa house.
Her rooms shone after a morning of thorough cleaning. Reeve had promised to call in to see her after he finished work, and she wanted her home to look its best. After deciding on a menu, Kirsty cooked. The duchess potatoes were ready for their final browning, the vegetables sat in a pan of water, and the Burgundy beef in red wine simmered in the oven. A delicious mixture of aromas drifted through the house. She concentrated on dessert, remembering Reeve's comment about starters, and was whisking up egg whites for a pavlova when the phone rang.
"Hi, Kirsty here."
"Kirsty, where have you been?" Gina sounded worried. "I've been ringing and ringing. You can't have been out every time I called."
"Sorry, I went away for a few days," Kirsty apologized. "Was it something important?"
"Something important? Kirsty, you get kicked out of the hotel kitchen by Chef, there's a rumor going round you've been sacked, and you wonder if I've been trying to get hold of you for something important." Gina sounded highly indignant. "I thought we were friends. Why didn't you ring to let me know what was happening."
"Oh, Gina, I'm so sorry. I got really upset and wanted to get away from it all. I should've rung you before I left. You'll forgive me, won't you?" Kirsty pleaded with her friend.
"So tell me what happened. Were you sacked? Did Chef or Mr. Stuart fire you? No, it couldn't have been Mr. Stuart. He's been off with flu the past few days. Come on, Kirsty, tell me everything."
"Honestly, Gina, there's not much to tell." Kirsty furiously tried to think of an explanation for her friend. She didn't want to lie, but couldn't tell the whole truth either. "Chef did order me from the kitchen, but according to my contract, I have to be officially dismissed by Mr. Stuart. As you said, he wasn't there, so I sort of left things hanging until I could see him. Is he back yet?"
The last words Kirsty said very tongue-in-cheek. Gina couldn't find out she knew his whereabouts, or her friend would want to know what was going on.
"Yes, he came back this morning. I'd leave it till Monday though. He's got a terrific backlog of work. The poor guy hasn't had a minute to himself all day."
"Gina, can you hang on a moment?" Kirsty asked as the call waiting tone sounded. "Somebody's trying to come through on the other line."
"It's okay, Kirsty. I'm on early shift tomorrow so I'll call around before I come into work. We can talk about it then."
"Gina, wait!" Kirsty didn't want her friend to come round and ask why she looked so happy when she was about to be fired. Her words fell into silence as her friend had already hung up. Kirsty sighed and switched over to the other line.
"Hi, Kirsty!" Even over the phone Reeve's voice sent shivers up and down her spine. "How are you, my love?"
"Fine now," Kirsty told him. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you, too." He spoke quickly. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to wait a bit longer before I see you again."
"What do you mean?" His words caused unease to stir inside her. Her gaze fell on the food laid out in her kitchen.
"Kirsty, I've got a stack of work here I have to get through. By the time I even make a dent in it, it'll be too late to come to your place for dinner. Then tomorrow night we've got the Freemasons function here at the hotel. I won't be able to see you until Monday."
"Oh, Reeve, it's not fair. You shouldn't be working so hard when you've only just recovered from the flu." Kirsty couldn't help complaining, and her voice was tense with frustration. "Can't you leave some of the paperwork until next week?"
"No, I can't, my love. Believe me, I'd dump it all in the bin if I could, but I really need to get things up to date." Reeve sounded genuinely upset, and Kirsty felt sorry she'd been so irritable. "Listen, Kirsty, come into work about nine o'clock on Monday, and we'll get everything sorted out between you and Antoine."
"Wouldn't it be better if I came in at my normal time? I'd think Chef would get even more annoyed if I come in late." Kirsty thought it wouldn't matter what time she arrived, Chef still wouldn't let her in the kitchen, but she had to give Reeve the chance to try and sort things out.
"No, Kirsty, please do it my way. I want to clear my desk before you get here. Then I can give the problem my undivided attention." Reeve rang off after a few more endearments,, leaving Kirsty to deal with her frustration.
Why is he so sure he can charm Chef into letting me have my job back? How serious is he if he lets work come before seeing me?
Kirsty shook her head to clear the confusion. She packed the duchess potatoes into the freezer and threw the vegetables into a stockpot. The beef could sit in the fridge when it was cooked. There could be no evidence of her romantic dinner to make Gina suspicious.
The more her thoughts dwelled on Reeve's phone call, the more upset Kirsty became. They'd only parted this morning, but Reeve already sounded different, more distant. He had returned to being her boss instead of the wonderful man who brought her senses to boiling point. Memories of his kisses and caresses stirred her body, but she forced herself to become calm again. Had he regretted their time together? No, Reeve wasn't so shallow. He had told her the truth. Work came first and he thought it best to get it out of the way before he became distracted by her.
Of course. Kirsty decided. You wait, my girl. He'll be as loving as you want him to be when you see him next. Kirsty tidied up the kitchen and watched television until bedtime, laughing at herself for allowing her fears to overcome her.
Gina breezed into the house on Sunday morning, full of news from the hotel and questions regarding Kirsty's situation.
"Did you say Mr. Stuart has had the flu?" Kirsty tried to make her question sound innocent.
"Yes, he didn't come in at all last week, " Gina dipped her hotcake in the maple syrup. "Came back yesterday. Not too sure how it's going to affect you, though."
"What do you mean?"
"Well." Gina paused to swallow another mouthful. "Hmm this is great. I never have time for breakfast at home."
"How's Mr. Stuart coming back going to affect me, Gina?" Kirsty asked persistently.
"Well, he's your main hope of keeping your job, isn't he?" Gina finished eating and sat back with a sigh of satisfaction, then picked up her cup of coffee.
Kirsty felt her fingernails bite into her palms as she clenched her hands under the table. Why couldn't Gina just get on with it instead of dragging things out like this?
"Where was I? Oh, yes. Mr. Stuart came back yesterday morning. I didn't know he'd come back until he strolled through reception and went into the kitchen. Then he came out with Chef Antoine and they headed for his office. Can I have another cup?" Gina held her cup out, and Kirsty forced herself to be calm as she poured her friend some more coffee. "Anyway, Chef waltzed back through reception about fifteen minutes later with a big grin on his face."
"A grin?" Kirsty couldn't believe her ears. If this was Reeve's solution, he had a very funny way of sorting things out,
"Yes, a grin. He looked very pleased with himself." Gina peered at her friend, trying to see how her news had been received. "Doesn't sound too good for you, does it?"
"No." Kirsty's abrupt reply startled Gina, who blinked at the anger in the short word.
"Sorry, Kirsty, but I thought you should know. At least now you'll have some idea what to expect tomorrow."
"Thanks, Gina. I know you mean it for the best, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept my career has just gone down the drain." Kirsty concealed her unhappiness by collecting the dirty dishes and taking them into the kitchen.
"So what will you do?" Gina picked up more dishes and followed her.
"Start looking in the situations vacant column, I suppose."
"You need to contact the union, Kirsty. There must be something in your contract which stops Chef firing you in an underhand way. "
"I never even thought of looking at my contract," Kirsty confessed. "I felt so mad about everyone using me as a scapegoat I just wanted to blast off at them."
"I'd dig it out and go over it with a magnifying glass." Gina reluctantly stood and collected her belongings. "Sorry, I've got to go, but if I hear anything at work, I'll give you a ring, okay?" She put her arms around Kirsty and gave her a hug. "It'll all turn out right in the end. Who knows, maybe the theatre restaurant will be so impressed by your application they'll offer you the job anyway."
Kirsty kept a brave face while saying goodbye to her friend. Once the front door had shut behind her, she sagged against it , hardly able to climb the stairs. She pushed off from the door with an effort and dragged herself up to the lounge, then collapsed on the sofa.
The loss of her job was bad enough, but expected. The news of Reeve's friendliness with Chef Antoine upset her badly. What hidden agenda was he following if he could kiss her so passionately one day, telling her she could leave things up to him, then the next be on such good terms with the man who had destroyed her?
Kirsty decided the only person to rely on was herself. She went to her bedroom and grabbed the cardboard box she kept her important documents in. Sitting on the sofa, she rummaged through its contents until she found her contract with the Hibiscus Hotel.
"Let's see." Her finger ran down the page until it reached the clause regarding dismissal. "Theft as a servant, repeated disobedience, insufficient respect for customers, dishonesty. I suppose he could get me on the last one if he can make his accusations stick. Shame it's Sunday. I could do with a union rep to help me understand all this legal stuff."
Nothing could be done until the following day and, looking out the window, she saw the sun shining from a glorious blue sky. Maybe a stroll along the beach would clear her mind of the never-ending round of questions and confusion. Her mind resolutely focused on getting to the beach while she walked across the Orewa streets. Once there she kicked off her shoes and wriggled her toes in the golden sand then lifted her face to soak up the sun. No breeze blew today, so no sand yachts raced, and only a few people enjoyed the sunshine. Kirsty felt invigorated by the strong ozone smell of the sea and the warm sun shining down. She walked to the southern end of the sand with shoes in hand then back north, the exercise filling her with contentment and dreams of the future she hoped to share with Reeve. Her mind insisted Reeve couldn't be the type of guy to love to her one day, then stab her in the back the next.
Once level with the place she'd started she sat down in the shade on the grassy bank linking her hands around her knees. Her thoughts turned to Reeve as she stared out to sea and the time they'd spent together at his villa. How wonderful his touch had felt, the feelings which had coursed through her. A smile lifted the corners of her mouth.
Her face turned down the beach, but she was not paying any attention to the scene in front of her until a movement snapped her gaze into focus. Kirsty blinked, at first convinced she was seeing things and her daydreams of Reeve had been so strong she'd conjured up his image. A man walked back from the water's edge and it looked exactly like him. It couldn't be Reeve. He'd told her he was busy at the hotel. Besides this man walked arm-in-arm with a woman. She was an extremely attractive woman who looked vaguely familiar. Kirsty rose to her feet to convince herself she'd been mistaken, intending to stroll toward the pair. The man put his arms around the woman at the same moment, and hugged her close. With a smile he dipped his head and kissed her cheek. Kirsty watched him release her and with a wave of his hand hurry toward a car parked on the road side of the grass verge. Kirsty's temper rose. She recognized Reeve's car when she saw it.
"The sneaking rat!" Her temper erupted. "Wait until I see him. He'd better have an explanation for meeting another woman when he told me he'd be at the hotel. If he hasn't got a good reason, he'll wish he'd never heard of Kirsty Lawrence."
Kirsty realized her voice had grown quite loud. She glanced round to see if anyone had heard her. The only other person on her part of the beach was the woman Reeve had been with, and this person walked rapidly toward another exit. Within moments the stranger had disappeared from sight.
Kirsty spent the rest of the day waiting for Reeve to call her. The more her thoughts turned to the beach interlude, the more convinced she became he'd betrayed her. One thing kept rearing its head above all her other thoughts. Although he'd called her 'my love', not once had Reeve said he loved her. It was early evening before the phone rang.
"Hi, Kirsty." His voice caressed her and despite her anger, her body warmed with an automatic reaction. "Sorry I couldn't ring sooner, but I've been so busy. I've only got a moment, but I thought I'd better remind you about tomorrow. You won't forget, will you? Nine o'clock and not before. "
"No, I won't forget," Kirsty promised. "Reeve..."
"Good girl. See you tomorrow." The phone went dead.
Her mind seethed with frustration as she stared at the receiver in her hand. He hadn't let her get a word in so she still didn't know about the woman on the beach, and why Reeve had met her in secret.
Kirsty went to bed at eight o'clock, intending to get up at her usual time and arrive at the hotel earlier than Reeve expected her to. He'd been so insistent she arrive promptly at nine she convinced herself he was hiding something from her. Her imagination ran riot as she visualized herself confronting Reeve with his meeting on the beach. She tossed and turned in her bed. It wasn't until the early hours of the morning when her mind gave up and she settled into a deep sleep. The clock showed eight-thirty when she woke on Monday morning. Kirsty took pains with her appearance after a hurried breakfast. She could certainly ensure her clothes were clean and fresh, despite not being able to dress up for work.
Her nerve almost failed her in the staff car park. Two minutes to nine. Should she go straight to the kitchen, or would it be better to go to Reeve's office? He hadn't told her where to go, just when to arrive.
"As far as I'm concerned, I'm still employed here, so I'll go to the kitchen. I hope Reeve's there, but I doubt he'll have the nerve to show up. He's a dirty rat and will probably let me fight it out with Chef on my own."
Kirsty arrived in the kitchen as Reeve entered from the restaurant doorway. Chef glared at Kirsty as she entered, his back to the restaurant.
"Lawrence, what are you doing here?" Antoine's eyes narrowed as he looked at her, a nasty sneer on his lips. "Come to beg for your job back, I suppose."
"On the contrary, Chef, I have no need to ask to be re-employed. As far as I'm concerned, I'm still a member of the staff of this hotel." Kirsty stared at him, daring him to refute her words.
"This is only your opinion, Lawrence." He looked ready to order her from the premises again. "Mr. Stuart is back, so your time here this morning will be short."
"Chef Antoine, I should like to see Miss Lawrence and yourself in my office." The firm voice made the chef jump. He obviously hadn't realized Reeve had come up behind him.
"Really, Mr. Stuart, I don't see the need for me to be present when you officially dismiss this incompetent member of staff." Chef threw Kirsty a smug glance.
"Nevertheless, Chef, I'd like you to be present. If you don't mind."
Reeve held the door open, and Antoine strode through with Kirsty following in his wake. She didn't look at Reeve as she passed him. Her anger with him would be difficult to keep from her face. In the office Reeve shut the door decisively and waved them to seats before he took his place behind the desk.
"Now then, Chef, I'd like to know exactly what is going on in your kitchen. Ever since my arrival, your area of the hotel has not functioned to the standard expected and required. With one exception." Reeve fixed Chef with his steely eyes, reminding Kirsty of a butterfly being pinned to a board.
"My dear Mr. Stuart, I would have thought the explanation would be obvious." Chef Antoine's voice dripped condescension. He no longer bothered to hide the fact he considered Reeve to be a person far inferior to himself. "The problem all along has been Lawrence. I gave her increasing responsibility about the time you arrived here. I admit I was in error. She wasn't ready. What I didn't expect was how deceitful the woman could be. Her mistakes were well hidden, but her plans failed when she tried to lay the blame at my door. I really don't see why it is necessary for me to tell you this. You only need to give Lawrence her marching orders."
"Please be patient, Chef." Reeve's voice was calm, but it sounded deadly to Kirsty because she could hear the hidden strength beneath the placid tones. "As I mentioned, there was one period of exception when the kitchen functioned perfectly. This was—"
"This last week, of course," Chef interrupted. "When Lawrence was not here."
"On the contrary, Chef. From the reports I've received, the kitchen has been functioning even less efficiently than before during the past week. The period I refer to was when you were absent with the flu, Chef Antoine. The period, in fact, when Miss Lawrence remained in sole charge."
"Naturally the woman would take extra pains to get things right when there was nobody to hide behind," Chef blustered, evidently unsettled by Reeve's accusation. "Surely you're not saying it is I who am at fault, Mr. Stuart? I'll have you know I am highly respected throughout the catering world. I will not be accused of being less than perfect in my own kitchen. I assure you, I could walk out the door of this miserable establishment and instantly have a position in a much better establishment."
"Such as the theatre restaurant?" Reeve asked in a quiet voice. "I know you've applied for the position of head chef. In fact, I understand you told them at the interview you'll be available for the position, as soon as you have cleared up the problem of your contract with this hotel."
"Then you have heard wrong, Mr. Stuart." Chef's voice had risen and now held a hint of panic. "I admit I've been approached by the theatre restaurant, but, of course, I have told them I cannot accept another position whilst I am under contract to this hotel. A fact of which you are well aware."
"A contract which states it shall become null and void if, and I quote, 'the facilities and working environment fall below the chef's required standard...if the standard of staff employed to assist the head chef shall fall below the standard expected and required by the head chef...if the reputation of the hotel should suffer due to any of the aforementioned reasons, or for all of the above reasons, then this contract shall be terminated by either the employer or the employee.'" Reeve leaned over the desk and pinned Antoine with a steely look. "I put it to you, Chef Antoine, you have deliberately sabotaged the hotel restaurant in order to use the escape clause in your contract. To keep your own reputation intact, and to fulfill the requirements of the escape clause, you have been placing all the blame on Miss Lawrence."
"Nonsense. I—"
"Don't dig yourself in any deeper, Chef Antoine. I've checked with the suppliers for the Millers' wedding reception. All of them stated you'd placed a personal order of exactly the same quantity of goods as those ordered by the hotel then, at the last moment you cancelled the orders. All except the caviar—you had already collected this from Gunsey's on the Friday when you were supposed to be ill. I wonder what you did with such a large amount of fish eggs." Reeve's steely smile held no warmth, and Kirsty shivered. She knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end of his icy glare.
"Furthermore, Chef Antoine, I had glowing reports from the Millers regarding their daughter's reception, whereas the Freemasons dinner last night has brought nothing but complaints. They had stopped using us because of the drabness and lack of originality of food and restaurant setting but Mr. Miller gave us a glowing recommendation, so they decided to give us another try. They were sadly disappointed."
"I don't have to sit here and listen to such rubbish!" Chef stood up, his face a study of injured pride. "I will not stay here and be insulted by your totally unfounded accusations. You have no basis for treating me in this manner. I—"
"Sit down!" Reeve's voice sounded low but commanding. Antoine sat down with an astounded expression on his face. "My accusations are not unfounded, as you put it. Every time you found fault with Miss Lawrence, the error turned out to be yours. The wedding reception had not been mentioned to anyone at the hotel and to say you told Miss Lawrence to organize this event is untrue, as well you know. The order was given to you, Antoine, and you made no preparations. Mr. Miller assures me he contacted you a week before the function, and you told him you had everything in hand.
"Surely you'd have checked this with Miss Lawrence if you had placed the function in her hands. Instead, you acted as if the restaurant had no bookings for Saturday. I have no doubt you wanted it to seem you had appeared at the last moment and saved the day. Miss Lawrence, however, is far too professional to forget a wedding reception and, when faced with a seemingly impossible task, she organized the event so smoothly the Millers were unaware anything untoward had happened."
Kirsty blushed as Reeve poured on the praise. She reminded herself he was only being fair. No matter how he stood up for her, it didn't alter the fact he'd been with another woman on the beach yesterday, a mere forty-eight hours after he'd been with her.
"I feel extremely sorry for you, Mr. Stuart," Antoine said. "Lawrence has you under some kind of spell. None of your accusations can be proven, so I will not take action against you or the hotel. However, you must see it is impossible for me to carry on working here whilst the management obviously holds me in such disregard. Therefore, I must regretfully tender my resignation."
"Somehow I expected you to say those words, Chef Antoine. Unfortunately, you have no grounds for resigning. I have written proof you placed orders for the Millers' reception, then cancelled them at the last moment. In this envelope you'll find all monies owing to you." Reeve held a white envelope out to Antoine. "You'll also find a document detailing the termination of your contract, written by the hotel's legal advisers. In view of the circumstances concerning this cancellation of contract, I'd be grateful if you would leave the premises as soon as possible."
"You can't do this!" Antoine shouted, jumping to his feet. "I'll take this matter to the union, to the courts of law! You have no right to dismiss me without good reason."
"When you get home, I suggest you study the contents of the envelope carefully. The notice states the exact reasons for dismissal. It might also interest you to know the Garden Group has purchased the franchise for the new theatre restaurant. Somehow I don't think we'll want to employ a chef who has been dismissed from one of our other establishments, do you? Goodbye, Chef Antoine." Reeve rose and crossed to open his office door.
Antoine had no option but to leave.
"This matter is not over, Stuart. I'll see you in court." The anger in Chef's voice deepened as Reeve shut the door behind him.
"Phew!" Reeve came across and sat on the edge of the desk nearest Kirsty. "I thought he'd never go."
"He won't really take it to court, will he?" Kirsty's voice trembled. "I mean, despite what you said about proof, we can't really prove I was right and he was wrong, can we?"
"When he opens the envelope, he'll see he hasn't got a leg to stand on. The lady at Gunsey's was only too happy to confirm in writing the Hibiscus Hotel chef had placed an order for caviar. The same goes for the other suppliers. Don't worry about it, Kirsty. Come here and give me a kiss." Reeve held out his hand, but Kirsty stood up and side-stepped out of his reach.
"Does this mean I have my job back?" She tried to keep her voice calm.
"You never lost it, Kirsty. As far as I'm concerned, you're the new head chef of the Hibiscus Hotel." Reeve frowned as she moved further away from him. "Kirsty, what's the matter? Why won't you let me near you?"
*****
REEVE HAD WORKED HARD over the last few days, collecting the evidence against Antoine and forcing down his eagerness to spend time with the woman he loved. He'd been determined to complete the business with Antoine so he could explain everything. Now Kirsty backed away from him. Reeve shook his head as she spoke in a low voice. She couldn't be saying what his ears were hearing.
"I've been thinking about us over the last few days and I honestly don't feel we should see each other when we work together, do you? You know, keep business and pleasure separate."
Reeve stared at her in disbelief. Not see each other! What was she talking about? Kirsty looked away, and he reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her.
"What is all this?" His voice sounded brittle with disappointment and anger. "We spend the best part of the week together, then I leave you alone for two days because of an overload of work. Now you tell me you want to keep our relationship on a business basis. You'll have to do better, Kirsty, if you want me to believe you."
"Well, think about it." Kirsty's voice wobbled and she took a deep breath before continuing. When she spoke again, her words came out in a rush. "We didn't really have anything did we? I mean it never got further than kisses or cuddles. You were ill and we sort of fell into a situation, didn't we? There was nothing more to it."
"Are you trying to tell me our attraction for each other was a result of my catching the flu? Next you'll be telling me you only stayed with me to keep your job. My God, Kirsty, I couldn't have been wrong about you. You can't possibly be so hard-hearted. "
His own words washed over him like a cold shower. His Kirsty couldn't be so devious. Not the woman who had kissed him with such passion. What had happened in the last two days for her to decide she didn't want to be with him?
He glanced down and saw he still held Kirsty's wrist. Slowly his eyes rose until he stared into her eyes. She appeared so calm and sure of herself, comfortable with the bombshell she had just dropped on him. Fool, he told himself. The woman's used you for her own ends! He tried not to let Kirsty see his hurt and disappointment, but couldn't stop himself as he flung her arm from him and turned his back on her. He spat words full of bitterness at her over his shoulder.
"If keeping your job was your aim, you got more than you expected out of your little fling, didn't you? You got a promotion as well. Be assured, Miss Lawrence, I'll be watching to make sure you deserve your new position. I suggest you start to prove your worth by making sure the lunchtime preparations are well in hand."
"Reeve, I..." Kirsty reached out and touched his shoulder, but he shrugged and dislodged her hand.
"Leave me alone, Kirsty. Just get out of my office. From now on, we'll do it your way. We're employer and employee. See if you can pretend the last week never happened. I know I won't, but you've evidently got a much shorter memory than I have!"