Crystal Bay

Chapter Three

By noon, I'm already running out of steam. We've been busy since we opened at seven, and it already looks like lunch will be even busier. If business stays like this, I'll be able to hire more staff and open for more night shifts in no time at all. I've already received a lot of positive feedback regarding both the renovations and my new dishes. So far everyone loves it and, I must admit, I'm relieved. I was worried that too much change would put off some of the long-time regulars, I'm glad to see that my worry was for nothing. Once I know how my new specials will go over, I can begin to introduce even more changes, though still gradually. Melody is doing great as a waitress, she's incredibly personable and all of her customers seem to like her. She's getting pretty good tips too and doing a really terrific job of selling my homemade apple and peach pies, as well as the tarts and the grilled perch I have on special today. Beth, my full-time waitress, is every bit as good as I'd been assured that she would be, and I already knew Brian and Jen were awesome.

Opening day has definitely been a smashing success, when we finally lock the doors at three-fifteen, there are still cars pulling into the parking lot. After an hour of prep and then clean-up, it's nearly five by the time I'm locking up for the night. I'm the last one here, even Melody left an hour ago. "Closed already?" I hear from behind me and turn to see Paul standing there. "I was coming in for dinner." 

 "Sorry," I tell him. I hate turning away customers. Especially this one! Dismissing that thought, I go on. "We're only opening nights on the weekends until I can hire a couple more people and we're not quite ready for that yet. I'm hoping in two weeks or so, if today was any indication of what the summer will be like." 

 "I'm sure you'll get slammed all summer," he says, then seems to realize what he's said and turns bright red, chuckling a little bit. "I take it you were pretty busy your first day being open?"

"Insanely!" I laugh. "Better than I could have hoped. Thankfully my staff is amazing, we wouldn't have got through today otherwise." 

 "I guess I'll have to wait for Friday to come in to eat, or maybe breakfast Saturday, if I get up early enough. It is my day off." 

 "Huh, I won't know what those are like again for a while," I tell him, laughing a little. "Enjoy it!" 

 "Why no days off?" He asks. "I would think that being the owner would mean you get to make your own schedule." 

 "Until I can start hiring, I'm working in the kitchen and waiting tables, to make sure everyone else gets a day off. Should only be like this for a few weeks, maybe a little longer, depending how quickly I can hire and train some new part-time staff. I knew what I was in for starting out, trust me, I can handle it."

"I don't doubt it," he says. "Your brother told me you've basically been working and planning for this your entire life." 

 "Pretty much," I confirm, grinning happily. "It's all I've ever wanted to do." 

 "So, listen," Uh oh...here it comes. "I was wondering if I could buy you dinner tonight, since you're closed and all." He smiles and, for the first time in years, I'm so tempted to say yes. "I know a good place, not far from here. I've been eating there like four times a week while the Beachside has been closed, I'm usually kind of a regular at your restaurant. Fact is, I normally only cook when my kids are here." 

 "Um, sorry, I don't exactly date anymore." I tell him honestly, trying to ignore the over-whelming rush of desire I feel at the thought. "Sorry." 

 "Can I ask why not?" I'm beginning to suspect that he knows something already and is trying to get me to say it. Exactly what did my brother tell you?