Fortunate Harbor by Emilie Richards Read Free Book Online Page B

said?”
    “Darn straight he did.”
    Gaylord looked bored, an expression Dana thought he’d probably cultivated since childhood. “Hear me out. Rena and I are not interested in running a typical Florida seafood joint.” He said “joint” as if he was talking about something distasteful.
    “We’ve decided to renovate, then reopen as a tapas and wine bar. Palmetto Grove has nothing like it. We feel we’ll be successful and challenged .”
    “The Dancing Shrimp was plenty successful until you started making all these changes,” Wanda said.
    “Let him finish,” Dana whispered.
    “Our contractor predicts the renovations will take perhaps two months. Since business drifts off in the summer, we plan to close in July and August, and reopen in September. We’ll call the new place Gaylord’s, and we’re bringing in a chef from one of the finer restaurants in New York to help us execute our menu.”
    “I’d like to do some executing myself,” Wanda said, but this time not loud enough for anybody but Dana to hear.
    “It will be a very different kind of place,” Gaylord went on. “Sophisticated. Tasteful. We will be striving for a different look, a different feel, a different taste, of course. Because of this, after a great deal of discussion, we’ve made a list of staff we’d like to have with us for this next round. Of course the rest ofyou have not failed in any way. It’s just that we need a special sort of look and attitude in every aspect of Gaylord’s, and you won’t be happy here once we’ve transformed.”
    “Let me see that.” Wanda snatched a paper away from Rena, who had finally made it to their row. People were beginning to murmur in front of them. Some were giggling.
    “So is this the list of the ones you’re kicking out or the ones you’re keeping?” Wanda demanded.
    Dana took her own copy and saw her name there, but not Wanda’s.
    “I hope you won’t think of it as kicking anybody out. We feel it’s only fair to be straightforward about our needs. Those are the people we hope to keep.”
    “Every single one of these names is wrinkle-free.” Wanda glared at him.
    “I told you we have a special look in mind. It’s certainly not personal.”
    “Not personal?” Wanda jumped to her feet. “I’ve worked here—done good work, too—ever since I got to Palmetto Grove. Customers ask for me by name. Some of them tip the hostess just to be at one of my tables. Just because I’m over fifty—”
    “Yes, you have been an exemplary employee, and we’ll be sure to tell your next employer that very thing.”
    “Seems to me we could sue you for age discrimination.”
    “Our attorney says you can’t, but you can always try. It is, however, an expensive and time-consuming affair, I’m told. And despite our best intentions, it might have an impact on your remaining months with us. After all, we’re letting you know well in advance about these changes.”
    “I’m not remaining here even a minute, much less months!” Wanda turned and started toward the back.
    Gaylord seemed to realize he’d been given the cue to end the meeting. “We’ll be happy to talk to anybody individually who needs help with planning for the future,” he said. “In the meantime, that’s all we needed to tell you today. Go home and think about this, then get back to us about your plans. Meantime, our routine will be business as usual here until the Dancing Shrimp becomes Gaylord’s.”
    Dana grabbed Lizzie’s hand and pulled her to her feet, then started after Wanda.
    They reached her just as she was opening the door.
    “You’re quitting?” Dana asked. “Before you have to?”
    Wanda held the door for them, and the three stepped into a late-afternoon haze. The sunny sky had darkened, and Dana knew immediately that plans for visiting the beach had ended.
    “I’m the best server they have.” Wanda glanced at Dana. “Present company excepted, of course.”
    “No, you’re the best, and they’re nuts.