Love Blooms on Main Street by Olivia Miles Read Free Book Online Page A

its name was in honor of her mother, who had helped orchestrate Anna and Mark’s reunion. No, it was the fact that when she walked in and saw all these crisp white coats and chefs expertly and almost casually wielding knives and whipping up delectable creations, she couldn’t help but feel like she was an outsider. That she should just go back to her station near the front door. Front of house, where she belonged.
    But not where she intended to stay.
    â€œAnna.” Her voice came out as a croak, and between that and the ball of anxiety lodged in her throat, Kara had the distinct impression she looked like a frog in that moment. “Do you have a minute?”
    Anna blew a strand of hair off her forehead and set her hands on the hips of her apron. “Oh, no. Is there a problem with the reservations for tonight? Don’t tell me we’re overbooked. I suppose we can open up the bar tables for dinner, but not everyone wants to be seated in that corner.” She shook her head in dismay.
    By now the blood was positively rushing in Kara’s ears, and she willed herself to stay strong, to blurt out the words she had memorized, finessed, and repeated for over a month. Once it was out, it was out. The worst would be behind her. Then she’d…
    Well, she didn’t know exactly what she’d do. All she knew was that she couldn’t do it while she was standing at that hostess stand, fielding calls, and bearing long looks from impatient and hungry customers, as if she were somehow in control of the pace of everyone’s meals, as if she could just go over to the nice young couple in the corner and tell them to hurry it along, because people were getting antsy.
    â€œIt’s not the reservations,” she said quietly. Her cheeks were warm, and the heat of the kitchen was almost suffocating. She darted her eyes to the left, noticing the heavy stare from Mark’s sous chef, and pinched her lips together. “Could we maybe go to your office?”
    Oh, boy. This was the closest she’d gotten to going through with her plan in weeks. How many times had she marched through that kitchen door, determined to seize control of her fate? And how many times had she cracked under the fear of the enormity of the possibility? Of quitting her job. Of taking a risk. Of letting down two of the people who meant the most to her in this world.
    Anna looked helplessly at the stove where five pots were simultaneously simmering or boiling. “I have to get the soups finished if I stand any chance of making it to Jane’s tonight. Do you mind if this waits until next week? Before your shift, grab me. I’m all yours. Promise.”
    Kara felt herself wilt. She’d been about to do it this time; she was sure of it. It had been Grace’s comments about the cookies, the thought that customers had actually commented on them, that had pushed her into action. After she’d left the bookshop the other night, she’d thought of little else, and she’d happily offered her baking services up to Anna again the next day, only by then the pastry chef was back from her vacation, and that meant Kara wasn’t needed… at least not in the kitchen. Nope, she was sent back through the doors, up to the front desk, with a list of messages to return and a heavy heart.
    â€œSure,” she said now, swallowing back the disappointment that landed squarely in her chest. Her dreams had already waited this long. What was another couple of days?
    â€œYou’re the best, Kara.” Anna grinned. “Seriously, look at this place. I’d never keep it afloat without everyone’s help.”
    Kara struggled to believe that. A chef was one thing, but a hostess could be easily replaced. She’d best remember that, lest she lose her nerve again.
    â€œYou’re one of the only reasons I’m able to even consider setting a date for the wedding. It’s hard to think of leaving this place