Free Cooking Up Love by Cynthia Hickey Page A

considered good enough with their ramshackle house and hand-me-down clothes. Not to mention her father’s reputation, which reflected badly on his wife and daughter, however unfairly. Abigail might not have always been morally correct in her actions, but Tabby had learned to look at a person’s heart. Abigail had a good one underneath her flirtatious manner.
    Tabby got a glimpse of Adam as he exited the kitchen with a platter of meat, and she averted her gaze. With Abigail’s departure, it became even more imperative that she avoid Adam. It was better for both of them. Although she didn’t think she would mind being shuttled off to another restaurant, she didn’t want it to be under unpleasant circumstances such as being accused of fraternizing with a man.
    As the now-familiar sounds of train passengers eating breakfast and the aromas from the kitchen swirled around her, Tabby filled a wheeled tray with coffee, tea, water and milk. Drinks at the ready, she moved around the room filling customer’s mugs and glasses.
    Which one of the new girls would share a room with her? The tall, raven-haired girl or the one with hair the color of chestnuts? Tabby prayed the girl would be kind and friendly. With her uncertain feelings for Adam and the stress of trying to excel as a Harvey Girl, she didn’t welcome more tension in her life.
    “Is it possible to have coffee and water?” A man wearing a business suit held up his mug.
    “Why, yes sir.” Tabby filled his mug and smiled. “You may have coffee, tea, milk and water, if you prefer.”
    He laughed. “You’re a cheeky thing. Are you on that list of items a man can have?”
    “You can only dream so, sir.” Keeping the smile on her face, she moved on to the next customer, the man’s chuckles following her. She didn’t mind a little harmless teasing. After all, she could give back what she received. No, she didn’t care for the men who wanted to grab her or got angry at her negative responses. Those were the men who bothered her.
    Mr. Hastings grinned as he stood outside the door to the kitchen. Tabby almost hoped someone would barge through the swinging doors and hit him upside the head. Anything to wipe away the leer on his face.
    * * *
    Adam wanted to punch his boss in the face. Only a blind man wouldn’t see the looks the man gave Tabby. Almost as if he could see her unclothed. Adam punched the bread dough, envisioning the lump as Mr. Hastings’s face.
    Dough pounded, he placed a clean towel over it and moved on to cleaning the dishes from breakfast. He scraped soap into the washbasin. Please, God, let someone responsible answer the advertisement. He couldn’t continue cooking and doing the cleanup, too.
    Miss O’Connor led two new girls into the kitchen. “This is our chef, Mr. Foster. Once you’ve tasted his culinary delights, I’m sure you’ll agree we have hired the best.”
    A tall, dark-haired beauty batted her eyelashes and dipped her head in a coy manner. She didn’t fool Adam a bit. He’d seen husband hunters before. She would be as tenacious as a hound dog on a scent to achieve that goal. Well, she could go look somewhere else.
    Dishes piled on the counter to dry, Adam sliced the ham and beef for lunch. If someone didn’t respond to his advertisement, he might have to ask for a couple of waitresses to help. If given the chance, he’d request Tabby. Of course, now that she was a drink girl, he didn’t worry as much about her working too hard. What would it be like to work side by side with her, engaging in conversation and honest teasing?
    He stopped and glanced out the window. The late-morning sun cast the gazebo and trees into shadow and beckoned Adam to enjoy the warmth of a summer morning. He definitely needed a vacation. A couple of days to head home and check on the family would suffice.
    Soon, fragrant heaps of meat for sandwiches and platters sat on gleaming silver trays. Adam arched his back, popping the kinks from his spine. If he