Free Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Christine Flynn Page B

nearest oven’s door, he couldn’t help but think it a lot of name for such an unassuming woman.
    Tommi fit her. Though she possessed a certain, almost casual refinement, the tomboy quality of her nickname better suited the subtle restlessness that always seemed to keep her moving.
    He knew exactly how the need to keep moving felt. That restive, unsettled mental energy had driven him for years.
    Not caring to consider why his own restiveness was there, more interested in what pushed her, he jerked his focus to the large and heavy-looking pan on the rack she’d pulled out. Whatever it was had a mahogany crust and smelled incredible.
    â€œSo which is it?” he asked, as she pressed the crust down and ladled thick, rich broth over the top. “You do or you don’t have some sort of emergency staffing in place?”
    â€œNot emergency,” she admitted. “When I need extra help serving or prepping for a private party, I make arrangements ahead of time with the culinary school. The students get credit for real-world experience,” she explained with a smile. “But I’ll get something figured out. Soon.”
    He had the feeling she was helping those students out as much as they were her. What he liked was that the help was free.
    â€œThen, that brings me back to the rest of what I was going to say. I’m not sure how you run this place with such low regular staffing,” he repeated, his attention divided between the appealing curve of her mouth and what looked like some sort of casserole, “but you obviously manage. My concern is that you only have four employees, but your total payroll dollars equal wages and benefits for twice that many.”
    â€œTwice? My math isn’t that far off, is it? I always double-check it.”
    â€œIt’s not your math. It’s what you’re paying. You show a base pay for each employee that’s nearly double what other restaurants offer.
    â€œThen, there’s insurance,” he continued, before she could ask what was wrong with that. “I don’t know a company in this industry who pays for so much coverage for their employees. Those two things right there are a big part of why your profits are almost half of what they should be.”
    He wasn’t at all surprised that she’d been turned down for a loan. Had he been a banker, he would have done the same. Looking at the business as a potential investment, though, even a minor one, he could see where there were significant profits to be made. With some equally significant changes. “Cut those expenses and you’ll save thousands a year.”
    Tommi felt her back go up. She wasn’t about to cut her employees’ pay. Or their benefits. Needing to hear him out, though, she calmly asked, “Enough to hire another chef?”
    â€œNot enough for that. But there are other things that can be done to pay for him, pay for more waitstaff and turn a better profit.” He eyed her evenly. “You could even take a real salary for yourself.”
    Tommi kept ladling. He’d obviously figured out that pretty much everything she made went back into the business. What he didn’t seem to understand was that, except for backup, she didn’t need more waitstaff.
    She could seriously get into the more profit part, though. More profit meant she would be able to pay for the babysitter she would eventually need. And for a larger apartment. The Williamses down the hall from her were moving in a few months and their two bedroom would be available. It even had a view of the little park across the street.
    Thinking of the park reminded her that she’d need to buy a buggy, then a stroller. And a bassinet, a crib, a car seat.
    â€œHow much of a salary?”
    â€œAt a minimum, double what you’re drawing now.” From the corner of her eye, she saw him motion toward the pan. “What is that?”
    She’d just considered that double