Innkeeping with Murder - Tim Myers [20]
“And you ended up as a house guest of the Dantons? That’s a pretty far fall.”
Elise said softly, “I wouldn’t say I was a guest; I was more like a cook and a maid. It didn’t matter, though; I just needed some time away from everything. Now I’m so grateful to get out of that house I should be paying you for this job.”
Alex coughed once. “Speaking of money, we’re near the end of our season here, and things are a little—”
Elise cut him off gently. “Why don’t we give each other a one-week trial? We’ll see how it goes, and we can talk about money after that.”
Alex nodded. “I’m willing to handle it that way if you are.”
Mamma Ravolini’s gravel parking lot was jammed, but Alex managed to slide the truck into a newly freed slot.
As they went inside, it took Alex’s eyes a second to adjust to the dark interior. The only light came from thick red candles, one per table. The effect always gave Alex the impression that the dining room was on fire. The walls of the restaurant were lined with photographs of the near-famous who had dined at Mamma Ravolini’s, each adorned with a hastily scrawled signature and good wishes. Alex had studied the pictures one evening. The most famous face he’d found belonged to a Charlotte newscaster who had been fired for filing false stories. Nevertheless, the picture had remained on the wall in its place of honor.
The aromas of pizza, lasagna and ravioli filled the air like a humid summer breeze. Alex loved the place, and Irma Bean’s familiar openness, but he rarely made it into town during tourist season, and Sandra never wanted to eat at Mamma’s even if he was free.
There was no one at the front, so Alex started looking for an empty table when he felt two arms embrace him. He looked down to see Irma herself giving him the bear hug of his life. She was a short thin woman who somehow managed to keep her slight figure around all the heavy sauces and rich desserts the restaurant served. Though Irma was a tiny woman, she had the longest reach Alex had ever seen, and the warmest heart, too.
“It’s been too long since I’ve seen you, Alexander.”
Alex said, “Hi, Irma. I’d like to introduce you to Elise Danton.”
Irma released her grip on Alex and took Elise’s hand in hers. “You’re the girl who’s been cooking for the Dantons? An hour ago they told me your veal picata was better than mine.”
Elisa offered tentatively, “I’m sure your picata is marvelous.”
“When it comes to cooking, I’m always willing to learn. So, are you going to share your secret with me?”
“Well, it’s really all in the—”
Irma held up her hand and shushed Elise. “Not here,
I don’t want everyone listening in. Let’s go back to the kitchen, and you can tell me there.”
Elise offered Alex a quick smile. “Excuse us, will you?” To Irma, she said, “I’m ready if you are. It’s easier to show than explain, anyway.”
Irma slapped Alex on the back. “I like this girl. Go find a table and eat some breadsticks. We’ll be with you in a bit.”
Alex made his way to an open table and sampled the homemade bread while he waited for Elise to finish up in the kitchen. He saw a few glances come his way, and he knew that if Sandra were in town, she would have heard about the dinner before they were finished with dessert. It was like that, living in a small town. Alex knew he would have to make a preemptive strike and tell Sandra about the business dinner first himself. Not that he had to justify his every action to her.
When Elise came back to the table, she let a slight grin slip out as Alex jumped up to grab her chair.
As she sat down in the offered seat, Elise said, “You really are quite the gentleman, aren’t you?”
Alex said, “I’ve been trying to break the habit, but I’m not having much luck. To be honest with you, I’m sick of being lectured about what a modern woman