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  “Drop it, Bobby?”

  He gasped with realization. “You fell in love with him, didn’t you?”

  “You're being absurd.”

  “He is a really handsome guy… suave and debonair and all that crap. I mean, even I can tell that. And he seemed nice enough. A little bossy, maybe, but, hell, he’s at the restaurant right now so we can both be here together with our mother. You gotta give a guy credit for that.”

  Taryn smirked at her brother’s admiration for Errol. To classify him as ‘nice enough’ and just ‘a little bossy’ was an amusing notion.

  “But no matter how nice he might be, if he’s out here to hurt you, he’ll have me to contend with.”

  A nurse quietly came up to Taryn’s side. “Taryn and Bobby Cummings?”

  “Yes,” they both said as they shot out of their chairs.

  “Your mother is just coming out of her MRI. You’ll have a chance to see her for a few moments before she goes on for the CT scan. She might be a bit groggy. We had to give her something for the pain.”

  “Can you tell us anything about her condition?”

  “She appears to have a dislocated hip, the major source of her pain, and we’re checking to make sure she doesn’t have a concussion. Doctor Willis should be able to tell you more.”

  She backed away just as their mother was wheeled into the corridor.

  “Mom,” Taryn said as she rushed to her side and took her hand. “Mom, we’re here.”

  Samantha pressed a tight grin and looked from Taryn to Bobby and back again. “Silly me,” she murmured.

  “It was an accident, Mom. Don’t worry about it. Everything’s under control.”

  “I fell,” she went on, shaking her head. “The ladder wobbled, but I went up anyway and I fell.”

  “Yes, you fell, but you're being taken care of, Mom.”

  “I love you, Mom,” Bobby threw in, obviously overwhelmed by the sight of his mother in such a state.

  “Sorry, but I’ve got to get her to her CT.”

  “Yeah,” Taryn muttered. “Of course. We’ll be right here when you come out, Mom.”

  Standing side by side, Bobby and Taryn kept their eyes on their mother until they could see her no more. Taryn extended her fingers out to reach for Bobby’s. She wanted to crumble, and fall, and cry into his shoulder. She wanted to abandon the tough exterior she fought to maintain in order to be strong for her little brother. She’d fallen once. She didn’t want to let it happen again.

  Bobby looked at his watch.

  “You gotta get to school, don’t you?” Taryn said.

  With his lips pressed into a grim line, he looked in the direction their mother had gone, and nodded.

  “You go ahead, Bobby. I’ll stay here with her. There’s nothing you can do anyway.”

  “But…”

  “You know she’ll be mad as hell if she finds out you missed a class because of her.”

  He snorted. “Yeah, I guess.” He shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “You gonna be okay here alone?”

  “Sure. Besides, if I start feeling dizzy again or something, hey, I’m already at the hospital.”

  “Forever the pragmatic.”

  The sting of tears quickly burned her eyes as she heard her mother’s words repeated by her brother.

  “Yeah, I guess that’s me; pragmatic.”

  Bobby put his hand to her shoulder. “Call me if there’s anything… even if I’m in class. I’ll let my teacher know about the situation so I can take the call, no matter what.”

  “Okay, fair enough.”

  He kissed her brow and walked away. “I’ll be back the minute class lets out,” he shot over his shoulder.

  Taryn sat down and felt more alone than ever. Maybe she couldn’t handle this alone, she thought. But barely five minutes after Bobby’s departure, Matt arrived.

  Every nurse turned to look at him and a female patient even tried to get out of her wheelchair to greet him.

  He was good looking, no matter what he wore. He had that magnetism, that charming air of confidence that never ventured to the point of being pretentious or arrogant. But walking down that pale hospital corridor in that deep blue that instantly declared he was a firefighter, he was the epitome of the American hero.

  “I tried to get here earlier, but…”

  “Matt,” Taryn cut in as she stood and allowed herself a moment of weakness and leaned into him. “I’m so glad you're here.”

  She could almost hear the envious murmurs of the women down the hall.

  “Oh… good.” He sounded relieved as he pulled her into his arms. “How’s your mother?”

  “They keep wheeling her from one test to another.” Taryn pulled away and sat down. “They think she might have a concussion.”

  “Look,” Matt said as he sat beside her. “I have a few hours to kill. I can stay here with you for a while.”

  “That’d be nice. Bobby just left and, I admit, I don’t really feel like being alone right now.” She looked at him, his beautiful blue eyes filled with compassion and understanding. “Did I thank you for everything you did?”

  “You did.”

  “Well, thank you again. I hate to think what would have happened if you hadn’t been at the restaurant when she fell.”

  He shrugged. “I’m sure someone would have brought her here.”

  “Probably, but not as quickly as you were able to.”

  Nodding, he reached out to hold her hand. “It’s all part of the job.”

  “So, you're just being a professional.” Taryn smiled and held up their joined hands.

  He gave her hand an affectionate squeeze. “I’ve known your mother since… when? Fifth grade? Sixth grade?”

  “Something like that. I remember you coming around to play with Bobby. Even though he was a few years younger than you, you guys had a blast together.”

  There was something shy and sweet about the way he looked at her. “I’m sure you realize by now that I was really going over to your house to see you. Don’t tell Bobby, but he was just the excuse to get me in the house.”

  Taryn chuckled. “Know what? I think he knows.”

  “I mean, now that we’re older, we’re good friends, but back then… Hey, it was fun all the same.”

  “You're such a good guy, Matt.”

  He let out a wry chuckle. “Hmph… good guy.”

  Chapter 6

  “How ‘bout getting a bite to eat,” Matt suggested.

  Taryn looked at her watch. It was almost dinner time. She hadn’t had lunch and she couldn’t even remember what she’d had for breakfast. “Sounds good.”

  They headed to the cafeteria, grabbed a few sandwiches and went outside for some fresh air.

  “You seem to be spreading yourself out pretty thin these days,” Matt said as they found a shaded spot and sat down in the dry grass.

  “It’s only until Bobby finishes his college courses. Even though things are going well at the restaurant, we can’t afford to hire right now.”

  “And with your mother in the hospital?”

  “We’ll figure it out.” She shrugged and took another bite of her sandwich. Her mouth full, she smiled and waved a reprimanding finger at Matt. “And don’t you dare tell me I’m pragmatic.”

  “I remember when you guys first went to work at that restaurant. My parents thought you guys were nuts. A woman running a restaurant alone with her two kids… and in New York. And in the Bronx to boot. Takes guts.”

  “I come from a long line of gutsy women. My great-grandmother, Mary Cummings, started that restaurant. It was really just a counter back then. For the longest time, all she made was sandwiches, and in the fall and winter, she’d make soup. Simple, really. My great-grandfather had gone off to war, and she was left here trying to make ends meet with six kids to feed. My mom once said it cost her something like three cents to make a sandwich that she sold for five cents. She could make a whole pot of soup for a buck twenty and she’d sell fifty bowls of s
oup at seven cents each.”

  Matt looked at her with open admiration as she told him of her family’s history. “Quite a business woman.”

  Taryn nodded. “My grandmother, Mavis, and her sister, Charlotte, went to work there when they were twelve and thirteen. Mavis was quick with the knife and could turn out sandwiches faster than you could order them. And Charlotte had a talent for pies, so… Anyway, when my mom turned sixteen she went to work there, the place got bigger, the menu got longer and now…”

  “So your culinary talent has been passed down, generation to generation.”

  “Really. You know, when we recently started adding new menu items, we didn’t know how people would react. I mean, we were basically a deli, and here we were daring to offer a few gourmet dishes for the dinner crowd. But it caught on.”

  “And look at you now.”

  “Yeah, bigger and better than ever.”

  “And more exhausted than ever.”

  Taryn gathered the sandwich wrappings and napkins and shoved them in the plastic bag they’d carried their sandwiches in.

  “You know, if there’s anything I can do to help… anything.” A forlorn expression came to his face as he leaned in closer.

  Taryn saw the kiss coming, but remained immobile for a frozen moment. Matt was so sweet, so kind-hearted… so the type of guy her mother would love to see her get involved with.

  His lips were soft and warm, and in that hesitant kiss, Taryn felt all the yearnings of all those years he’d had a crush on her. But for her, the kiss lacked the spark, the thrill, the hungry need she’d become accustomed to with…

  Damn it, she thought as she leaned into Matt. Errol is over and done with. Move on. Matt is right there. Go for it.

  But after a brief play of their tongues, Taryn backed away. “Matt…”

  He bit his lip and looked down.

  “As great as it is being with you, and as wonderful as that kiss was… I just don’t want to lead you on. I have too many things going on now to even think of… this. Besides, I just got out of a difficult relationship and I don’t think it’d be fair to you to fall back and rely on you right now.”

  “I’m strong. I can handle it.” He looked up at her, his gaze honest and loving.

  “I know you can.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Is it that French chef guy who was at your place?”

  She frowned. “Why would you think that?”

  “Because the guy looked like he wanted to toss me out the window the moment I walked in.” He chuckled. “I think he would have if you hadn’t been right there.”

  “Errol and I a… were close. He was my teacher; my mentor.” She almost slipped and used the present tense instead of past tense.

  “Look,” Matt said. “I’m not going to press you for more information. I mean, it’s really none of my business anyway, but…” He smiled, but his eyes were filled with sad longing. “Whenever it all blows over and you think you might be ready for a real and meaningful relationship… one with just a normal guy like me… well… you know where to find me.”

  ***

  After the last of her tests for the day, Samantha was brought to her room and Taryn stayed at her side until Bobby arrived from school. Seated on a chair she’d pulled up to her mother’s bed, Taryn had her head on the mattress until she heard Bobby’s steps coming into the room.

  “How’s she doing?” he whispered.

  “She’s been sleeping for the past hour or so.” With a deep yawn and a much needed stretch, she added, “I kinda dozed off, too.”

  Bobby came around and kissed his mother on the forehead then looked at Taryn. “I hope it did you some good. You ready to go to work?”

  “Yeah, I guess. Any news on how things are going?”

  “I’m almost afraid to find out.”

  Taryn got up and leaned over her mother. “We’re going to the restaurant now, Mom,” she whispered into her mother’s ear. “We’ll be back first thing tomorrow morning. I love you.”

  Bobby drove their mother’s SUV all while describing the lessons he’d learned that day. Taryn was proud of him and enjoyed seeing the rapture in his eyes when he spoke of his future with the restaurant. As a handsome young man, he could have chosen so many other professions.

  “How’d you get to school? I thought you’d left your car at the restaurant.”

  “Cab,” he said simply.

  Minutes later he pulled up in front of Sam’s.

  “Ready for a catastrophe?” Bobby said.

  “Errol is a word class chef, Bobby. You're grossly underestimating him.”

  “Yeah. Grossly. He doesn’t know our way of running things.”

  Taryn simply laughed as she opened the door to the kitchen. The familiar clang of pots and pans, and clink of dishes and bowls filled the kitchen, along with the sizzle and scent of good food.

  Errol was in full control, doling out orders to the appropriate employee. She also noticed a few unfamiliar faces.

  “Taryn. Bobby. You're back.” Errol was completely at ease. To anyone else who might enter the kitchen, it was his restaurant.

  “You seem to have everything under control.”

  “Did you expect anything less?” His grin was playful and flirty.

  “Of course not.”

  “Well then, my fair lady…” He made a dramatic gesture of taking off his apron and passing it over her head. “I humbly return to you the reign of your kingdom.”

  For a moment, Taryn was dumbfounded. Errol stood before her, as if waiting for her directions.

  “Are you sticking around?”

  “Why not? It’s too late for me to return to La Benicoise now, so I may as well finish what I started here. Besides, I can bring you abreast to all that’s been happening and needs to happen.”

  “Perfect. Fine. Good.” In truth she was a little nervous about running her restaurant right in front of him… of doling out commands to her teacher and lov…

  “The floor is yours.” With an elegant flourish, he bowed.

  Taryn snapped out of her momentary haze, addressed her staff, introduced herself to Errol’s sous chefs and took the reins. After a few orders, she got back in the swing of things and almost forgot Errol was there. On a few occasions, she even gave him a direct command, commands that showed nothing of their prior personal relationship.

  Professional and quick, Errol did as he was told without question and with unerring precision. Several times, he even foresaw her needs and prepared items before she asked for them.

  “Arnie,” she called out. “There’s a mess at table six.”

  Juggling chopping an array of vegetables, peeling potatoes and rinsing lettuce, Arnie looked up with a ‘are you kidding me?’ expression.

  “I’m sorry. I have no one else to send out. There’s coffee all over the floor and I have to have it cleaned up before someone slips and sues the pants off me.”

  “I’ll go.”

  With three orders in one hand and two plates in the other, Taryn turned to Errol. “You? Errol, what are people going to think if they see Errol King mopping the floor?”

  “They can think what they like,” he said as he leaned in close to her. He winked and backed away to reach for the mop propped up in the corner. “Table six, you said?”

  She nodded and stared at him for a mind-numbing moment. He was being so sweet… too sweet. Something had changed about him. He wasn’t the same Errol she’d come to know in Paris. He was gentler, kinder, more patient… more giving. Maybe it was the New York air.

  Maybe it was… no. She instantly silenced the optimistic thought and returned to work.

  An hour later, the dinner rush subsided and they maintained a calm but functional pace for the remainder of the evening. After Taryn had had a chance to declare her undying gratitude for their help, Errol dismissed his sous chefs.

  As Taryn personally took care of the finishing touch on her seafood pasta dish,
she saw Errol by the stove with Bobby. A patron had asked for a steak … well done.

  “Some people think well-done means it should slap this counter the way the sole of a shoe would.”

  “That’s pretty much the way I’ve seen it,” Bobby said.

  “Properly cooking a well-done steak is an art form in it of itself. Here…” Errol picked up a pan.

  Taryn had had plenty of opportunities to see Errol’s manners when it came to teaching. He could be rough, sometimes demeaning, at others downright condescending. Yet, here he was with Bobby, just two guys exchanging notes over a grill.

  She’d never seen that smile on Errol before; a smile that lacked sexual innuendo, mockery, or self-appraisal. A smile that was just pure enjoyment.

  Chapter 7

  Taryn pulled off her apron and tossed it on the counter. “What a night.”

  Errol leaned against the counter across from her and folded his arms against his chest. “You were an impressive sight to see. Back at the institute you’d given the impression you didn’t know how to run a restaurant…”

  “Not that I couldn’t run a restaurant, I just didn’t think I did it as efficiently as I could. I wanted to learn better techniques… everything.”

  “Well, from what I saw tonight, you could give a lot of restaurant owners a few lessons.”

  She chuckled and noticed Bobby reaching for his jacket by the door. “Hey, where you off to? I need a ride.”

  “I was hoping I could skip out a little early.” He looked at his watch. “I got tickets to see a show and it starts at ten.”

  Taryn looked at her watch. It was a quarter to. “A show, huh?” she muttered with skepticism.

  “Yeah, these hip hop guys who are only in town for the weekend.”

  Looking at Errol, she suspected he had something to do with Bobby’s night out.

  With an innocent bat of his lashes, he shrugged. “I can take you home.”

  I’m sure you can. She turned to Bobby. “All right. Have fun, but don’t stay out too late if you want to come to the hospital with me tomorrow morning.”