“-what with the inn’s reputation and the newspaper article, I’ll never gain customers.” Lucian stopped her as she was lifting a tray.
“What’s this?” he asked, puzzled.
“They left it here, wouldn’t bring it inside.” Maggie sighed.
Some workmen were already carrying the crates of food to the kitchen. Lucian scowled and picked one up. People were as rude as anything he’d noticed. Maggie was only little. Leaving her to lift such heavy trays was appalling manners. With so many helping, the shopping was soon loaded into the kitchen, and Lucian perched on a chair as Maggie began unpacking items. Her excitement was dimmed from earlier, and he knew the news of what had been behind the wall haunted her.
“Maggie, what are you planning to cook?” Lucian asked, hoping to divert her thoughts. Maggie looked up and beamed, and Lucian felt a warm glow in his stomach. This was his future wife.
“Maybe a chicken soup and a beef stew. I’m going to cheat today, use some ready-made bread mix, and try those bread ovens out. If someone can get my fire started, I also wanted to roast that huge turkey and cook a roast dinner for everyone tonight before they go home. And I plan to make some individual pot pies with new potatoes and veg. And I thought I’d bake a couple of pies, cherry and apple and bake a cake,” Maggie said glowingly.
Lucian shrugged off his coat and rolled his sleeves up.
“Where shall I get started?” he asked, and Maggie eyed him in askance.
“Have you ever cooked before?”
“No, but I can peel vegetables and taste test.” Lucian winked, and Maggie giggled.
“Fine, we’ll see how well you obey orders,” Maggie teased, and Lucian pouted.
???
“Damn lad, you picked yourself one hell of a cook!” Mr Evans chortled from a table.
Lucian didn’t disagree as he shovelled a spoonful of stew into his mouth. He tore off a chunk of the crusty bread, dipped it into the stew, and moaned happily.
“Who fancies new potatoes, veg and pot pies? I made chicken, beef in ale and lamb,” Maggie asked, appearing from the kitchen. Lucian’s hand shot up and waved as his mouth was full. Not even under the threat of war was Lucian missing out on the first meal Maggie cooked.
“Yes, Lucian, I’m aware of what you want,” Maggie said with a roll of her eyes.
All around her, men were stuffing their faces and enjoying her cooking. Lucian decided he liked this look on her. She was happy. Maybe they could see about the chef starting late a couple of days while Maggie got to cover lunch. What Maggie hadn’t realised was she wouldn’t be living here. They had a home if he could find it, in Wollscombe. However, Maggie could be present every day running the inn. He doubted that she’d need her apartment now and was wondering whether to split it into extra bedrooms.
He watched as Maggie pulled a pad from her apron and began writing who wanted what. Lucian would cheerfully eat all three and had made Maggie put a chicken and lamb pie aside for him to enjoy tonight. He was having his beef and ale right after his stew.
“You’ll need to work out, or you will lose that muscled frame of yours,” Mr Evans teased him. Lucian scowled over a spoonful of stew and deliberately shoved it into his mouth. Everyone laughed as Maggie sighed.
“Did she really cook this from scratch?” a guy asked, and Lucian, still in heaven, nodded.
“Maggie got a sister?” the man urged, and Lucian grinned and nodded.
“Wonderful,” the fellow replied and returned to his soup.
“We’ve nearly broken down the second wall for you to check after lunch.” Mr Evans commented as Maggie began collecting empty bowls and carrying them out.
“We need to get that plate cleaner installed,” Lucian said, looking at the amount of washing up Maggie was facing.
“Dishwasher, lad, and they’re arriving on schedule tomorrow. Once we’ve cleared the area and assessed the damage, then we can hopefully have them in by next week.”
“Lot of cleaning for Maggie to do,” Lucian complained. As Maggie had cooked and used equipment, she washed it up the moment she finished with it. But all those bowls, plates, spoons, etc. were going to add up.
“I could ask for volunteers,” Mr Evans offered.
“Best check with Maggie first. I have a feeling she’s going to be propriety over that kitchen.” Lucian smiled as Maggie began bringing out full plates.
“Oh boy!” Mr Evans exclaimed, sniffing the air. “I’ll have trouble getting the boys to work after this!”
“Can’t say I blame anyone. Hell, I just want to roll around and sleep. Maggie has some very desirable skills in the cooking department,” Lucian agreed. He wondered how Maggie would cope with a full complement of servants Wollscombe needed to run smoothly. With grace and dignity, Lucian decided. If she had the inn to keep her busy, she wouldn’t run around trying to clean or cook at Wollscombe. Then again, Lucian frowned. Maggie was sure to interfere with something, as was her way!