Berry Picking Read Online Free PDF Page A

is only partially cooked, and scallops that had clearly been frozen on their way here rather than fresh. I won't even ask what this pile of mush is supposed to be, crab cakes perhaps.”
    “All our food is fresh.”
    She raised her plate. “Since you don't believe me, have a taste.”
    Judson hesitated then lowered his voice. “Look fresh is expensive. Most people can't tell the difference.”
    Conrad set his napkin on the table. “Funny, that doesn't sound like an apology.”
    Judson glanced at his friend then sighed. “I'm sorry.”
    Paula pointed at Conrad. “He knows the owner.”
    “Paula--” Conrad said.
    She ignored him. “Give me a reason not to call the owner.”
    “I'm the owner,” Judson said.
    “What?”
    “That's what I was trying to say,” Conrad said.
    “Is this how you treat your friends? Cutting costs at the expense of your business's success?”
    Judson stiffened. “I'm making money.”
    “You could make more.”
    His eyes lit up. “How?”
    “I charge for information like that.” She stood. “Let's go.” She left the restaurant before Conrad could stop her.
    He caught up with her a block away. “Where are you going?”
    “Home.”
    “You know I'll take you home.”
    “I'm so angry.”
    “He said he'd cook us something else for free.”
    Paula stopped and stared up at him. “I wouldn't even nibble bread he buttered. How dare he smile at you while feeding you garbage at the same time? You said you helped him finance this?”
    Conrad took her arm and moved off the sidewalk to stand under the awning of a building. “Yes, he said he didn't know.”
    “Of course he knew. He's the chef and the owner. He's just sloppy.”
    “He's willing to learn.”
    “You're lying. I bet he hates my guts.”
    “Doesn't matter. You were right. He wants to hear your ideas and he's willing to pay you.”
    She frowned. “I doubt he can afford it.”
    “I can.”
    “Will you profit too?”
    “Yes.”
    She glanced back in the direction of the restaurant then looked at him.”Then I'll do it for you.”
    He gave her a brief hug. “Thank you.”
    “I'm still annoyed,” she said but his warm embrace had improved her mood.
    “I'm sorry. I hate to see you this upset.”
    “Don't apologize. It's not your fault.” She paused. “Okay, maybe it's partly your fault. You're too understanding. You have to command respect. Demand it. Don't you care what people think about you?”
    “Not really.”
    “That's the problem. How people see you is the key to your power. It's the basis of every decision they'll make about you. You're the size of a redwood yet people treat you like a toothpick.”
    “The only opinions that matter to me are the ones from the people I care about.”
    Paula sighed. He was clueless and that frustrated her. But she'd fallen for a dreamer before so she couldn't blame him for being fooled. But as man he should know how important power was.
    He grinned. “You can be quite fierce.”
    “I know.”
    He took her hand. “You mean a lot to me.”
    She smiled her bad mood disappearing. “I know that too.”
    They walked back to his car. “Have you ever gone berry picking?” he asked.
    “No.”
    “Would you like to try?”
    Berry picking. It was something new. “Sure, that sound interesting, but why berry picking?”
    “It's the right time and my grandmother wants to meet you.”
    “Oh.” Paula didn't mention that she hadn't thought of introducing him to any of her family. Perhaps one day soon. “I haven't said I'll be your girlfriend yet.”
    “I know. She still wants to meet you.”
     

Chapter Four
     
    The following Saturday, Conrad took Paula on a comfortable, quiet drive, thirty minutes out of town. She didn't tell him that Andre had called her twice, and that she'd gone out for coffee with him. And Conrad didn't ask. Paula wondered why they got on so well, when there seemed to be so many differences between them. She liked to get to the point. He handled things in a laid