Cooking Up Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

includes the workmen on the railroad. You may not sit down while serving customers. No makeup, no jewelry and absolutely no gum chewing.” She let her gaze settle momentarily on each girl. Tabby did her best not to squirm.
    “We set a high standard for our girls here at Harvey House. Should you find the time for courting, which I doubt, Mrs. Moore or myself will act as chaperone. The breaking of any of these rules can result in immediate dismissal. Remember, all three of you have the number fourteen, as new girls should. If you do well, you can move up the ranks to lower numbers. Are there any questions before you begin?”
    Abigail leaned close and whispered, “I’ve heard despite the rules, many girls find husbands. I know I plan to.”
    “Is there something you’d like to share, Miss Smythe? Miss McClelland?”
    Tabby shook her head and prayed she could remember all the rules. Her previous excitement had drained like sand through an hourglass. Regardless, she promised herself she’d never give a reason for her job to be jeopardized. In fact, she’d be number one by the end of her contract or die trying. She wouldn’t give the snooty head waitress any reason to doubt her work ethic or moral standards. Tabby straightened her shoulders and returned the woman’s stare.
    Besides, with all the restrictions about who not to fraternize with, how did a woman find a man to court her anyway?
    * * *
    Adam didn’t miss Tabby’s passing by the kitchen. The air practically shimmered with her presence. He’d read the rules posted on the wall. They applied to him, same as anyone else. He stirred the hollandaise sauce with all the attention of a gnat. Not good. It’d be his head if he burned the fixings for lunch.
    He liked the idea of the menu planned far enough in advance that frequent travelers could rely on a varied menu while traveling. Today’s lunch was sliced ham with asparagus. The diversity wouldn’t allow boredom for him or the passengers. Adam sniffed, breathing in the warm, yeasty scent of baked bread.
    “Josiah, is the bread ready to come out of the oven? The train will be here in an hour.” Adam motioned for one of his assistants to stop ogling the waitresses and get back to work.
    “Right away, sir.” The wiry young man leaped to do Adam’s bidding. Grabbing a thick towel, he pulled a pan of loaves from the large oven.
    Adam eyed the browned mounds. “Perfect. Good job.” He moved the pan of sauce to a back burner and checked the meat. It’d be ready right on time. He could use the next few minutes to start the salads. First opportunity he got, he’d ask why he didn’t have another assistant or two. Hard to be productive with little help.
    Light footfalls on the stairs alerted him that one of the waitresses had arrived for work. His heart lifted at the sight of Tabby in her uniform. As modest as the dress was, her beauty shone through. “Miss McClelland, you look lovely today.”
    She curtsied, her cheeks darkening. “Thank you, Mr. Foster.”
    They both turned at the sound of someone clearing his throat. Oh, no. Adam met the hard gaze of Mr. Hastings, the restaurant manager.
    The man straightened his bony shoulders and stared down his long nose. “There is no fraternizing between help. Do not let it happen again.”
    “Sir, I only greeted—”
    “Rules are rules, Mr. Foster.” The man strode through the kitchen and into the dining room.
    Adam glanced at the tearful eyes of Tabby and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
    She nodded and scurried out of sight.
    “Don’t let Mr. Hastings bother you none. He’s a masher, always after the girls, but none of them will let him court.” Josiah slid out the last pan of bread and set it on the wood counter with a clatter. “Nobody dares complain against him for fear of losing their jobs, but there’s rumors that him and the lemon-sucking head mistress sometimes meet up after hours. The rest of the girls escape him by getting hitched.”
    Adam chopped