Restless Spirit Read Online Free PDF

ear as long as she liked.’
    I laughed. ‘She was beautiful.’
    ‘My, my yes,’ he said. ‘So …’ Irving clapped his hands together and rubbed them briskly. ‘Do you think you can hostess?’
    I looked around. ‘Of course. This isn’t one of those pity jobs, is it?’
    ‘Heavens no! My main waitress Delores is pregnant. Ready to pop and mean as a bull. She’s been missing time and I need someone who will be on staff who can fill in for her and hostess and even do little things like deal with distributors or hand out coupons.’
    ‘A Jill of all trades,’ I said.
    ‘Or a Tuesday of all trades.’
    ‘Mr Lieberman,’ I said, sticking my hand out. ‘I’m your girl.’
    ‘Ah, wonderful! Wonderful,’ he said, pumping my hand gleefully. Then he tugged me in and gave my cheek a resounding smack. ‘Welcome aboard, Tuesday. Glad to have you.’
    I grinned and finished my Danish. I was glad to have a job and a purpose. Because if I didn’t have at least something part-time to look forward to, I’d be spending a lot of my time talking to Nan.
    ‘When do I start?’
    ‘How about in two hours? The dinner hour is swiftly approaching and Delores just called to say her ankles have swelled to the size of Christmas hams.’
    ‘You totally just railroaded me, didn’t you Mr Lieberman?’
    He held his first finger and thumb very close together. ‘Maybe just a bit.’
    ‘So what’s the pay?’
    It wasn’t enough to live on but it was enough to get by. Adrian had reminded me Nan had left me money. I was her only grandchild and she adored me, the fact that I was her only heir was no secret.
    ‘I’ll be back in a few hours. What should I wear?’
    He rubbed his hands again, reminding me of a greedy little gnome, and went back through the swinging door. Apparently the restaurant was open from six to two for breakfast and lunch and then shut down until five when it reopened for dinner. Small town, private owner, his rules.
    He emerged with a red tee that said IRV’S EATS in big yellow script. I grinned and took it.
    ‘Just jeans and this. Or khakis. Or whatever floats your boat. As long as you wear my sporty tee you can be comfortable. And a tip, wear tennis shoes or shoes that you’re really comfortable in. We’re open from five to ten for dinner and the joint gets hopping. Especially in this weather, folks like to come in and chat and drink coffee or bring their wine and watch the rain.’ He smiled, the proud papa of a very cosy eatery.
    ‘They can bring wine?’
    ‘Oh sure, sure. We have the BYOB thing. They bring some nice wine, get some pot roast, schmooze. End the night with some pie or some of my cook’s coconut cake and everyone’s happy.’
    ‘I’ll be back, Mr Lieberman.’
    ‘Please, please, call me Irv.’ He thrust the shirt at me and I took it.
    ‘Irv,’ I said.
    On the drive home the Grenada’s windshield wipers were thumping hard. The sky had opened up. ‘Oh, shit. Shepherd.’
    I turned off onto the lake road for Nan’s and parked by his house. I ran up to the door, screaming – very embarrassing – like a girl due to the deluge. I was soaked by the time I rang the doorbell.
    I rang it again and hugged myself, chills racked my body. ‘Hello?’ I banged on the screen door and glanced at my car. Maybe there was paper in my purse. Maybe I could leave a note. I started for the steps.
    ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you,’ he said from behind the screen door.
    ‘Jesus! I didn’t even hear you open the door! Are you making it a habit to scare the shit out of me?’
    He grinned, pushing the screen wide. ‘Sorry. I guess I’m quieter than one would expect. Come on in before you get pneumonia.’
    I looked down at myself. Water dripped from my shirt and my jeans. It ran in rivulets from the end of my hair. My boots were so wet when I moved my toes they made squishy sounds. ‘Um, I’m kind of … damp.’
    ‘Goodness me, don’t ruin the cashmere carpets,’ he growled and