Chapter 2
Vanessa reached for the page. I pulled it away.
“It’s a draft,” she said.
“Then why did someone need my approval tonight?”
“You handle the kitchen. They want to know you’ve seen the transition plan.”
“I’ve seen enough to know you’re ending the Long Table.”
“You haven’t seen the numbers,” she said.
I looked down at the invoices. Several were from suppliers I knew. One carried an amount twice as high as the quote Eddie and I had approved last month.
I folded the papers and put them in my purse.
Claire Weller reached the side door. I called her name.
She stopped.
“I’m Nora Mercer,” I said. “I run the Blue Lantern kitchen. Were you told I no longer work there?”
Claire glanced from me to Vanessa. “I was told you had moved to occasional consulting.”
“I made breakfast there this morning.”
Her expression changed. “Then we need to clarify the operations plan.”
“Starting with the Sunday supper.”
“Ms. Mercer, I shouldn’t discuss contract terms in the middle of a wedding.”
“You were ready to change our locks Monday morning.”
“I learned about the new access plan this afternoon. The agreement isn’t complete.”
Vanessa came between us. “Claire, I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Claire looked at her. “Please do.”
She left through the side door.
Liam walked toward Vanessa. His mother followed a few paces behind him.
“What agreement?” he asked.
Vanessa pressed her lips together. “A restaurant investment.”
“You said your family had agreed to it.”
“We have.”
Grandma’s grip tightened on my arm. “I haven’t agreed to anything.”
“You gave Dad authority to handle the business,” Vanessa said.
Grandma turned to Dad. “What did you sign?”
Dad finally stood. “We should discuss it at home.”
“People are preparing to change my restaurant’s locks,” Grandma said. “Tell me now.”
A hotel manager approached, concerned by the guests standing in the aisle. Liam asked him to give us a room where we could speak. Vanessa protested, but Grandma had already started toward the lobby.
I called Eddie while we walked.
“Don’t let the men inside,” I told him.
“They’re outside with a measuring tape. I locked the door.”
“Keep it locked. Take photographs if they’re still there.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’m finding out.”
The manager led us to a small meeting room. Grandma, Dad, Vanessa, Liam, Aunt Joyce, and I went inside. Mom had died when I was sixteen; Joyce, her sister, had come to every important day since. She stayed beside me now.
Vanessa remained near the door, her wedding dress filling the space around her.
“An investor wants to buy into the Blue Lantern,” Dad said. “The building needs repairs. We needed help.”
I knew about the repairs. A pipe under the kitchen floor had been failing for months. Dad had told me the money for it would come from a bank loan.
“What did you agree to give Aster?” Grandma asked.
“Management control after a review period.”
“How long a review period?”
Dad looked at Vanessa.
“Thirty days,” she said.
“And the locks?” I asked.
“To control access while they inspect the building.”
“They’re starting Monday.”
Vanessa lifted her chin. “The review can start before the sale closes.”
I turned back to Dad. “Did you know they planned to end Sunday meals?”
“I knew they wanted to change some programs.”
“Grandma’s program,” I said.
“Nora, I know what it means to you.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
He rubbed his forehead. “I thought Vanessa could negotiate something better once Aster came in.”
Aunt Joyce let out a breath. “You let them prepare to take over, hoping you could change the terms later?”
Dad said nothing.
Liam moved to the table. “Show me the agreement.”
Vanessa looked at him. “It’s my wedding night.”
“It’s your wedding night because you asked me to share it with you. Show me what you told them.”
She took a slim folder from her bag and handed it over. Liam read the first page. Then he looked at Grandma.
“Margaret, how much of the business do you own?”
“Forty percent of the operating company. Richard has the rest.”
Vanessa spoke quickly. “Dad authorized me to negotiate for his shares.”
Grandma frowned. “My shares still need my approval for a sale.”
“Dad said you wanted to step back.”
“I stepped back from the stove,” Grandma replied. “I never gave away my vote.”
I watched Vanessa look at Dad. The confidence she had worn all evening was fading.
“Richard,” Grandma said, “did you tell her I’d agree?”
“I told her I thought you would.”
“And did you tell Aster that too?”
Dad’s silence answered.
Liam set the folder down. “Claire believes the family leadership approved this. She has a photograph scheduled tonight to announce it.”
That was why Vanessa needed me away from the table. She had not wanted the people buying our future to see the person who still ran the kitchen.
I checked my phone. Eddie had sent another message.
The men left. One said he’d see us at six Monday.
I showed Grandma.
She read it, then looked at Dad. “Nobody goes into that building on Monday until I understand every page.”
Vanessa’s voice rose. “If you stop this now, the deposit has to be returned.”
May you like
“What deposit?” I asked.
Dad closed his eyes.
