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  Of the people at the table, Veronica already recognized the three siblings, David, Charles and Janet. To David’s right was an older man, who Veronica expected to be in his mid to late sixties. Although his hair was graying in multiple places, what remained of it was the same color and style as his two sons, while his eye color matched that of Janet’s. His suit was a deep navy blue, less strict than the black worn by David and Janet. His back slouched a little, but for the most part, his posture was very good. He looked at Veronica over his thick glasses, the same color as his suit.

  “Thank you for coming at such short notice, Chef Koche,” the older man greeted. “I’m Martin Buckner. We spoke over the phone.”

  “I remember. Nice to meet you, Mister Buckner. How is everything?”

  “That is what we called you here for,” Martin replied, giving her a warm smile. “I know we’re only three courses in, but I just want you to know that the meal has been wonderful so far, and we wanted to give compliments to the chef in person. So, thank you, for an excellent meal so far.”

  Martin offered both of his hands, and Veronica took them gently. He gave them a few solid shakes, stronger than the chef had expected, and returned the grin.

  “Thank you, Mister Buckner,” Veronica responded. “But I’m not the only one. I have an excellent team of cooks working under me. I wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything without them.”

  “Modest too,” Martin joked. “You are a very kind person, Chef Koche.”

  “And very attentive to detail too,” a young woman seated to David’s left chimed in. “I know you’ve served nuts in some of the other meals, but you made sure that mine is peanut free. I appreciate it.”

  “You’re more than welcome, Miss…”

  “Still Buckner, but you can call me Amber.”

  The young lady looked nearly nothing like the rest of her family, so Veronica supposed she got her looks from her mother’s side. Her hair was golden as a sunrise, and unlike Janet she kept hers styled long and loose, and it fell in front of her shoulders in a light wave. Her eyes, on the other hand, were deep green like a tropical forest, and they were bright as she smiled at Veronica.

  “I’m glad you like it, even if I had to omit the nuts and replace them with something else,” Veronica explained. “I have no problem with modifying a meal to meet a client’s needs.”

  Amber looked down at her food, or what little remained of it. “Whatever changes you made, the food didn’t lose any tastiness. The times I’ve tried to order something from the restaurant here, their food either lost all of its flavors or they just didn’t remove the peanuts. One time I ordered a meal, and I had a reaction. They don’t clean their cooking tools as well as you do, it seems.”

  “I cannot speak for my peers, Miss Buckner, but I will say that I take needs such as food allergies very seriously,” Veronica answered. She did not want to speak ill of the Starlight Resort. “An allergic reaction could send someone to the hospital. That’s almost as bad as food poisoning.”

  “Well thank heavens, that hasn’t happened to me,” Amber declared, and Martin chuckled at his granddaughter’s jest.

  “It better not,” the man sitting to Martin’s right announced. “We’re certainly paying you enough. If any of us get sick, you will surely hear about it.”

  Veronica only just noticed this guest, but despite sitting right next to the man of honor, he was not the most noticeable of persons. His bulk seemed to act as a barrier to Janet and Charles, who were seated farthest from Martin. He seemed to fit in with the three siblings, given his straight back and stiff neck. He wore what was perhaps the most expensive of suits, and he was careful not spill any drinks or sauces on it. He looked at Veronica down his nose, which was somehow possible even though he was sitting.

  “Anthony, don’t threaten the good chef,” Martin teased. “Chef Koche, this is my good friend, Anthony Cugno. We have known each other for a long time.”

  “Decades,” Anthony corrected.

  “That makes me feel so old,” Martin proclaimed. “But I suppose it is my sixty-seventh birthday today. I am getting up in years.”

  “That’s not too old, Father,” Charlie said from his seat, farthest from the end. “And you’re still in very good shape.”

  “It’s the swimming that does it, and the dogs,” Martin mentioned. “In any case, Chef Koche, I see that our next course is ready.”

  Veronica looked over her shoulder and saw Sakura helping a few of the waiters wheel in the completed dishes. The young Japanese chef gave Veronica a grin and a nod, and Veronica immediately knew that the dishes were perfect and ready to serve.

  Sakura made sure that each of the special meals had been given to the correct guest, and refilled everyone’s wine glasses except Charles’. His glass was to be filled with only water. Veronica realized which of the Buckners was not to have alcohol. She had presumed it was Janet, but it would seem she has been wrong.

  “Since you are here, Chef Koche, why don’t you give us a description of the course,” Martin requested. “Like they do on those cooking contest shows we’ve seen on TV?”

  “I’m not a celebrity chef, Mister Buckner,” Veronica joked. “But I will try my best.”

  She waited for all the plates to be placed in front of the customers. Everyone else watched her, waiting for her explanation.

  Good thing I had to do this in front of my teachers in college. “First, for most of you, is the Salmon Tango. It’s a salmon filet with soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice and white wine. Grilled vegetables will be on the side, and it is all on top of a bed of rice.”

  Martin and Amber both released groans of anticipation.

  “For Mister Buckner – That’s Charlie, I mean – since he can’t have alcohol, we have prepared Asian Salmon,” Veronica continued. “It’s similar to the other dish, with salmon filet grill with soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, minced onion, sesame oil and dried dill weed. It also has grilled vegetables and long-grain rice.”

  By this point, Charles had already taken a bite the fish, and he gave her a pleased smile.

  “For Miss Buckner…I’m sorry, is it Doctor Buckner?”

  “It is,” Janet replied. “But that’s all right.”

  “Doctor Buckner, your dish is a Vegan Marrakesh Vegetable Curry,” the chef resumed. “It’s a mix of sweet potato, eggplant, bell pepper, carrots, onion, and zucchini with various spices, blanched almonds and spinach. Please enjoy.”

  “I think I might need to hire you as my permanent chef,” Martin commented, having already eaten half of his food. “This is splendid!”

  “Thank you, Mister Buckner,” Veronica responded. “Is everything else all right?”

  “Grandpa’s right,” Amber said. “This is spectacular!”

  “And my curry is cooked perfectly,” Janet stated, far more calmly than anyone else at the table.

  “Thank you for the extra attention to my meal,” Charlie announced. “It’s great!”

  “Yes, thank you!” David commented.

  Only Anthony had said nothing about the food, but Veronica didn’t expect him to.

  “I have to say, I would love to have a meal like this every day,” Martin proclaimed. “But I know that is not feasible. However, Chef Koche, would it be possible to hire your services for the remainder of the weekend?”

  There was a shout from both David and Anthony, and their voices canceled each other out so no one could understand what they said. Martin put up his hands so everyone would calm down.

  “Relax everyone,” Martin ordered. “This is my birthday vacation, and I would like the meals to be just as wonderful as tonight’s.”

  “It will be expensive, Father,” David informed. “Think of how much it will cost for the catering and bringing up all the ingredients from town.”

  “Yes, he’s right,” Anthony agreed. “Your budget does not include catered meals for the whole three days.”

  “Maybe not, but I can afford it,” Martin insisted. “I�
�m only going to turn sixty-seven once, and I can use my money as I see fit.”

  David seemed to calm down at his proclamation, but Anthony looked rather put out. Still he said no more on the topic.

  “What do you say, Chef Koche?” Martin finally asked the Executive Chef. “I would love it if you continued your services through the weekend.”

  It will be difficult to balance both this catering and running the restaurant in town, Veronica thought to herself. But this could be the opportunity of a lifetime! And they are already pleased with our service! I can’t let this pass!

  “I would be delighted, Mister Buckner.”

  “So it’s settled then.” Martin clapped his hands. “Now I think the only thing left is dessert.”

  “Yes. For that, since this is a birthday celebration, I thought nothing would be better than a chocolate cake.” Veronica waited for the thrilled murmuring to die down before speaking again. “It will be what I call a Black Magic Cake, and since there are eggs in the cake, for Doctor Buckner I will be providing a Chocolate Avocado Pudding. How does all that sound?”

  “Wonderful!”

  “Then I should return to the kitchen. Thank you again for your kind words!”

  Veronica left the private dining room, took a few steps away, and let out a relieved (and loud) sigh.

  Chapter 4

  A sensation of déjà vu came over Veronica as she parked her company’s van at the back of the Starlight Resort. After the successful dinner provided to the Buckners the previous night, Veronica had spent a few hours planning out how she was going to split her team of cooks between the catering and the restaurant itself. She needed enough workers with her to prepare the meals at the resort, but she also needed to cover her restaurant. Closing the Rare Catch for the duration of the weekend wasn’t an option. She couldn’t afford to.

  Ultimately, after much deliberation (and with Sakura helping out), Veronica decided to split her team in two. She, Sakura and her cook Hannah would continue to work at the resort for the catering while Veronica’s Sous Chef Lucy was in charge of The Rare Catch. She would call and visit every few hours to make sure everything was running smoothly, both regarding how the restaurant was doing and how the preparations for the next catered meal were going.

  “Isn’t that the obvious answer?” Sakura had asked. Veronica just smiled sheepishly. She was sometimes not at her best when she was worried.

  Still, it was nice to be back up in the mountains. The fresh air and open sky were a lovely change of pace from the crowded town of Meloda. It wasn’t a huge city by any means, but Veronica did enjoy getting out in nature every so often.

  “Ah, can you feel that mountain breeze?” Veronica professed with a sigh, spreading her arms wide as the light wind blew over her. “It feels so nice to be here!”

  “At least, the fresh air relaxes you a little,” Sakura teased. “You were a basket case the whole drive up.”

  “You know you’re the only one of my chefs who can get away with calling me that without getting fired?” Veronica joked.

  “I know. That’s why I said it,” the younger chef confirmed. “Someone’s got to keep you grounded.”

  “I’m not really that bad, am I?”

  Sakura gave her a look before reaching for Veronica’s hand and lifting it up to their faces. “You need to stop that nail-biting habit. It’s not good for you.”

  Seeing that she had whittled her nails down to nearly nothing, Veronica couldn’t help but agree.

  “ Veronica,” Sakura said. “This went well yesterday. It’ll go great today, and tomorrow.”

  “All my cooks were available to help me,” the restaurant owner argued. “Now they have to split their attention between running the restaurant and preparing for this catering. I feel like there’s not as much support, this time, around.”

  “Hey, quality over quantity,” the other debated. “We’ve got your back. We want this to work out just as much as you do. Maybe more.”

  “I won’t argue that.” Veronica glanced at the van again. “Okay. Let’s get this stuff inside.”

  As Veronica, Sakura and Hannah brought in the supplies needed to prepare breakfast; another person came into view. Amber Buckner spotted the restaurant workers and immediately jogged over to them.

  “Morning all,” she greeted. “You’re here early.”

  “Morning Amber,” Veronica returned. “And it’s only six-thirty. We wanted to be here in time to make breakfast.”

  “Good thing town’s not too far away,” Amber commented. She glanced at all the boxes of ingredients. “So what’s for breakfast?”

  “Don’t ask,” Sakura added. “Chef Koche always says a chef never reveals her secrets until it’s on the table.”

  “Good philosophy,” Amber said with a smile.

  “So what brings you out here so early?” Veronica inquired. “It’s one thing that we’re here at this hour, but what about you?”

  “I’m an early riser?” Amber offered. Sakura gave her a disbelieving grin. “Okay, okay, I like to take strolls in the morning. The air is cool, and the smells are so fresh up here. I love it.”

  “It is nice,” Sakura agreed. “I’d sometimes like to have a little cabin up in the woods where I could get away from it all.”

  “My father has one of those,” Amber stated. “It’s not all its cracked up to be, but I see your point.”

  “The need to get away? Yeah,” Sakura continued. “I mean, I like being around people and all, and I like Meloda. But it’s nice to have some privacy.”

  “I know what you mean,” Amber concurred. “It’s almost impossible for me to get some time to myself. That’s part of the reason why I like taking these walks.”

  “Makes me a little jealous,” Sakura conceded as she continued to unload the van.

  “Hey, want to talk about it some more?” Amber offered. “I mean, it would be cool to have someone to join me on my walk without demanding that I talk about what’s bothering me.”

  “Hey, I wouldn’t do that unless you wanted to talk about it.” Sakura glanced at her boss. “Wait, I need to help cook…”

  “Go ahead, Sakura,” Veronica said. “Hannah and I can handle this part. Just be back in the kitchen by seven thirty.”

  Sakura and Amber smiled simultaneously. “Thanks, Chef.”

  The two young women headed off, taking a small hiking trail into the mountains. Veronica shook her head, hoping they didn’t get lost.

  She and Hannah continued to unload their supplies, trying to move the boxes twice as fast as yesterday since they were down an employee this time around, with Sakura off with her new friend. Thankfully they only needed to unload one van this time, but Veronica was going to need to send someone, most likely Hannah, back to the restaurant for more ingredients.

  I guess us using the resort’s supplies is the line that Sandro won’t cross, she thought.

  David came along shortly after Sakura and Amber left on their hike. His face appeared flushed, and his breathing was short. His head snapped back and forth as he searched for something, but didn’t find it. He even went so far as to jump into Veronica’s van to search it. When he left the vehicle, he stomped over to Veronica, who met him halfway.

  “Mister Buckner, I must ask that you not look through my property,” she demanded as carefully as she could.

  He ignored what she said. “I’m looking for my daughter, Amber. Have you seen her?”

  “You can’t find her?”

  “No. She left her room this morning before I had the chance to speak with her,” David explained. “Do you have any idea where she might have gone?”

  Veronica paused, thinking about how to answer this. Should she be honest with him, the son of her client, or keep it a secret? She knew which direction Sakura and Amber had gone, but she didn’t know the trails well enough to know where they could be now. And Amber had mentioned wanting to spend some time without someone bothering her. Of course, it was a little strange that she asked Sa
kura to come along with her, but perhaps she just wanted companionship that didn’t judge her, as it sounded like her father did.

  Everyone needs a break now and again, Veronica thought. And this guy is either a control freak or he might just be a concerned father. Who am I to judge?

  Now Veronica always tried to be honest, whenever possible, but she could understand why Amber would want some time away from her family, especially her father. David could be a bit intense sometimes, and Veronica had known him for less than twenty-four hours. Still, she didn’t feel it was her place to keep Amber’s movements completely a secret from him.

  A partial lie isn’t as bad as a full lie, she decided, and she then spoke out loud. “Amber and my Executive Sous Chef went off on one of the hiking trails, but I don’t know where exactly they went.”

  David verbally cursed. “She’s always going off on her own without telling me!”

  “She said she needed some alone time,” Veronica reasoned for the younger woman.

  “Then why did she go off with your sous chef? Someone who needs time alone shouldn’t go off with someone else!”

  “Everyone deals with stress in different ways,” she tried to tell him, but it appeared David was no longer listening.

  “Darn disobedient daughters…” he grumbled as he walked away, presumably to continue searching for his wayward child. “I’ve half a mind to…”

  Veronica didn’t hear the rest of his statement, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear.

  That went well, Veronica thought with an internal groan. I don’t even have kids, and I know not to push them too hard like that. I wonder what got Amber all worked up that she needs to get away from her dad?

  Whatever the case, it wasn’t her business…other than Sakura getting involved, but there was nothing she could do about that now. She sighed and turned back to her remaining cook, who was staring at her in concern.

  “Everything’s all right,” she said, giving Hannah a strained smile. “Sorry to worry you. I’m okay.”

  The next hour went by uneventfully, and true to her word Sakura was back in the kitchens at seven-thirty on the dot to take her cooking station. The young Japanese woman was in charge of the eggs, which she always managed to cook perfectly no matter what – scrambled, poached, over easy, sunny side up; each one was the best. The only one to do it better was Veronica, and that had more to do with her cooking eggs faster than Sakura.