Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Stephanie Meyers does. I do own this plot and storyline. I own my own original characters and a sweet little Chromebook I just love. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any franchise. No copyright infringement intended.
AN: This story is a slow burn, just hang in there and you won't be sorry!
Chapter 7: Damn, It's Hot!
EPOV
I hate Mondays, really hate Mondays. And, it looks like this one is setting itself up to be the worst one yet.
My morning started off with having to scrub the windows again as soon as I got to the restaurant. Then, the daily produce delivery was late and barely any of it looked to be edible, let alone fresh. At this rate, I might as well go to the local market myself to purchase my ingredients. And last, but certainly not the least of my problems, another one of my kitchen staff quit; the resignation letter was laid on my desk.
As soon as I woke up this morning, I left a voicemail for Mr. Whitlock, asking if he was still interested in making an offer to purchase the restaurant. Last night was an epiphany of sorts for me and my future. Regardless if Bella agrees to my father's plan, I am still selling the restaurant and leaving Seattle. I know that there is going to be a hell storm of backlash once I do what I feel that I need to do in order to clear my family's name.
The vibration of an incoming text catches my attention.
Bella came through with an opportunity. Clear your schedules for Friday through Monday. Pack a carry-on bag only. Jeans, long sleeve shirts, light jacket and sturdy shoes. We are taking a trip, no excuses! More info to come...Love, Dad.
Well, it looks like I have some plans for this weekend.
The lunch crowd is almost non-existent today, and I am sure it will only get worse. I step out of my office and notice my hostess, Bree, was red-faced and storming into the kitchen. I walk in the kitchen to hear her talking to my other chef. "That bitch has the nerve showing her face here and ordering me around! I just want to smack her!"
I walk out into the dining room to see who has her so flustered. I shake my head at the sight of Tanya and her flavor of the week sitting at a table, acting as if she owns the place. She never did like sitting in a booth. She enjoyed people looking and watching her, as if it were a treat for them to be in her presence.
Does she really think she is going to be served here?
The staff that I have left is small, but fiercely loyal. They are good people and they sure as hell don't deserve to go through the crap that Tanya dishes out. I am instantly pissed and storm over to their table.
"Oh, Edward, what a pleasant surprise! I didn't know you would be here," she says in her nasally voice. I'll never understand what attracted me to her in the first place.
"Really?" I ask sarcastically. "You come into MY restaurant and not expect ME to be here? You really are dumber than you look." I take a deep breath to calm myself in order to not make a scene in front of the few loyal customers that I have left.
"I suggest you take your friend of the week and leave before I call the police and have you arrested for trespassing." I shake my head in disbelief, "You know you are not allowed here per the restraining order I have against you. From the looks of it, you would probably be more comfortable on the street corner anyway," I spit out.
"You can't talk to me this way! I'm not afraid of the piece of paper you are trying to hide behind. I am the Mayor's daughter, and you will pay for this!" A few of the regulars that come in turn in her direction to see what the commotion is about. Once they see who it is, I notice that they roll their eyes at her display, then turn back to their lunch.
"I am sure with all the money you managed to steal from me, that I have already paid," I say raising my voice in frustration. "Now, get the hell out and don't come back!"
"You just made the biggest mistake of your life," she threatens seethingly.
"Actually, the biggest mistake of my life happened the day I met you," I counter. "Now, take your ass out of here before I throw you out with the trash, where you belong."
I have never been so hostile towards her before, but she has ruined my family and that brings out the worst in me.
I turn to apologize to the other customers, but they all start clapping and laughing at Tanya's hasty retreat.
"Lunch is on the house!" I tell them and I turn back towards the kitchen. I glance back and chuckle a bit to see everyone slack jawed and hear sincere thanks from several people in the room.
"Get back to work, will ya? The show's over. We actually still have a few customers left out there," I cheekily order to the kitchen and wait staff before walking back to my office.
As I sit at my desk, I notice my phone blinking, notifying me of a message. I pick it up, groaning as I read it.
Be here no later than 3:30 am. Friday morning. Yes, AM...Alice. DO NOT be late! Dad.
Yes, what a Monday this is turning out to be.
Well, at least I will already be at my parent's since I sold my condo and moved back in with them last month. With all the money Tanya took and then the attorney fees, I was forced to cut my expenses drastically. I will just have to keep my thoughts positive in order to help get me through this.
Coffee, I need coffee. Why am I up this early again?
Dad thinks that it would be best if we take the first flight out to Texas to avoid the media, we don't want anyone knowing where we're going. I smell the aroma of caffeine before I hear the coffee pot beep. As if it were their signal, my parents walk into the kitchen, each with their bags.
While I am in the middle of making my travel mug, I hear the front door being thrown open with a loud bang. "I'M HERE, LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!" Emmett yells.
"If you don't shut up, I'm going to throw you from the plane myself, Emmett. I swear, I can't take you anywhere," Rose growls at him.
"It is way too early for us to have to deal with your crap, Emmett. Just tone it down," I hear Jasper tell him with equal parts of exhaustion and exasperation.
At least I am not the only grumpy one this morning, I think to myself.
"Ok everyone, grab some coffee. Since Emmett is apparently wide awake, he can load everyone's bags into the Suburban for us. We can leave for the airport shortly after," my dad instructs.
We don't argue as we walk like zombies towards the coffee maker. Emmett stomps away grumbling about us being spoilsports as he effortlessly grabs the bags.
After everyone makes their own cups and my mother turns off the coffee pot, we all make our way to the garage to load up. I climb into the last row with Jasper and Alice because there is no way I am sitting by Emmett and Rose. She may just beat him to death before we even make it out of the driveway and I don't want to get caught in the line of fire.
During the drive to Sea-Tac, my father further explains that Bella has invited us all out this weekend to help with a mini camp at the ranch. He believes that this is her way of making sure we really know what we are getting ourselves into. Once the weekend is over, she will have a more accurate means to make a decision about bringing us on board at the ranch.
Soon, we are at the airport and checking in. The plane ride to Dallas is uneventful and thankfully, Emmett behaves himself. But, as we are loading onto a smaller plane that will take us to the airport in College Station, he has to open his mouth and sound like an ass; asking the flight attendant, in the worst southern accent I have ever heard, "Ma'am? You think this plane is going to be able to hold a big man like myself?"
I didn't know who was redder, the embarrassed woman or an angry Rose. Rose hisses at him, "I swear on all that is holy, Emmett Cullen, if you say one more thing before we land I am going to throw you from this plane and never look back! Now, shut the hell up!"
My parents' just shake their heads as Jasper and I try not to bust out laughing at, what he feels is his best puppy dog frown. He can be such a child at times. Luckily, he doesn't say anything else for the rest of the flight.
As we deplane and head towards the pickup area, I notice a large man of Native American descent holding a sparkly sign with Cullen written on it. The man smiles widely as my dad approaches. As I get closer I see the sign is covered in glitter and flowers, I think there is even a fairy sticker on there.
"Jacob, look how much you've grown! What's your mother feeding you now days?" he asks the man. I have never heard my father speak with a sound so southern before. "You know Esme, but, this bunch is the rest of my family."
"You didn't even laugh at my sign," the guy pouts. "You know, I had Cassie help me make it."
"And, just as funny as always," my dad laughs out. "Meet my family, Jake."
"This is my oldest son, Emmett, and his wife, Rosalie," my father introduces as Jake shakes Emmett's hand and dramatically bows to Rose.
"My middle son, Edward," he states as Jake shakes my hand with an exaggerated 'Howdy'.
"And my youngest son, Jasper, and his wife, Alice," he finishes as Jake again shakes Jasper's hand.
"I'd bow to you little lady, but I might throw my back out bending down that far," Jake laughs out.
"Well aren't you a character," Alice laughs out. She is use to everyone picking on her height or lack thereof.
"Hello everyone, welcome to Texas. If the heat don't get'cha, the humidity will," he tells us placing a well-worn ball cap on his head that shades over his eyes. "Follow me, let's get'cha to the ranch," he finishes leading us out into the sunshine.
Just as we take our first steps outside of the sliding glass doors, this is when Emmett loses his filter again. "DAMN, IT'S HOT AND IT'S ONLY JANUARY?" he yells. Everyone just shakes their head and no one says a word. The only thing we hear is the familiar sound of a resounding smack as Rose's hand connects with the back of his head.
Looking around, I see several people looking our way, wanting to know what the yelling is about. It is at this time where I pray that the sidewalk opens up to swallow me. Jacob busts out laughing saying, "You aren't in Washington anymore, Bud."
It is then I notice a mini coach bus sitting at the curb with a beautiful swan logo on the side. Jacob opens the back door on the bus for our bags, and then opens the side door for us to climb in.
This has to be the most comfortable bus I have ever been on, I think to myself as I take my seat.
I tune out my dad and Jacob's conversation to stare out the window, taking in the sites and scenery along the way. Driving through town, you can tell how proud these people are to be the home to my mom and dad's alma mater. Everything is Texas A&M. When the town starts to disappear and the road gives way to pastures, I realize that it is really a beautiful place, and smile to myself as a feeling of calmness washes over me.
A little over an hour later, we turn off the highway onto a smaller paved road and through a large brick and wrought iron gate that has huge swans, similar to the logo on the bus. All of a sudden, I am greeted with a sensation that I know this place; that I am home.
Talk about your southern hospitality.
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