Searching For Jenna novel Chapter 24

The next day, the two other new girls Sandy hired, and Cara were supposed to start working at the restaurant. The other girls were also college students looking for work for the summer. Knowing that Cara would only be at the restaurant for a few months gave Elliot some relief from his worry about her safety. But that was still three months he would have to work with her near and resist the temptation to tell her who he really was.

Steven came in later that afternoon while the girls were wrapping up their orientation and before they started preparing for opening. The three girls were waiting for the other two servers, Sarah and Michael, who would be helping them tonight. They were standing close to the kitchen watching Elliot and Jason prepare the food when Steven swaggered over to the girls and said, "You must be the newbies."

The three girls nodded.

"So which one of you wants to go out moonlight fishing after work," Steven asked, cockily appraising each girl.

Brittany snorted and said, "I have a boyfriend."

Megan made a face and said, "I'm engaged."

Cara didn't even look away from watching Elliot and Jason, and said, "I'm a lesbian."

Jason started laughing. "I think that's the quickest shutdowns I've ever seen. Three right in a row."

Steven flipped Jason off and shrugged at the girls. "Your loss."

Cara turned to Steven and gave him the once over the way he had each one of them, and then said, "I doubt it."

Steven laughed off the comment. "That's okay."

Elliot doubted it was okay. Steven thought he was God's gift to women and had made references to liking to be rough with his dates. Elliot would be keeping a close eye on how Steven treated the new servers, and he would mention Steven's comments to Sandy. The last thing a new restaurant needed was sexual harassment charges.

Michael and Sarah were both a little older than Cara and the other girls. They were probably in their mid to late twenties. Both had worked at the restaurant since it opened and were very well versed on the menu.

Brittany and Megan had apparently only worked in slowly paced restaurants before this job because they seemed to be overwhelmed by how quickly the restaurant got busy. Cara was doing fine other than having trouble remembering all the different types of meats available.

Everyone was required to stick around after the restaurant closed and help clean up. Elliot studied the three new girls. Cara seemed tired, but not exhausted. He suspected Brittany would not be back after the way she had huffed and complained all night about how hard they had to work. Megan looked tired, but she seemed to be okay.

Jason and Elliot made quick work of the kitchen area and then came out to help with wiping down the counters and sweeping the floors. While they were working Elliot overheard Megan complain about Steven trying to get her into the beer cooler with him before Sandy stepped in. Sandy may have to have a talk with Steven about his behavior.

Elliot noticed Cara watching him a few times. He could only pray that she did not recognize him. If Cara figured out who he was, it would blow the whole operation the FBI had set up here. He tried not to look at her much, but it was hard. He had been so in love with her, and he hated that he couldn't tell her what happened.

"I try to carry as many Kentucky products as I can. I've got a nice white from Echo Valley," Sandy said and pulled a bottle of chilled white wine from the cooler. She poured Dana a little in a glass and put it in front of her. "Try that."

Dana picked up the glass and sniffed the wine. It had a sweet fruity aroma. She took a sip and twirled it around on her tongue. "Umm, nice."

Sandy filled Dana's glass over half-way. "Can I show you a menu?"

Mark looked at Dana. "I am a little hungry."

Dana raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was doing. They were just supposed to talk to Elliot for a few minutes and then head to Lexington where they were meeting with another FBI team involved in trying to shut down the Cobra Cartel. "I guess a sandwich before we hit the road would be okay."

"Can we ask the cook what's good?" Mark asked.

Sandy raised an eyebrow. "Sure." She turned and called in the direction of the kitchen. "Elliot!"

Elliot came out of the kitchen wiping his hands on a towel. "Yeah?"