Angie Turner's Idaho restaurant, the County Seat, owes its success not only to its farm-fresh fair, but also to its devoted and passionate staff. But a team-building retreat turns into much more than they bargained for . . .
Angie and her County Seat staff are all prepared for some much-needed R&R. Hope's been hinting at an arts-and-crafts themed retreat. Instead, they end up at a military veteran's home, where it's their job to get it spic and span for summer. In between weeding the garden and painting the rooms, Angie starts up a conversation with an older vet who wants to make amends with his son before it's too late. Unfortunately, he has no idea of his son's whereabouts. It's the perfect side job for the County Seat team, but someone keeps blocking their efforts. And the more they try to find out why, the more they're certain someone's life might be in danger . . .
Release date:
July 6, 2021
Publisher:
Lyrical Press
Print pages:
112
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Angie Turner leaned back in the shotgun seat in one of the two minivans she’d rented for the County Seat’s most recent team building session. Hope Anderson, the restaurant’s newest line cook, had been in charge of planning the session this quarter and she’d wanted to get the team building started as soon as the vans left the County Seat’s parking lot.
“Pull the van into that coffee place and let’s get something to drink. My treat.” She pointed Ian McNeal, van driver and her boyfriend, to the upcoming coffeehouse. “I’ll let Felicia know we’re stopping at the drive-thru.”
“Your wish.” Ian grinned at her, then looked into the back of the van at Hope and Bleak Hubbard. They’d chosen to ride together in the front van with the addition of Dom, Angie’s St. Bernard and County Seat mascot. The girls had become fast friends as soon as Bleak had arrived in River Vista. “You two old enough for coffee or should we get you hot chocolate?”
“I’ve been drinking coffee for years.” Bleak tossed her hair back out of her eyes. She’d dropped the goth look, but her hair was still long and black. Now it had a healthy shine to it and Angie noticed she and Hope had matching pedicures with what looked like animals painted on the nails. “Anyway, get me a pumpkin spice latte. It’s time to welcome fall.”
“Yes, it is.” Angie finished texting their stop to Felicia and, looking up from her phone, grinned at the newest member of the restaurant family. Bleak was still in high school, but she’d talked her school counselor into approving this community service trip even though it meant she’d miss three days of school. “I’ll have the same. Large, please.”
“You mean venti,” Hope corrected her. “I’m in for the PSL too.”
Ian shook his head. “Okay, three coffee light drinks and a real cup of coffee for me.”
“Don’t be that way. PSL is amazing.” Hope curled her leg up underneath her and reached back to stroke Dom’s back. He was back on the third seat sleeping. He lifted his head and gave Hope’s hand a quick lick before plopping his head back down on the seat. “Does Dom need some water?”
“I gave him some before we left town and I’ve got a couple of bottles in that backpack on the floor. He’ll let you know if he’s thirsty.” Angie loved how well Dom fit in with the group. He was as much of a family member as any of her staff.
“Depending on how many more stops I have to make, we should be there in about two hours.” Ian glanced at the GPS he’d brought with him.
“Angie, do you think Matt bought that we were going to a knitting retreat?” Hope leaned forward toward the front of the van. “Did you see his face when I handed him the bag with yarn and knitting needles?”
“I thought the mini lesson/project sheet you gave him was awesome. He should be trying to figure out how to hold the needles right now. Nancy said she’d help him on the ride.” Angie turned to face Hope. “When you set up a prank, you go all in.”
“I can’t believe he took us to a haunted prison last fall. It really wasn’t fun. Especially after that guard was killed. If we make it through the next four days with no one dying, I’m calling this a success.” Hope leaned back in her seat. “Especially when Matt finds out we’re helping clean up this veteran’s home instead of knitting.”
“He’s going to whine about that too.” Bleak didn’t look up from her fashion magazine. “Matt always whines when there’s actual work to be done. I’m surprised Estebe hasn’t moved him back to dishwasher as much as he complains about things.”
“He’s just young,” Ian said as he pulled up to the speaker at the coffeehouse. “Hey, they have pumpkin bread too. Four slices?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Angie opened her planner and started to make notes about the new menu she wanted to propose at the staff meeting they would have in a few days out at the farmhouse before they would pack up for home. She’d told the center’s owner that the group would handle food for the center for the time they were there. She and Felicia would see what they needed and check for any specific dietary issues with the residents, then head to the local grocery store to stock the center’s shelves.
They’d had to make the quarterly team building event smaller for the last few quarters, but this time, she was going all out. And she’d have time to test some of the recipes she wanted to propose.
Angie took the cups of pumpkin spice latte Ian handed her and passed two back to Hope and Bleak. She was getting into the road trip mood. The team building was going to be an amazing four days. Especially once Matt got over being tricked with the yarn.
By the time they reached River Vista Veteran’s home, it was almost eleven. Angie got out of the van and took in the house and surrounding area. It was an old ranch-style home that needed a touch up. According to Hope, the woman who ran it, Mrs. Stewart, had been managing the center for over ten years. The house looked like it hadn’t been painted in at least that long. The front yard needed weeding and grass planted. They had their work cut out for them.
Ian stood by her and whistled. “I didn’t think it would be this bad. Hopefully the inside is better off, or we’ll have to prioritize what we get done this time. I’ll get my men’s group to come out next month. We’ll get this place ready for new residents. Don’t worry.”
“I didn’t say I was worried,” Angie responded.
He laughed and pulled her into a hug. “Honey, sometimes your face tells the whole story. It will be fine. I promise.”
The other van pulled up and the rest of the crew joined them in front of the house. Matt stepped out and went to stand by Hope. “Wow. This place looks like it needs some work. Are you sure we’re at the right place?”
“How’s your knitting going?” Hope didn’t look at him but Bleak snickered.
He glared at the young women. “This isn’t a knitting retreat, is it? We’re here to fix this place up.”
“He gets it right on the first guess.” Hope stepped forward to greet the woman who walked out of the house and onto the rundown porch. “Mrs. Stewart? I’m Hope Anderson and this is the County Seat crew. Angie and Felicia are our fearless leaders.”
Angie and Felicia held up their hands.
“Well, isn’t this nice. I so appreciate young people taking an interest in the people who served our country so many years ago. We have only two men in residence right . . .
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