Aging with Gracie (16 page)

“What happened, Trish?” Although the sight of the mess was a cause of anxiety, Grace’s voice was calm. The woman already had enough on her hands. She didn’t need any more stress.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Grace,” Trish began. “I should have told you, but I thought I could get it cleaned up.”

Jack had pulled himself from underneath the sink upon hearing Grace’s voice. He stood up and grimaced at the water staining his previously clean jeans. He’d have to make a run home if he was going to get any work done today. He certainly wasn’t immune to a little dirt, but working in a pair of soggy jeans was the limit.

“But what happened?” Grace asked again.

“I’m not certain.” To the relief of the kitchen assistant, Jack took the reins of the conversation. “But it looks as if someone sabotaged your kitchen last night.”

“Sabotaged?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Loosened the water pipe underneath the sink and left both of those industrial refrigerator doors open. I’ve taken care of the water pipe, but you’re left with a mess as far as the perishables are concerned. Trish here has been working like a trouper, but there’s still a lot to do...and a lot of food to replace.”

“But who would do something like this?” Grace wondered aloud. The thought of someone deliberately damaging Mansfield Park had her seething.

“Don’t know, but I’ll get right on the security angle.”

“Thanks, Jack,” Grace smiled. “I’m sure everything will be in order.”

“I’ll handle the security end of things, but I’m not sure about the rest.” He shook his head. “I got a tip a few minutes ago that the County Health Inspector has received a complaint that you’re having trouble in the kitchen. My source said someone called and said you are using unsafe ingredients. That your food is spoiled.”

“That’s a lie!” Grace fumed.

“Not really,” Jack shrugged. “Take a whiff of that milk,” he motioned toward a counter covered with numerous food containers. “Looks like someone wanted to do more than ruin your day, Grace. I’d say they wanted to get your license revoked.”

“How dare someone do that!” Grace found the only available counter space and put down her stack of folders. “Did your
source
indicate when the inspector might show up?”

“She said it wasn’t on the schedule, but that the man never missed his lunch at Big Jerry’s.” Jack grinned. “I’ll give Max a call and see if he can stall him.”

“Oh, Jack,” Grace smiled, “Would you?”

“Of course,” he nodded. “While I’ve got him on the phone, I’ll see if he can rustle up something for the residents’ lunch. I’ll send one of the guys over to pick it up a little before noon.”

Grace teared up at his generosity. Never in her life had she met a man who could take things in hand as Jack Ellis could. Not even her father! If not for Trish, Grace would have jumped across the puddle and straight into his arms. He was truly amazing!

“I can’t thank you enough, Jack,” Grace began as she wiped a stray tear from her cheek.

“Don’t, Gracie,” Jack cut her off with an upraised hand. “It’s just what friends do for one another.”

“Well, I am certainly fortunate to have you for a friend, Jack Ellis,” Grace grabbed a large garbage bag and headed into the fray. “Everyone seems to be better for having you here.”

“It’s not just me, Gracie.” He picked up his tool belt from a dry spot on the floor. “Many people have had a part in making this place special.”

He gave the women a final nod and headed out the door.

“Oh, Grace, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Trish continued to apologize. “We were able to handle things at breakfast with oatmeal, fresh fruit, coffee and juice, but with the mess and all of the major things ruined, I knew we wouldn’t be able to make lunch. Mr. Jack came in first thing to work on the water, and I thought we could get things back in order before you came by. Alva’s in her office trying to get an order shipped from that restaurant service company in Gainesville, but it’ll be late this afternoon before we can restock the fridge.”

The woman’s explanation had Grace’s head spinning. She’d wondered where her chef had gone. It was reassuring to know that she was busy overseeing things from the supply angle. That would free her up to focus on the rest of the issues.

As Jack had mentioned on a previous occasion, sometimes a leader just had to get in and get her hands dirty. Her manicure would pay the price, though! It didn’t matter much to Grace, but Abby would be furious at the sight of her cuticles. They’d traded manicures two days ago in celebration of the salon’s opening, and Grace had been working hard to maintain it.

Oh, well. This would just give her another excuse to pamper herself...as if that would happen anytime soon. If today was any indication, it appeared that she was facing a whole lot of work and very little personal reward.

“Listen, Trish,” Grace said as she began to toss the spoiled food into the garbage bag. She tried not to take a deep breath as she worked and wished for one of Elinor’s clothespins...or better yet, a gas mask. The stench from the refrigerator was becoming worse with every passing minute!

“You had no control over what happened in here. It was the work of a mean, vindictive person. I only wish you’d told me sooner. I would have been in here giving you a hand.”

“I’ll know next time, Grace,” the woman told her with a nod. “I was just so worried about my job.”

“Girl, you don’t have to worry about that! You do a great job, Trish,” Grace assured her. “Now, let’s get this mess cleaned up. We’ve got on inspection in...” Grace checked her watch. “Right about three hours, and I want things to be perfect.”

•∞•∞•

“As you know, Miss Woodhouse,” the tall, lanky employee from the county health department explained as he leaned against the doorjamb of her office and looked through a folder of papers. “We are required by law to investigate any complaints of unsanitary or unhealthy conditions in places such as yours.”

“Of course, Mr. Clifford,” she told him. “And may I ask just what those complaints were and who made them?” She tried for a smile, but the man was not distracted from the task at hand.

“That is entirely confidential,” he told her.

“I understand.” Grace walked around her desk. “Would you like to begin?”

“Certainly,” he agreed.

For the next hour, the man was ruthless, peeking into cupboards that even Grace hadn’t known existed. He even had a set of tiny thermometers that he used to test not only the temperatures of the appliances, but of several of the items within them. He itemized the contents of the freezers and even checked the location of meats related to other stored items.

Finally, it appeared that his reign of emotional terror in the kitchen was complete. He checked off a row of boxes on one of numerous forms and moved toward the doorway.

He stopped suddenly, and Grace felt her heart fall to her knees as he peered into the garbage container.

“And what’s this?” He eyed the leftovers of a carton of barbeque Trish had just deposited into the garbage.

“Why, it’s Big Jerry’s finest,” Grace managed to tell him over the lump in her throat. “Every once in a while, we treat the residents to some of Max’s ribs. Most of them come from around here, so they really appreciate it. There’s nothing like Big Jerry’s, you know.”

“I have to agree with you there, Miss Woodhouse,” he nodded his balding head. “Why I just had myself a fine lunch there not thirty minutes ago.”

“You don’t mean it,” Grace feigned a look of awe. “Why if I’d known you were so fond of barbeque, then I would have invited you over here for lunch. As a matter of fact, we’ll have to give you a rain check.”

“Well, that’s not necessary,” he wavered. “But, if I happen to be in this part of town, I’d certainly not refuse.”

“Of course not, sir.” Grace grinned and said a silent “thank you” to both God and Jack Ellis for coming through for them today.

“Well, ma’am,” he mumbled as he made a few notations in his folder before closing it with a snap. “I have to tell you that I couldn’t find one thing wrong with the way you’re running this place. The kitchen is spotless, and everything is in fine order. You’re a little short of food items in the refrigerator, but your chef assures me ya’ll have a shipment coming in later today. It also looks like you’ve got a great crew in there. Everyone seems to know what they’re doing.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more, Mr. Clifford,” Grace smiled, this time with sincerity.

“I’ll send you an official report, but from all appearances, someone just had a little score to settle with you or someone else here.”

“We assumed as much,” Grace agreed. “We’re trying very hard to make sure everything is in tip-top shape for the residents here.”

“Well, the call was an anonymous one, but from now on, I will insist on getting some additional information before I make such a quick judgment.”

“We appreciate it,” Grace said as she walked him to the door. “And don’t hesitate to come back for lunch. You’re always welcome.”

“Thank you. I’ll remember that,” he answered, and with a wave, headed out the door.

Grace brought her hands together and said a silent prayer of thanks that God had watched over them today. Things could have been disastrous, but with His help, they had overcome.

Grace returned to the dining room to find half the staff standing there. Jack was there, too. As she walked into the room, she looked at each face with tears in her eyes.

“I can never thank you for what you did here today,” she began. “We would have been closed down for certain if the inspector had come in the midst of the crisis we had in the kitchen this morning.”

“It’s just part of working here,” Trish began.

“No, it’s part of
belonging
here,” Grace told her.

She gave each of them a hug before they returned to their duties, telling them, one by one, how much she appreciated them.

Finally, only Jack was left.

“Do I get a hug, too?” He held out his arms.

Grace was beyond trying to think of a clever response. She followed her heart and walked into the security of his embrace. His arms tightened around her.

“Thank you, Jack,” she whispered. “Thank you so much for what you did today.”

“I would have done that and much more if you’d needed it, Gracie,” he told her.

“I would have let everyone down if we’d failed the inspection.”

“No way, Woodhouse,” he told her.

“I’m not sure,” she wavered.

“Who are you kidding?” he asked. “You’ve got guts. Why, you’ve been running around here all day like a drill sergeant.”

“That bad?”

“No,” he shook his head. “That
good
. What happened in the kitchen wasn’t your fault, but you were able to get past it.”

“With everyone’s help,” she added. “It was a team effort.”

“And who do you think inspired everyone to participate?” He watched as she raised her face to his. “You, Princess. It was
you
.”

He placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

“You’re the rock here. Don’t forget that,” he told her. “God has planted you here for a reason. Just keep relying on Him.”

“I’m trying, Jack.” She gave him another hug. “I’m really trying.”

“And it’s working, Gracie,” he nodded. “Just look around you. This place is becoming a home.” He brushed the hair from her face and gave her one last kiss. He needed to return to his work crew. “Will I see you later?”

“Of course,” she answered before she thought about how desperate it she might sound.

“I’ll call you, then,” he told her. “See you later.”

Grace bid him goodbye and slumped into one of the newly upholstered dining room chairs. She followed the striped pattern with her hand and looked around the room. Things were definitely coming together.

Yes, it is a home
, she thought.
But is it really mine? Furthermore, how much longer will I even be able to stay on here
?

The afternoon had been a success, but it was with a heavy heart that she returned to work knowing that her time at Mansfield Park might be coming to an end. She worked for the Woodhouse Corporation, and her father might want her in another location at the end of the renovation. Now, all she had to do was convince him that she was needed here. Her heart depended on it.

Chapter Nine

Emma

One Sunday evening a few days later, Grace went to check on the progress of the Serenity Garden. The minister’s message that morning at church had reinforced her decision to remain at Mansfield Park as long as her father would allow her to stay and had rekindled the sense of service her heart had felt from just a few days after her arrival there. Although sometimes things were difficult and she often wondered if someone else would have been a better choice for the job, Grace was intent upon seeing things through. Getting a glimpse of the fruits of everyone’s labor was just the thing she needed to keep up her spirits.

The words from The Serenity Prayer came to mind, and she spoke them as she walked through the building.

“
God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, the courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Amen
.”

She stopped to look out the French Doors and into the garden. It was cool outside, so she decided to stay indoors, but even from her distance and in the low outdoor lighting, she could tell that things were shaping up. She could see the evidence that many individuals had been hard at work during the previous weeks.