The
dinner hour was for more than just eating, it was a time for visiting as well.
Friendships had been developed and as the volunteer workers progressed down the
serving line, sociable bantering went on. Simone enjoyed talking to the men and
women. It was her way of gauging the rebuilding progress in the various neighborhoods.
As she dished up her special macaroni made with seven types of cheese, a thunderous
voice reached her ears. Her heart fluttered as she glanced down the line of bodies
and spotted Keithen Knight. He was looking right at her, and the world disappeared
leaving only the two of them.
“Pulling double duty I see,” Keithen said when he
stood in front of Simone. To his surprise he was excited to see her again. She
was lovely, although younger than he usually liked. He held his tray out to her
while admiring her blemish free complexion. It looked soft and smooth, making
him want to caress a finger down the line of her high cheekbones. Her nose was
slightly long and flared at the nostrils. But it was the brilliant white smile
she returned that had his blood pumping.
“Sunday is my day to volunteer in the kitchen. My grandmother
works the lunch hour and I replace her at dinner,” she told him. Taking
into account his size, she gave him a little extra of everything. “Did you
finish the roof?”
“We sure did. Tomorrow the inside work can begin on the
Tyler house.”
“I know Miss Lorna will be happy to hear the news.”
“Miss Lorna?”
“Lorna Tyler. It’s a Southern thing,” she explained
with a smile.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” he asked returning the
smile. He quickly took note of her height. He guessed she was about five foot
seven. At six feet, he preferred a woman with a little height. He silently scolded
himself for the thought. He had just met the woman. He was in Biloxi to work,
not to notice beautiful women.
“Most definitely. I’m assigned to the Tyler house
and I’ll be working there until it’s ready for Miss Lorna to move
in.”
“Guess I’ll see you there then.” Keithen smiled
as he moved away from the serving line and went in search of a table. Spotting
the crew that he had worked with that day, he joined the men.
Simone watched Keithen as he walked away. His stride was powerful
and sexy. Sexy, now where did that come from? She quickly pushed the thought away.
She was there to do a job, not search for a man, although if she were looking,
Keithen Knight would be one heck of a find.
The line finally slowed to a trickle. She was ordered by the other
women on the line to grab a plate and eat. She hadn’t stopped long enough
to eat anything substantial since that morning and she was indeed starving. With
her plate loaded, she turned, searching for somewhere to sit. The volunteers liked
to linger after dinner, socializing, so seating was limited. She spotted one seat
available at the corner table where Keithen was sitting. As though sensing her
looking in his direction, he glanced up and waved her over.
Simone smiled as she made her way to the table. She greeted the
other men of the crew as she sat across from Keithen. After bowing her head and
saying grace, she looked up right into his mesmerizing eyes.
“The guys here tell me you’re responsible for this
delicious meal.”
“It’s nothing,” she responded dismissively.
Keithen could tell she was a little embarrassed by the attention.
“The guys tell me you’re a chef?”
Simone blushed. “Yes I am, although what I’ve been
serving here in the tent is a far cry from my usual cuisine. The work crews aren’t
interested in presentation and entrees they can’t pronounce, or that fail
to cover the plate. They’re looking for delicious hearty food that fills
the stomach as well as comforts the soul.”
Keithen smiled and nodded. He understood exactly what she was
saying. How many expensive meals had he paid for only to return home to make a
sandwich? “Well, I definitely appreciate your style of cooking.”
“Thank
you. So, Keithen, how long have you been here on the Coast?” She got down
to eating her own food. Hungry as she was, it took all her willpower not to shovel
the cornbread topped beef stew with savory broth into her mouth. If there had
been any other man sitting across from her, she probably would have, but something
about Keithen made her keenly aware of being a woman and wanting to act ladylike.
“Three months, off and on. I was working with the urban
developers initially.” He enjoyed watching her eat. It had been a long time
since he had been around a woman who wasn’t afraid of gaining a pound, not
that an additional pound or two would hurt Simone. For her height, she was slightly
built.
Simone chuckled, but said nothing.
“What’s so humorous?” Keithen arched a brow
and continued to stare at her until she answered.
Putting down her fork, Simone sat back in her chair and looked
at him. “I’m not unappreciative of the developers’ efforts and
intentions; it’s just that I believe a lot of what has been offered is useless.
People who had homes before the storm want homes now. They’re not interested
in grand designs of condos or lofts. We Southerners like our own piece of soil.”
Keithen listened with great interest. He had heard this said repeatedly
by the locals and yet many of the planners had ignored it. “What I hear
you saying is that the people want houses.”
“Yes. Affordable houses, to be specific. Not the expensive
condos with all the bells and whistles, or houses priced out of this world.”
“I tend to agree with you,” Keithen replied, enjoying
the conversation. “So, Simone, what was a Southern girl doing in the fast
paced city of New York?” His eyes moved over her face to rest on her smiling
lips.
“I attended culinary school there and ventured into the
restaurant business with a friend from the Institute. I used money I inherited
from my mother’s parents to join him in the partnership. It took us about
two solid years of researching and planning before we opened. We served that pretty
to the eye cuisine.”
“Was it a success?” He had no doubt that it was.
“Yes, business was good.”
“Will you be returning?”
“No. I sold my half of the business to my partner, Mason.”
She picked up her fork and continued to eat while they talked.
“Why would you do that?” Keithen asked, dumbfounded.
Simone laughed at the expression on his face. Obviously, he thought
she was crazy for giving up the restaurant. “I needed to be home, and I
knew the money I made from the sale could purchase a great deal of supplies. And
besides, I’m not a big city girl.”
“That’s the most selfless act that I’ve heard.
You’re an amazing woman.”
Simone shrugged. “Look around you. People down here are
doing far more than that, including you.” She began to clean the area around
her, brushing crumbs off the table and picking up discarded napkins.
“You don’t take compliments very well, do you?”
Keithen grinned.
Simone laughed as she stood and gathered her plate and utensils.
She waited for Keithen to do the same. He fell in step beside her, and at the
trash can they deposited their Styrofoam plates. “It’s been great
talking with you tonight, Keithen, but I’ve got to get the serving pans
to the kitchen and help with the cleanup.” She looked up at him. She had
really enjoyed spending time with him tonight.
“How about I give you a hand with those pans?” Keithen
offered. For reasons unknown, he wasn’t ready to call it a night.
Assessing eyes settled on him. “Sure, I’d appreciate
the assistance, although I can’t imagine why you would want to hang around
here with me.”
Keithen released a robust laugh. “Are you kidding? A woman
who can cook the way you do and swing a hammer is someone I’d like to know
better.”
Simone playfully punched him in the arm. Her small fist made contact
with solid muscle. “Well, it’s your evening.” She returned to
the serving line and began removing the stainless steel serving pans. Keithen
followed her lead.
“So where are you bunking?”
“I
pulled a trailer behind me this time when I came to the Coast. I learned the first
time about the shortage of housing and hotel vacancies. It’s parked around
back,” he answered, motioning in the direction of the volunteer trailer
park on the grounds of the church. The constant rotation of volunteers pulling
trailers was a scene repeated all over the Coast. Church grounds, city parks,
and recreational facilities were all being used to house volunteers. “My
crew and I have been moving around the city working different projects.”
“I guess that explains why our paths never crossed.”
“Well, now that they have, you’ll definitely be seeing
me.”
