Lucy nods. “She didn’t tell me, but I knew she was seeing someone. That last week before she left, I’d never seen her look happier.”
Guilt arrows through me. Yeah, Ella had been happy. Until I took that happiness and turned it into something ugly. Like I always do.
“I messed up.” I force myself to man up and look Lucy in the eye. “Ella wasn’t sick. She ran away because I didn’t leave her any other choice. But I’m telling you right now—she feels terrible about letting you down.”
“Did she send you here to tell me that?” Lucy asks, frowning again.
I choke out a laugh. “Are you kidding me? She’d kill me if she knew I was here. Have you ever met anyone with more pride than Ella Harper?”
Lucy presses her lips together as if fighting back a laugh.
“She loved this job,” I say earnestly. “Everyone in my family, myself included, didn’t want her to work. It’s, uh, a status thing.” I’m a prick. We rich people are the worst, I realize. “But she took the job anyway, because that’s the kind of person Ella is. She doesn’t like accepting handouts or sitting on her ass all day like everyone else at Astor Park. And she really liked having you as her boss.”
“I enjoyed having her here,” Lucy says grudgingly. “But. That doesn’t change the fact that she left me short-handed for more than two weeks.”
“My fault,” I repeat. “Seriously, I take all the blame for this. And I feel sick about it, too. I hate that I cost her a job she really cared about. So I’m asking you to reconsider firing her. Please.”
“I’ve already hired a replacement, Reed. I can’t afford to take on two employees.”
Disappointment fills my gut. “Oh. I understand.”
“But…”
Just like that, I feel a burst of hope. “But what?”
“Kenneth is only able to work afternoons,” Lucy says, and it’s obvious she’s not thrilled with that. “I haven’t been able to find anyone who can fill the five-thirty a.m. shifts that Ella used to do.” She smiles. “Not many teenagers want to wake up at the crack of dawn.”
“Ella does,” I say instantly. “Her work ethic is intense. You know that.”
Lucy looks thoughtful. “Yes, I guess I do know that.”
I rest both hands against the counter and eye her hopefully. “So you’ll give her another shot?”
She doesn’t answer right away. Then she says, “I’ll think about it.”
Since that’s all I can ask for, I shake her hand, thank her for her time, and leave the bakery with a smile on my face.
For the first time since the engagement and pregnancy news, our house is Brooke-free. Brooke and her evil henchwoman, Dinah, are going to Paris for two weeks to look for a wedding dress. When Dad tells us the news, the twins release a happy whoop. Our father glares at them, then announces that we’re all having dinner together on the patio. I shrug and head outside, because as long as Brooke and Dinah aren’t eating with us, I’ve got no issues with dinner.
Our housekeeper, Sandra, places two huge casserole dishes on the patio table, which is already set for seven. “I’m heading out now,” she tells Callum. “But I left enough food in the freezer to last you boys until the end of the weekend.”
“Aw, Sandy, no. You’re going on vacation again?” Sawyer asks in dismay.
“I wouldn’t exactly call it a vacation.” She sighs. “My sister just had a baby and I’m going to San Francisco to help her out for a week. I foresee many sleepless nights in my future.”
“Take as much time as you need,” Dad says with a warm smile. “An extra week, if you need it.”
Sandra snorts. “Uh-huh, and then I’ll come back and find out that these two,” she gestures at the twins, “tried to burn down my kitchen again.” Her tone firms. “I’ll see you all next week, Royals.”
Dad chuckles as the plump, dark-haired woman marches to the back door. Voices waft out of the kitchen, and then Ella hurries out the French doors.
“Sorry I’m late,” she says breathlessly. “I was on the phone.” She slides into the seat next to Callum’s. “You won’t believe who called me!”
Dad gives her an indulgent smile. I, on the other hand, am hiding my grin, because I don’t want to give anything away. But I’m pretty sure I know who called.
“Lucy!” Her blue eyes dance with excitement. “She’s willing to give me a second chance at the bakery. Can you believe that?”
“Really?” I say blandly. “That’s great news.”
From the corner of my eye, I notice East shooting me a strange look, but he doesn’t say anything.
“It’s news, all right,” Dad says in an unhappy voice.
Ella frowns at him. “You’re not happy that I got my job back?”
“I never wanted you to have a job in the first place,” he grumbles. “I’d like it if you focused all your time on your studies.”
“Are we back to this again?” She sighs loudly and reaches for the serving spoon. “I’m perfectly capable of holding a job and going to school at the same time. Now who wants lasagna?”