Page 55 of The Orchard at Rosevale
‘Yeah, Mum’s the best. About time she got to leave this place and spread her wings.’
‘Where is she?’
‘Melbourne. She wants to travel.’
‘Good for her.’
Their casual chatter had provided Cruz with the perfect segue into finding out more about Bindi’s situation.
‘What about you? Have you travelled much since I last saw you at high-school graduation?’
Shadows scudded across her eyes before she lowered them to stare at her plate. ‘I hit the road after high school. Packed my car and headed north, doing odd jobs all through New South Wales and Queensland. Fruit picking, cleaning, waitressing … You name it, I’ve probably done it. Then a few years ago, I met Wayne. He had a place in Pambula, on the South Coast of New South Wales. More of a shack, really, right on the beach, and it was idyllic. We were in it for the long term, until he wasn’t.’
Her pained expression made Cruz want to wrap his arms around her.
‘I ended up leaving the relationship with less than I started and moved back here last month.’
‘Your folks still around?’
She shook her head. ‘They sold up, bought a caravan and have been travelling the country for the last few years. Half their luck.’
‘You mentioned waitressing, and that’s what I’m after, but I need someone to also help run the restaurant. Has El told you much about it?’
‘Just that you’re opening a small restaurant here on the farm.’
He nodded. ‘It’s in one of the sheds, a low key, farm to table type thing, highlighting avocado in every dish. We’ll have about ten tables, catering to up to forty at a time.’
‘Sounds easy enough. When do I start?’
Her self-deprecating laugh didn’t fool him; she needed this job to begin ASAP.
‘Actually, that’s what I want to talk to you about. Because I’ve been lumped with running the farm, I’ll need a lot of help with the restaurant, and I’m hoping that’s where you come in. The person who gets the job will have to live onsite, in the self-contained studio attached to the homestead.’ He grimaced. ‘Though you’ll have to use the shower in here, because there isn’t one in the studio. But apart from that, it’s liveable. El is staying there at the moment, but she’ll move in here if you agree to take the job.’
‘Wow, you’ll go to any lengths to get that girl to hang out with you.’
He grinned. ‘No ploy. I’m just desperate to get the restaurant happening because cooking is what grounds me, keeps me sane, and if I have to be stuck in this godforsaken place for the next twelve months, having the restaurant will make it palatable.’
She groaned at his pun, but he saw the glimmer of excitement. ‘Will I have to pay rent?’
‘Of course not. The job comes with a salary and accommodation.’ He snapped his fingers. ‘With the added bonus of you being my official taste tester for anything I whip up.’
Her eyes narrowed slightly. ‘Sounds too good to be true.’
‘If you want the job, it’s yours.’ He shrugged, feigning nonchalance. ‘I’d rather give it to someone I know and who can start now, than waste time I don’t have advertising and interviewing.’ He picked up a piece of bread off his plate and slathered it with chutney before topping it with ham and cheese. ‘Anyway, have a think about it, but if you accept, I’ll want you to hit the ground running tomorrow.’
‘I’d be moving in, then?’
‘Uh-huh.’ He popped the bread in his mouth and chewed, his chest constricting when he saw the shimmer of tears in her eyes.
She swallowed and cleared her throat. ‘I’ll be honest, Cruz, leaving Wayne wiped me out financially, so I’m desperate for work, and this opportunity sounds amazing. If you’ll have me, I’d love to take the job.’
‘Great.’
Before he could say anything else, Bindi launched herself at him, hugging him so fiercely that he felt like bawling too.
She released him quickly, her face crimson as she sat. ‘Thanks, Cruz. I won’t let you down.’
‘I’m a bit of a monster in the kitchen, but I’ll try not to take out my usual foul moods on you.’
