Read Online Construction Beauty Queen by Sara Daniel - Free Book Online Page A

all,” Jenny said, jumping to her feet.
    That wasn’t such a great idea, but Jenny had run off before he could say so.
    She reached the table at the same time that Pauline did. “You only gave the cherry-vanilla-squash an ‘eight’ for smoothness? Why didn’t it deserve a ten?” Pauline demanded. “I used real cherries, none of that cheesy syrup the other places use.”
    “Oh, I could tell that immediately,” Veronica said, tipping a cherry pit off her spoon onto the saucer. “I really like your decision to go with natural flavors. You’re right—it’s so much classier than the syrup, but it’s also a bit more challenging to make the drink smooth. I can tell you’re a woman who’s up to a good challenge.”
    Matt stared openly as she smiled at Pauline and winked at Jenny, who was now standing next to her. Jenny hadn’t had a chance to warn her, but Veronica had turned the less-than-perfect score into a kudos for Pauline, all while smiling as if this behavior was exactly the kind of service she’d expected when she entered the restaurant.
    “Would you like to order a grilled cheese?” Jenny suggested.
    “I’d love to. Pauline, you have a fabulous helper here.”
    Oh boy. Now Veronica wasn’t just pushing Pauline’s buttons. She was going after his. Anyone who could see what a great kid he was raising earned his instant goodwill.
    Pauline grunted. “Do you think putting the cherries in a blender instead of throwing them in whole would help?”
    “I’m not really a helper. I just come here a lot with my uncle Matt. My name’s Jenny,” she said.
    “I’ve met your uncle Matt,” Veronica said to her. She smiled over his niece’s head at him. “He makes a mean omelet.”
    Matt’s insides became uncomfortably warm, and he shifted in his chair.
    But Veronica had already looked away from him, back to Pauline. “I think the blender will improve the smoothness a lot. I’m sure you’ve already thought of this, but just remember to take out the pits before you blend. You wouldn’t want to sacrifice your perfect ten on taste just to get the desired smoothness.”
    Matt nearly laughed out loud, but Veronica managed to deliver her suggestion with a straight face.
    “Would you like to sit at our table, so you’re not all alone?” Jenny asked hopefully.
    Matt’s attraction morphed into unease. He’d always made sure his niece had women in her life—teachers, babysitters, her friends’ mothers—so she wouldn’t feel the sting of growing up without a mother or need to fill the void with an inappropriate role model. Yet, it had taken mere seconds for her eyes to fill with hero worship and adoration.
    “She’s not alone.” Pauline sat down across from Veronica. “Now tell me, have you ever had a hazelnut parfait espresso before?”
    “I have not. Perhaps…I might not be qualified to judge this one,” Veronica said, shooting Matt a hopeful glance.
    “Nonsense. I’ll talk you through it,” Pauline said.
    “ Charlotte’s Web is my favorite book,” Jenny declared, a look of desperation on her face.
    “Really? What’s your favorite part? Mine is when Fern saves the baby pig and feeds him with a bottle,” Veronica said.
    “No way. That’s mine, too!” She swung her arm in exaggerated excitement and nearly knocked over a few of the espresso mugs.
    Matt needed to call Jenny back to his table. She was getting out of hand, and Veronica seemed to be handling Pauline better on her own than anyone else he’d ever witnessed.
    Pauline caught Jenny’s hand and saved the drinks. “Why don’t you run to the kitchen and ask Tom to make a grilled cheese. Tell him to bring your food to your table when it’s ready, too.”
    Jenny frowned for a moment but then scurried off.
    The rest of the patrons openly gaped as Veronica patiently smiled and nodded her way through Pauline’s dissertation. She must have caught on quickly, Matt mused, because she rated everything about the hazelnut parfait a