Laura's Restaurant

You follow the directions that Mindy had written down for you until you arrive in front of a restaurant with several tables for dining set out in front. Each table has a tablecloth and floral centerpiece decorating it, letting you know that it's probably one of the more upscale dining establishments in Melonpatch. There are some trimmed hedges around the outdoor dining area, and the building is a well-maintained one story brick building. It's not yet noon yet and the lunch rush hasn't arrived yet, so you won't have to deal with any crowds as you make your delivery.

Recalling what your love farmhand told you before you left, you remember that the owner, Laura (whose name adorns the sign over the entrance in a stylish cursive font,) was a quite serious type. Mindy had told you that you'd need to show some class when dealing with the owner, so checking in the mirror of the truck cab, you make sure that your hair is in place and then check your t-shirt and jeans, making sure that they are clean as well.

Grabbing the two boxes marked for Laura's from the back of the truck, you carry them inside. It doesn't take more than a glance to spot the owner, based on Mindy's description, and you approach the brunette by the bar as she scans over a clipboard. She seems quite absorbed in her paperwork so you take the moment to take in the details of yet another Melonpatch beauty.

Everything about the brunette screamed business, from her long styled locks without a hair out of place, and her immaculately applied make up, to her freshly ironed white blouse and black skirt. Noticing how long her toned legs looked with her highheels on, you did notice that her skirt seemed a bit shorter than you'd expect for someone so formal. On closer inspection you note that her blouse is unbuttoned a bit lower as well, showing off a bit of cleavage as her large chest strains at her blouse. You can't help but wonder if this straight-laced business woman isn't a bit more fun than her looks first let on.

"Ahem." You clear your throat to catch her attention, and as she looks up from her clipboard, you say with a polite smile, "Excuse me. I'm looking for the manager of this fine restaurant."

She seemed unimpressed as she nodded toward a pair of double doors at the end of the bar. "You can put those boxes in the kitchen," she replied and then glanced back down to her papers.

"Sorry, Ma'am," you say as you try to catch her gaze again. "I was told that there was a beautiful lady in charge of the operations around here. Have you seen her?"

She finally looked toward you with annoyance crossing her face as she says, "Excuse me? That's me, thank you very much!" As she gives you a stern look, you notice what a lovely shade of green her eyes are.

You shift the boxes in your arms and chuckle, replying, "Oh? So now you're the manager?"

"Listen, boy, I don't know who you think you are talking to me like that, but try it again and I'll be sure to let your boss know how you're treating your customers." She set her clipboard down on the counter top and turned to face you, placing her hand on her tilted hip as she stared you down.

You hold up one hand as you balance your boxes with your other arm. "Relax, beautiful. I was just joking. I'm Peter, Larry's nephew. I'm the one taking over his farm and deliveries now that he's passed on. I knew as soon as I walked in here that you were the woman in charge. You're just so much better looking than I was told."

Her frown slowly turns into an amused grin as she looks you over, thinking. "Well, that's better, I suppose. I'm Laura. Owner and manager here. You can put the boxes in the kitchen, like I told you before."

You nod as you start walking toward kitchen door, and you can practically feel Laura's eyes on your backside as you walk away from her. When you return to her, happily relieved of the weight of her shipment, you say. "I hope that we'll be working closely together from now on, Laura."

She still had that same amused smile on her full red lips as she responded. "Ha.. We'll have to see about that. You'll have to show me that you're taking our relationship seriously before I make any promises."

You give her a smirk, asking, "We have a relationship now?"

"A business relationship." she replies, feigning annoyance before she waves her fingers toward the front exit. "Now you'd better get out of here before my lunch crowd gets here."

With a nod and a smile, you turn to leave when you hear her add, "I hope that you don't take too long getting my next delivery here, Peter."

Looking back over your shoulder, you see her smiling at you. "Don't worry, Laura. I'll be back before you know it." You give her a final wave before leaving the restaurant and walk to your truck thinking that there's definitely something fun hidden underneath her stern demeanor.

As you sit down behind the wheel in your truck, you check Mindy's list of deliveries to see where you need to head next.