“Hello, dear. Have you had a chance to take your kids to stroll yet?” Connie asked.
“Yes, we went earlier today, so they could all sit on Santa’s lap. And Connie, I really owe you a thank you. John was hired by The Lawson Group yesterday.”
“Oh, that’s marvelous news! You don’t need to thank me for that, though.”
Stacy smiled. “Yes, I do. I know you said something to Mandy, because I hadn’t. And she sent John’s resume to Cory Lawson. It’s much appreciated.”
Connie beamed. “Well, I’m so glad it worked out, dear.”
Stacy took their order as a customer came to the bar and Jill went over to say hello.
Ten minutes later, Mandy walked in and stopped by the bar to say hello to Jill.
“Are you ready for the mad rush? They should start pouring in soon.”
Jill smiled. “I’m ready. Did you have fun with the kids today?”
“Yes, they loved it. Especially the cookie decorating and eating. Thanks again for covering for me.”
“Of course. So, I just overheard that Cory hired Stacy’s husband. That’s great news, and a little surprising. Is he turning into a softy suddenly?”
Mandy laughed, “Hardly. I was worried that he wouldn’t be able to add another person, but he seemed excited when he saw John’s resume and told me this morning that he hired him almost without talking to him. He has a unique skillset and Cory knows people at the company John worked at. He did a backdoor reference and they raved about him. Cory said he expects that John will help make the company a lot of money.”
Jill nodded. “Now that sounds more like Cory. I’m glad it worked out. Stacy is really sweet.”
“She is. Oh, I’d better run, they’re starting to come in.”
Jill glanced toward the front desk where Billy was grabbing a stack of menus to seat a family, and there was another party of three people waiting behind them. As Mandy left to help, she passed Gina on her way in. Gina’s cheeks were pink from the cold and her long black hair was up in a ponytail, tied with a red velvet ribbon. Like Jill, she was wearing a crisp, white button-down shirt, black pants and a black apron.
“Love the hair tie, you look very festive. What did you think of Stroll?”
Gina smiled. “It was great. I get it now. I’m glad I went.”
They didn’t have much time to chat after that as the bar filled up with people waiting for their reservations or walk-ins hoping they could eat at the bar.
Jill recognized a lot of people from the year she spent working at the restaurant and most of them remembered her too and said they were glad to see her home for the holidays. She was impressed by what a good job her sisters and Paul had done since she’d gone back to Manhattan. Mimi’s Place had so many loyal regulars now and business was booming.
“Jill, Mandy mentioned you were back in town! Nice to see you.” Kate Hodges and her sister Abby were at the bar waiting to order drinks. Their sister, Kristen waved from the other side of the room where she was standing with her boyfriend, Tyler and Kate and Abby’s husbands, Jack and Jeff.
“Hey, great to see you all too! Billy and I are here through the holidays. It’s nice to be home. What can I get for you?”
Kate placed their order, and Jill quickly poured their drinks and set them on the counter. Kate gathered a few of them up while Abby stayed to pay the bill and carry the rest.
“How’s Natalie?” Jill asked as she set down Abby’s change. She rarely saw Abby without her young daughter.
“She’s great. She’s with my mom tonight, so I could have an adult night out. My mom would love to see you guys. She’s having her big holiday open house next Sunday. You should all stop by. It will go all afternoon.”
“Thanks. I’d love to, and I’ll mention it to the others.”
“Great. See you soon.” Abby wandered off, carefully holding her three drinks and Jill turned her attention to the next person in line. The bar was three deep with people wanting drinks. She took a deep breath and smiled. “What can I get for you?”
Usually the restaurant emptied out by ten thirty on weekends, but it was a little past eleven by the time the last customer left. The staff that didn’t have to rush home gathered at the bar for an after-work drink. Usually if there was more than one bartender working, they split all the tips that came in equally, but before the others arrived at the bar, Jill told Gina it was all hers. Gina protested. “That doesn’t seem right. You did as much as I did.”