The Housekeeper

By Renae M. Gilley

The Housekeeper is a romance novel about a happily married woman, Rachel, that is taken by surprise when her husband of twenty years asks for a divorce. She is so hurt that she gets in her car and drives, having no idea where she is or where she’s going. Night approaches, and she pulls off the interstate to find a restaurant for a bite to eat and a hotel for the night. Donna, the owner of the restaurant, takes a liking to Rachel and offers her a job and a place to stay when she finds out Rachel is a pastry chef. Rachel accepts the offer and the plot begins as the new pastry chef impresses the entire town of Taylorsville with her wonderful pastries and outgoing personality. The local Pastor spots her running one morning and becomes intrigued by the new lady in his little town. It is not long till he sees Rachel working in the restaurant and finds a way to meet her. Rachel is not interested in Robert since she thinks he’s a priest. Love begins to blossom between the two and he offers her a job as his housekeeper after he explains he is a pastor, not a priest. There is humor with the little puppy he finds in the snow outside her back door and it’s the puppy the binds these two, together. There are interesting twists and turns, complete with an identical twin showing up that no one in Taylorsville knew about. You will fall in love with the six main characters and enjoy the love story that develops between the three couples.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532081323

Renae M. Gilley

Renäe M. Gilley lives in Kentucky with her husband, Thomas, and their three cats. Now retired, she spends her time writing and believes everyone has at least one good book in them.

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Copyright © 2019 Renäe M. Gilley.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-8133-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-8132-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019912720

iUniverse rev. date: 09/12/2019

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Scones

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I want to thank my friends, Debbie, Gin, Diane and Donna, who were kind enough to read my book and helped me find the errors of my way.

A special thanks to Father Karl Lusk for keeping me correct with the things that a priest and pastor wear and what they’re named. He helped me understand what a priest and pastor can and cannot or would and would not do and the difference between the Episcopal priest and Lutheran pastor. It was easy to become confused with many of these things, and he kept me on the straight and correct path.

Father Karl, I can’t thank you enough for the patience you showed me and the knowledge you gave me. It was a pleasure to call you my friend.

To Thomas for fixing all the things I did wrong to our computer that would mess up my book and for being so patient with me. He finally gave up and bought a computer and thumb drive for me to use of my very own.

To all my friends that sat through and listened to me throw ideas at them about my book. I know I was tired of doing it, so y’all had to be even more tired of hearing it. Each of you truly understand the meaning of being a real friend. I treasure every one of you.

To my readers for waiting patiently for me to finish writing these two books so you could enjoy reading them. I hope you enjoy The Housekeeper’s Cookbook also.

Enjoy reading,

Renae

PROLOGUE

H ave you seen the condition of the parsonage? I mean, it’s awful. He needs help. He needs another housekeeper. Beth, the music director, was talking with Susie, the church secretary. They were both worried about their pastor.

Yes, we all agree, but he keeps saying no, Susie answered. We can’t force him to hire someone.

Susie, there are times in a person’s life when they need help and don’t realize it or want to accept it. We need to run an ad and see if we can find a nice little old lady to help him.

I can put feelers out and have the ladies in our congregation begin to watch for the right person. He’s still not over the loss of his wife and now the loss of his dear Aunt Bessie, their housekeeper. He told me he wasn’t ready to go through a loss like that again, in his personal life.

He can’t live the rest of his life never being willing to risk having a friend. He has all of us, and I know the older members could pass away any day now. Is he going to walk away from us?

Yes, in a few years when he’s ready to retire. I don’t know exactly how old he is, but I am going to guess his late fifties or early sixties. Tammy was fifty when she died and Bessie, was almost eighty. They loved her like a mother, and he still misses her terribly. She was his rock when he lost Tammy.

I’m going to call Donna at the Coffee House. She knows everyone in town and all of their family members. Maybe she’ll have an idea who we can get to help him. If we can’t find someone to live there with him, maybe we can find a lady a few days a week, but he can’t continue living like he is now. He doesn’t cook or clean. I’m afraid to think of the laundry piling up downstairs. We take care of his clergy albs and cassocks for Sunday service, or we’d have to worry about them too.

What about using a cleaning service?

No, he’d never go for that. The ladies in our church have been feeding him. He told me he gets either a plate of food or a casserole every other day. I know he’s not going hungry, plus he likes going to the diner.

Well, I bet the ladies delivering the food are the single ones. He’s quite a catch even though he has no idea.

We all know that, but he doesn’t. The big question is, how do we help him get over his loss?

Beth, we can’t; only God can to do that.

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Chapter 1

3 PM

TUESDAY

OCTOBER 24, 2017

W hat do you mean, you want me to leave? This is my home; you’re my husband, we’re married. I love you. Rachel stood looking at David, her husband.

I owned this house before you and I married. You aren’t entitled to any part of it. I’ve fallen out of love with you, and I want a divorce. Rachel, I’m sorry, but I want you to leave as soon as possible.

Where am I supposed to go? How am I supposed to live? What am I supposed to do?

David walked to Rachel and handed her an envelope. It contained money from their joint accounts. This is half of our money and should be enough for you to find a place to live. You will hear from my attorney, and we’ll work out a comfortable arrangement for you. I’m not just throwing you out on the street, but the money will end if you don’t watch how you spend it. I suggest you find a job.

Find a job? Are you crazy? We were going to retire soon, and I quit my job to help you here at home. You said the house was my responsibility. I’m a glorified housekeeper.

Then go find a job as a housekeeper. You always gave great parties. Maybe you could open a catering business and put on parties for other people. You have a lot of domestic qualities. Rachel, I’m sorry, I don’t want to be married to an older woman anymore.

I was always an older woman. It didn’t just happen, and I don’t look bad for a woman my age.

No, you’re attractive for a sixty-year-old woman, but I’m only fifty, and I want a younger woman to love now.

There’s someone else, isn’t there?

Yes.

Rachel took the envelope and went to their bedroom. He hadn’t slept in there for years. He said it was because he snored so loudly and would keep her awake. Now she doubted that was true. She went and found her suitcases and began packing her favorite things. She filled her bags and took them out to her car. Her name was on the title, so he wasn’t going to stop her from taking one of the vehicles. She didn’t see him in the den as she walked back to the bedroom. She found more suitcases and filled them with all of her clothes, jewelry, shoes, and makeup. You won’t be giving her my jewelry she yelled at him. She’d found the perfect hiding place for her jewelry before their vacation and just never told him about it. She could tell that he had been looking through her things. She smiled. Couldn’t find it could you?

Rachel took the last two suitcases with her as she grabbed some of her favorite designer purses off the shelf. Yep, she is not getting my good things. You’ll have to spend your hard-earned money on her to start dating again she yelled in his direction.

Rachel paused in the den, glancing around for David but he wasn’t there. She put everything in her car and returned to the kitchen to get a few food items for the drive. It was getting late, and she wasn’t comfortable stopping in remote areas.

David was downstairs on the phone with his newest girlfriend. He never heard the garage door open, and had no idea that Rachel left.

It was around four in the evening, and the traffic was starting to accumulate. Rachel headed east, but she had no idea where she was going. She hit the interstate and turned on the cruise control. She drove and cried. How dare he do this to me? We’ve been married twenty years, and I was ten years older than him when we met. He didn’t care then, and I thought all this time everything was fine. I can’t believe he’s doing this to us right when we’re about to retire. What am I going to do? Where am I going to go?

She had driven for over five hours and was starting to get tired and hungry. She began to watch the signs for an exit. There’s a town ahead. Maybe I can find a safe place to stop for tonight. I’ll feel better in the morning, she said out loud to herself.

She pulled off and spotted a restaurant, people inside late at night still eating was a good sign. It must be an excellent place to eat, she thought. She parked and went inside, looking around to see if she should eat there. She could tell that everyone was enjoying their dinner and the food looked and smelled great.

Take a seat anywhere you want. We usually close by eight, but tonight I had a lot of people still wanting to eat so, I decided to remain open a little longer. One more won’t hurt anything. Donna smiled at the pretty lady Table for two?

No, just one, I’m alone. Rachel looked around for a table where she might not be seen. A woman alone, late at night was not a good thing.

Donna watched her, looking around and trying to find a place to hide. Come with me. Donna took Rachel to a small table around the corner. This is where I sit to eat, sort of my table. You will be fine here. Donna pulled out the chair for her. Would you like coffee? Are you traveling?

Coffee would be great. Thanks, yes I’m traveling.

Donna went and picked up a menu and poured a cup of coffee for her.

I think the soup would be fine. I don’t care what kind and Rachel tried to smile at the friendly waitress.

I’ll be right back. Donna knew something was wrong by the tear stains on the pretty lady’s face. She cut two slices of her home-made bread, grabbed the honey and butter and poured a large bowl of vegetable soup, taking it all to the lady. Here you go, honey. I can tell you’ve had a hard night. Boyfriend trouble I’m guessing.

Rachel knew she was never going to see this lady again and it didn’t matter No, husband problems. He asked me to leave. He found a replacement for me, ten or more years younger than I am. He no longer wants to be married to me.

Oh my, you sure seem to be holding up good. Are you headed to your family?

No, I have no idea where I’m going or what I’m going to do. I packed and left. I guess I’ll have to find a job. I can cook, throw a great dinner party, and keep a clean house. I’ve taken care of everything needed to keep a man happy, or at least I thought I had, for the past twenty years Rachel smiled.

Do you care if I sit with you for a while? I’m tired, and a cup of coffee would be nice. Everyone has just about finished, and I have locked up. I could keep you company.

That would be nice. Again, Rachel tried to smile at the kind lady.

Donna poured a cup of coffee and returned to the table. My name is Donna, I’m the owner, and it’s obvious that I need more help. The cook is having trouble keeping up, and I have more customers than ever before since I started baking all my bread, rolls, scones, muffins, cookies and pies. Pie, hold on, and Donna hopped up and ran back to the kitchen. She returned with two pieces of hot apple pie. I almost forgot I had this in the oven. Please try it and let me know what you think. I seem to have trouble with pies.

They both took a bite of the pie. It was runny inside and not sweet enough. The truth? Rachel looked over at Donna.

Yes, the truth.

You forgot to add flour to the sugar and cinnamon mixture for the filling. It needs more sugar than you used and the top needs to be a crumble mixture instead of the solid dough. It tastes like store bought dough and not home-made. Home-made pie crust should be flaky.

Want a job as a pastry chef?

Rachel looked up at Donna, Seriously?

Yes. I realize you may not stay very long, probably will make up with hubby and go back home, but I’ll take you for now. It would help me a lot.

I don’t live here, I mean I don’t have a home, and I can’t live in a hotel to work here for you. I would have to find a place to live.

Donna smiled. Well, I happen to have a house you can stay in for around four months. I’m house sitting my parents’ home. Every year they go to Florida for four to six months, and I have to watch over their house. It’s nice, comfortable and in a safe neighborhood. If you’re in it, I won’t have to go and check it daily. So, a place to live, meals here and a salary. We’ll come up with a fair amount for you. I’ve never hired just a pastry chef before. I’ll have to find out what I should offer you.

Would I be safe?

Oh yes, you’re very safe in our little town.

Can I stay there tonight?

Sure. You can follow me there. I haven’t checked the house today. It’s on my way home.

You said your name is Donna?

Yes, but you haven’t told me your name.

Rachel, and I’d like to take you up on your offer. Rachel extended her hand to shake hands with Donna. What time do you want me here in the morning?

I start at five, and we open around six or seven, when the first customer knocks on the door. For the first day, come in after you wake up and have settled in some. You’ll begin when you arrive. Meals are free, and you can have whatever you want to eat while working here.

I couldn’t ask for more. Rachel smiled at Donna.

Let me clean up a couple of things and tell the gang in the back that I am leaving. Finish eating, and I’ll return Donna smiled as she stood up. You’ll like everyone, and I know they’ll be thrilled to have you on board.

Rachel sat, sipping her soup and enjoying the warm bread. I am so lucky. I doubt I could have applied for a job that would be as wonderful as this one. Four months is not a long time, but it should give me long enough to get divorced and on my feet. I know one thing; Mr. Smarty pants isn’t going to walk all over me. First thing tomorrow I need to find an attorney.

Ready to go?

Yes. Can I take my pie with me? I’ll return the plate when I come to work in the morning.

Sure and Donna sat a white paper bag on the table. A bite to hold you over in the morning, a bagel with cream cheese and a banana. I threw in two coffee pods. There’s a Keurig at mom’s house, and probably pods, but I just wanted to be sure, and Donna smiled.

The two women walked out to their cars with Rachel following Donna to her parent’s house. They drove just a few blocks then Donna turned into a nice neighborhood. Rachel felt a feeling of relief come over her. She’d never lived alone before. Donna drove down the driveway and opened the garage door, parking at the closed side. Rachel could see Donna was making room for her to pull inside.

When Donna reached Rachel, she handed her the garage door opener. Here you go, you’ll need this, and the two women walked into the lovely home. My parents have done a lot of remodeling, new paint, carpet and refinished the hardwoods. It turned out nice. They entered into the kitchen which opened into the den. Their bedroom is on this level, and there are bedrooms upstairs and downstairs. I think you might like downstairs the best, but you can stay where ever you want. The downstairs area is called mother-in-law quarters. It’s my favorite part of the house, and that’s where I stay whenever they need me. They continued walking around in the house, and now were headed down the steps. You can drive around to the back door to unload your things. Mom has a lot of storage areas down here and when she goes to the wholesale store that’s what she does, pull around to unload.

Rachel loved the downstairs the minute she saw it. Everything was white. White carpet, built-in white cabinets in the kitchen and around the television and white paint on the walls. My goodness, how does she keep it so clean?

They never come down except to get the stored items. Mom keeps all her paper products down here and the extra food. Donna opened the pantry door, and it was full to the top. Feel free to cook and have anything that’s here. I do. Mom knows the rule if I house sit, I can have whatever I want. That’ll go for you too.

Thank you. I agree with you. I want to stay down here. It feels very comfortable here, and we won’t increase the electric bill with me staying either. I’m a picky eater, but I would enjoy some of the vegetables I see. After I begin to earn money, I’ll buy my things.

Don’t worry about a couple cans of vegetables. They end up throwing away more than they eat. Mom’s a coupon shopper. The cans expire before they eat everything. One of the stores here has triple coupon Wednesday, and she’s there every Wednesday. I’ve seen her pay five dollars for over one hundred dollars’ worth of food, it’s terrible. She may have twenty bottles of ketchup at one time. When our church has a food drive, I come and empty her pantry. She never says a word. So, do NOT worry about eating anything you find in this house.

I look forward to meeting your parents. Your mother sounds like fun.

Both are. They have a small one-bedroom house in Florida and lots of friends there. I’ve seen them stay there nine months and still not want to come back here. I think they need to move there and keep this house for vacations to come to see me. Okay, I’m going home now, five will come very quickly. See you sometime in the morning, sleep in and get some rest. You’re safe here.

Thank you, Donna, for everything. Rachel walked with Donna back to her car.

She closed the garage door and took out two suitcases and the fruit she had taken for her drive. Everything else could wait till tomorrow. She was tired and emotionally drained. I’m one lucky lady to have been offered this much so quickly. I hope I can live up to her expectations.

Rachel took a hot bath and found a box of instant hot chocolate. She made a cup and headed to the bedroom. All she wanted right now was sleep.

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Chapter 2

WEDNESDAY

OCTOBER 25TH

THE NEW LADY

R achel slept till seven in the morning, something she hardly ever did. Usually, she was up at five to run every morning. Rachel walked to the counter where the Keurig might be, but it wasn’t there. She went upstairs to the kitchen and found it. She opened the pantry and was taken back by all of the food in it. I could eat the entire four months I get to stay here and hardly put a dent in all this food. She took a box of instant oatmeal and the Keurig and headed back down the stairs. I think this morning I won’t run since I have a job to go to and she smiled at herself. I wonder how many hours I’ll work each day. If I’m just a pastry chef, I may only bake in the mornings and be off in the afternoon and evening. I’ll run this evening.

She ate breakfast, took a shower, washed her hair and tied it up in a ponytail. Okay, I’m ready to go, if I can find my way back there. I think we made all right turns, so I’ll make all left turns. It only took her a couple of minutes to arrive at the Coffee House Restaurant. It looked much cuter in the daylight than it had last night. She drove around to the back and saw a door standing open. She parked and went inside, hoping that was where the employees were supposed to enter.

There was a lot of talking going on in the kitchen, no one paid any attention to her, so Rachel walked to the door that opened to the dining area of the restaurant. By the door was a rack that held aprons, she took one, putting it on before she opened the door. Donna was going crazy, trying to seat people, take orders, answer the phone, answer questions, check people out and get things that people wanted. Rachel saw how crazy it was and just began to help. She poured coffee and water, found the items that people were asking for and jumped in doing whatever she could to help. Rachel saw tables that needed to be bussed and began clearing them, for the people standing in front to be able to sit down. She found towels in the back and spray cleaners and washed down the tables, then went and brought customers to the clean tables.

Donna knew she was there and saw how she was helping. It didn’t take her long to see how much help Rachel was going to be. She never slowed down till after the breakfast crowd left. Donna walked over to her, handing her a cup of coffee. Can I get you anything to eat?

Maybe for lunch, I found oatmeal to go with the bagel this morning. Thanks anyway. I have to ask, are you always this busy?

Yes, it’s wild. I never thought home-made items could pull in such a crowd.

Have you thought about wrapping the items for sale and putting them out? Then people could shop for what they want and not have to sit at a table to buy them. Save the tables for those that want a meal.

No, I’ve just kept them in containers on the counter and the shelves behind me. If they’re individually wrapped, I’d only need to ring them up after the customers shopped. Sort of like a bakery in the grocery stores. I put them behind the counter, and thought they’d go with the meals but many people want to take them home. That really would help a lot. Would you begin getting everything wrapped?

Sure. Do you have a small chalkboard? We could list the prices so they wouldn’t have to ask you so many times, what does that cost? I can list the items, and you can price them. It would be best to keep as many as possible at the same price. All the cookies the same, a piece of cake and pie the same, the scones and muffins the same. What do you think?

That sounds like a good idea. Since it’s a chalkboard, we can change things as needed. I’ll get you something to work with. The first thing Donna did was bring Rachel plastic wrap, small paper plates and a huge box of sandwich bags. I have no idea what you want to put things in, but here you go. I’ll get a chalkboard. Do you only want white chalk?

If you have colors, I can make it cuter.

I’ll be right back. Do you think you can check people out? Jen is in the back prepping for Jake, she helps to wait on the tables, but she can help you too.

Just show me how to use the credit card machine. Other than that, I should be fine.

Donna and Rachel went over everything, and then Donna headed out to buy the chalkboard and chalk. Donna was in for a surprise. She had no idea that Rachel could draw. Rachel could tell people were curious about her and a couple of them even asked if she was a friend of Donnas. Rachel decided the most straightforward answer was yes.

Jen came to the front area, and while Rachel wrapped the food items, Jen checked people out. Jen knew how much to charge for the pastries that Rachel wrapped, and it didn’t take the women long to realize they needed to get busy baking more. When Rachel finished packaging, she asked Will it be alright if I go to the back and put some more things in the oven? Donna should be back soon.

Sure. We have about an hour until the lunch crowd will start coming in and Jake’s back there now, cooking to be ready. We have a lot of orders that will be called in and picked up. We have an idea of what will be ordered since so many people are regulars here. Just ask him where things are, he’ll be glad to help you.

Okay, thanks. Rachel went to the back of the kitchen where the ovens were. There were trays of cookies already baked, so she wrapped them and moved them out of her way. She looked in the large refrigerators and saw containers of dough, so she pulled them out and began working. Hi Jake, I’m Rachel. Where do the bowls of batter come from?

Donna. She gets here early. Jake turned on the ovens and showed Rachel how they worked, where things were kept, helping her as much as he could. Donna had filled them in on Rachel starting today, and both were thrilled at how much help she was. Soon the muffins were in the oven, so Rachel took all the wrapped items out to Jennifer. More to come soon. Rachel smiled as she headed back to the kitchen. Rachel realized more than one tray could go in the oven at a time and the aroma from the kitchen was filling the entire restaurant. She went to work making some of her favorite scones since she knew the recipe by heart.

Okay, everyone wants to know what you are baking, and they want it hot out of the oven, and now.

Rachel pulled out the first tray and sat it down. Wrapped or to eat?

"I’m taking this tray out there, and they can tell me if they want it wrapped. How soon before