Chapter 6
The kitchen buzzed with pots clanging, drawers sliding open, and silverware clinking. The chatter was minimal, as everyone remained hyper-focused on the task at hand.
Chef Mills walked back and forth from one end of the kitchen to the other, tasting and hovering. Every time he came near Ruth, she’d hold her breath until he moved on.
After several hours had passed, Chef Mills shouted over the din of the kitchen, “Dinner guests will be arriving soon. Make sure the plates are warm and ready to go!” Then he did a double-take at the door window that led to the dining hall. He marched over and opened the door. “Eric! Where is the ice sculpture?”
“It’s coming! Hold your horses!” a short man with an Italian accent shouted back.
“It better be out here in five minutes. Dinner starts i
