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 Love is a Many-Splendored Thing 
By TinaRated PG-13 for language and adult situations
 My thanks to Beej for suggesting the story title.
NOTE: The ‘prequel’ to this may be found on the Gaslight site under the title
 New  Start 
.
Words by Paul Frances Webster and Music by Sammy FainPerformed in 1955 by The Four Aces
Love is a many-splendored thingIt's the April roseThat only grows in the early springLove is nature's way of giving A reason to be livingThe golden crown that makes a man a kingOnce on a high and windy hill In the morning mist Two lovers kissed  And the world stood still Then your fingers touched My silent heart and taught it how to singYes, true love's A many-splendored thingOnce on a high and windy hill In the morning mist Two lovers kissed  And the world stood still Then your fingers touched My silent heart and taught it how to singYes, true love's A many-splendored thing
 
Part OneMid-November 2006
“Four dozen sandwiches: ham and Swiss; turkey and Swiss; ham and turkey rollups; bacon,lettuce and tomato on toasted white bread; bacon, lettuce and tomato on toasted wheat; roast beef sandwiches…”“Did you get the order in for the pizzas too?” Terry asked, leaning over the bar as if trying to better see the steno-notebook.Adalia smiled, placing the edge of her ink pen between her lips. “One with four cheeses; one withsausage, Italian sausage, Canadian bacon and pepperoni; and one with everything exceptanchovies. I also have the Kosher hot dogs – two dozen enough?”“I think so, yeah. Probably.”“Probably,” she snickered, feeling as though she was already feeding an army, but another part of her praying that what she had organized would be enough. “And before you ask…yes, we havethe order for two dozen each mini cheeseburgers and hamburgers, and you know you’ll have allthe extras. Chips and crisps and dips; nuts…”“You always know what we want, don’t you sweetheart?” Jim Braddock commented, giving hisAussie brother a nudge.“Of course she does. That’s our Adalia. She always makes poker night special…and weappreciate the hell out of it too.”“Thank you Mr. Thorne…Mr. Braddock. It’s nice to be appreciated. Oh and I’ve double-checkedwith Andy, and he has all the extra beer and soft drinks in the additional fridge so it’s away fromour regular stock.”“Bless you. I don’t know how you put up with us,” the former boxer told her.The head chef shook her head, playfully rolling her eyes as she did. “You all are spoiling me.Look…I’m just doing my job, and part of it is not only handling the kitchens, but making surethat the monthly poker night goes well, therefore preventing any possible riots. Tina would never forgive me if you all started burning and pillaging.”“Well, when this lot gets a few beers in them, they really can’t be trusted,” Terry joked, glancing back into the main area of the Tavern, where tables and chairs were being situated for theupcoming evening. “I’d stay clear if I was you.”“Oh I intend to,” Adalia replied. “As soon as all this is organized, I will be finishing up thingsover at the Hotel restaurants – therefore relinquishing control of the Tavern to all you guys andthen…I have the evening off and will see you all tomorrow.”Jim patted her on the hand as he began to move away. “You have a good Sabbath.”
 
“Thanks. Good luck tonight.”“Hey – no fair wishing him luck. Sounds like you’re playing favorites.”“Good luck, Terry.”“That’s more like it.” It was now his turn to show his appreciation, and he gave her a brief kiss onthe cheek. “Thanks for everything.”“You’re welcome. Just promise you all will try to leave things in one piece when you’refinished.”“
 I 
am not promising anything,” he told her before waving and with a “Have a good Sabbathnow,” left his spot at the bar.She had to stand there for a moment, watching as the men she had come to know so well wentabout their business, organizing things for what was – for them – a special event every month,and recalling that from her arrival at the Point back in the spring, she was made to realize onething.
They will gamble on anything 
, Tina had informed her.
 It doesn’t matter how many official  poker nights they have, give them half a chance and they’ll gamble: toad jumps, cockroach races – not that we have cockroaches thank God. Just never use the words ‘I’ll bet…’ They’ll take you seriously and then you’ll be so knotted up you won’t know what to do.
In all the months of being at the Point, she admitted to herself that she had never been ‘knottedup.’ Actually, she had become such a part of the place that it was difficult believing she hadarrived only back in the spring, or that so much had…“A dollar for your thoughts.”Adalia smiled slightly and turned to look at Kim Barrett, once more amazed at how softly hemoved for a man of his stature and also cursing herself for permitting him to sneak up on her ashe often did. Not that she was paranoid, but there were times she worried of being caught atsomething – no matter how innocent – and only too late realizing that she had been observed, andthere were two people she would prefer not to have involved too deeply in her business. Here wasone of them. Sighing, she replied, “A dollar? But…”“Your thoughts are worth more than a penny, believe me,” and he grinned broadly, appearingmore naturally charming and not much a deceptive seducer. “How are you today, Adalia?”“I’m fine. You?”“I can’t complain,” he answered with a shrug. “It’s been a good morning so far and the day islooking to get better.”The Hoosier cocked her head to one side. “So you’ll be joining the others tonight in…?” and shenodded in the direction of the main Tavern, still busy with the moving about of chairs and tableswhile others organized the fresh boxes of cards and the chip carousels and the kitchen staff set upthe buffet tables.“Oh…wouldn’t miss it. There’s nothing I enjoy better than cleaning out my brothers, especiallythe American ones…”
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