Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Vivian looked around the pub’s Christmas event, watching the guests laughing joyfully and feeling her heart flood with happiness. The lights were twinkling and dishes were clinking together musically as people ate the delicious food that had been laid out on the buffet table. Sweet aromas of pastries and cakes blended with scents of spicy and creamy savory dishes. Guests were seated at the tables around the pub for the most part, but some of them were moving along the buffet table spooning food onto their plates and exclaiming in delight over how wonderful everything looked.
This warms my heart so much, she thought. So many people are here! This support is tremendous.
She smiled, humming cheerfully to herself as she walked around the dining room looking for empty plates to clear. The Christmas event was going beautifully, and she couldn’t have felt prouder of her family and her community.
Although the pub was nearly full, people were still arriving now and again, making the event feel full of a constant flow of energy. As she turned back toward the front doors, she saw Terrence walking inside the restaurant. A smile immediately spread across her face, and she was surprised by how happy she was to see him.
“Terrence!” She hurried across the room toward him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Vivian.” He smiled at her as he removed his hat, shaking off a light dusting of snow. “I’m happy to be here. This event seems to have turned out fantastically.”
“It really has.” She felt as though she was glowing. She smoothed down the front of her blouse and adjusted the sleeves of her green button-down sweater, laughing breathlessly. “I’m so happy about it.”
“You should be.” He held his hat in his hands, the corner of his mustache curving upward in a sweet smile.
“I’m afraid we don’t have any snowballs here, though. Unless you brought some?” she teased.
“No, ma’am. But I have some at home.”
“That’s very wise of you. And I’m pleased to report that our vents are in perfect working order. You can check them out for yourself if you would like.”
He chuckled. “There’s no need for that. According to my records, the health inspector was already here, making an unexpected inspection of the air vents. It’s on record now that The Lighthouse Grill is considered to be safe in every way.”
She beamed at him. “I’m so glad to hear that. Would you like to get some food?”
“I’d love to. It smells incredible in here.”
“It does. Everyone who cooked really outdid themselves—” Her voice trailed off as another person stepped inside the pub. It was a man wearing an expensive coat and an overly confident smile.
Vivian’s heart flopped with disappointment when she saw him. She hadn’t expected Judd McCormick to show up to their Christmas party, and he was far from being a welcome guest. It wasn’t that she bore him any ill will, although he hadn’t exactly endeared himself to her. She was worried that he was there to cause trouble—and the self-satisfied smirk on his face did nothing to allay her fears.
Judd stepped up to a couple of people who were walking up to the buffet table and said in a loud voice, “Good evening, folks. I’d like to offer you a couple of vouchers for free beer at McCormick’s brewery. We’re open tonight, if you want to swing by this evening.”
“Maybe later,” the man said, taking the vouchers doubtfully.
“Why not now?” Judd’s smile was undisturbed, although his eyes glittered with frustration.
“Oh, absolutely not,” Vivian murmured. She marched toward Judd with a firm expression. “Mr. McCormick.”
Judd turned to her, clearly unsurprised to see her there, as if he’d been aware of her watching him all along. “Mrs. Owens. What a sweet little party you’re hosting.”
Vivian maintained her composure and spoke politely. “I’m asking you to please refrain from doing that at our community event.”
“Why?” Judd’s smile widened, becoming wolfish.
She cleared her throat. “Because people are here to have a good time with loved ones and friends. I don’t want anyone to miss out on that because they felt pressured into going over to your brewery for free beer tonight.”
“Pressured? No one’s feeling pressured.” Judd let out a condescending laugh. “These folks are free to do as they choose. The only one being pressured here is me. You’re pressuring me to leave, but I have to remind you, Mrs. Owens, that this is a free event. Since a ticket isn’t required to attend, I can come and go as I please. No one can tell me to leave.”
Vivian’s lips parted. She felt a surge of frustration along with a flutter of helplessness. What Judd was saying was true, and she wasn’t sure how to stop him from trying to ruin the Christmas event.
At that moment, she heard someone clear their throat behind her.
“That may be true, Mr. McCormick,” said Terrence, stepping forward. “But this divisive act that you’re trying to perform goes completely against the spirit of this community.”
Judd rolled his shoulders back a little, looking defensive. “And who are you?”
“I’m Terrence Rawlins, the health inspector.” Terrence smiled politely, but it was clear from his strong stance that he wasn’t going to take any nonsense from Judd. “We’ve met. As a matter of fact, I’ll be stopping by the brewery soon to do my health inspection. Maybe tonight?” His voice had a playful lilt to it, and Vivian hid a smile.
“That won’t be necessary,” Judd growled. “I’m just stopping by to give out free beer vouchers. There’s no harm in that.”
“Yes, there is.” Terrence seemed unaware of the fact that many of the pub’s guests had begun to listen to the interaction between him and Judd. Judd, however, was beginning to look uncomfortable. “You’re intentionally trying to disturb this event. That’s clear to me, based on comments I’ve overheard you making to Vivian before. You’re interested in profit, Mr. McCormick, and you’re trying to turn this party into something that gives you more customers. But you’re missing the whole point of this Christmas event.”
“I am, huh?” Judd’s usual complacent smile was disappearing.
“Yes, and that’s what makes The Lighthouse Grill so different from the place you and your sons run. The Lighthouse Grill is about community. I hope that someday you will understand that spending time with the people around us is worth much more than wealth.”
The room erupted into applause. Vivian wasn’t sure who had started the clapping, but soon everyone who had overheard Terrence’s speech was applauding enthusiastically.
“Hear, hear!” Dean called out, and Noelle nodded in agreement from where she stood beside him.
Terrence turned slightly pink in the tips of his ears, but he smiled. “It’s clear the customers here agree with me. So I think you’ll find, Mr. McCormick, that in keeping with the spirit of Rosewood Beach and the spirit of Christmas, your best option is to head on out those doors and have a pleasant evening somewhere else.”
Judd seemed to realize that he’d lost. He didn’t look bitter or angry, however. There was a thoughtful look in his eyes, as if he’d had a revelation of some kind while listening to Terrence’s words.
“Free beer at the brewery,” he called. “Anytime this week. Merry Christmas!”
Without another word, he left the pub. As soon as the door swung closed behind him, Vivian turned to Terrence gratefully.
“Thank you. I hardly know what to say.”
“You’re most welcome.” Terrence smiled down at her, looking energetic and pleased, as if he’d just slain a miniature dragon.
“You don’t seem to be as much of a curmudgeon as I’d originally thought,” she said, her eyes dancing.
Terrence laughed. “I’m glad to hear that. At my age, health inspectors are always in danger of becoming curmudgeon-y. I need wholesome places like this to revive my faith in humanity.”
Vivian beamed at him over the compliment. “Well, you’ve reinspired my faith in humanity tonight.”
“You’ve got a good group of people here. It was sweet of them to show their support by applauding like that.”
“It was a good speech. Powerfully delivered.”
Terrence looked down into her eyes for a moment. “I hope I’ll be able to be around more to support you, Vivian. Even outside of the safety inspector realm.” His voice was soft and gentle.
To her surprise, she felt a lump rise up in her throat. It had been so long since she’d had someone outside her family offer that kind of support, and it meant a great deal to her. Even more than that, it was clear that Terrence was a great man for that kind of job. He was insightful and levelheaded, while also being brave and kind. She would feel significantly safer knowing that a man like that was looking out for her.
“I would like that,” she said softly, smiling back at him. “I’d like that very much. Thank you, Terrence.”
At that moment, Hazel stepped up to her mother and Terrence, a huge grin on her face.
“Terrence, that was magnificent.” Hazel shook his hand, and then turned to give her mother a bear hug. “Oh, boy, was I relieved to see Judd McCormick walk out of here again. I really hope that’s the last time he tries to keep up a rivalry between us and the brewery.”
“I think it might be,” Vivian said, grinning at Terrence.
“I think you’re right.” Hazel’s eyes sparkled. “Thank you for your speech, Terrence. It was just what we needed to keep our event on track.”
“You’re most welcome.” Terrence nodded gallantly.
“Why don’t you get yourself some food?” Vivian asked him. “There are all kinds of delicious things to try. I especially recommend the creamed corn and the egg rolls.”
“Sounds wonderful. I’ll talk to you later, Vivian.” With another smile at Vivian and a nod at Hazel, Terrence made his way over to the buffet table.
Vivian and Hazel linked arms and began to stroll around the dining room together.
“I’m so relieved that everything’s been going so well.” Hazel looked around the space with a joyful expression. “All our hard work really paid off. This is the kind of event we’re all going to remember fondly for years to come.”
“I completely agree.” Vivian let out a long sigh of relief and contentment. “Look at Julia. She’s positively glowing with the thrill of managing a special occasion like this.”
“She is.” Hazel grinned, and gestured to Dean and Noelle, who were seated together at a small table in a corner, holding hands and laughing together about something. “And Dean and Noelle look extremely content.”
“And so do Alexis and Grayson.” Vivian smiled at the sight of Alexis and Grayson standing by the fireplace with their arms around each other, talking quietly and gazing into each other’s eyes. “They both look very relaxed. I’m so glad Alexis isn’t stressed about their big news anymore.”
“Me too. I knew she’d let her excitement overcome her worry soon enough. And she said Grayson was overjoyed when she told him.”
“I knew he would be. I can understand why she felt overwhelmed and concerned about telling him, but Grayson’s a good man who knows how to juggle a lot of things at once. I knew he was going to be excited about their happy news.”
“They’re going to be great parents,” Hazel said. “I can’t wait until they find out how wonderful it is to have a child.”
The two of them continued to stroll around the room for a while. Vivian saw Jacob standing in a corner talking and laughing with some of his friends, and she noticed that Hazel was intentionally avoiding looking at that part of the room.
“Have you spent any time with Jacob tonight?” Vivian asked gently. “You two seemed as thick as thieves when you were working on the vents together.”
Hazel shrugged and put on a forced smile. “Oh, not really. I figured I should be focusing on this event. I want to make sure that everything runs smoothly.”
Vivian knew the truth behind Hazel’s words. She could sense that Hazel was feeling apprehensive about Jacob, almost certainly because she still had feelings for him and she was nervous about stepping in the direction of romance. Vivian tapped her daughter on the shoulder gently. “Hazel. The event is just fine. There’s nothing left to do or worry about. Besides, we’re all here helping take care of things. It’s okay to focus on having some fun yourself. You put in a lot of work toward this event. You get to reap the rewards of that. Just like you’ve put in a lot of work toward your self-development. You get to reap the rewards of that too.”
“Okay.” Hazel’s eyes strayed over to where Jacob was talking and laughing with his friends. “I guess you’re right. Thanks, Mom.”
Vivian kissed Hazel on the cheek. “You go have some fun, sweetheart. Enjoy yourself.”
Hazel glanced at Jacob again, and then turned suddenly toward the buffet table. “I think I’ll go back for seconds. These mashed potatoes are the best I’ve ever had.”
“Okay. I know you love mashed potatoes. Don’t neglect talking to your friends, though!” “I won’t, don’t worry.”
Vivian watched her daughter walk toward the buffet table, noticing that she kept glancing at Jacob as she went.
I hope those two get together, Vivian thought. Jacob is such an upstanding guy. Hazel deserves to be with someone like him.
She smiled quietly to herself for a moment, and then decided to join Hazel in getting seconds.