Chapter 3
“Oh, I’ve missed this smell.” Hannah Jenkins turned to her boyfriend, Luke Ward, and grinned. They’d just stepped through the doorway of Tidal Wave Coffee, and she was flooded with warm feelings, thrilled to be home again.
He winked at her, his green eyes twinkling. “I can feel the caffeine entering my bloodstream already.”
She laughed. Behind her boyfriend’s serious-looking exterior was a cheerful sense of humor, and she was getting fonder of him all the time.
“Hannah!”
She turned and saw Paige Garner standing behind the counter of Tidal Wave Coffee, grinning at her. She’d met the other girl earlier that spring when she’d returned to Blueberry Bay on her spring break.
“Hey!” Hannah hurried over to her, giving her a huge smile. “How are you?”
“Great!” Paige’s eyes were sparkling and she carried herself with a buoyant energy. She looked comfortable and happy. “I didn’t know you two were coming for a visit.”
Hannah shook her head. “Nobody does—it’s a surprise for my dad.”
“Oh, that’s great!”
Luke put his arm around his girlfriend. “As much as Hannah loves school, she was definitely getting homesick. Especially to see her dad.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re back.” Paige smiled. “I’m sure everyone else in town is going to be thrilled too, especially Willis.”
“How are things going for you?” Hannah asked the other girl. Paige seemed to be even friendlier than she had been earlier that spring, and she moved with more confidence. “Are you working on any college plans?”
“Yeah, I have been.” Paige nodded, her smile fading and a frown appearing on her face. “I’m waiting to hear back about a potential scholarship from the University of South Carolina. I’m thinking about getting a business degree there.”
“That’s great!” Hannah tapped the edge of the counter with both hands excitedly. “I’m so excited for you.”
“Thanks.” Paige nodded, and Hannah was surprised to see that she didn’t look particularly happy about her news.
That’s funny, she thought. I would have expected her to be more excited. I hope she’s okay.
For a moment, she hesitated before saying anything, since she didn’t know the other girl very well, but then she decided to ask. “Is everything all right?”
Paige seemed to force a smile. “It’s just a lot happening at once.”
Hannah nodded. “Oh, for sure. I understand. I definitely had a lot of misgivings about leaving Blueberry Bay as well.” For a moment, she and the other girl exchanged a look of commiseration. “When the time is right, you’ll know what decision to make.”
Paige nodded. “Thanks.” She smiled, more sincerely this time. “I appreciate that.”
“You’ll figure it out,” Luke chimed in. “College seems scary before it starts, but it’s exciting.”
Hannah hugged her boyfriend, admiring the way he was encouraging Paige. “We should grab some coffee and then head over to The Crab to surprise Dad.”
They ordered their drinks. Luke got an americano and Hannah ordered a caramel macchiato. Paige made their drinks with the efficiency of a professional, and Hannah eagerly took her first sip.
“Oh, that hits the spot,” she said, grinning. “Thanks, Paige. We’ll see you soon?”
“Absolutely!” Paige’s earlier good spirits seemed to be back. “Have fun surprising Willis!”
Hannah winked. “Oh, we will.” She took Luke’s hand and tugged him out of the coffee shop, feeling aglow with excitement. She couldn’t wait to see the look on her father’s face.
* * *
Willis sprinkled chopped garlic over the steak that was sizzling in a pan in his kitchen at The Crab. The savory aroma of spices filled the air, along with the homey aroma of cooked meats and baking dinner rolls. His waitstaff popped in and out of the kitchen as he worked, picking up their orders and calling for new ones. It was late in the afternoon, not really time for dinner yet. There were a few guests out in the restaurant, but no rush as of yet.
As the kitchen door swung open into the restaurant, Willis thought he heard a voice that sounded a little bit like Hannah’s.
Sheesh, I miss her,he thought as he lifted the steak out of the pan and set it on a plate alongside a heap of buttery mashed potatoes and seasoned beets.
He remembered fondly what it had been like to have her working there at The Crab with him. He missed being able to work and spend time with his daughter all at once.
She was such a good waitress,he thought, smiling to himself. Such a great energy. But I should stop being sentimental. I would never want to keep her here and rob her of her dream. She’s out pursuing her goals. And besides, I know how happy she is with Luke.
“Hey, Willis?” Annie, one of the waitresses, poked her head inside the kitchen. “Somebody out there wants to speak to the chef.”
Willis grunted as he wiped his hands on the apron. “Out-of-towners?” That sort of request only ever came from outside visitors to Blueberry Bay, since everyone in town would have just said they wanted to talk to him, Willis. Everyone knew that he was the chef of The Crab—unless they were tourists. “Okay, I’ll be out there in a sec.” He tried to keep the grumble out of his voice, but he hated leaving the kitchen, especially to talk to strangers who might have some kind of silly complaint. “What table is it?”
“Table five!” the waitress called and disappeared.
It’s kind of weird how smiley she was, he thought. She must be really giddy about something tonight. Probably a boy. Why do I hire all these teenagers? I hope she doesn’t get so distracted that she makes a mistake.
He turned the orders he was in the middle of cooking down to low heat and tossed a box of noodles into water that had just started boiling.
I hope this is quick,he thought as he stepped out of the kitchen, not caring about how dirty his apron was. Hopefully it’s just some folks who wanted to say they liked the food, and I can get back to the kitchen right—
He froze. Sitting at table five, grinning at him from ear to ear, was Hannah.
“Sweetheart!”
He hurried across the restaurant toward her, barely conscious of the way people were watching. Hannah leapt to her feet and raced for her father. At their table, Luke stood up and waited there beaming.
Hannah reached her father’s arms and they hugged tightly. He felt tears spring into his eyes, and warmth filled his heart.
“You’re home,” he whispered, feeling overwhelmed with joy.
He didn’t want to say it to her, but her return seemed to be perfectly-timed.
This is just what I needed,he thought. I’ve been having all those glum thoughts lately, reminiscing about the past. This does my heart good.
“Come on and sit down with us,” Hannah urged him, taking his hand and tugging him toward the table. Her honey-colored eyes were sparkling, and he noticed that her long dark hair was arranged in a style that he’d never seen before.
“I can’t,” he said, glancing back at the kitchen. “I’m right in the middle of cooking.”
“I can take over for you.” Annie appeared behind them, grinning. “If there’s something I don’t know how to do, I’ll run out and ask you.”
“Come on, Dad,” Hannah urged him, sensing his hesitation.
“Okay.” He smiled. “Thanks, Annie. Ask Clarissa to keep an eye on your tables for you.”
Annie saluted him and started back toward the kitchen.
“I’ve started training her on the cooking anyway,” he said. “She should be able to handle it.”
“You’re working on our orders, anyway,” Hannah reminded him, laughing. “And we don’t care.”
He smiled as he sat down at the table with her. Luke shook his hand warmly, and Willis smiled at the young man.
“I hope you’ve been keeping out of trouble.”
“Oh, yes, sir.” Luke grinned. “Of course.”
“How are things going here?” Hannah asked.
“Oh, fine, fine.” Willis nodded, forcing a smile onto his face. He was ecstatic to see her, but having her sitting there in front of him made him realize just how much he missed her. “Things are the same as always.” He meant for it to sound like a good thing, but the truth was that things were starting to feel a bit stale for him. He realized with a pang that his life was starting to feel a little empty now that he was lonely so much of the time. But he was determined to keep a brave face on it for his daughter. “It’s so good to see you both.” His smile became genuine through the truth of his words. “I’m so happy you’re here. How is school going?”
“Great!” Hannah said. “I basically live in the practice rooms at school, but when I’m not glued to a piano, Luke and I get to spend some time together.” She grinned.
“I make sure she eats and drinks water,” Luke said, winking at her.
“That’s true!” Hannah laughed. “He really does. Sometimes he comes to visit me while I’m practicing, and he brings snacks and Gatorade like I’m some kind of athlete.”
“Hey, those fingers work out more than anyone I know,” Luke countered.
Willis grinned as he listened to the young people banter. It was clear to him how much they loved each other.
I’m so happy for her,he thought, feeling a bittersweet ache in his chest, even if my own life does feel a bit empty since she left.
They continued to talk for a few more minutes, and then a group of customers walked through the front door of the restaurant.
“I see that look in your eyes, Dad.” Hannah laughed. “You go back to the kitchen. We’ll see you later tonight?”
“Yeah.” Willis smiled at his daughter. “I’ll see you at the house later. I’ll make us a late-night snack, and we can really catch up.”
“Sounds perfect.” She beamed at him. “We’ll stop by the kitchen before we head out. Pay our compliments to the chef.” She winked at her father and he grinned at her before heading back into the kitchen, his heart much lighter than it had been a few minutes ago.