Chapter 10
Chapter
Late Thursday morning, Bernadine drove out to the site where Dark Horse planned to erect their building to meet up with Sheila and the company’s small crew of Paige, Abby, and Felicia.
She was looking forward to seeing the women again, but she would only be staying for a few minutes.
Upon arrival, she saw them gathered in the middle of the grassy field with Trent, construction boss Kelly, and a short young man she assumed to be the architect.
She parked Baby and walked over to join them.
“Hey, everybody,” she said in greeting.
The Dark Horse crew offered their hellos and smiles and introduced their architect, Ben Koromato.
“Pleased to meet you,” he said.
“Same here.”
Bernadine hadn’t joined them earlier because, as she’d noted before, this was Sheila’s baby, and she didn’t want to give the impression that she was hovering.
She knew Ms. Mayor would keep her in the loop.
Her showing up now was all about support.
“How long are you all staying?” she asked Paige, whose glasses were now black frames with a thin line of dark-blue crystals across the top.
“Sadly, not long at all,” Paige told her. “I have to be in Berlin for a conference the day after tomorrow.”
“My sister’s getting married this weekend, so I can’t stay either,” Abby replied.
Bernadine turned to Felicia. “I’ll be here until Monday. It’s Alfonso’s birthday, and I’ve been invited to dinner.”
Bernadine was glad to hear that Luis and his family had extended the invitation; it meant the relationship was going well. The Dolly Levi in her couldn’t help but wonder if a wedding announcement was on the horizon, but she was saddened that Paige and Abby had other plans.
“I just drove out to say hello and hope the next time you come you can stay longer and take advantage of some Henry Adams small-town hospitality.”
Paige said, “I’d like that.”
“Then consider yourselves invited to our August First celebration, which hopefully you’ll be able to attend.
Sheila can give you the details. I’m going to let you all go back to work.
It was great seeing you. Paige and Abby, travel safely.
Felicia, I’m sure I’ll see you around this weekend.
Enjoy the birthday dinner. And it was nice meeting you, Ben. ”
They gave her their goodbyes, and she walked back to her truck.
As she engaged the engine, she looked out over the land, and melancholy rose.
Once construction got underway, she and Mal would never be able to fly their kites on the site again.
In the scheme of things, it wasn’t a big deal.
As he’d pointed out to her, they’d make more memories elsewhere, but she knew that in the future, every time she drove by, her heart would remember the fun and laughter, and how much the spot meant to their love.
THE WEEK LEADING up to the opening of the Three Spinsters had arrived, and excitement spread across the area like wildfire.
People called the church to make their reservations and then spent time deciding what to wear for their red-carpet moment.
Men broke out their fancy Western boots and hats, and a number of women drove to Topeka to get just the right dress.
Everyone wanted to look their best, especially if the television cameras decided to show up.
To help with the food prep, Chef Thorn flew in some of his old west coast crew members, and with Rocky’s blessings added Big Texas and the Dog’s waitstaff to weigh in where needed.
Initially, the restaurant would only be open Friday through Sunday evenings.
For the first few weekends, Chef Thorn and the investors would keep track of the number of diners served before deciding if additional hours of operation were warranted.
“YOU LOOK FABULOUS,” Mal told Bernadine as she let him in the door to her place.
They had a six p.m. dinner reservation at the opening.
She was wearing an elegant dress of emerald silk designed by the same young woman who’d created her wedding gown.
The hem fell just below her knees and the snug fit showed off her ample curves.
Her wrap was a black-and-emerald pashmina shawl she’d purchased in Mumbai a few years back.
With emerald jewelry accenting her throat and adorning her ears, she just knew she was all that.
“You look very handsome, too, my outlaw husband.” He was dressed in all black, from his fancy Stetson to his Western dress boots and gold-tipped bolo tie. His well-cut suit showed off his tall, lean frame, and she swore he was the finest man around.
“Are you ready to roll?” he asked.
“I am.” She picked up her black beaded clutch and they stepped outside. It was mid-May, so her wrap was perfect for the early evening temperature. Mal handed her into his freshly washed truck before joining her inside.
He started the engine just as the other adults in the subdivision began heading to their vehicles. All were dressed to the nines. “This is pretty exciting,” he said, backing the truck down the driveway.
“I agree. I can’t wait to get there.”
The short drive only took a few minutes, and upon arrival they found a parking place in the lot and got out.
Mal offered her his arm. She accepted with a smile and, walking confidently in her black brocade stilettoes, let him escort her toward the building.
The plywood that had surrounded it during construction was gone, allowing a view inside the sparkling windows as they approached.
She thought Thorn had been speaking figuratively about the opening being a red-carpet event, but lo and behold, there was an actual red carpet.
She laughed. There was also a cameraman and a newswoman with a microphone who Bernadine recognized from the TV station in Hays.
They were filming the arriving diners and asking questions about reactions to the new eatery.
“As one of the investors, Ms. July, do you believe this place will be popular?” Bernadine was asked.
“I hope so. We have a world-class chef in charge, and we’d love to have people come and celebrate their life-milestone events like anniversaries, engagements, birthdays.”
“Thank you, Ms. July.”
Inside, Bernadine and Mal waited in the line for a table.
Ahead of them were Gen, Marie, and TC, and Roni and Reg—she’d be performing next weekend at the opening for the general public.
The Paynes were there as well. Luis Acosta entered with Dark Horse exec Felicia Cisneros on one arm and a glammed-up Anna Ruiz on the other.
Rocky, looking elegantly fierce in a black leather pantsuit, stood with her husband Jack.
Seeing them made Bernadine wonder how Ms. Keene’s crusade to have Jack fired had gone with the state superintendent of education.
Probably not well, she’d bet. Standing in front of Jack and Rocky were Gary Clark and Nori.
Bernadine wondered if Nori still planned to stop teaching at the end of the school year, and if the answer was yes, if Marie had begun the search for a replacement.
She then reminded herself she was at the restaurant to have dinner and a good time, not to be turning the world, so she set all those thoughts aside for a more appropriate time and place.
The ma?tre d’ soon led them to a table, and as Mal settled her into her seat, she was again blown away by the overall beauty of the interior, especially the gorgeous crystal chandelier.
“This place is something,” Mal said as he sat down and looked around. “And that chandelier. Wow.”
“I know. Thorn said it’s imported from Italy and one of a kind.”
As soft jazz playing through the audio system added to the ambiance, she spent a few moments telling him about the tour they’d been treated to by Thorn and kept an eye on the other diners entering.
She was waiting for Tina to arrive with her magic soccer player.
To her delight, her friend entered a few minutes later on the arm of a very handsome dark-haired young man.
As they were led to a nearby table, Mal chuckled.
“I’ll bet I have ties in my closet older than he is. ”
Bernadine laughed. “Shh.”
Tina, wearing a slinky black number, introduced her date as Miquel Bolivar. Pleasantries were exchanged along with a brief conversation before they returned to their table. Mal added, “Shoes older too.”
Bernadine shot him an amused glance just as their waiter arrived with water, menus, and a promise to return shortly to take their order.
She decided on the scallops and was about to ask Mal what he planned to choose, when she froze at the sight of Clay Dobbs entering the dining room.
With him was a well-dressed Myra Keene. Bernadine stared.
She quickly looked over at Lily seated on the far side of the room and saw her equally stunned face.
After meeting Bernadine’s eyes, Lily shook her head and went back to reading her menu.
Keeping her voice down, she asked Mal, “What in the world is Clay doing with Myra Keene?”
He shrugged. “All I know is they met about two weeks ago at Clark’s. Do you know her?”
“I only met her once. It wasn’t the best of introductions is all I can say. Wanted me to fire Jack.”
Confusion lined his face. “Why?”
She explained.
“Good grief. Okay. Good to know, I think.”
What a turn of events, Bernadine thought. After putting her menu down, her eyes strayed over to where Clay and his date were seated and found Myra staring back sourly. Bernadine offered a short nod of greeting only to have the woman quickly turn away.