Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Nate
It was obvious from the moment we walked through the door at Ristorante Campo Fina that the hostess recognized both Juliet and me. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted on a gasp before her professional composure reasserted itself.
She led us to a spot midway down the central communal table and mentioned that the chef was a great admirer, though she didn't specify which of us he held in esteem.
She told us that if there was anything not on the menu we only had to ask, and that she hoped we would let her know personally if we needed assistance. It was a little overboard.
I thanked her, and she retreated. Juliet and I took our seats on the benches at opposite sides of the table. Coming here had been her idea. She'd suggested over breakfast that making a public appearance together might help to counter the narrative Kane was pushing in his seedy publications.
So she'd put on the red floral dress she'd worn on the night of the harvest dance, tied her hair back in a high ponytail so nobody could claim she'd tried to hide her face, and we'd come to Healdsburg.
Juliet had deliberately chosen a restaurant with family-style seating, so we'd be forced into closer proximity with people who'd witness our unity.
To ensure we'd be noticed arriving in town, I'd had three cars accompany ours. If we made an entrance, someone was bound to tip off the press that we were here.
The woman next to Juliet introduced herself and her husband before we'd had a chance to open our menus. She'd been dining at Campo Fina for fifteen years and was keen to share her strong opinions about the meatballs.
"The veal," Donna said. "That's the secret. Some places use beef, and you can always tell the difference."
"What does it do to the texture?" Juliet asked, genuinely interested in the woman's point of view.
"It makes them lighter, more delicate." Donna picked up her fork and pointed it at the menu. "Get the meatballs. You won't regret it."
Juliet nodded decisively. "The meatballs, it is." She smiled adoringly at me. "What about you, darling? Will you go for the meatballs, or will it be a steak as usual?"
I smiled, enjoying how she seeded the idea that ours had been a longer relationship than anyone knew.
"Try the seafood risotto," Donna's husband Andrew suggested. "The steak's good, but nothing to write home about."
When the waiter came for our order, Juliet and I dutifully ordered the dishes that had been recommended to us, earning us huge smiles from the older couple.
"You own Mist Hollow, right?" Andrew asked, and I nodded. "Heard you're bringing it back to life. Sinclair lost interest toward the end."
"Ramon, my manager, he's the one who's bringing it back." He'd done what he could, but in the last few years John Sinclair owned the place, he hadn't invested in new equipment or even basic maintenance. "I just pay the bills."
"Modest." Andrew smiled. "Rumor has it you've been the driving force behind a lot of the changes."
"Ah." Juliet poured herself some water. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear. Some people invent the most ridiculous stories."
Leaving everyone within earshot to ponder that statement, Juliet lifted the glass of water to her lips, offering me a secret smile before drinking.
When the sommelier appeared at the table with a complimentary bottle of a very nice Tignanello, I poured glasses for myself and Juliet and offered some to Donna and Andrew who both declined.
The food arrived minutes later. Juliet took one delicate bite of a meatball and set her fork down. It was a contrast with the way she dug into her food at the vineyard, and I realized she'd automatically reverted to polite mode despite the informal setting.
"Donna." She turned to the older woman. "You were absolutely right."
"I know." Donna looked pleased. "The sauce too. You taste the wine in it."
"A reduction," Juliet said, already analytical. "They've added it late, after the tomatoes have broken down. You get the fruit without the acidity." She tasted again. "And there's something herby, I think."
"Marjoram," Donna supplied.
"Marjoram, really? I would never have thought of that."
As we ate, I noticed a table of young women across the room, stealing glances at us. One of them got to her feet and made her way over.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt," she said, stopping at Juliet's shoulder. "I recognized you and I just — could I get a photo? I completely understand if you'd rather not."
Juliet put her fork down and turned to face her fully.
"Of course." With more grace than I'd have thought possible, she stood and swung one leg, then the other over the bench.
She put her arm around the girl's shoulders and smiled at the phone as though there was nowhere she'd rather be.
The girl thanked her twice and retreated to her table where her friends immediately clustered around the screen.
Juliet sat back down and picked up her fork.
"You're good at that," I said.
"At what?"
"Making people feel like they matter."
She looked up at me. "They do matter."
As I stared in awe at her, she held my gaze for a moment. Then she returned her attention to her plate.
During dessert, a woman in her forties stopped at Juliet's shoulder. Dressed in a plain black dress, she looked as if she was here for a business meeting, rather than a casual dinner.
"Miss Caldwell," she said. "We met on Halloween at the children's hospital in San Francisco two years ago."
Juliet studied her face closely. "Jenna. You're a nurse, right?"
The other woman's jaw almost hit the floor. "You remembered?"
"How could I forget someone who works so hard to make sure sick kids don't miss out on the fun?"
"What's this?" I asked.
"The hospital throws a party for some of the kids at Halloween," Juliet explained. "I was invited along with a few other people."
Jenna nodded enthusiastically. "Miss Caldwell dressed as a good witch.
Some of the kids thought she was a real-life princess, though.
" She beamed widely as if remembering that day.
"Well I'll let you get back to your meal.
I just wanted to say hello, and we'd love it if you could come visit again someday. "
"I'd love to. Let me look at my calendar and I'll call to set something up."
Jenna could barely contain her excitement.
"You're very kind."
She said goodnight and returned to her table.
Juliet picked up her spoon.
"You meant that," I said.
"Of course I meant it." She took a small bite of her tiramisu. "I'll set up a date and guess what." I shrugged, and she pointed her spoon at me. "You're coming too."
"They won't want to see me."
"A handsome billionaire carrying bags loaded with toys." Juliet grinned. "They'll be delighted to see you."
I laughed, only too happy to be roped into Juliet's scheme.
As I ate my Sicilian lemon cake, Juliet chatted to Donna about recipes and travel. I sat back and listened. For me, it was enough to see Juliet enjoying herself. I didn't feel the need to join in. It seemed Andrew was the same. He'd barely uttered a word all evening.
When the check arrived, I handed over my credit card. We said goodbye to our dining companions and headed for the door. We were almost at the exit when a woman sitting with a teenage girl stopped us.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but my daughter is a huge fan. Would it be possible to get a picture with you?"
Juliet nodded, but the girl was staring at the tablecloth, apparently rigid with shock that her mother had dared to ask. Juliet crouched next to the table, so she was level with the girl.
"I'm Juliet. What's your name?"
The girl looked up, and it was then I saw a vivid scar running down the left side of her face. It took everything I had in me not to react, but Juliet didn't even flinch.
"Maya."
"Maya," Juliet repeated. "Such a pretty name. Are you from Healdsburg?"
Maya nodded.
"I've not been in the valley for long. What should I know about it that nobody tells you?"
Maya blinked. Haltingly at first and then with more confidence, she began to tell Juliet about a bakery just off the main street that only locals knew about because it had no signage, and the owner didn't advertise. Apparently their Danish pastries were to die for.
"I'm going to find that bakery," Juliet said. "Thank you, Maya."
The girl's mother smiled gratefully. Seeing Juliet like this made me even happier she'd come into my life. Suddenly I couldn't wait to have her to myself.
"So how about that photo?" I decided to hurry things along.
Juliet got to her feet. She leaned in close to Maya, wrapping an arm around her shoulder while her mother snapped a couple of pictures. Then she glanced up at me.
"Can you take a couple for me, please, Nate? I'd love to put them on my Instagram." She turned to Maya, who appeared thunderstruck. "If that's okay with Maya?"
The girl nodded, so I took out my phone and took five photos, just to be sure I captured something Juliet could use.
"It was nice to meet you," Juliet said as we walked away. "I can't wait to try that bakery."
When we got outside, the air was chilly. Collins, our driver for the night, had the car waiting at the curb. Two of Scott's men who'd discreetly positioned themselves outside made their way back to their own vehicle. Juliet got up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
"Thank you for a lovely night."
"I think we achieved what we set out to do. There will probably be pictures of us everywhere by morning."
"Probably."
I opened the car door for her, and she slid elegantly onto the back seat, leaving me room to get in next to her. As Collins pulled away from the restaurant, I wrapped my arm around Juliet and drew her close. She snuggled into my side, and I kissed her forehead.
"I love you, Juliet." The declaration left my lips before I could think better of it. "I know it's soon, but that's how I feel."
Juliet burrowed closer to my chest and whispered so low I almost missed it. "I love you too."