CHAPTER TWENTY
C rystal was mixing eggs for the cheese omelet she was preparing. Wearing a shirt of Emmett’s to cover her, she wondered if the day would ever come when this would be her kitchen, their kitchen.
Emmett appeared. Smiling, he walked over to her and nuzzled her neck. “If only this could be every night. Or morning,” he added, laughing. “Guess it is another day.”
“I’ve got Misty covering for me in a few hours. Thank God she’s willing to step in.”
Emmett tugged on the shirttails, bringing her to him. “The shirt’s a little big on you. Want to take it off? You’d look even more beautiful.”
Crystal pushed at him playfully. “Leave me alone. I’m cooking. Get some plates and silverware out. It’ll be ready in no time.”
“Aye, Aye, Captain,” said Emmett. “I’ll make some coffee. The last day of Summer Faire awaits us. I hope I don’t have any other broken bones to tend to.”
“Jeffrey sure was cute,” said Crystal, stirring the eggs in a frying pan.
“How many kids do you want?” Emmett asked her as he set silverware on the kitchen bar.
The spoon in Crystal’s hand shook. She turned to face him. “You answer first.”
“Okay. Easy. I want at least three children. With a much older stepsister growing up and no one else, I want enough children to make each one feel as if they had a special friend.” He nudged her. “Your turn.”
She put the eggs on separate plates, placed them on the bar counter, and turned to him.
“After raising Misty and knowing what a bad mother I had, I vowed not to have children of my own. I didn’t think I could do it. But lately, I’ve been thinking about it, and I do want a family. Maybe two children.”
He took a sip of coffee and studied her. “That’s important to me. Sorry, but we’re going to have to stand. Bar stools are on order, and as you can see, no table and chairs yet.”
They dug into the food and then Emmett said, “Is tonight the barbeque at the Lilac Lake Cottage with all your friends?”
“Yes, it should be fun. The staff will be celebrating on their own in town, and this will be a relaxing way to end the weekend.”
“My mother is leaving for Maine this morning. Again, I’m sorry about her behavior. I intend to speak to her about it before she leaves. She can’t continue to disrespect you. As far as my stepfather running for president, he may announce it, but I don’t think he has the staying power. He’s made too many political enemies.”
“Even if he does succeed, I can’t change my background. Besides, I have nothing to be ashamed of.” She held her breath waiting for a response.
“Of course not,” said Emmett. “You’re a fantastic woman, bright and capable of more than surviving on your own. You are beloved in this town, and I understand every reason for that.”
Crystal let out a sigh of relief. She wanted to tell him her feelings, but she held back. Though she knew he felt that way toward her, he had yet to say those magical three words to her.
After eating their early morning supper, Crystal hurried to get dressed so Emmett could drop her off at her apartment. She hoped to get a few hours’ sleep before the last hectic day of the Faire.
###
C rystal was awakened by Misty shaking her. “Time to get up. The Café is open, but one of our cooks is out sick. Too much partying.”
Startled, Crystal sat up to check the time. Eight o’clock on her bedside alarm. She stretched. “Oh, Misty, you should’ve woken me up earlier. But bless you for letting me get some sleep.”
“Well, we need you now. You’d better get moving,” said Misty, reminding Crystal of herself.
She got out of bed, took a shower, and dressed in record time.
Downstairs, the kitchen was backed up. She grabbed a cup of coffee and went to work prepping salad fixings for lunches. Brad’s family owned the Collister Farm Stand. Crystal sent Misty there for fresh greens and vegetables. Though they were running low on some supplies, Crystal figured they could make it until Monday when her normal food delivery would arrive.
While Misty was gone, Crystal handled the front, greeting customers, and helping with the flow of dishes to and from tables. Her waitresses were of varying ages. Brenda Thomas was the oldest at a spry seventy. Crystal had made sure it was a pleasant place to work, and most of her staff front and back had been with her since she’d first opened.
She was carrying a stack of dirty dishes to the kitchen when Emmett’s mother and Diana walked into the Café. Crystal bobbed her head at them and continued walking. After dumping the dishes into the dirty-dish bin, she wiped her hands on her apron and approached them.
“Welcome to the Lilac Lake Café. As you can see, we’re busy, but I believe a table might be available out on the patio. Will that do?”
Emmett’s mother studied the room. “I see you have one table reserved.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s taken for the Governor and his wife. They’re regular summer customers of mine.”
The look on Emmett’s mother’s face was priceless. Crystal would have given anything to be able to take a photo of it.
“So, the outdoor table will do?” asked Crystal.
“Yes,” said Emmett’s mother. “Come, Diana. Let’s see if the food is as delicious as you say.”
Crystal led them outdoors and to a table under an umbrella. “Your waitress will be here shortly. Enjoy.”
In the main room, she signaled for Brenda to join her and explained the situation. “It’s important that Mrs. Chamberlain and her guest get excellent service. I know I can trust you to provide it.”
Brenda grinned. “I know who she is, and I promise to do my best even though she’s known to be a stingy tipper.”
Crystal wasn’t surprised that Brenda knew such a thing. It was a small town where staff members of various businesses talked to one another. Still, she wondered if Natalie Chamberlain was aware of her poor reputation.
“Don’t worry, Brenda, I’ll make it up to you by assigning you the Governor’s table.”
“Thanks. That makes it even,” said Brenda. She brushed at her apron, straightened, and headed outdoors to do the job.
A short while later, Governor Simon Mitchell and his wife, Jaynie, showed up. Crystal shook hands with him and accepted a hug from Jaynie. Crystal and Jaynie had worked together on a tourism project, and Jaynie had taken Crystal under her wings, treating her like one of her daughters. Still hugging her, Jaynie said, “I love your hair. You’re back to your natural color.”
Before she could answer, Crystal heard a voice behind her say, “Jaynie Mitchell, I thought I recognized you and Simon.”
Emmett’s mother held out her hand to Jaynie, forcing her to relinquish her hold on Crystal.
“Oh, yes. Natalie Chamberlain.” Jaynie shook hands with her. “I thought you were spending the summer in Mt. Desert.”
Natalie nodded and smiled. “I’m here visiting my son. He’s the new doctor in town.”
Jaynie frowned. “Oh, you mean Emmett Chambers. We were delighted that he agreed to take over for Dr. Johnson. I keep an eye on such things as doctors, especially rural doctors, who are in such shortage everywhere. We were lucky to get him.”
“Indeed,” said Emmett’s mother. “Perhaps we can get together sometime soon. Everett is considering a run for a higher office, and it would be helpful if we could spend some time with you and Simon.” She turned to him. “Simon, nice to see you. I love this little town.”
“So do we,” he replied. “Especially this Café and Crystal’s excellent food. We’re big fans.” Sensing Crystal’s discomfort, he put an arm around her shoulder.
Natalie’s eyes rounded. “Oh, yes. Well, I hope to be able to chat with you later.” She turned and walked away.
Jaynie studied Crystal. “Okay, what’s going on?”
“Let’s talk later,” said Crystal. “Right now, Brenda is waiting to take your orders.”
“Okay,” said Jaynie. “But I know you well enough to understand you’re troubled. We visited The Meadows, and I heard from Dani Collister that you had something going with a new man.”
Crystal sighed. “I need your opinion on something.”
“All right, sweetie. Now, I’m ready for some of your biscuits.” Jaynie followed Crystal to their table and smiled at Brenda who was waiting to serve them.
Shaken by the undercurrents between Jaynie and Emmett’s mother, pleased by the support both Simon and Jaynie had shown her, Crystal retreated to the kitchen to catch her breath. It was going to be a long day. Thank goodness she had the barbeque to look forward to.
A few moments later, as Crystal emerged from the kitchen, she saw Emmett’s mother and Diana preparing to leave. She hesitated and then decided not to be intimidated by the woman.
“I hope you enjoyed your meal,” said Crystal approaching them.
“It was delicious,” said Diana. “With Dirk living here, I intend to eat here whenever I visit. Right now, I’m working for Senator Chamberlain’s campaign.”
“A great opportunity for you following college graduation,” said Crystal keeping a noncommittal expression on her face.
“I had no idea you knew the Mitchells,” said Emmett’s mother.
“Yes, they’re good people,” Crystal replied. “We have several well-known people visit Lilac Lake. It’s become a popular resort area.”
“I’ve heard that Whitney Gilford lives nearby,” said Emmett’s mother.
Crystal hesitated, then said, “She’s my best friend. Emmett and I are going to a barbeque at the cottage she shares with her sisters. Courtney Castle, the pen name for Taylor Gilford, is one of her sisters.”
“Well, I ... I don’t know what to say,” said Emmett’s mother, looking flustered.
“Enjoy your trip back home,” Crystal said to her. “Goodbye, Diana.”
Crystal walked away, satisfied with the way she’d handled herself. Normally, she’d never mention Whitney or Taylor, but it felt right to be able to do so. Somehow, she knew GG would approve.
###
L ater, as Jaynie was finishing her breakfast, she waved Crystal over. “C’mon, girlfriend, let’s go outside where we can talk.”
Crystal followed her outside and to the town green to one of the benches placed along the edge.
“What’s going on with you and Natalie Chamberlain? Is it her son?”
Crystal sighed. “Emmett and I are dating. His parents, his mother in particular, have been very critical of me, even making a scene inside Jake’s restaurant where I was sitting with friends. She’d seen a picture of us on the local news when we had an accident on Route 1 in Maine.”
“Oh, I remember that. It became part of the discussion about widening that road. But you weren’t hurt.”
“Emmett’s nose was broken, but other than that, both of us came out of it okay. My car had damage, of course, but I was glad nothing worse happened.”
“Was that the first Emmett’s mother had heard about you?” Jaynie asked.
“Yes, she was furious he was with me and treated me like I was a gold-digging whore because of my purple hair. I thought I’d keep the color to spite her but then decided it was time to change it back to my natural color anyway.”
“I love you no matter what color your hair is,” said Jaynie, giving her a quick hug. “What did you want to ask me?”
“Since Emmett’s father might be running for president, do you think I should step away from him for a while? He has problems with his family. I don’t want to add to them.”
“Absolutely not,” said Jaynie. “First of all, you don’t owe his parents anything. Second, if you become part of the family, you’ll have to put up with all kinds of comments like the rest of us in politics. But I don’t believe Everett Chamberlain has a chance in hell of winning a nomination from his party. He would be running against a well-respected man, which is saying a lot.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand why some men can’t be satisfied with the job they’re doing. Simon and I decided long ago not to pursue the route Everett is choosing.”
“But Simon is someone who could do an outstanding job as president,” countered Crystal.
“We’re proud of the job Simon’s doing for New Hampshire, but that’s it. We don’t want to deal with the intrusive media and the circus that comes with that much attention. We believe in public service, but we’ve done our duty. Simon and I want a peaceful life. That’s why we were looking at houses in The Meadows.”
“Oh, nice. It’s beautiful there.”
“Listen, I know enough about both Natalie and Everett Chamberlain to tell you to relax. You and Emmett go about your business, and if things go smoother for Everett than I think, then you can face how you want to deal with it.”
“Emmett’s father already has a campaign committee because the young woman Natalie was having lunch with is working on it.”
“M-m-m, interesting. I still don’t think you have anything to worry about. And, for heaven’s sake, Natalie has no reason to try to belittle you. She has problems of her own.”
“Thanks for helping me put things in perspective.” Crystal gave Jaynie a hug.
“You’re a lovely woman,” said Jaynie. “Remember that.”
They started walking back to the restaurant.
“Now it’s your turn to talk,” Crystal said to Jaynie. “Tell me about your granddaughter. She’s two now. Is she a terrible two?”
“She’s a terrific two,” said Jaynie acting the proud grandmother. “When her baby brother arrives, she might turn terrible. But in the meantime, I adore her. It’s another reason for Simon and me to not want to seek a higher office. I want time to enjoy both grandchildren. And with my other two daughters engaged, it’s going to be a few busy years ahead.”
“It sounds perfect for you. I’ve always loved that you’ve been very warm and welcoming to everyone. I’m sure your future sons-in-law feel the same way about you.”
Jaynie smiled at her. “That’s sweet of you to say. The truth is you love your kids and theirs in different ways—all with an equal amount of love, just differently.”
Simon stood outside the Café waiting for them to approach.
“It will be wonderful to have you living here year-round,” said Crystal. “And I know Dani, Brad, and Aaron must be thrilled to think of you living at The Meadows.”
“I think it’s going to be just what we want,” said Jaynie. “We’ll live here at least part of the year after Simon is free from his job. Summers here are delightful.”
“Ready?” said Simon, smiling at them both.
Crystal and Jaynie glanced at one another and nodded. They hugged goodbye and Crystal returned to the Café. Today, they would close promptly because an evening with friends was ahead.