Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Terrence got out of his car, eagerly tucking the tote bag filled with coffee under his arm. It was a brisk, cold morning with a breathtakingly blue sky overhead and a few wisps of clouds wafting by. A flock of crows landed in the bare branches of a birch tree planted on the street corner, adding the sound of their harsh cries to the stillness of the morning.
Rosewood Beach was still fairly quiet at that time of day. Terrence liked to be out and about in the morning, when there was less hustle and bustle and it was easier to observe the little details. He noticed that a fresh sprinkling of salt had been laid across The Lighthouse Grill’s sidewalk to counteract the snow that had fallen the night before. He nodded in approval as he stepped up to the front door.
Just before pushing it open, he hesitated. He wondered if the fact that he’d arrived so early in the morning made it look as though he was trying too hard. After all, the pub technically wasn’t even open yet. He could have dropped off the coffee casually some other time, even in the late afternoon. It wasn’t as though Vivian needed to make the pub’s coffee for the entire day with what he was bringing her. She would need larger amounts in order to do that, and he’d only brought her household-sized bags.
After a second of hesitation, he cleared his throat and pushed open the door anyway. He might feel awkward about arriving so early, but he would feel even more awkward about walking right up to the door and then turning around and going back home.
Although the pub technically didn’t open until eight-thirty, the door was unlocked. He thought to himself that The Lighthouse Grill was that kind of establishment, where people were friendly and laid-back. He guessed that sometimes customers arrived before eight-thirty and they were welcomed with a cup of coffee and an early breakfast.
Vivian was the only person in the dining room, and he couldn’t help smiling when he saw her. She turned around in surprise when he walked inside.
“Good morning, Vivian.” He took the bag from underneath his arm.
“Terrence.” She smiled back at him, still looking a little surprised. “You’re here so early.”
He cleared his throat awkwardly. “I wanted to make sure you had a chance to try the coffee before your customers arrived.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you, thank you, Terrence.” She paused for a moment, and then said, “Would you like to stay for a cup? You can tell me all about how good it is and why.” She chuckled.
His heart felt lighter all of a sudden. “Thank you, Vivian, I think I will.”
“Why don’t you get settled at the counter and I’ll make us some coffee?” She took the bag he handed her and looked inside it. “Mm, these look fancy. Which one do you recommend more?”
“The Colombian roast,” he said. “It’s produced by a family-owned business.”
“Really?” She perked up with interest. “I like it better already.”
“Would you like me to help you?” he asked as he followed her to the counter.
“Thanks, but no. I don’t let customers touch the coffee makers, even respectable customers like yourself.”
“Hmm, but am I a customer? You haven’t opened yet. Right now, I’m just a friend.”
The smile she gave him made his heart skip a beat, but she shook her head.
“We’re still a restaurant. But thanks for offering.”
He sat down at the counter and watched her make the coffee in a few dexterous movements. In a few moments, the coffee maker was beginning to gurgle as the coffee brewed, and Vivian inhaled deeply of the fragrant aroma that was beginning to waft out of the coffee pot.
“So far I’m sold on the smell,” she said. “Oof. That’s good. Puts some life in my bones without me even having to taste it.”
They chatted for a while, talking about the weather they’d been having and other casual topics. He wanted to ask her about the man that had come into The Lighthouse Grill the last time he’d been there. Terrence had never seen that man before, but Vivian had seemed to know him well. He was hoping the man had been some relative of hers, maybe a cousin.
Before he’d worked out a way to bring it casually into the conversation, however, Alexis appeared with a couple of little plates in hand.
“Good morning, Terrence!” she sang out cheerfully. “I decided to bring you and Mom a couple of these bear claws. They taste amazing.” She pursed her lips. “They were nearly the answer to my insatiable pregnancy craving. Nearly. But not quite.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Alexis,” he said with a chuckle.
“Hey, I’ll take nearly at this point,” she replied, laughing. “Enjoy your coffee, you two.”
She disappeared into the kitchen, and Terrence took a polite nibble out of the bear claw.
“That’s very good,” he said, nodding in approval.
“They are, aren’t they?” Vivian smiled. “One of our most popular breakfast foods.”
“Let’s see if the coffee goes well with it,” Terrence said eagerly. He could see that the coffee was just about finished brewing, and he was looking forward to getting to taste it.
Vivian poured both of them generous helpings of the coffee and sat down next to Terrence at the counter. He watched her take a sip of the steaming beverage, frown slightly in concentration, and then take another sip.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“It’s good,” she said slowly. “But there’s something about it that isn’t what I’m looking for. It’s got a nice flavor, but it’s a little too nutty. We want a flavor that’s smooth and delicious, but doesn’t have any extra pizazz to it. People come here expecting plain diner coffee, and we don’t want to give them something artisan.”
He shook his head, chuckling. “You say I’m too nit-picky, Vivian, but you are a bit particular yourself.”
She chuckled with him. “Maybe so. But the pub isn’t just a restaurant to me. I feel like I’m giving everyone in Rosewood Beach a second home. I know what they like, and I want to give it to them, like how as a parent I like cooking food for my children that I know they’ll love.”
He smiled at her, thinking to himself that she was an incredibly kind and generous woman. He knew that she’d started The Lighthouse Grill with her husband Frank, and that the vision had been his as well, but he couldn’t help feeling that Vivian had probably always been the heart behind the establishment. He knew that the best businesses were well-maintained and well run not just because people were careful, but because they cared.
“I think that’s wonderful,” he said, meaning it sincerely. “And I think the people that come here get that sense about this place. It’s genuinely welcoming, like you are.”
She laughed and smiled at him. “That’s sweet of you to say. Thank you, Terrence.”
“Well, I mean it. I think it’s wonderful—even if it means you don’t like the coffee I brought you.”
She chuckled. “Oh, I do like it. I just don’t know that it’s right for the pub. It’s got too unique of a flavor.”
“Fair enough. Why don’t you try the other bag I got you tomorrow? Maybe that one will be better for The Lighthouse Grill.”
“Maybe, indeed.” She hesitated, then added, “And if it’s all right with you, I’d like to keep the rest of this bag for me. I can make it at home.”
“Well, of course.” He grinned. “It’s a gift. Both bags are. I’m glad you like it.”
“It’s very kind of you, I appreciate it. I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to buying new coffee for the pub. We’ve been buying the same brand for as long as I can remember. I think Frank picked it out. He’s the one who always said that a diner’s coffee should have more of a neutral taste, and I think he’s right.”
“I quite agree.” Terrence nodded. “I should have given that more thought when picking out coffees for you to try.”
She playfully swatted his arm. “Don’t apologize! You’re already being so kind.” For a moment, they were both quiet, and then she chuckled to herself. “It’s a shame I can’t make the coffee using one of the secret family recipes. Those are always the shining stars on our menu.”
“That would be nice. You use a lot of secret family recipes here, don’t you?”
“A fair amount. I have some from my grandmother, and Frank had some from his grandmother as well. The best one is definitely the secret sauce. They’re practically family heirlooms. They’re not just a part of The Lighthouse Grill, they’re a part of who we are.”
“I think that’s absolutely wonderful.” He looked at her with a tender light in his eyes, feeling glad that she was sharing her thoughts with him. His softer side, which he tended to hide from most people, was coming out again. He’d let it show to Vivian before, on the night of the air vent incident, when they ate snowballs together in the pub after closing hours. He cleared his throat and spoke in a gentle tone. “I think it’s wonderful that you and your children are upholding our community-centered values through your pub. The way you cherish family makes your customers feel cherished too. I appreciate that very much, and I know the people of Rosewood Beach do as well.”
Vivian blinked at him, seeming to be surprised by his openness. There was an added gleam in her eyes, and he wondered if she was tearing up a little.
“That means a lot to me.” She touched his arm again, this time gently. “Your openness is appreciated. I didn’t think you were the kind of man to share his heart like that.”
He shrugged, feeling as though the tips of his ears were turning pink. “Sometimes. I’ve been known to have a softer side.”
She grinned at him. “I like it.”
He smiled back at her, feeling his heart lift in excitement.
Perhaps she’s receptive to the idea of our friendship growing, he thought, not even putting into words what he was really hoping for. Maybe she wants to get to know each other better as much as I do.
Vivian and Terrence finished their coffee together, continuing to chat until the pub opened. Once it did, Vivian had to hurry off to take care of management business, and Terrence slipped quietly back outside. He whistled all the way home.