Chapter 27
D arlene and Mrs. Clifton fell into a routine at the B&B. Mrs. Clifton was a great help and Darlene was grateful she had found her. As the days went on, she started to adjust to the fact that Felicity and Mark were gone. Or, at the very least, convinced herself she’d gotten used to it.
She pushed into the kitchen with a tray of dishes. “Only one table left and they’re just finishing up.”
“Why don’t you let me handle them and clean up this mess? You go out for a bit. Maybe visit with some friends. I’m supposed to be giving you a break sometimes, remember?” The woman smiled at her.
“You know. I think I will,” she said, surprising herself. She hung up her apron. “I won’t be too long.”
“Take as long as you want. I’ll be fine.”
She headed out into the morning sunshine, feeling it wash over her. Warm her.
Darlene walked down the sidewalk toward Coastal Coffee, her feet carrying her along the familiar path without much thought. The morning breeze caught her hair, and she tucked a loose strand behind her ear.
The bell chimed as she opened the door. She spotted Eleanor at her regular table and waved, threading her way through the tables to join her.
“Well, look who finally came up for air,” Eleanor said as Darlene slid into the seat across from her.
“Mrs. Clifton practically pushed me out the door.” She settled into the chair. “Said I needed a break.”
“I told you it was a good idea to hire some help.” Eleanor gave her a self-satisfied smile.
Beverly appeared at their table, coffeepot in hand. She poured a steaming cup and set it in front of Darlene. “Glad to see you. It’s been a while.”
“Thanks.” Darlene wrapped her hands around the warm mug, breathing in the familiar aroma. “I’ve been busy with the B&B.”
Eleanor folded her newspaper and set it aside. “How are you holding up? Really?”
“I’m fine.” She took a sip of her coffee. At Eleanor’s raised eyebrow, she added, “Or I will be. The B&B keeps me busy enough not to think too much. And Felicity will be here for a visit at the end of the month.”
“Have you heard anything from Mark?”
“No, and I don’t expect to.”
Just then, Jonah walked up to the table. “Good morning, ladies.”
“Morning.” Beverly and Darlene greeted him. She looked at Eleanor, waiting for her to speak.
“Jonah.” Eleanor nodded slightly.
“I’m just going to go grab a cup of coffee at the counter. I’ll leave you ladies to it.” He walked away and slid onto a stool at the counter, where Maxine poured him a cup of coffee.
“You really should give the man a break. He comes in here all the time when he knows you’re here. He cares about you. You can tell from the way he looks at you. Don’t you think it’s time you quit stalling?” Beverly said as she leaned forward.
“I’m not stalling.” Eleanor insisted.
“You know, you really do have to give the guy credit. He’s wooing you as best he can,” Darlene added.
“We’re too old for that.”
“But are you? Really? Is anyone ever too old for love?” Beverly gave Eleanor a hard stare.
“I—”
“Mother, I’ve been looking for you.” Cliff Griffin appeared at their table, his gaze traveling from Eleanor to Jonah and back. “Why is that man always around you these days?”
“What man?” Eleanor asked innocently.
“That Jonah fellow. I’ve heard the gossip.” Cliff’s voice got louder.
Darlene glanced toward the counter. Jonah was looking over at them and frowning.
“Why are you dating that man? I can’t figure out what you see in him or what you’re doing with him. You know he’s probably just after your money.”
Jonah rose and walked over to the table. “Is there a problem here?”
“No, not at all. And maybe stay out of private conversations.” Cliff glared at him.
Jonah stood his ground. “Well, I don’t take kindly to people upsetting Ellie.”
“Ellie? Ellie?” Cliff looked incredulously at Jonah. “You call her Ellie?”
Eleanor slowly rose from her seat. “Cliff, you don’t get to tell me what to do with my life. I decide. No one else makes any decisions for me ever again.”
“Mother, you’re not thinking straight.”
Beverly stood. “Cliff, I think you should leave. I told you that you’re not welcome here at Coastal Coffee.”
Cliff ignored Beverly. “Mother, come on. Let’s leave. I’ll walk you home.”
“No, I think not. I’m staying.” Eleanor slipped her hand through the crook of Jonah’s elbow. “With Jonah. I decide what I want. And I want Jonah.”
Jonah’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Ellie?”
Eleanor turned and looked up at him. “I’ve been an old fool. I’ve wasted time worrying about things that don’t matter. What people think. How old we are. I do want you. And I don’t care who knows it.”
“Oh, Ellie.” Jonah reached out and touched her face gently.
Cliff frowned. “Mother, if he thinks things are getting serious, you need to see a lawyer. Protect your assets. If he asks you to marry him, get a prenup.”
Eleanor turned slowly to Cliff, pinning him with her famous Miss Eleanor stare. “Cliff, you should go. And if you ever talk about Jonah like that again, or suggest something ridiculous like a prenuptial, I’ll disown you. Do you understand? Never tell me what to do again.”
Cliff’s face turned bright red. “Mother, you’re not thinking clearly.”
“No, I’m actually thinking very clearly And I know what I want. And I want you to leave now.”
Cliff glared at Jonah, shook his head, and stormed out of the cafe.
Darlene leaned back in her chair, smiling. “Well, it looks like I picked a good day to finally take some time off. Wouldn’t have wanted to miss that.”
They all laughed.
Eleanor sat down in her seat and looked up at Jonah, a new sparkle in her eyes. “Well?”
His forehead creased, and his eyes clouded with confusion. “Well, what?”
“Aren’t you going to ask me out again?”
The corners of his eyes crinkled as his smile lit up his whole face. “I sure am. Ellie, will you go out with me?”
Eleanor’s eyes softened and her lips curved into a smile that made her look decades younger. “Yes. We’ll go out on Friday. Pick me up at six.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jonah said, his eyes twinkling. He dropped some bills on the table for his coffee, then turned and headed out. But not before one last look back at Eleanor with a bemused smile on his face.
“Well, that was quite the morning,” Beverly said as she sat back down. “Guess I was right about no one is too old for a second chance at love.”
“Let’s talk about something else,” Miss Eleanor said brusquely. “Jonah and I—and our relationship—are not up for discussion.”
“But we all like to think that love can strike a second time, don’t we?” Beverly asked softly.
Darlene looked over at Miss Eleanor, deeply engrossed in staring absentmindedly at her coffee. Maybe love came a second time for some people. But she’d lost her chance with Mark. If only she had told him how she felt. Maybe things would have been different. But she’d let that opportunity slip away.