Chapter 60
sixty
ELLIE
A few days ago, I finally came up with the very last item I wanted to put on the menu. I fought with myself internally, wondering if it would be good enough. All the desserts I made were known for sleek presentation and considered a delicacy.
Four of the items are just that, but not the last one. The last one I’ve decided will be my own personal touch. I want to leave them with something rooted in my nostalgia, hoping to share that warmth with others.
A simple cinnamon apple crisp. Tender and crisp granny smith apples sprinkled with cinnamon and a buttery crumble topping. Topped with a generous amount of vanilla bean ice cream with caramel drizzled over it.
I sent the seasonal menu and waited. Waited to see if it was good enough and if I still had what it took to create something beautiful but also inviting. I never dared let myself come up with something that I would have made in my own kitchen.
“You need to start getting ready for the festival. I know you’re waiting on a response for your menu, but you only have a few days to get everything set,” Rowan says.
“Do you doubt my ability to get what I need to be done in a timely manner, Mr. Williams?”
Rowan raises his eyebrows at me, dipping his chin slightly. “I didn’t know you calling me Mr. Williams would be a turn-on, but here we are.” He splays out his arms.
I let out a laugh and hold up a notepad, showing him I’ve already been prepping for the food festival. “I’m on top of it, Ro. You don’t need to worry.”
“I got something you can be on top of,” he mutters while hiding a smile and walks past me to the kitchen.
“Hey.” I smack the notepad on his butt.
“Please tell me you’re going to make those caramel stuffed brownies, or the Oreo balls, or those mini caramel cheesecake bites.”
Milo’s nails tap on the floor while he follows Rowan around the house, watching him eat the cereal he just made for himself.
“I have the caramel brownies; that’s a top contender. I also want to do simple things, like chocolate chunk cookies sprinkled with sea salt, cinnamon rolls, lemon truffles, and homemade rice crispy treats. Ya know?”
“That doesn’t sound simple. That sounds like a lot of work.”
I tilt my head and look up at him. “Do you know who you’re talking to?”
He raises his hands, a spoon and bowl in each, and then continues to eat.
“I just need you to help with the setup. If you can help with that, I can get the baking done. Plus, I know Riley and Hailey want to help me. Addie is busy setting up for The Salty Dog.”
“Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”
I stop writing and look at him. “Man, if I’d known you’d do anything for me, I would have put out the first day I came back.”
He winks. “Yeah, well, now you have some catching up to do.”
“That I do. You should invite your dad and Amy.”
He chews slowly while he thinks about it. Milo is sitting down next to him looking up, while patting Rowan’s leg over and over for a taste of the cereal.
“I don’t want to take away from your day,” he tells me through a mouthful.
“You’re not. I want you to invite him. I mean, that is unless you’re not ready. I also don’t want Addie to feel bombarded. Okay, maybe it’s not a great idea.” I continue to write.
Rowan drinks the milk in his bowl and then looks at me. “I’ll talk to Addie and Mom. I would like to see him, have him visit, but I want to make sure they’re okay with it first.”
“That’s fair.” I look at him with a smile. “I can’t wait to see where your relationship with him goes.”
He smiles at me. “Me too.”