CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A s they left Nick and Whitney’s house, Emmett turned to her. “Do you want to go to my house for a while?”
“I can’t,” said Crystal with true regret. “I have to get up especially early to help get ready for the Summer Faire. For the next three days, I’ll be working double time at the Café and elsewhere overseeing the baking and cooking contests. Each day, it’s something different—a baking contest for adults and kids, a chili bake-off, and a barbeque sauce and ribs contest. It’s a whole lot of eating fun for the crowd and total, exhausting chaos behind the scenes. But like Nick says, it’s great for the town. People come from all around.”
“I guess I’d better get a good night’s sleep too. Dr. Johnson warned this was a busy time for him too.”
He drove into the parking lot behind the Café, pulled into a spot, and turned off the engine. Facing her, he said, “I’m falling for you, Crystal. I hope you’re going to give me a chance.”
“No promises about anything, but I do want to keep seeing you. You’re the first man I’ve been with in a long time, and that’s something I don’t take lightly. I hope you don’t either.”
He moved quickly, unbuckling his seat belt and hers. Then he took her in his arms. She liked that he proceeded with assurance yet wasn’t aggressive. As usual, she felt both safe in his arms and deeply aroused, allowing her to respond easily. The world around them seemed to melt away as they kissed. And when his hands met her breasts in sweet caresses, she sighed happily.
###
L ater, when she walked into her apartment, Crystal did her best to brush her hair away from her flushed cheeks and to straighten her blouse. But she knew all Misty had to do was look at her face to see her happiness and know she was a woman in love.
“Another pleasant evening?” asked Misty.
“A very nice evening. Something to get me through the next three days or so. Are you ready to join me bright and early tomorrow morning? We’re offering free coffee or tea with breakfast for anyone.”
“I’ve already organized that area of the kitchen. We shouldn’t have any problem keeping up with the crowd.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you’re here to help. I’m off to bed. See you in the morning.”
Crystal went into her room, her body languid just thinking of how Emmett had kissed her. She knew he was as aroused as she, but she was glad she’d fought the urge to go to his house as they both wanted.
Even later, as she lay in bed, she recalled the way his eyes had grown greener in color as he caressed her cheek and told her he was falling faster and harder than he’d thought possible. She felt the same but hadn’t voiced her feelings. Even now, she replayed his words in her mind, unable to verbalize exactly how she felt.
###
T he alarm sounded like a screeching cat to Crystal’s ears as she was abruptly awakened. Grumbling to herself, she turned off the alarm and sat up in bed. She’d been dreaming about Emmett and her taking a cruise, and she wanted to go back to sleep.
Huffing out a breath, she forced herself out of bed. Today was a Summer Faire day, and she’d need all her energy to help get it off to a good start.
The weather forecaster had promised a nice day. She was anxious to see that the Café was ready.
In the kitchen, the aroma of baked bread filled her nostrils, warming her insides.
She went out to the dining room to check the decorations. Each table held a bud vase with green silk leaves and purple lilac blooms. Outdoors, the railing around the patio was wrapped with a woven string of leaves and lilac blooms. That, coupled with bud vases on the tables duplicated the colors and made the space very festive. She breathed in the cool air, relishing its crispness before the temperature rose. Though the lilac blooms had long since died, she imagined she could still smell their perfume.
When she went back inside, the kitchen staff was arriving and wearing the special T-shirts and aprons with the Café logo she’d provided for the occasion. Baseball hats, aprons, and T-shirts were displayed for sale near the cash register.
“Going to be a busy three days,” Crystal told her staff. “We’ll stick to our normal schedule, but if you see there’s a need to work beyond your shift, I hope you’ll stay and pitch in.”
“Are we going to have a party Sunday night as usual?” asked one of the staff.
“Oh, yes,” said Crystal. “We’ll all need to let loose by then.” She grinned at the cheer that went up. As a thank you to their staff, all the merchants in town pitched in to pay for food and entertainment in the parking lot behind the row of stores and restaurants on the final night of the event.
Crystal posted a sign by the cash register and put one up on the front door announcing that coffee was free with every breakfast served. Seeing that all was in order, she went to the kitchen to help just as Misty arrived.
“I’d forgotten how exciting Summer Faire could be,” Misty said, putting on an apron.
“It’s a ton of work but a lot of fun,” said Crystal. “I’m looking forward to seeing some of my summer regulars.” At the sound of customers arriving, she hurried to the dining room to greet people and oversee staff. Quick service, along with excellent food, had made the Café a popular choice.
When a lull came in the morning activity, Crystal slipped out of the Café to see how the other business owners were doing.
She was talking to Estelle Bookbinder, owner of the bookstore, Pages, when she heard someone call, “Diana, dear, is that you?”
Estelle looked up and Crystal turned around to see Emmett’s mother rush toward her, arms outstretched, before coming to a surprised stop.
“I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else.”
Crystal waited for her to recognize her and realized Emmett’s mother never really saw her beyond her purple hair. She said goodbye to Estelle and went on her way. She had no desire to talk to Emmett’s mother.
Instead of going directly back to the Café, Crystal went to Bullard’s Hardware Store to check on things there. Crystal and Sarah Bullard had been friends growing up, and Crystal was hoping she’d come back to town for Summer Faire.
She went inside the store and was pleased to see a crowd milling around for bargains.
Sarah’s mother, Edie, beckoned to her. “How are things going at the Café?”
“We’re swamped,” Crystal said. “I’m just taking a break. Did Sarah come back for Summer Faire?”
Edie shook her head. “Since her husband died unexpectedly, she’s been staying close to home with the girls. We’re trying to talk her into moving here, though, and I think we might be making progress. The twins are four now, and Sarah needs help raising them.”
“I’d love it if she came back to town,” said Crystal. “More and more of the summer gang are returning.”
“That’s what I keep telling her. She’d have a lot of friends here to support her as she deals with her grief.”
A customer interrupted them, and Crystal took advantage of the moment to leave.
As she was walking back to the Café, she bumped into Melissa and Ross.
“Are you taking some time off from cooking?’ Crystal teased.
Melissa laughed. “Not for long. Ross stopped by my house to see if I was going to the Faire. It’s his first time, and I’m giving him a tour. But I’ll be back at the restaurant this afternoon, helping to prep for dinner.”
“Nice to see you, Ross,” said Crystal. “Be sure to stop by the Café. I’m offering free coffee to those who order food.” She gave them a wave and hurried back to the Café where people were waiting to get inside.
A short while later, Dani and Brad walked into the Café. Crystal greeted them and found a table for them on the patio.
“We saw Ross and Melissa hanging out together,” said Dani. “Do you think they’re dating?”
Crystal shrugged. “I’m not sure. They’re next-door neighbors. I imagine they’ve simply become friends.”
“We’ll see,” said Dani, giving her an impish grin. “Nothing is secret in this town.”
“Guess who I saw this morning? Emmett’s mother. She didn’t recognize me. She thought I was Diana until I faced her.”
“Hmmm, there are some similarities. Did you speak to her?”
Crystal shook her head firmly. “No. I don’t want to be part of any chaos with that family.”
“Wise of you,” said Dani, placing her order.
After getting Brad’s order, Crystal left them, her mind on Emmett’s mother. She wondered how long Natalie would be in town and hoped she wouldn’t have to see her again.
###
B y the time the Café closed at six, two hours later than usual, Crystal was exhausted but satisfied with how well they’d done.
“Enjoy but be sure to be ready for tomorrow,” she said to her staff as they headed out for an evening of fun.
Crystal went back to the kitchen to prepare for tomorrow. Misty helped her refresh all the tables with salt, pepper, ketchup, and hot sauce, and then, together they swept and mopped floors. Crystal urged Misty to go and have fun and took her receipts and cash up to her office to reconcile daily earnings.
She was finishing up when her cell rang. Emmett .
“Hi, Crystal. My mother is in town, and I’d like you to join us for dinner at Fins.”
Crystal didn’t hesitate. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I’m just going to go to bed so I can get up extra early tomorrow.”
“Is this how it’s going to be?” Emmett asked. “You and my family not able to get along?”
“Oh, Emmett, I do want to get to know them better if your parents will allow it. But I don’t think meeting me is part of their plans. Especially if your father is thinking about running for president.”
“That’s exactly why I want you and my mother to meet. I want her to see you for the wonderful person you are.”
In your dreams. “She ran into me earlier and thought I was Diana until I turned around. Then, she didn’t recognize me. I just let the opportunity go.”
“If not tonight, how about joining us for dinner tomorrow?” said Emmett. “I want to make our relationship work.”
If it was that important to Emmett, she’d give it a try. “Okay, but I don’t want any scenes. Promise me that won’t happen. You know how I’ve been judged in the past.”
“I promise to do my best. I’ve already talked to my mother about her behavior when she was here last time. I never want anyone to hurt you.”
The sincerity in Emmett’s voice touched her. “Alright, let’s do this. I can’t allow your mother to intimidate me. I may see you around town tomorrow. Have fun.” Crystal ended the call and then sat back with a sigh. Natalie Chamberlain was intimidating. Crystal decided to go to The Woodlands for a chat with GG for a pep talk.
###
P ulling up to the main building, Crystal was struck by the beauty of the twinkling lights wrapped around the railing of the porch and repeated around the front entry. Unlike some assisted living places, The Woodlands went all out to make their residents feel pampered. Inside, in the card room to the right of the entry, several couples were playing games. Crystal searched for GG but didn’t see her.
She signed in at the reception desk and told the woman who she was visiting.
The woman smiled at her. “Go on down the hallway, Ms. Wittner’s in her room.”
Crystal filled with anticipation as she approached GG’s apartment. She always felt better and stronger after talking to her.
She knocked on the door, and when GG called to her to enter, Crystal opened it and walked inside.
When she saw her, GG’s face lit up with pleasure causing Crystal’s eyes to sting with tears.
“Crystal, what a surprise. It’s lovely to see you,” said GG. “Come sit down and tell me what’s going on.”
“First of all, it’s Summer Faire. Are you planning to attend?” asked Crystal.
GG nodded. “I went for a short while this afternoon. Everything looks beautiful decked out in green and lavender. Whitney is going to pick me up and take me to the band concert tomorrow afternoon. I doubt I’ll make it to the canoe races, but the weather is holding, and it should be great business for the Lilac Lake Inn. I understand the new owners are offering viewing places, along with food and beverages.”
“I know Ross is back in town. As one of the new owners, he must be taking part in that. He and Melissa Hendrickson are becoming friends, what with him living next door to her and all.”
“Another romance, perhaps?” GG said. “With all you young folks back in town, I suspect a few may crop up. How are things going with you and Emmett?”
Crystal sighed. “Emmett and I are fine. With his parents, not so much. His father came to see him and now his mother is in town. His father told us he’s considering a run for president of the United States in the next election. Emmett doubts that will happen, but it still affects us.” She hung her head.
GG leaned forward and studied her. “If you’re inferring that they’d consider Emmett dating you as unacceptable, you’re going to have to stand up to them. You have nothing to apologize for. You’re a good, kind, bright woman. No one can take that away from you.”
“I know, but it isn’t like I have a normal family with a mother and father who are decent people. I don’t even know who my father is. Frankly, I don’t want to know.” Crystal emitted a heart-rending sigh.
“Seeing who you are and what you’ve accomplished is more noteworthy than anything else. Besides, I happen to know that Natalie Chamberlain came from a humble background, and we all have read stories about Senator Chamberlain’s behavior. Keep that in mind should you feel insecure about your place.”
Crystal studied GG’s earnest expression. “You’re right. I’m proud of what I’ve done with my life. I can’t let someone destroy that.”
“And I’m guessing Emmett will protect you,” said GG. “Am I right?”
Crystal’s lips curved for the first time that evening. “Yes, I believe he will. He wants us all to get along.”
“Well, then, just be yourself. It’ll work out in the end,” said GG.
Crystal got up and kissed GG’s cheek. “Thanks. This is what I needed to hear. You always know the right thing to say to me.”
“Okay, then, care for a cup of coffee or tea?” said GG.
“I’ll have a cup of decaf coffee. Can I fix one for you too?” she asked.
“Thanks. That would be lovely.” GG held up the baby blanket she’d been knitting. “Don’t tell Dani, but I think she’ll be next to add to the family.”
“I won’t say a word.” She laughed. “What about Taylor?”
GG’s impish grin was amusing. “I’m knitting two blankets. One in pink and one in blue. In time, we’ll see who gets which one. I figure I have a fifty-fifty chance of being right.”
All her normal disposition restored, Crystal headed for the kitchen to make the coffee.