Chapter TEN
After putting groceries away at Ross’s house and her own, Melissa took a glass of iced tea out to her deck and sat in the sun, letting its warmth weave through her, melting away some of the day's tension. Just this morning, she’d awakened in Nettie’s condo worried about Ross. Her emotions had been as confusing as her fatigue. She took a sip of tea, stretched her long legs out in front of her chair, and lifted her face to the sky.
The sound of birds chirping and calling to one another in the woods lining the backyard was as comfortable as a quilt in winter. She felt her limbs relax.
Sometime later, Melissa blinked in the sunlight and shook herself awake. She checked her watch. She still had plenty of time to get ready for Dirk and needed every minute because she intended to look her best. This was their first real date.
Following a soak in the tub, Melissa stood in front of her mirror, giving herself a steady look. Her grey eyes, sometimes stormy, now reflected excitement, adding a hint of green to them. Her rich brown hair held natural highlights of red, and hanging straight to her shoulders, it gleamed in the light from the mirror.
She added another swipe of coral color to her lips and turned away. She’d opted to wear a short denim skirt and an orange top lined with lace and now had doubts about her choice.
She heard the sound of Dirk’s car, gazed out the window, saw his blue jeep, and realized it was too late to make any wardrobe changes.
She greeted him at the door and relaxed when he said, “Wow! You look nice!”
Telling herself to enjoy the evening, she followed Dirk to his car and climbed into the passenger seat as he stood by.
“Thanks for agreeing to go out at the last minute. Some days, that’s how it goes for me. I get so embroiled with my work that time slips away.”
“I don’t mind doing things without a lot of planning. My work consumes so much of my day that being flexible like this is the only way I get free time.”
Dirk turned to her. “I like that.”
Melissa returned his smile, silently chalking up another reason a relationship with him might work. “I love Mexican food, and Chica’s is the best in our area. They’ve won some state awards, too.”
“That’s what I’ve heard. I can’t wait to taste it,”
said Dirk.
Melissa gazed out the car window as Dirk headed south to a small commercial area outside of town. She noticed the colored lanterns lighting the parking perimeter at Chica’s even before Dirk pulled into a parking space. The lanterns were part of the décor used inside and out to give the restaurant a festive feel. Seeing them always made her smile.
Dirk helped her out of the car and into the restaurant. The aroma of tomato, cilantro, and various spices swirled around them.
Mama Montoya greeted them, wearing a red-tiered skirt and a white blouse embroidered with colorful flowers, vines, and greenery. Her black hair had streaks of gray, but her face was unlined, and her dark-brown eyes warmed with friendliness.
“Melissa! So happy to see you!”
Mama cried, hugging Melissa. She turned to Dirk. “And who is this handsome man?”
“This is Dirk McArthur, the new dentist in town,”
Melissa responded and turned to him.
“Mama Montoya is why so many of us in Lilac Lake love Mexican food. Her recipes are the real deal.”
“Oh, yes. We use my mother’s recipes and her mother’s, too,”
said Mama Montoya. “All natural. From one chef to another, we appreciate that. Right, Melissa?”
“Absolutely.”
Melissa waved as a pretty, dark-haired young woman approached them.
“Hi, Melissa. I’ve fixed you a special table over by the window.”
She glanced at Dirk and said, “It’s very romantic there.”
Mama Montoya laughed. “My granddaughter, Pilar, is always talking about romance. But go and enjoy yourselves.”
Dirk and Melissa exchanged shy glances and followed Pilar to the table.
“I think the occasion calls for a drink. What would you like?”
Dirk asked her after they were seated.
“Chica’s makes the best margaritas by adding a touch of orange juice. That’s perfect for me.”
“I’m going to stick to beer,”
Dirk said.
Pilar wrote down their order and said, “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
Melissa looked around the restaurant. It was crowded even for a weeknight. Tables were covered in red tablecloths, offsetting the bright turquoise-painted walls. The floor was terra cotta tile offset by the wooden tables and chairs. Mexican music played softly on the sound system, and each table held a large round flickering candle. Melissa sighed with appreciation.
Their drinks came, and after toasting one another, Melissa set down her glass. “Are you getting settled in Lilac Lake? You said things were chaotic at work, but do you like living here in this small town?”
“I really do. Growing up in the D.C. area, I was worried I’d find things too slow and too settled here. But I’ve seen how healthy it is to change pace, get outside, and enjoy sports. I don’t want to get too insular, which is why I want to continue to enjoy traveling. My family went to China once, and I found it fascinating, notwithstanding the politics. Have you done much traveling?”
“Not too much,”
she said. “Not with my parents owning a restaurant. But when I was a child, they made sure we went to Disney World and visited Washington, D. C., and the west coast. But all our trips were in our country.”
“There’s so much to see in this world. I think you’d really like France and Italy for their food. You should go sometime.”
“That’s an enticing goal,”
she responded, wishing he’d said ‘we’ should go sometime. She reminded herself to slow down. This was only their first date.
A waitress in costume brought tortilla chips and salsa to their table. “Pilar says she’s making you a special plate of tasting food. She hopes that will be okay with you but wants you, Melissa, to sample some of her new dishes.”
“That would be delightful,”
said Melissa.
“Agreed,”
said Dirk.
The waitress left, and Dirk joked, “It pays to go to a restaurant with a chef. Did you always know that’s what you wanted to be?”
“Pretty much,”
Melissa said. “I spent a lot of time in the restaurant’s kitchen as a child. Back then, my father did most of the cooking. Since the restaurant is now enlarged and has a bigger staff, he no longer does as much of it.”
“I have to admit I’m not much of a cook. That’s why it was so nice to be invited to your house.”
“Ross said you’d appreciate it,”
said Melissa without thinking.
“Ross? What’s with you and him?”
asked Dirk.
“He’s a neighbor. A friend,”
said Melissa. “You could say he’s like the brother I never had.”
Even as she spoke, she wondered if she was being honest. She didn’t think a brother would look at her the way Ross had when he was dopey with medicine.
“He seems like a terrific guy. But then, everyone in your group seems likable. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy Lilac Lake.”
“Tell me more about your family. We’ve all met your sister, Diana.”
Dirk grimaced. “I know she didn’t make a favorable impression, but she’s a nice kid sister. My father works for the government, and we’ve always lived in the Washington, D. C. area, mostly in Virginia. My mother has been a big organizer for a charity that deals with inner-city children. So, while they were doing important work, they weren’t home often, making Diana and me close. Being able to be home with family is one reason small-town living is important to me.”
“Do you want a big family?”
Melissa asked, intrigued.
“At least two children, but I’m not ready for that. There’s too much to see and do right here before I intend to settle down.”
“Yes. Lilac Lake offers lots of things. Sports, hunting, canoeing, skiing. You’ll be very busy,”
said Melissa, trying to show her support.
“And work, too,”
he said. “I’m going to be very busy with that.”
They were still talking about life in Lilac Lake when Pilar delivered their meal. “In addition to accompaniments of beans and cilantro rice, your plates hold a chicken enchilada with a true molé sauce, a grilled lobster taco with serrano salsa verde and cilantro, and a duck carnitas quesadilla with a cheese blend, served with pasilla sauce and guacamole.”
She smiled. “There will be plenty for you to take home, but I wanted you to enjoy some different tastes. Especially the lobster taco.”
“Boy! Does this look delicious!”
said Dirk, giving Pilar a beaming smile.
Melissa couldn’t help but smile, too.
“Enjoy!”
said Pilar. “And, Melissa, I want your honest opinion.”
“Presentation and aromas are A+,”
Melissa said, giving her a thumbs up.
After Pilar left, Melissa and Dirk were silent as they dug into their food. After a few bites, she murmured, “M-m-m.”
“I know, right?”
said Dirk. “Delicious. The taco is outstanding.”
“I’m enjoying the enchilada. Did you know molé sauce is made with chocolate? It’s so delicious.”
“I’ll try it now.”
Melissa watched him enjoying his food and filled with satisfaction. “You know, it makes any chef happy to see someone enjoying their food.”
“No worries there,”
said Dirk, taking another forkful.
At the end of their meal, Melissa and Dirk both asked for take-home boxes.
“Well?”
said Pilar, coming over to them. “What’s the verdict?”
“A total win,”
said Melissa. “I will tell my mother to tell visitors about you. Our restaurants are very different, but if they like one, people will likely like the other. This isn’t typical American/Mexican food; this is truly a gourmet meal.”
“Thanks,”
said Pilar. “That’s what I try to tell my parents. They should be advertising the restaurant differently.”
“Wonderful food,”
said Dirk, pulling out his wallet.
Pilar held up her hand to stop him. “No, no. This is on me. Thanks for helping me.”
As she walked away, Dirk placed a thirty-dollar tip on the table. “For our waitress.”
“Thanks,”
said Melissa. “Tipping is really important to servers, and you were very generous.”
He grinned. “I’m a nice guy.”
Her lips curved. “You certainly are.”