Chapter TWENTY-NINE
Melissa had always liked Fresh—the theme, the food. Now, as she entered the restaurant with Ross, she took a closer look. Was it the proper kind of restaurant to take over the space for Fins?
Though her parents wanted to sell their restaurant, they had enough stake in it to want any replacement to be as refined and successful as they had been. It was an ego thing, but it mattered.
They were led to a table by a window overlooking part of the herb garden—a touch Melissa liked.
The table chinaware had a botanical look to it, which Melissa also liked. It added to the white and dark green color scheme of the interior, whose white wainscoting met dark green walls.
Ross ordered a bottle of sparkling rosé wine and then chatted with Melissa about the choices on the menu. She quickly decided on a lemony Zucchini Ribbon Salad and Tequila Lime Grilled Shrimp. Ross went with shrimp gazpacho and a steak served in the Fajita style.
The restaurant wasn’t as fancy as Fins, but it was tastefully decorated, with excellent food and service. Melissa thought the addition of more seafood would fit in well. Or maybe they were thinking of two locations, with the one in town being more like Fins. Either way, Melissa thought it might work. The place was busy with happy, satisfied customers and a small line waiting outside.
“What do you think?”
asked Ross. “Do you think it will work in town?”
“Yes. My parents are lucky to have found someone like the owner of this restaurant as a potential buyer.”
She looked up as a middle-aged man in a white chef’s coat approached the table. “Hi, Melissa Hendrickson. Someone told me you were eating here.”
Melissa smiled and introduced the chef to Ross. “I couldn’t wait to come after talking to my parents about your interest in buying them out.”
“And?”
he asked, his eyes searching hers.
“I like the idea a lot. You’d offer seafood choices?”
“Yes. People in the area have always loved Fins and the fresh seafood there. We’d want to build on that.”
Melissa smiled with satisfaction. “I hope it works out.”
“Thanks. I appreciate hearing that from you. And remember, we’d love to have you work for us. “Once cooking is in your blood, it’s always there. A job is yours whenever you want it.”
“Thanks,”
she said, even though she knew she wouldn’t want to work in a replica of her family’s business.
Their meal came, and Melissa enjoyed each bite she sampled.
As they ate, Ross said to her, “What will happen if your idea about gourmet meals doesn’t happen?”
“I may do some catering work,”
Melissa said. “Something on my own but not full-time. I’d like to do some traveling.”
“Maybe we can travel together,”
said Ross, waiting for her response.
“That would be fabulous.”
She knew he wanted to be with her and enjoyed her company, but he never talked about a real future with her. It bothered her. She was certain she loved him. And she enjoyed their lovemaking. But she didn’t want to be left with nothing if it didn’t work out.
After dinner, Ross said, “Want to watch a baseball game with me? The Yankees are playing, and I want to keep an eye on them.”
“Sure. You can teach me more about the game. I know most of the rules, but watching with a pro is always helpful.”
He laughed. “I was a pro.”
He paid the bill, and they left the restaurant.
“Uh, oh, it looks like it’s going to rain any minute,”
said Melissa. “The weatherman said it would happen later.”
Ross grabbed her hand. “Let’s make a run for it. That lightning looks fierce. You go ahead. I’ll follow as fast as I can.”
As thunder boomed overhead, they dashed for the car.
Ross closed the passenger door after her and hustled around the car to the other side.
The rain hit the car's surface in a steady, pounding stream.
Ross slid behind the wheel laughing. “God! I’m soaked.”
“We’d better get you home. We don’t want you to be sick for this weekend.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “I’m fine. It’ll take more than this to bring me down.”
But as they approached their neighborhood, he drove right into his garage and got out. “Help yourself to whatever you want to drink, and I’ll meet you in the media room. I’m going to get out of these clothes.”
He gave her a sexy grin. “Or better yet, come with me.”
She laughed. “I’ll wait for you there.”
Melissa went into the kitchen, fixed herself a glass of ice water, and went to the media room. While waiting for Ross, she wondered what they’d do about their houses if they ever decided to live together. She loved her kitchen. He loved his media room. Somehow, they’d have to make it work. If only …
Ross came into the room and took a seat on the couch beside her. He smelled of the citrus aftershave lotion she loved—clean, fresh, and appealing. When he leaned toward her and kissed her, she responded with enthusiasm. He always made her feel so alive.
He turned on the game, and they sat back to watch. It became a different game as every time the Yankees got a hit, Ross kissed her. They laughed and then grew grim as the Yankees got behind.
At the end of the game, with a Yankee loss, Melissa sighed unhappily.
“Wow, you really got into it,”
said Ross. “You’re such an old softie.”
“That big screen makes it seem even more real,”
she said as he lowered his lips to hers.
“Come with me. I’ll make you feel better,”
he said, giving her a sexy smile that she couldn’t resist. He knew exactly what she needed.
###
The next morning, still in Ross’s bed, Melissa stirred when he sat beside her and handed her a cup of coffee. “ ’Morning, Sleepyhead.”
She sat up, not caring that the sheet had slipped down, and sipped the coffee. “Is this something you do for damsels you rescue from unhappy baseball games?”
she teased.
He grinned and then grew serious. “There’s only one damsel, and I’ve heard delivering coffee in bed is not a bad idea for someone you care about.”
Disappointment washed through her. He’d had an opportunity to say he loved her, but he hadn’t. A voice in her head said, “Relax,”
and she sighed. She was growing in confidence but had moments of insecurity like this.
“Hey, what’s up?”
Ross asked softly, gazing into her eyes.
“Nothing,”
she said, shaking off her concern. “Thanks for the coffee. It was sweet of you to do it.”
He gave her a little salute. “Mike’s hoping you’ll cook up some breakfast.”
“Ah, an ulterior motive,” she said.
“Not from me,”
Ross said. “I just wanted to help you start the day. Last night was … well, superb.”
As he left the room, she took another sip of coffee and then got out of bed.
###
A few minutes later, freshly showered, Melissa appeared in the kitchen.
Mike looked up at her and grinned. “Hungry?”
“No, but I hear you might be,”
said Melissa. “I’ll be happy to fix breakfast.”
“You’re the best,”
said Mike. “Ross is a lucky man.”
Ross gave him a little punch on the arm. “You’re sounding like a male chauvinist pig.”
Mike gave her a sheepish grin. “Sorry about that.”
“No worries, as long as you leave a clean plate,”
she said, shaking a finger at him and making him laugh.
Later, sitting at the breakfast table with the men, listening to them talk about the sports center, Melissa thought about the possibilities of gourmet dinners, a catering service, something to keep her busy. She was sure Crystal wouldn’t want to sell the café to see it become a different kind of restaurant. It was a cherished spot for breakfast and lunch for every local.
Thinking of preparing food, she got to her feet.
“I’ve got to take off if I’m going to have company for dinner tonight. We’ll start with drinks at six. It will be an early evening because Crystal has to get up early, and Ross and I are leaving for New Jersey.”
Ross stood and kissed her. “If you need any help with anything, I’m here.”
“I’ll remember that,”
she said, smiling into his mesmerizing blue eyes.
###
That evening, promptly at six, Crystal arrived at her door with Emmett. Shortly after that, Ross and Mike showed up.
As Melissa fixed a plate of appetizers in the kitchen, she listened to everyone greet one another. She didn’t know Emmett that well but loved the idea of the wealthy son giving up any idea of following in his father’s political footsteps to become a local doctor. With her humble background and ultimate success, Crystal was the perfect match for him.
“Remember those smaller Fourth of July celebrations?”
she asked Melissa now.
Melissa nodded. “The most fun were the crazy canoe races.”
“You were good at them,”
said Crystal. She turned to Emmett. “Melissa was always the best at sports.”
“Another reason for Ross to love her,”
said Mike.
Melissa felt heat rise in her cheeks and looked at Ross, who winked at her.
“With a father in politics, holidays like that were big deals for my family,”
said Emmett. “I much prefer the celebrations here in Lilac Lake.”
“Spoken like a true resident,”
said Crystal, kissing him quickly.
They moved out to the porch for drinks, and Melissa quietly studied the interaction between Emmett and Ross. It was important to her that they get along. Even though it might be on a part-time basis, she and Crystal might be working closely together.
For dinner, Melissa served cold poached salmon with a lemon and caper sauce, fresh green beans in a cold salad with a balsamic vinegar and spice dressing, a green leafy salad, and toasted garlic bread. The secret to the bean salad’s deliciousness was setting the beans still warm from parboiling into the marinade dressing.
Melissa had designed her dining area as part of the kitchen, allowing her to communicate with her guests while working there. She loved being able to use it.
As the meal ended, Mike sat back. “Delicious. Thank you, Melissa.”
He turned to Crystal. “You said you brought lemon tarts?”
Crystal grinned and exchanged amused glances with Melissa. “I brought extra. Melissa told me you’re a big eater.”
“True, but I don’t often get a chance to dine like this,”
said Mike returning Crystal’s smile.
Crystal stood to help Melissa clear the table. “I’ll get the desserts.”
Melissa was pleased that Crystal easily stepped in to help. The dinner had been about seeing how everyone would react to one another, and so far, it had been a success.
###
After everyone had gone, Melissa sat in the dark on her porch, listening to the nighttime activities of the creatures around her. She heard an owl hooting, and in the outside light from a house a couple of doors away, she saw a bat sweep down for something to eat. She liked living at the edge of the woods, feeling close to nature.
She thought of the weekend ahead with Ross’s family and stood to go inside. The trip was bound to be difficult, and she wanted to support him.
After getting ready for bed, she lay under the covers and hugged the pillow, feeling lonely. She’d gotten used to having him beside her and wondered if he felt the same way.