Chapter 6
Chapter Six
O nce Lisa got Lauren settled, she headed back downstairs to the kitchen where her husband Rhett was sitting at the island, reading the paper.
“Did you open the wine?” Lisa asked. She’d handed Rhett a bottle before going to meet Lauren.
He nodded at the counter, where the opened bottle of Duckhorn cabernet stood next to two wine glasses. “It’s a good bottle. I figured I’d let it breathe a little before we poured.”
Lisa smiled. “It’s been about fifteen minutes. I think I’ll risk it.” She poured a little for both of them and handed a glass to Rhett. He stuck his nose in the glass and inhaled deeply before taking a sip. Lisa watched as he swallowed and then gave her the thumbs up.
“I haven’t had this in a long time. It is a treat. Are we celebrating something?” Rhett asked.
Lisa took a small sip before answering. She and Rhett usually drank less expensive wine. When she’d stopped at Bradford’s liquor store earlier to pick up a few bottles, she’d chatted with Peter, the owner, who was also dating her best friend, Paige. He was a wine lover and always had good recommendations. She’d asked for something that would be a good wine to celebrate with.
“If you like a rich, chewy cabernet with a lot of depth and smoothness, you can’t go wrong with Duckhorn. I brought a bottle home last week for Paige’s birthday and she loved it.”
Lisa tapped her glass against Rhett’s and grinned. “Today is the date when my very first guest arrived at the inn. The one that came and never left,” she teased him. Rhett had been her first guest, and neither of them expected the friendship and romance that developed. Rhett had been on the island to open a new restaurant. He’d assumed that he’d get it up and running with a good manager in place and then he’d head off-island to oversee his other restaurants in the Boston area.
“Time flies,” Rhett said softly. “I didn’t realize it was today. I’m so glad that you remembered.”
“Imagine if you’d stayed at Violet’s bed-and-breakfast instead? We might never have met.”
Rhett laughed. “That would have been horrible.”
Violet also owned a bed-and-breakfast and had given Lisa a hard time when she first opened, as she wasn’t pleased about the competition.
Rhett took her hand and pulled her in for a quick kiss. “Something smells incredible. What are we having for dinner?”
Lisa loved to cook, and she’d made one of their favorite meals.
“Braised short ribs over mashed potatoes with sautéed spinach on the side. And I picked up a couple of mini-cannoli for dessert.”
“I love your short ribs. Though anything you make is good.”
Over dinner, Lisa told him what Angela had shared with her and Kay at breakfast. Rhett looked intrigued.
“First Cami Carmichael’s studio and now a TV show. This is good for Nantucket. My restaurant is the closest one. Maybe they will want to venture out—could be a win-win,” he said.
“Oh, I didn’t even think of that. I can mention it to Lauren. She’s one of the producers in charge. That would be nice publicity for the restaurant,” Lisa agreed.
“Or if they want anything catered, lunch or dinners brought in, we can do that too,” he said.
Lisa nodded. “I’ll see what I can find out. I don’t really know how it works. Maybe I’ll watch one of the other reality shows Lauren has done to get a feel for it. The only thing I’ve seen reality-wise is The Bachelor .”
Rhett groaned. “I don’t really understand why these shows are so popular, especially that one.”
Lisa laughed. “It’s just fun. The girls all watch, too, and we chat about it.”
“Next year we really should check out some of the films during the Film Festival. Nate, one of my newer bartenders, told me he entered a screenplay into the competition and got an honorable mention. He’s all fired up now to get an agent and try to sell it.”
“We just missed the Film Festival. Definitely next year. I always mean to go and then remember when it’s too late.”
“Speaking of screenplays. What’s the latest on Kate’s potential film deal?” Rhett asked.
Lisa took a big sip of wine before answering. “It’s a bit of a sore subject. They were full steam ahead, and we thought it was going to happen. There was a screenwriter attached, and they were talking about casting and it all fell apart. The option just ran out, and they didn’t renew it. Kate’s so disappointed.”
“So, that’s it then? Back to square one?” Rhett looked surprised.
Lisa nodded. “Yes. Philippe told her he’s going to ask around though. He knows a lot of people. So maybe something will come of it, eventually. He told her this is common, unfortunately. Lots of things get optioned but never actually get made.”
“Are they coming for Sunday dinner?” Rhett asked. On most Sundays, Lisa had whichever kids were available over for a midday meal. Everyone’s schedules were so busy that it was rare that they were all available on the same day, but now and then, it worked out. And it looked like this Sunday might be good for all of them.
“Yes. It looks like everyone can make it. Fingers crossed that nothing comes up between now and then.”
Lisa topped her glass off and looked at Rhett’s. He nodded, and she added more to his, too.
“Did you save room for a cannoli?” she asked.
Rhett grinned. “There’s always room.”