Chapter 21 #2
“Thank goodness, I’m starving. I slept through the breakfast service on the plane.” Misty’s words died as she caught sight of the guest at the kitchen table.
Her eyebrows shot up. “Caleb?”
The veterinarian had half-risen from his chair, his expression also one of shock. “Misty?”
The kitchen fell silent, tension crystallizing in the air.
Ivy’s gaze darted between them. “You two know each other?”
Neither answered immediately.
Finally, Caleb broke the silence. “We met in Los Angeles.”
“Before I left for New Zealand,” Misty added, a slight tremor in her voice. “Why are you here? Are you stalking me?”
“I would never. You know me better than that.”
“Clearly, I don’t know anything about you. Why would you visit my family’s inn?”
Caleb ran a hand through his hair. “I’m starting a practice here. You told me you were from Boston. You never mentioned Summer Beach.”
“Neither did you.”
Sunny’s eyes widened with realization. “Wait. Is this the guy you were talking about?”
“Don’t,” Misty hissed, a flush creeping up her neck.
Ivy cleared her throat, trying to reduce the tension. “Well, this is unexpected. But it’s Thanksgiving, and everyone is hungry. Misty, have a seat, and I’ll start your breakfast.”
Caleb pulled out a chair for Misty.
She hesitated, then carefully selected a chair that put maximum distance between herself and Caleb. “Red-eye flights are brutal.”
Sunny, Poppy, and Shelly joined them, talking over each other as they peppered Misty with questions about the film and New Zealand.
Conversations resumed as plates were passed and coffee poured. Ivy watched Misty and Caleb studiously avoid eye contact, each speaking only to those seated nearest them. There was a story there she’d probably hear about later.
When Caleb finished his breakfast, he thanked Ivy and excused himself. To Misty, he said in a thick voice, “See you around.”
Misty dipped her chin in response and watched him go. Once he was gone, she drew her hands over her face. “Of all the men to find in the kitchen.”
“And I thought I was the queen of the awkward moments,” Shelly said. “I can’t believe you know the hot tattooed veterinarian.” She glanced at Mitch. “Sorry, babe. You’re hotter, though.”
Mitch grinned. “You’re only saying that because I feed you.”
“You have to admit, that’s pretty hot.” Shelly laughed. “But really, spill it all, Misty.”
Misty shrugged between bites. “I don’t know if you’d call it dating. My French press broke, so I went out for coffee one morning and all the tables were taken. I sat next to him at the coffee bar, and we started talking. That went on and on. I still haven’t replaced the French press.”
“Neither would I,” Shelly said. When Mitch threw her a look, she looked sheepish. “Sorry, babe. Figure of speech.”
Misty shook her head. “He was like my best friend, but it was more than that. We just fit. After a couple of days, we’d walk a little after coffee, and a couple of times we met for a cup at the beach.
We didn’t see each other for very long, but it was magical.
We talked about everything and nothing at all. ”
“Everything but Summer Beach,” Sunny said.
Misty shook her head. “I knew Caleb wanted out of L.A. And he should have known how much I wanted that part in the film. We were in a bubble of our own making, I guess. Then, the original actor fell ill. My agent called and asked how fast I could get myself to Auckland. I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to Caleb.
I missed our morning brew and didn’t call him until I landed, and it was a long flight.
He said he was worried about me and disappointed.
And that was the last time we ever talked. ”
“Is that what you wanted?” Ivy asked.
“No, but I needed that part.”
Ivy understood. They each had their goals, and they hadn’t been honest with each other. Clearly, they would have some emotional currents to navigate today.
Caleb came downstairs with a small bag. “I think it’s best that I find another place through the holidays.”
Panic flashed across Misty’s face. “You don’t mean that, do you?”
“I’m not going to interfere with you and your family on a holiday weekend.”
“Let’s go for a walk first,” Misty said, rising.
He shook his head, but Misty had already put on her jacket and opened the back door. With a heavy sigh, he relented, setting down his bag to follow her.
They all watched them go.
“Wow,” Shelly said, her eyes round. “That was like a scene from a movie. Misty’s a boss, and I didn’t even realize it.”
Laughter bubbled around the kitchen.
Ivy poured another cup of coffee and watched them walk toward the shoreline. “She’s grown up.”
“I wonder what they’re talking about,” Poppy said.
Behind them, Mitch opened an oven door and slid in a turkey. He repeated that two more times, putting each turkey in its place.
“Bravo,” Shelly said.
“Pies are up now,” Poppy said, rising to confirm the scheduled time. She put the one she’d finished this morning into the vintage oven where the muffins had baked. “I’ll cycle the pies through, so we’ll have plenty.”
Mitch set the timer. “The turkeys will come out just before dinner. I’ll start some other dishes, but first, a break.”
He joined them at the table, tickling Daisy until she laughed.
Suddenly, a sharp crack rang somewhere outside, followed by a deep, ominous boom. The overhead lights flickered once, twice, and then died. The refrigerators powered down with a dimming hum, and the digital clock on the new oven blinked out.
In the sudden silence, the only sounds were the old oven’s gas flame and the tick of a battery-operated clock on the wall.
Mitch pushed back his chair. “That didn’t sound good.”
“Must be a power outage,” Shelly said. “I wonder if it’s just us.”
Mitch strode to the oven and yanked open the door. Heat still radiated from within, but the heating elements no longer glowed. “The turkeys are just getting started,” he reported grimly. “I’ll check the breakers in the service room.”
While he was gone, Shelly peered outside. “I don’t see lights anywhere else.”
“Maybe it’s just a glitch,” Ivy said. “I’m sure the electricity will come back on soon.”
Mitch returned, shaking his head.
“I’ll call the electric company,” Shelly said. However, all she got was a busy signal. “Their lines must be jammed with calls.”
They waited as the minutes stretched on, but nothing changed. The kitchen remained dim, illuminated only by daylight through the windows.
Bennett jogged inside from the beach and pulled out his phone. “Did you see that? Looked like a transformer malfunction. I’ll call emergency services.”
Ivy watched as he spoke in low tones, her optimism fading with every frown. When he hung up, his expression confirmed her fears.
“A power grid issue caused that, so the problem is more widespread than thought.” He hesitated. “They’re calling in a team.”
“How long will the power be out?” Mitch asked.
Bennett rubbed his chin. “They’re not sure, but probably a few hours.”
Shelly took Mitch’s hand. “I’m sorry about your turkeys, babe.”
“It’s not just ours,” he said. “Most everyone in town is cooking a turkey right now. Unless they have gas ovens, they’re all in trouble.”
Ivy looked around the large kitchen. “We can cook one turkey in the old oven, but that won’t be enough for everyone. What about Java Beach?”
Mitch shook his head. “Electric ovens, gas cooktop. Not good for cooking a turkey whole. What’s the alternative?”
“Forrest and Flint. Maybe we can cook there.” Shelly tapped their numbers.
Chaos ensued as everyone began talking at once, suggestions overlapping into a rise of increasingly desperate ideas.
After speaking with their brothers, Shelly shook her head. “They’re also without power, and they have electric ovens and cooktops. They’re on their way over, and we’ll figure out something. This might be the feast of cold salads.”
“Not without refrigeration,” Mitch said. “Keep the doors shut, or we’ll lose everything if the power doesn’t come back on in a few hours.”
Everyone grumbled at that.
Misty and Caleb came into the kitchen. “We heard the noise. What happened?”
“An equipment malfunction in Arizona took down the grid from there into Southern California and down to Mexico,” Bennett replied.
“That blew out a local transformer. The grid and equipment will take a while to repair, so the city is issuing an emergency alert. The hospital has a backup generator, and we’re recommending people go there if they have medical devices or health needs.
The shelter also has a generator for power, so that’s another place people can go for food and warmth. ”
Ivy was glad to hear that. She thought about Adelina and the others she’d met at the shelter.
Now she wished she’d invited the older woman, but perhaps she had made friends there.
Still, they’d had a connection, and she wanted to get to know her better and try to help her if she could. Guilt twisted in her chest.
“This sounds serious.” Mitch pushed a hand through his hair. “Even if the electricity comes on within three hours, dinner will be late. Any more than that, and we’ll be eating at midnight.”
“And if it’s later?” Ivy asked.
Mitch raised his hands. “We’ll get very creative.”
Everyone groaned, but Shelly stood and raised her hands. “How about some Sea Breeze cocktails while we wait? I’m willing to sacrifice some ice cubes.”