Chapter Twenty-Five
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
While Riley was rinsing the mugs and putting them into the dishwasher, her mother’s phone rang. Riley noticed that her tone changed and a moment later she left the room, taking the stack of bills and her checkbook to her office. When she returned a few minutes later she had the same happy look on her face as when she’d come home from her date with Sean. Riley glanced her way, not wanting to be too nosy and ask who it was—especially if it wasn’t Sean.
But her mother grinned and said, “That was Sean. We’re going for dinner and a movie on Wednesday.”
Riley was glad to hear it. And glad that Sean hadn’t waited long to call. She’d noticed that her mother had glanced at the phone, anxiously checking the caller ID, every time it rang. “That’s awesome, Mom.”
At a few minutes before five, they brought the cheese and crackers into the big living room and set it on the table near the fake fireplace. Riley stood by it for a moment, letting the heat it generated warm her.
“Are you cold, honey? Should I turn the heat up a little more?”
“No, it’s fine. It’s plenty warm in here. I just love the feel of the heat.” The temperature had dropped and it was in the mid- teens. Whenever Riley glanced out the window at the few scattered flakes that twirled in the light of the outside lamp she could almost feel the cold seep into her bones. She went back into the kitchen to grab the bottles of wine that she’d opened earlier. That would warm her up, too.
Riley poured a small glass of Grounded, an inexpensive Cabernet from Josh Phelps that Hayley from the wine and cheese shop had recommended. Riley had tried it in the store and liked it, but now that she’d had it open for about an hour, it tasted even better, bigger and richer. She could almost detect the hints of cherry, cinnamon, and clove that the label promised.
“Oh, this wine is really good,” her mother said as she reached for a slice of cheese.
“We’ll have to add it to the list of ones to buy again,” Riley said.
A moment later, Franny joined them and Riley poured her a glass of Cabernet as well.
“Thank you, dear. I have to say, I love these wine and cheese hours. I look forward to them all week,” Franny said.
Riley’s mother looked pleased to hear it. “Thank you. I think we may have to keep it going after the holidays as well. It has been very popular.”
“It’s a nice way to meet new people that might be passing through,” Franny said. “Everyone has interesting stories. Like that young couple that was here last weekend. She’d never been to Cape Cod and her husband hadn’t been in years. They were here to visit his parents.”
“They hadn’t seen them in years?” Riley asked.
Franny nodded. “They didn’t go into why, just said that now that they were expecting, they wanted to try and mend fences. And it sounds like it worked. His parents were thrilled to hear that their first grandchild is on the way.”
“That sounds like a happy ending,” Riley’s mother said.
“I think they only told me because they were both nervous. They were meeting his parents for dinner after the wine and cheese hour. She wasn’t drinking, of course, but he welcomed a little liquid courage. It seemed to help for them to talk about it. I told them I was sure the dinner would be a success. And if it wasn’t at least the food would be amazing… they were going to Cuvée at the Chatham Inn.” Cuvée was one of the best restaurants in Chatham, and definitely the most expensive and high-end.
“Oh, I’ve never been there,” Riley said.
“I haven’t either,” her mother admitted. “I have also heard it’s very good. Don’t they have those fancy tasting menus?”
Franny nodded. “I’ve been a few times over the years. Ella loved it there and we went a few years before she passed. They have a seven-course tasting menu with matching wines. It was all exquisite. Really a special occasion kind of place.”
“That sounds heavenly,” Riley said. “Maybe if I land a new job, we’ll go to celebrate, Mom.”
Her mother smiled. “ When you land a new job, not if. I’m confident it won’t take long.”
Riley saw Aidan and Luke walk into the living room. Luke raced over and grabbed a slice of cheddar and a cracker.
“What should we get Luke to drink?” her mother asked. “We have some sparkling apple juice or we could do hot chocolate again?”
“Sparkling apple juice sounds good. One hot chocolate a day is enough, I think.”
Riley went to the kitchen to get it for Luke and returned a moment later. She’d poured it into a champagne flute and Luke was impressed by the bubbles.
“This looks pretty cool.” He took a tentative sip and nodded approvingly. “I like apple juice.”
Their other guests arrived: the Pattersons, the Smiths, and the Donovans. Riley enjoyed talking with all of them. As Franny had said, it was interesting to hear people’s stories and what brought them to the Chatham Coastal Inn. The Pattersons and the Smiths were also visiting family, while the Donovans lived just outside of Boston and had only been married for a little over a year.
“We’re actually celebrating our anniversary. We got married on the Cape last August and we just wanted to get away for the weekend. We’ve never been here this time of year,” Bill Donovan said.
“We wondered if it might be too quiet and desolate. Our friends told us we were crazy to come this time of year. But we’re actually loving it so far. It’s so peaceful. No one ever mentions that,” Adele Donovan said.
Riley smiled. “We love it here this time of year, too. It’s a nice change from the summer crowds.” And the rush of the city, too. Riley loved the energy of Manhattan, but she was enjoying the quieter pace of Chatham.
The hour flew by and by six everyone had left to head to dinner. Riley and her mother were planning to go home, heat up some leftover pasta, and then come back for movies at seven.
“Do the two of you have dinner plans?” Aidan asked.
Riley laughed. “We were just going to grab something at home.”
“Well, I’d really like to treat you both to dinner. You saved me today and it’s the least I can do. We were thinking of going to the Red Nun for burgers.”
“Come with us!” Luke added.
Riley glanced at her mother, who smiled. “I love their burgers,” she said.
And so it was decided.
Aidan drove and pulled the car up to the door so her mother wouldn’t have to walk far in the icy cold. Riley took her mother’s crutches and helped her get into the front seat. She then climbed into the back and Aidan put the crutches in the way back of his SUV. It wasn’t far to the Red Nun and while they were busy, they were seated immediately.
They all ordered burgers. Aidan also ordered a plate of nachos for them to share while they waited.
Everything was good, as usual. While they ate, Aidan asked about her job search.
“I have a final interview in the city this Thursday, and a first interview with Jack’s company.”
Aidan raised an eyebrow. “With your boyfriend’s law firm?”
Riley nodded. “I’m not sold on it for a few reasons, but I figured I should at least talk to them. I’m not really in a position to be too picky. It’s only the second company that has expressed any interest, so far.”
Aidan picked up his cheeseburger and took a bite. He swallowed then said, “It’s bound to pick up after the holidays. Working at your boyfriend’s company might be a little too close for comfort. What if you hate it there?”
Riley had the same concerns. She nodded. “That has crossed my mind as well. But if it gets that far, I could just quit.”
“That might be awkward for Jack?”
“It might be,” she agreed. “But it’s too soon to worry about that. I don’t even know if I’ll get past the first interview. And the other job sounds really good. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that one.”
Aidan smiled. “Well, I hope it works out for you, too.”
After dinner, they made their way back to the inn. Franny joined them and they settled on the comfy sofa and chairs around the big-screen television. Everyone was too full for popcorn when they first started watching the classic Will Ferrell movie Elf, but halfway through when they took a short break, Riley went to the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with a giant bowl of old-fashioned popcorn that she’d cooked on the stovetop in olive oil. She’d drizzled melted butter all over it and a sprinkle of salt and brought paper plates with her. She wasn’t sure if they’d still be too full, but the minute she put the bowl down, everyone reached for some popcorn.
It was almost nine when the movie ended. Luke was yawning by then, and Franny was, too. As they walked toward the stairs, Aidan thanked them again. Riley turned to Luke and smiled. “Have fun at Edaville Railroad tomorrow.”
His eyes lit up. “Dad, can they come with us? That would be so fun.”
Riley’s mother glanced down at her crutches. “I think that might be pushing it for me.”
“Me, too,” Franny agreed. “I’ve been there many times. You’ll have so much fun.”
Luke stared at Riley, his eyes imploring her to go. He was impossible to say no to. And Riley hadn’t been to Edaville since she was about his age. It sounded fun to her, and something to do on a quiet Sunday in December.
“Sure, I’d love to go with you guys.”
Aidan looked surprised while Luke fist pumped the air. “Awesome.”
Aidan smiled. “All right, this will be fun. We’re planning on leaving around three, if that works for you?”
“I’ll plan on it.”