Chapter Thirty-Nine
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Later that morning, Riley helped her mother cook for the Christmas Eve gathering. She also put together a French toast casserole they could heat and serve in the morning with powdered sugar, fresh berries, and maple syrup.
They’d run into Franny at the inn after she’d returned from the cheese shop, and they’d heard her story. On their way home they’d stopped at the fish market and picked up several pounds of freshly shucked lobster meat that they’d called and ordered in advance. That would be the last thing that her mother put in the oven as it was the fastest and easiest main dish. She just mixed melted butter with crushed Ritz crackers and some chopped parsley then added the lobster and baked it in a casserole dish until it was heated through. Sometimes she drizzled a little sherry over the top, but it was just as good without it.
They’d also picked up a big platter of cocktail shrimp. The fish market made the best cooked shrimp. They were always nice and plump and the cocktail sauce had just the right amount of spiciness. Riley put together the scallops wrapped in bacon, trimming the side muscle off each scallop and wrapping each one in a few inches of lightly cooked bacon, so that when they heated them in the oven, the bacon would crisp up while the scallops cooked.
Her mother was seasoning a tenderloin with salt, pepper, and a bit of crushed rosemary and olive oil. Riley knew it would be delicious and soon the kitchen would smell incredible.
“I’ll put it in the oven when we get back from the wine and cheese hour. It can cook while we enjoy the appetizers and relax.” Her mother smiled and Riley noticed that she seemed happier than usual, and more relaxed.
“That sounds good. Oh, by the way I invited Aidan and Luke to join us,” Riley said.
Her mother looked pleased to hear it. “Perfect. I invited Franny, too. I hated the thought of her sitting alone in her room.”
“I’m glad she’s coming. I loved her story about the last letter. It’s so romantic that Joe at the cheese shop is her first love.” Both Riley and her mother had grown fond of Fanny.
“I’m thrilled for her, too. And to think she’s already bought a house. I have a feeling she’ll be spending a lot more time in Chatham,” her mother said with a twinkle in her eye.
Riley agreed totally. “Her sister’s letters worked their magic. I bet she’s watching from above and loving it.”
Riley looked around the kitchen and went through a mental list of what else they needed. Her sister, Amy, was bringing a charcuterie platter and an apple pie. That left slicing and seasoning the mini potatoes. They’d decided to roast those ahead so they could just be reheated as well. And roasted asparagus, which could be cooked at the last minute, but Riley could prep them by seasoning and wrapping them in tin foil packets that could be tossed in the oven when they were ready.
She opened a cupboard and saw a box of soup mix. “I could make a French onion dip? And cut some fresh vegetables for it.”
“That’s not a bad idea, though I’m sure most people will go for the potato chips,” her mother said.
Riley laughed and got out the sour cream. The afternoon flew and by the time they left for the inn, everything was just about ready. All they would need to do was put a few pans in the oven when they returned.
Her mother had picked up some Italian cookies from a local bakery and set those out by the cheese and crackers to make it a little more festive for Christmas Eve.
The living room filled up quickly, but most people didn’t stay long. They had a few bites of cheese or a cookie with their wine and headed off to dinner. Her mother encouraged everyone to take some cookies for later, and most of them did.
Riley noticed a few minutes after Aidan and Luke joined them that there were two stockings hung by the fireplace.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Aidan said. “Luke wanted to hang his stocking and we don’t have a fireplace in our room. He was worried that Santa wouldn’t find him.”
“Of course we don’t mind.” Riley’s mother had overheard. Luke was out of earshot—he was investigating the cookies—so she leaned in and spoke softly. “You’re welcome to put his presents under the tree, so he can open them there in the morning.”
Aidan looked grateful. “Thank you. We’ll be up early so we won’t be in anyone’s way.”
“We’re not at all worried about that,” Riley said. “It’s Christmas, after all. It will be nice to see the tree with presents under it.”
At six, they quickly cleaned up and headed home. They’d told everyone to come around six thirty. By the time they got home it was a quarter past and her mother put the tenderloin in the oven to begin roasting.
Amy, Rob, and the kids arrived at six thirty sharp. Aidan, Luke, and Franny came a few minutes later. Riley had made a big bowl of bubbly holiday punch with Prosecco, vodka, cranberry juice, and a splash of Grand Marnier, which gave it a lovely hint of orange and just about everyone wanted to try it.
Donna, Jess, Alison, Maddie, and their partners stopped in as well. Jess’s daughter, Caitlin, from the coffee shop, and her boyfriend, Jason, also came with Alison’s daughter, Julia, and her boyfriend, Tim. Julia’s long brown hair had turquoise tips, which somehow worked. She had it pulled back, which highlighted her earrings, which were gorgeous. They were pieces of hammered gold that looked like a wave and moved as she spoke. Riley guessed that she’d made them in her jewelry shop, as her bracelet matched.
Riley knew Caitlin from going into the coffee shop, and she knew of Julia, as they’d gone to the same school in Chatham, but Julia had been a year behind. Riley hadn’t really kept in touch with any of her old high school friends. And she knew that most of them had moved off-Cape.
It was nice to chat with Caitlin outside of the coffee shop and to get to know Julia a bit. Riley learned that her boyfriend, Tim, played in a band occasionally on the weekends and that they would be playing at the Chatham Squire in a few weeks.
“You should come,” Julia said.
“I’d love to. I may be back in New York by then, though.”
“Well, keep it in mind if you happen to be here.”
“I’ve heard them play,” Aidan said. “They are really good. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen them, though.”
Aidan knew Julia and Tim and they all chatted about people they knew. Caitlin had moved to Chatham from Charleston. Riley asked her if she missed living in a bigger city.
“I thought that I would. When I first came here it was just going to be for the summer. My mom and I stayed with my grandmother and we were both dealing with breakups. It was just supposed to be a relaxing couple of months. I went back to Charleston for a party at the end of the summer and I was surprised by how much I didn’t miss it there. It’s a great city, but I’m much happier here. I really like the small town and close-knit community.”
When the food was ready, Riley helped her mother put it all out on the counter and they set it up buffet style so everyone could help themselves. The tenderloin was sliced and her mother had made a quick red wine sauce on the side. It was all delicious. Everyone sat wherever they could find a seat. Her mother had extra chairs in the kitchen and living room. It was very casual. Riley sat with Aidan and Luke on the living room sofa. They balanced their plates on their laps.
“I got some good news today,” Aidan said. “The work on the house will be done by the end of next week. So we’ll be home by the New Year.”
“Oh, that’s great news,” Riley said.
“It will be nice to sleep in my own bed again. Not that the beds aren’t comfortable at the inn—they are.”
Riley laughed. “I know. It’s just not the same. I’m sure Luke will be happy to get home.”
Luke looked up from his plate, which was only half-eaten. “Can I get some pie, now?”
“A few more bites, buddy,” Aidan said.
When they were finished, they all got small slices of apple pie. Riley had made sure to save room because her sister’s apple pies were so good. She always thought of the holidays when she took a bite of her pie. Amy made them for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“What’s it like where you live, Riley?” Luke asked.
“I live in New York City. It’s huge and loud and busy. I live in a tall building with lots of apartments. Lily and I live there.”
“Who’s Lily?” Luke asked. At the sound of her name, Lily darted out of the corner where she’d been hiding and hopped up next to Riley on the sofa. Riley reached out and petted her. She seemed a little nervous to have a houseful of people.
“This is Lily. She’s not used to being around so many people.”
“Can I pat her?” Luke stood quickly and Lily tensed beside Riley.
“Yes, but move very slowly so you don’t scare her. And put your hand near her, let her go to you.”
Luke did and Lily sniffed his hand, then rubbed her head against it.
“She likes me!” He petted her a few more times before she tired of it and walked off, flicking her tail as she retreated to the corner of the room.
Luke yawned and Aidan checked the time. It was almost nine. People were starting to leave. “We should probably head out,” Aidan said. “Big day tomorrow.” He pulled Riley in for a hug. “Thanks for having us. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas. See you both in the morning.” Riley walked them to the door. Before long they’d said goodbye to their last guest and it was time to clean up and head to bed.
“That went well, I think,” Riley said, once everything was cleaned up and put away.
Her mother looked tired, but also happy. “It was a wonderful night. And I am so ready for bed. See you in the morning, honey.”
“’Night, mom. Merry Christmas,” Riley said as they walked up to bed. It had been a fun, festive night. And tomorrow would be more of the same, hopefully.