Chapter Forty-Five
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Beth found herself missing Riley as she did the chocolate turndown service on New Year’s Eve before starting the wine and cheese hour. She started a little earlier than usual to make sure she got all the rooms done before five. The inn was completely full thanks to the holiday weekend and Riley’s marketing efforts.
In addition to the usual red and white wine options, Beth added a bubbly choice—Prosecco—in honor of the holiday. She hoped that Riley was having fun. Her daughter had called earlier to wish her a happy New Year and to text her a photo of the dress she’d found. It was lovely and Riley had gotten such a good deal on it. Beth was happy for her. She just hoped that the event and Jack were worthy of the dress.
She smiled when she saw Aidan and Luke enter the room. They’d had another delay on their house, one last thing that needed to happen before they could move home. But Aidan had said they were working over the weekend to make sure they could move home on New Year’s Day. She knew they were ready.
“Hi, Luke, hot chocolate for you?” she asked.
“Yes, please,” he said and then ran over to the tree to check on his trains.
Beth disappeared to make his hot chocolate and returned a few minutes later. Aidan was sipping a glass of Merlot and slicing a piece of cheese. Luke came running when he saw the marshmallows bobbing on his mug of hot chocolate.
“Have you heard from Riley? Is she doing anything fun tonight?” Aidan asked casually.
Beth sensed there was more than casual interest there. “She’s going to a fancy party tonight. Someone that Jack works with. And then she starts her new job on Tuesday.”
Aidan frowned but forced a smile a moment later. “That’s great,” he said flatly.
“What are you and Luke up to?” Beth asked.
His smile this time was genuine. “We’ve been having a blast today going to different First Night activities. We did the bubble wrap stomp, went to Candy Land, and Luke had his face painted—though he washed it off as soon as we got home. And we went to a special display at the Railroad Museum. That was his favorite. We’re in for the night now.”
“Oh, that sounds like a fun day. Chatham does such a great job with the First Night activities.” They paused for a moment at the sound of fireworks. Luke raced to the window to look out.
“That must be the fireworks over Veterans Field,” Beth said. “I think I read that they were going off at five thirty.”
Franny walked over and poured herself a small glass of red wine. “I am so impressed with all of the different artists and musicians that come to Chatham for First Night. Joe had to work today in the shop and it was very busy, so I kept myself occupied by checking out a few of the artists. I listened to a wonderful jazz quartet and a blues band this afternoon. And I think after Joe and I have dinner, we might go listen to a woman, Natalia Bonfini, who plays a combination of jazz and blues.”
“I think I’ve heard of her,” Beth said.
“What are you and Sean doing?” Franny asked.
“He should be here shortly. We’re heading into Hyannis to go to his favorite Italian restaurant, Alberto’s Ristorante. On the way back, I think we’re going to hear one of his favorite local bands here in Chatham. I don’t remember where he said they’re playing but it’s nearby.”
“They’re playing at St. Martin’s Lodge. They play the blues,” Sean said. He’d walked up behind Beth.
She turned and smiled. “That’s it.”
Aidan nodded. “I love blues music. I think I saw that listed. I’ve heard them play before and they are very good.”
It was almost six and everyone started to clear out. Beth wished them all a happy New Year then quickly cleaned up.
Sean drove and made easy conversation. Beth had left their last discussion with mixed feelings. But after she slept, she woke feeling calm. She trusted Sean and realized she didn’t have any solid reason not to trust him.
Beth knew that she had trust issues after the way her marriage ended. But she also knew that she needed to risk getting hurt again. There were never guarantees that came with love. So, she’d decided to put her worries aside and just try to live in the moment and see where things went.
Alberto’s was an Italian restaurant that had been on Main Street in Hyannis for as long as Beth could remember. They had a reservation and even though the restaurant was crowded, they were seated right away. Their dinner was wonderful. They ordered a nice bottle of red wine, an Amarone that their server recommended, and it was so smooth and delicious. And it paired well with their meals. Beth got the gnocchi with tomato sauce and a meatball. Sean got the veal osso buco.
Halfway through the meal, after Sean topped off her wineglass, he held her gaze for a moment. So far it had been such an enjoyable night.
“Are you having a good time?” he asked gently.
She nodded. “I am.”
“Good, because I really am falling for you, Beth. I hope that you’re feeling better about things with us.”
She took a sip of her wine and smiled. “I was upset after I left your house the other night. I reacted that way because of my marriage—I’ve had trust issues since then. But I slept on it and when I woke I just let those worries fall away. It was just my fear getting in the way. You haven’t given me any reason to worry.” She grinned. “And hopefully you won’t.”
He reached across the table and took her hand. “Beth, you’re the only one that I think about. There’s no one else. And I can’t imagine that there will be. I just want to spend more time with you.”
“I want that, too.” Beth’s heart felt full.
When they left the restaurant, Sean pulled her into his arms before they got into the car. “I wanted to do this at dinner, but it probably would have been frowned upon,” he said. He kissed her passionately and she kissed him back with just as much feeling. Finally they pulled apart and Sean brushed a few stray snowflakes off her face. “Happy New Year, Beth.”
“Happy New Year!” As they climbed into the car and rode back to Chatham, Beth felt blissfully happy. Her world seemed happier and more complete now that she was spending time with Sean. She looked forward to the coming year and seeing where it would take them. She didn’t feel any fear, just a calm sense of excitement for what her next chapter would bring.