“Are you cold?” Zeke asked.
“Nae. I was just thinkin’.”
“About what?”
“’Twas nae an important thing.”
“Helene, you know you can talk to me about anything. I’m here for you.”
“I ken ye are. Some things are best left alone.”
“Okay. Well then, what can I do to get you out of this melancholy mood you’ve been in all day.”
Helene didn’t know what to say, so she merely shrugged her shoulders.
“I know seeing Dougall this morning threw a monkey wrench into the works, but he’s not going anywhere. Sara will see to it that he and his companion are comfortable today.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve nae been a good companion today.”
“I understand. We’ve still got the rest of the day and evening ahead of us. Do you think you can just be with me in the moment? You can see Dougall later.”
“Aye. I will try.”
“Good.” Zeke took her hand and guided her towards the waterfront.
“Where are we going now?” she asked.
“You’ll see.”
They walked along the waterfront, passing pier after pier. Many people were making the exact same walk as they were. Zeke hoped Helene would be suitably impressed with his last romantic gesture.
When they came to the Ferry Building, Zeke led Helene through the doors and into the crowded center of the building. There were shops and restaurants bordering both sides of a wide aisle. He stopped in a shop that sold wine and picked out a nice bottle of Pinot Noir. Next they stopped at a cheese shop where they sampled different local cheeses and then decided on a couple, which he purchased. He did the same at the bakery, where he got bread and then a chocolate shop where he picked up their best dark chocolate. His arms were full with their purchases, but he had one more item to buy that would make their waterfront picnic complete.
“Two of your dungeness crab please,” Zeke said to the man behind the counter.
Helene’s eyes were wide with wonder.
“Are you hungry?” Zeke asked.
“I am.”
“Good.” He paid the man, taking the crab and adding it to his purchases. “Follow me.” Zeke led the way out the back of the building where they found an empty bench to sit at.
“Are you sure you’re warm enough?” He was concerned that as the day had gone on the temperature was getting cooler. He wanted Helene to be comfortable during this last leg of their day.
Helene nodded. “’Tis a beautiful city.” He followed her gaze and noted she was glancing at the Bay Bridge, which was now lit up and beautiful against the darkening sky above it and the bay below it. A ferry left from the dock on its way to Marin and Helene followed its departure with awe.
Zeke loved seeing the city he loved through the eyes of someone who was experiencing all it had to offer for the first time. He knew how amazing it was here and he could tell that Helene might be feeling the same way.
“Tell me about your life at Breaghacraig.” He hadn’t pressed her too much on this subject, not knowing whether it would make her homesick or not.
“’Tis me home,” she hesitated momentarily. “’Twas me home.” There was a sadness in her eyes. Zeke wanted to pull her into his arms and offer her comfort, but he knew she wouldn’t accept it.
“The MacKenzies have been me family since I was a young lass.”
“But you worked for them, right?”
“Aye. ’Twas only natural. Me Ma and Da worked for them as well.”
