Chapter 7
After more than two hours of shopping, Natalie was ready for a cold drink. They’d already filled the back seat of Gabe’s truck with all kinds of cherry treats, including more pies than they could possibly eat.
As they walked into The Soda Fountain, she smiled. It was exactly as she remembered. A long red counter ran across the entire width of the room. At least a dozen people sat on the vinyl bar stools and the booths were full of happy customers. The sweet smell of chocolate sauce reminded her of the ice cream sundaes she’d loved.
She walked toward the only empty booth in the room. “I’m glad we took our parcels back to the truck. I didn’t think it would be this busy.” A waitress walked past their booth with four hamburgers and a bowl of fries balanced on her arms.
Natalie’s stomach rumbled. She picked up the menus and handed one to her mom and another to Gabe. “I’ll buy everyone lunch.”
Gabe’s frown said more than words could have.
“And I’m not taking no for an answer. It might be the last time I’m away from my studio for a while.”
It was her mom’s turn to look worried. “I thought you were happy with where you’re up to with your paintings.”
“I am, but I’d like to get them finished as soon as possible. After I’ve sent them to Lorenzo, I’m taking a couple months off work.”
Only her mom knew how rare it was for her to stop painting.
“Is everything all right?” Kathleen asked.
“I’m fine. I just want to live a normal life again.”
Her mom’s eyebrows rose. “I’ve been telling you that for years. What made you finally listen?”
As much as she wanted to look at Gabe, Natalie kept her gaze on her mom. “I’ve enjoyed living in Sapphire Bay. I go for a long walk each morning. I’m cooking meals instead of eating frozen food. I’m meeting different people and I’m not stressed about how much work I need to do. It feels good to be doing something for me.”
Her mom looked as though she was going to cry. “It must be grandma and granddad’s influence. They always said Sapphire Bay was a special place.”
Hot tears stung Natalie’s eyes. She’d never apologized for not coming home for her grandparents’ funeral. Looking back, she could only imagine how difficult it must have been for her mom. “I’ m sorry I didn’t come home for their funeral.”
“I’m sorry you weren’t here, too. But you’re here now and that’s all that matters.” Kathleen pulled a tissue out of her pocket and blew her nose.
Natalie wanted to tell her mom about why she’d stayed in Italy, the reasons that would never be enough to make up for not being here. But with Gabe sitting beside them, wondering what was going on, that would have to wait for another day.
She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. “I found granddad’s hideout the other morning.”
Gabe frowned.
“It’s not really a hideout,” Natalie said quickly. “Granddad had a quiet space where he used to sit and contemplate life. It’s so well hidden that you could walk straight past it without knowing it’s there.”
Kathleen sighed. “My mom called it his dream space. Dad liked inventing things. He used to say that he needed time to clear his mind and plan what he would do next.”
Gabe nodded. “I can understand that. It sounds as though they were a perfect match.”
“Just about perfect in every way.” Natalie sat taller in her seat. “They loved the Cherry Festival as much as we did. Grandma used to enter the cherry pie contest each year.”
“Did she ever win?” Gabe asked.
“Not that I remember, but it was fun. She used to make a different pie each night for weeks before the contest. When she found one she liked, that was what she entered.”
“Sounds like everyone was a winner.”
Natalie smiled at her mom. “I guess we were.”
The waitress stood beside Gabe. “Welcome to The Soda Fountain. What can I get you?”
After everyone had placed their order, the waitress smiled. “I’ll be back soon with your drinks. Your meals will be ready in ten minutes.”
