“Sothisis where you come to work now?” Lucas asked as he squinted up at her.
“This is the place. It’s neat, huh? I’ll see if I can walk you over to the spa a little later so you can see it.”
Lucas nodded and sniffed. “Smells really good,” he said. “Like food that Grandma won’t eat.”
Ty chuckled. “Because it smells like barbecue?”
“Yeah,” Lucas cheered. “Yummy barbecue!”
And that it did. The crisp autumn air Ty enjoyed here at the inn, with as close to the river and redwoods as it was, was now fused with a smoky tang that made her mouth water. “Yeah, itdoessmell yummy.” The truth was, Ty couldn’t wait to enjoy some good, home-cooked style food without having to prepare it herself. Her anticipation was short lived, however, as she remembered how disappointed her mother would likely be over the selection at the buffet.
A dinner at The Homestead was bound to be a sure cry from their experience at The Wilted Watercress, Mom’s restaurant of choice last night. Talk about high prices and near empty plates. A vision of the long-awaited main course popped into her mind. A bed of spring leaves, a plop of herb-infused tofu, and a drizzle of blackish green sauce reaching every edge.
“I hope this tastes better than last night’s food,” Lucas said.
Ty gave his hand a squeeze. “I have a pretty good feeling that it will.”
The pavilion, a massive, covered attachment to the inn, was in sight now. Screens created a transparent barrier between the guests and the bugs, while lending an outdoor feel to the entertainment and dining space. The dinner crew was getting things set up while a man tested his voice over a microphone.
“Where’s Memphis?” Lucas asked once Ty stopped walking.
“We might be a little early.” She tugged her phone from her purse. “Only by a few minutes. I bet it’ll start to fill up pretty soon.” Ty was halfway wondering if she should go back to the car when a familiar voice called out.
“Well, if it isn’t the coolest first-grader I’ve ever met,” Memphis said as he joined them on the porch. “And—from what I hear—the most talented LMT in town.”
“Hi, Memphis,” Lucas bellowed. He lifted his arm in time to receive a high five and fist bump from Memphis.
Ty broke into a grin, her heart warming from the exchange.
“I’m so glad you guys are here.” Memphis moved his gaze to Ty.
“I’m glad we’re here too,” she said as his eyes met hers. Now the heat was traveling down to her tummy. Dang, he looked good in plaid. The deep colors of blue accented his eyes perfectly. When he’d worn the charcoal shirt at her house, there was a deeper, darker look in his eyes. Tonight, they were lighter and, somehow, even more inviting. Like cool pools on a hot summer day.
He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Should we go see what we’re in store for today? The food here is killer.”
“Do they have burgers?” Lucas asked as Memphis lead them to the patio door.
“Burgers, fries, pulled pork. You can even roast your own hot dog at the fire pit if you’d like,” Memphis said, his voice shifting to match Lucas’s excitement. He motioned for Ty and Lucas to step into the pavilion first.
As they did, Ty noticed that the place was starting to fill up already.
“I wonder when my parents are coming down,” she mumbled to Memphis as he stepped alongside her.
He seemed to measure her expression before responding. “How does she like it here so far?” he asked, though the hint of a smile at his lips said he’d already guessed at the answer.
“This type of environment—which is absolutely charming, if you ask me—isn’t exactly her thing. She’s a pampered Boston woman who loves her luxuries, you could say. And her definition of luxury isn’t always the same as mine.”
Memphis tipped his chin up. “Ah, gotcha.”
A thought came to her then. “You’re from the east coast too, aren’t you?”
Memphis stiffened, then shifted his posture and shook his head. “Nah, no. I mean…” He scratched the back of his head and spared a look over his shoulder.
It was a casual question, or at least she thought it was. So why was he tensing up in response?
“Maverick and I spent a little time in New York,” he continued. “We picked up a bit of an accent. But we’re all originally from Los Angeles.”
“Hmm. Yeah, I’ve noticed the accent comes out sometimes.” She couldn’t get over the odd sense of unease that came over him at her inquiry.
