“That sounds like a good plan. It’s certainly nothing to fret over. Meanwhile, can I help you serve this delicious decaf coffee?”
“Yes, thank you. And it is delicious—this is that new roast that we picked out last weekend.” She nodded toward the coffee bag, which was still resting on the counter.
“I know.” He smiled. “I recognized the smell.”
She laughed, teasing him that he recognized the bag, not the smell, as they loaded up a tray with the pitcher of coffee, creamand sugar, and some charming little white coffee cups that Julia had bought Vivian for Christmas.
As they stepped back out into the living room and she saw the smiling faces of her family, Vivian’s heart swelled with happiness.
Goodness knows what I’ll end up using that money for,she thought.I don’t need anything at all besides this.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Faith pushed back her plate with a contented sigh. “That was the best breaded cod I’ve had in a long time. And I do think The Lighthouse Grill’s mashed potatoes are better than the ones they have here at The Salty Spoon, but those were really good. Almost as good as the ones Tom makes.”
Ryan, sitting across from her, grinned at her impishly. “Should I call the waitress back and let her know you said The Salty Spoon’s mashed potatoes are almost as good as The Lighthouse Grill’s?”
Faith shook her head, laughing, as she picked up her glass of Moscato, which was nearly empty. “Don’t you dare. I love this place almost as much as the pub. I would never want to insult them. Besides, we all have to take family loyalty into account here. I do think Tom’s mashed potatoes are better, but maybe I just think that because he works for my family’s restaurant.”
“I happen to think anything that Tom makes is the best food in town,” Ryan said. “Except for what you make.”
She laughed. “You don’t need to flatter me. Tom is an award-winning chef. I know he cooks much better than I do.”
Ryan shook his head, smiling. “I mean it. Every time I eat something you made, especially if it’s a lunch you packed for me,it tastes better than anything else because I know you made it for me. It makes it special.”
“Oh!” She cooed with happiness. “Really?”
“Really.”
They leaned across the table toward each other and nuzzled noses.
“Speaking of Tom,” Faith said with a huge grin, “I saw him and Delilah walking in the park the other night. They look completely smitten with each other. Who would have thought that my favorite movie star would end up moving to Rosewood Beach and falling in love with one of our good friends? It feels like something out of a book, doesn’t it?”
“It does,” Ryan agreed, nodding. “I’m so happy for those two. And –” He stood up, offering her his hand. “You just gave me an idea. Now that our check has been paid and our food is all eaten, I have a suggestion for you. Would you like to go for a walk in the park with me?”
“I would love to, Mr. McCormick.”
She stood up and took his hand. Together they walked out of The Salty Spoon, leaving behind the spicy and sweet smells of the restaurant and stepping out into the luscious night air. The wind smelled faintly of the ocean and of the flowers that bordered the sidewalk. Hand in hand, Ryan and Faith walked through the streets of Rosewood Beach, commenting on the beautiful things they saw and enjoying the lovely weather. Although Fatih was enjoying their intermittent conversation and she could tell that Ryan was, too, he seemed a little preoccupied.
Before long, they found themselves in the gazebo in the center of town. Faith sat down next to Ryan on one of the benches, enjoying the sight of the fireflies dotting the park, which was becoming swathed in a velvety gray dusk.
“Penny for your thoughts,” she said, poking his shoulder gently.
He turned to her with a smile. “Oh, I don’t know. I’m just thinking.”
“About what?” she prompted. “I can tell there’s something on your mind. You can share it with me, if you want.”
He leaned back against the wall of the gazebo and sighed. “There is something that’s been bugging me a little. I’m sorry. I’ve been trying not to think about it so that I can just enjoy my date with you.”
She shook her head. “Don’t feel like that. You can always share things with me, if you want. What’s been bugging you?”
Ryan sighed. “I had a conversation with my brothers about the whole change of command in the brewery.”
“You mean you taking over for your dad?”
Ryan grimaced. “Yeah. It did not go the way I’d hoped. I’m afraid the transition is going to be a rocky one.”
Faith put her hand on his knee, feeling bad that he had to face that predicament. She liked his brothers, but she couldn’t imagine trying to work with them. And she knew that Ryan didn’t feel fully confident about running the brewery regardless, since it was a difficult endeavor and one that he had no experience in. “I wish there was something I could do to help,” she said sympathetically.
