“I sent a text!” She says slightly exasperated. “You probably didn’t get it. Cell service is terrible here.”
“I got it. Thank you. I’m looking forward to my tour.”
“Good then, what would you like to drink?” She gives me a tight smile.
“I’ll take a cappuccino.”
She bites her lip. “Um, we don’t have a machine for that. Your grandpa...”
She trails off but I can guess what she’s going to say. Ishould have known better than to ask for a cappuccino. Grandpa had a random dislike of espresso.
“That’s fine, just give me whatever coffee you have.”
“It’s really good,” Brandon says, taking another sip.
“Alright then,” says Elinor. “I’ll be right back with your menu.”
As she turns away, I note the line drawing of the coast with the Bixby Bridge on the back of her shirt. I bet she designed it.
As soon as she’s out of hearing range, Pepper turns to me. “Soooo... how do you know her?”
“I knew Elinor as a kid and—”
“And now she’s your significant other?” finishes Pepper.
“No, but we’re friends . . . I think.”
“And she’s significant?” Brandon adds
“Maybe? It’s complicated.” I blow out breath.
“Isn’t it always?” says Brandon.
“Why is it complicated?” asks Pepper with her pen in her notebook, looking for all the world as is if she is about to take notes.
“Well—” I begin.
“Freshie!” Brandon interrupts. “You don’t need to indulge my daughter’s insatiable curiosity.”
“I don’t mind,” I assure him. And I really don’t. In fact I welcome talking this over with someone. “Okay, so Elinor manages this place, my mom owns it, and my boss—”
“Wait right there!” Pepper holds up her pen. “Your mom owns Norland Park?”
“She does.”
“Wow! I didn’t know one person could own a place like this. It’s like owning the sunrise.”
I get what she’s saying—it’s a gorgeous piece of land—but coming from Brandon’s daughter, the comment catches me off guard. Brandon owns more real estate than anyone I know.
“Seriously! That’s incredible!” she continues. “This is my favorite place ever.”
“You’ve already decided that, and we’ve been here for—” Brandon makes a dramatic show of checking his watch. “—less than twenty-four hours?”
“I just know these things,” says Pepper.
“Your mom owning this place does complicate things.” Brandon sips his coffee and looks up to the redwood trees shading the area. “What do you plan to do with the park?”
“What makes you think we’re going to change anything?”
