“Have you eaten here before?” she asked Will as they opened their menus.
“Yes, once or twice over the years. It was Caroline’s favorite restaurant. It’s not the kind of place you come to often, though. But it’s fun once in a while.”
Izzy looked over the menu and everything sounded amazing. When their server came, Will asked if she wanted to share a bottle of wine.
“I’d love to. I didn’t know you liked wine?”
“I do now and then. If it’s really good wine. Do you like Duckhorn?”
“I’ve never had it.”
“It’s one of my favorites. Want to try it?”
“Sure.” The server returned a few minutes later with a bottle of a 2017 Duckhorn Cabernet and poured a small amount for Will to try. The color was a rich red and as Will swirled his glass to take a taste, Izzy noticed that it had thick legs that slowly ran down the side of his glass. She wasn’t sure what that indicated, but she had a feeling it might be a good thing. Will took a sip and nodded. “It’s delicious, thank you.” Their server then filled both of their glasses.
“It’s good now, but give it a little time to open up and it will be even better.”
“Listen to you. I never knew you were so into wine.”
“My father was. He used to serve really good ones on holidays and he told us what to look for. I’m more of a beer guy, but now and then I appreciate it with a good meal. And the food here deserves good wine.”
Over the next few hours, they enjoyed an incredible dinner. They shared a rich, foie gras appetizer and a table-side Caesar salad for two. They both ordered the house sirloin, which had a coffee rub and was topped with a browned butter and shallot sauce. Whipped potatoes and creamed spinach rounded out the meal. The wine complemented the sirloin perfectly and as Will had said, after a little while, it opened up and was even smoother and more luscious.
The evening was perfect, but Izzy couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling about Emily. She hoped she’d made the right decision by leaving her with Rick for the night. He was her father, after all, so how could she refuse him? She kept her phone on the table and had told Rick to text or call if he needed anything.
She and Will talked and laughed for several hours. There was never an awkward moment where they ran out of things to talk about. Quite the opposite, as they were both anxious to share all their thoughts and had a lively discussion about everything under the sun. It was a magical night and Izzy was sorry to see it end. Especially when her phone rang as they were halfway home and it was Rick. She could hear Emily in the background, screaming. Izzy instantly tensed up and her heart hurt. She felt bad for both of them. Rick sounded so frazzled and Emily was just distraught and inconsolable.
“Izzy, I’m at my wit’s end. I can’t get her to stop crying. I’ve changed her diaper, tried to feed her. I sang to her, held her, left her alone. I don’t know what else to do, but she’s been crying non-stop now for over an hour. Can you please come get her?”
“I’ll be right there.” She turned to Will. “Do you mind swinging by Rick’s house? I need to get Emily. She’s having a hard night. Rick is too.”
“Of course.”
Five minutes later, they pulled into Rick’s driveway.
“I should probably stay here. I don’t want to make things worse. But if you need me, let me know.”
“Thanks, Will. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Izzy pulled her winter coat tight around her and knocked on Rick’s door. She could hear Emily crying. Rick opened the door. She stepped inside and he handed Emily to her. She clung to Izzy and almost immediately stopped crying.
“Jesus. She just missed her mother. I’m no good at this, Izzy.” He looked at Izzy closely and his eyes narrowed. “You look nice. Really nice. Were you on a date?”
Izzy took a deep breath. “I was out to dinner with a good friend.”
“Will.”
Izzy nodded and then jumped as Rick’s fist crashed through the drywall next to the door. He pulled his hand back and his knuckles were bleeding. “Dammit. I knew there had to be someone else. He’s had a thing for you for a long time.”
“Rick, there wasn’t anything going on. This is the first time we’ve gone out. And I don’t know what it is yet.”
He stared at her silently for a long moment. “I got laid off yesterday. I didn’t do anything wrong this time. My buddy Dave just didn’t get that business he was counting on, and he lost another job he thought he was getting this week. He was outbid by Brazilians or maybe it was Jamaicans, I don’t remember. But he can’t afford to keep me on. He said he might be able to hire me back in a few months, but it’s not a definite.”
“I’m sorry, Rick.” She really did feel for him.
“So, I think I’m going to move off-island for a while. A buddy of mine says there’s a ton of work out in Seattle. And the money is good.” He looked at Emily and gently pushed her hair off her face. “I just can’t be there for her right now. I’m sorry, Izzy. I think this is for the best. I really do. I’ll come back when I can, maybe in a year or two. And if things are better then, I can stick around and see if I can be a part of Emily’s life maybe.”
“Of course. Whatever you want to do, Rick.” She held her arms out to him and he pulled her in for a goodbye hug.
Izzy carried Emily and her carrier out to Will’s car, and Rick followed with the playpen and Emily’s tote bag of diapers and clothes. He put everything in the back seat and then walked back to the house.
“He didn’t even look at me,” Will said as they drove away.
“He’s had a rough couple of days.” She told him what happened, and that Rick was leaving.
“Seattle, huh? I heard it’s nice out there.”
“He said there’s a lot of work.”
When they reached the condo, Will carried Emily’s things in while Izzy brought Emily in her carrier. Mia wasn’t home yet. Izzy set Emily down and Will put her things against the living room sofa.
“Well, that was quite a night,” Izzy said. “Thank you for a wonderful dinner. And for introducing me to your favorite wine.”
Will took her hands and pulled her in close. “It was a good night. The best. Because I was with you. Was this a date for you, Izzy? Or were we just two friends having dinner?” He grinned. “I just want to know.”
She smiled. “It was the best date I’ve ever had.”
“Ever?” He looked surprised.
“Ever.” And then she pulled him in close and kissed him.
Epilogue
“Do you think we have enough food? I could put out a few more lobster quiches.” Lisa said and then laughed at the expressions on Rhett and Kate’s faces.
“Mom, seriously. There’s plenty of food. There’s always plenty of food. Step out of the kitchen and go enjoy your party.” Kate gave her mother a gentle shove and Rhett grabbed her hand and pulled her outside where the sun was shining and her whole family and all of their friends were gathered for a Fourth of July cookout.
Kate was right behind them. “And thank you for having it at your house this year.”
“Of course, honey. You have your hands full.” She smiled at her daughter who quite literally had her hands full, as Jack handed her babies to her and she balanced one on each side. “Here, I’ll take Annabella from you.” Kate handed her granddaughter to her and Lisa walked around showing her off to everyone.
“Who is that with your friend Marley?” Sue asked as she reached for a mini-lobster roll.
Lisa smiled. “That’s her client, Mark. He’s a photographer. I’m pretty sure they’re dating now but she says they are good friends.”
“They look cute together,” Paige said.
“And are Izzy and Will dating now? They look awfully cute together too. Look at her feeding him a bite of her burger.”
“And look how her daughter Emily adores him. She has her little arms wrapped around his neck. You’d almost think she was his daughter,” Sue said.
; “I think they make a good couple,” Lisa said. “They’ve been friends for a long time.”
Kate plopped down next to Jack, who was leaning back on a big blanket that they spread on the lawn. Toby was sleeping next to him and Kate gently laid Annabella next to her brother. They liked to sleep next to each other.
“My mother said Kristen and I used to do that too,” she said as Annabella rested her hand on her brother’s arm.
“They are too cute. I think we should keep them,” Jack said.
Kate leaned over and kissed her husband.
“I agree. They are keepers.”
“Are you having fun?”
“Yes. It’s been a great day. I love hosting this party but it’s a nice treat to just show up and have all the work done, too. It is getting easier, Jack. It’s not as overwhelming as it was.”
“I think you’re doing an amazing job. I still can’t believe we have twins. I can’t wait until they start walking and talking.”
Kate squeezed his hand. “It’s going to go by so fast. I don’t want to miss a minute. Though I wouldn’t mind a few more minutes of sleep.”
“Have I mentioned that I love you lately?”
“Actually, I don’t believe you have mentioned that today.” Kate smiled as Jack pulled her in for another kiss. “Well, I do. I love you, Kate.”
“I think she likes me.” Will’s dimple flashed as he smiled down at Emily and Izzy’s heart melted, again.
“I think she loves you, almost as much as her mother does.” She said the words first, and the shock on Will’s face made her laugh. “You look so surprised.”
Will gently untangled Emily from his neck and she yawned as he set her down on the blanket between them and a moment later, she was fast asleep.
“I think I might be having sunstroke. Or did you really just tell me that you love me?”
Izzy beamed up at him happily. They’d been pretty much inseparable since their first date at The Whitley.
“I did, and I do.”
“Well, Izzy, you never do fail to surprise me. I think you know I love you too. I have, for a long time, and I’m so glad that we’re finally together. I think we’re going to have a wonderful future together.”
“I know we will.”
I hope you enjoyed Nantucket Threads! Next up is a new book in April, called The Hotel, which is The Whitley that you read about in this story.
I’d also like to invite you to join my Pamela Kelley Facebook Reader Group, which is such a fun, happy, feel-good place where we talk about books, pets, food and where I often seek your input on covers, character names, book titles….join the fun today.
Lastly, if you haven’t already read it, my most recent release is Christmas at the Restaurant, a sequel to The Restaurant. Both are also set on Nantucket. Thank you!!!
Recipe—Spiced Beef Cigars
This is a simple, different appetizer that looks impressive and tastes heavenly. The key ingredient is honey, which lends sweetness to the beef and really complements the spices, Cumin, Cinnamon, Paprika and Cayenne. It comes together quickly, but the rolling of the cigars does take a little time. You should be able to mix and bake this in about an hour to an hour and a half. You can also bake these cigars ahead of time, freeze, and then just warm up before serving.
SPICED BEEF CIGARS
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp. each of ground cumin and paprika
¼ tsp. each of cayenne pepper and cinnamon
1 lb. lean ground beef
2/3 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tbsp honey
¾ cup dry fine breadcrumbs
phyllo pastry (if you buy a box, there are usually two bags inside, just use one, and freeze the other for later)
½ cup melted butter
1. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onions and garlic. Cook a few minutes until tender. Add spices. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add beef. Cook until meat looses its raw appearance. Add tomato sauce. Simmer 5 minutes. Season to taste. Transfer to a bowl. Cool. Add beaten egg, honey, and half of the breadcrumbs.
2. Takie phyllo pastry out of the package and cut the stack of 12 sheets into thirds crosswise so that each strip is about 12” x 4”. Cover with a damp cloth.
3. Work with 2 or 3 pieces of phyllo at a time. Arrange the pastry in a single layer on your work surface. Have olive oil or melted butter and a pastry brush at hand. Brush oil/butter over the phyllo and sprinkle with bread crumbs.
4. Form about 1 tbsp. of the filling into a log about 3” long and place it the center at the bottom of the strip of phyllo. Fold edges over the filling and roll up. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with
parchment paper. Brush the top with oil/butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds (if desired, I haven't used them yet).
5. Bake in a preheated oven 400F/200C oven for 20 minutes until brown and crisp.
You can freeze them after step #4. When you want to serve them, put them into the preheated oven without defrosting. Add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the regular baking time.
You can also bake them then freeze them. To serve, reheat in oven for 15 minutes.
I served this with a dip that was one cup cream, and one cup salsa, and it was perfect.
Enjoy! These are amazingly good.
Nantucket Threads (Nantucket Beach Plum Cove Book 6) Page 15