Professor David Rivera was a distinguished and good looking man with dark brown hair and brown eyes. There was a sadness about him, probably due to the loss of his wife to sickness a while back, but he’d been smiling more since Katy had matched up his daughter Sophie. Clarisse always appreciated his smile, it warmed his face considerably and reminded her of her own father.
“Sure, and coffee,” David said.
“I’ll grab a mug and a fresh pot and be right back.”
“No rush. I’m not in a hurry. My first class isn’t for a few hours.” He glanced around the diner and smiled. “Looks like Katy has a busy one this morning.”
“Yep and we had one of the stoves in the back go out. She’s calling the repairman, now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry about that. Just grab the coffee for me and tell Robert that he can wait on my order until it dies down. I have papers to grade anyway.”
Clarisse laughed. “As if Katy would let me put your order on hold.”
“What’s this about holding an order?” Katy said, popping into existence as if by magic.
David had the good sense to avoid Katy’s laser-like stare and began to rummage through his attaché case. He pulled out a ream of paper and waved it at Katy in defense. “I really do have papers to grade.”
Katy put her hands on her hips, drumming her fingers. “I see that, but I pride myself on excellent customer service.”
Clarisse took the opportunity to make a break for it, going behind the counter to retrieve David’s coffee and put the order in. When she got back, she had to hold in a laugh. David looked like a chastened puppy with his tail between his legs. There was no arguing with Katy. She was a force of nature.
“Here’s your coffee and the order’s in,” Clarisse said.
“Thank you, Clarisse. Don’t worry about David and the front for a bit. You go back and talk with Russel for a few minutes.”
“But— “
“Don’t worry I can handle your tables in the front for a few moments,” Katy paused and eyed David for a second, “can’t I?”
David let out a burst of laughter and slapped the table. “You might as well go.”
“I know. I know. There’s no arguing with Katy,” Clarisse commented.
“Nope,” David agreed.
With a smile and great affection for her boss, Clarisse went to talk to Russel. He was the only one seated in the patio area this morning, but that wasn’t unusual. Most regulars liked to sit inside, just in case something interesting happened. And at Cupid’s it wasn’t unusual to see a proposal. Clarisse paused at the door leading out to the patio. Is Katy playing matchmaker with Russel and me? Clarisse tapped at the door considering. Does it really matter to me?
Clarisse remembered the wind on her face and holding Russel tight while riding through the night. It made her smile. No, I guess it doesn’t matter. Besides, Clarisse couldn’t fault Katy’s track record. She had an uncanny ability to find just the right match. It seemed almost supernatural. Clarisse had never come right out and asked Katy about her ability, but she suspected there was something more than just good instincts.
Clarisse pushed open the door, and Russel lifted his head up. “I know you're busy…”
“Katy gave me a few minutes for a break.”
“That’s kind of her. But I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to go to the movie festival on Saturday night?”
“Oh, I’m afraid I can’t.” Clarisse felt a pang of disappointment. “I promised Tommy I’d take him to the high school basketball game. A couple of his friends are playing on the team, and he wants to see them play. They told him they’d introduce him to the coach. He might try out for the team in a couple years.”
“Oh, well…” Russel blew out a puff of air, looking deflated.
“If you’re free, we can go Sunday afternoon. We could go to the matinee marathon, and after have an early picnic supper at Meadows picnic area. Then, maybe a walk-through Albany Park?”
“Hey, great idea.”
“Oh,” Clarisse paused, thinking of Tommy and her relaxing Sundays with him. “Actually, would you mind if Tommy came along?”
“Perfect. How about I add to your plan? You can drop me off at the office, and I’ll get my bike and Tommy can get that ride he’s been begging for.”
“Great idea,” she said. “He’d love it. It’s a date then.”
Russel stood up, not exactly towering over her, but she had to look up to him. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Clarisse felt her face heat, and she pressed a hand to her cheek.
Russel continued as if he hadn’t just kissed her, chaste as it might be. “One condition. I get to bring the picnic food. I’m a pretty good cook, and tomorrow I’m going to make some fried chicken the way my mother used to. You just bring Tommy along. Is he coming to the movies with us?”
“Heavens, no!” she said. “He hates old movies. I’ll go home and pick him up while you’re getting the Harley.”
“Works for me!” Russel told her and turned to go to the patio door and back through the diner. Clarisse walked him to the diner’s front door, waving a goodbye. She let the door close with its merry jingling bells and took a second to regroup herself.
Russel hadn’t even batted an eyelash when she’d asked if Tommy could come on their date. He’d even thought she’d wanted her son to come to the movies with them. That was a ridiculous notion, but what other man would be okay with her son tagging along? None, in her experience. Guys ran from women with kids. Even Tommy’s own father didn’t want to stay around and help out.
Well… that wasn’t exactly fair. Her own father was a good man. Someone a girl could count on, and it seemed that Russel was the same kind of man. She placed her hand on her cheek again, thinking of Russel’s two kisses. A kiss to her hand and her cheek weren’t something that should make her heart pound, but they did. It was the thought and care behind them, and that was something she really liked about Russel.
Clarisse wandered behind the counter, automatically picking up the coffee pot. She should make rounds and top off mugs. She moved through the room, ending with David.
“Who’s your friend, Clarisse?” David asked, an innocent expression on his face. “He sure is a big guy. Even with your height. He towers over you.”
Clarisse liked David but wasn’t about to discuss her love life with him. “Oh, just some guy I met,” she told him. “Nothing special.”
“That smile on your face says that he’s more than some guy.”
Clarisse stared at him. “When did you get so interested in my love life?”
David grinned. “Sorry, Katy’s rubbing off on me.”
“I think one matchmaker in this diner is enough.”
“Probably, but I’m curious all the same.”
Clarisse sighed and went about refilling his coffee. “Well, if you must know, we’ve been going out. He’s a local business owner, HVAC contractor. His name is Russel Burke.”
“Russel Burke?” David said, tapping his chin. “I know that name. He’s done work for the university. They have their own maintenance department, but he gets called sometimes when there’s something they can’t handle. A good man, despite his background.”
“Background? What do you mean?”
“Oh, his brother is…” David trailed off. “You know. That’s something you should talk to Russel about. I don’t know the details, and I wouldn’t want to bias your opinion with talk of his brother. I’ll just say that as far as I know, everyone says that he’s a good man.”
“That would be Russel. He’s been wonderful to Tommy and me.”
“It’s nice to hear that. I’m happy for you.” David looked around the diner for a second. His gaze lingering toward the back counter. Absently, he said, “It’s one of the reasons I like coming here. This place makes people happy.”
Clarisse watched him get up, leave a tip on the table, and head up to the front cash register. David had a half-grin on his face. I gu
ess this place does make people happy. I’m happy here.
She began to clear his table, suddenly remembering David’s comments about Russel’s background and brother. She’d have to ask Russel.
Chapter 11
Sunday afternoon, after the four-hour movie marathon was over, and Russel had dropped Clarisse at home to pick up her car and Tommy, he returned to the shop to get the Harley. Since he knew it would take a while for Clarisse to get there, he checked the oil, just to be safe, and left the bike just outside the open shop door while he went into the break room to get the picnic supplies.
He took the paper bag with the fried chicken, a container of potato salad, and a bottle of white wine out of the fridge. He put them and a couple of sodas in two soft sided coolers, which he took outside to put in the saddle bags on the bike. Earlier, he had put a blanket and a checkered tablecloth in one of the bags.
Russel hoped his cooking skills impressed Clarisse. Oh, he knew how to fix an AC or a heating unit, but that wasn’t something that usually impressed the ladies. Though, he had made sure that she and Tommy were warm and that was something.
He closed the overhead door and mounted the Harley. He hadn’t asked if Clarisse could cook, but it didn’t matter to him if she could. He’d lived alone long enough and taught himself enough that he could do the cooking.
He shook his head at his own thoughts. They’d been on a few dates, and he was already dividing up chores. He’d never really thought about having his own family. He’d been too screwed up as a kid and as a young man. Then, he’d spent a lot of time fixing himself up and being the man his mentor Father Mike had wanted him to be.
He’d accomplished that and now… now that he was ready, he liked the idea of having his own family. In fact, the more he thought about it, he specifically liked the thought of coming home to Clarisse and Tommy. He didn’t know the boy that well yet, but what he’d seen and heard about him from his mom, impressed him.
As a boy, Russel loved his mom’s chicken and potato salad. He hoped that it… and a ride on a Harley, were enough to impress Tommy. He’d still have to do some work to move Clarisse along to his way of thinking. It was early in their relationship, but Russel suddenly had never wanted anything more in his life.
He started the Harley and set off to meet Clarisse and Tommy, a smile firmly in place.
Clarisse and Tommy were just nearing the turn off for the park when Tommy asked, “Is Russel going to let me ride on the Harley?”
“That’s what he told me.”
“And you agreed?”
“Yes…” Clarisse hesitated. It was one thing for her to ride a Harley, but she worried about Tommy. It was a silly mother’s worry. Russel was a safe driver, but this was her baby. “I agreed, but you are to listen to Russel’s every instruction.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Do you think he’s just giving me a ride to impress you? Lots of guys promise stuff, and nothing ever comes of it.”
“Tommy Wilson, whatever do you mean?” she asked, astounded. She had never worried about Tommy and the other men she had dated over the years. She had managed to make it clear to him that she had no plans to marry anyone and had not been serious with anyone. Tommy was the most important person in her life.
“It doesn’t matter. I just hope I get to ride on the Harley.”
Clarisse let the comment drop, though she worried. She hadn’t remembered her other dates promising Tommy stuff. In fact, she usually kept them away from Tommy so that he wouldn’t get hurt if they decided that dating a single mom wasn’t for them. Not that she went on many dates anyway, but the ones she had gone on were usually first dates without a repeat.
Clarisse didn’t let it bother her, or tried not to. She threw her time and effort into Tommy, school, and work. That was enough for any woman.
Though, she liked Russel—liked spending time with him, liked that he wanted to spend time with her and Tommy. There was something sure and solid about him that she trusted.
As she pulled up to park at Meadows’ picnic area, she saw that Russel had already staked out a spot on the grassy area, leaving the picnic tables to a group who had already claimed them. She and Tommy got out of the car and joined him just as he was spreading the table cloth on top of a large wool blanket.
“I hope you don’t mine sitting on the ground,” he said, apologetically, “they were already here when I got here, so it’s going to be an old-fashioned picnic for us. Hi, Tommy!”
“Hey, Russel. Can we go for a ride now?” Tommy asked.
“Well, I think we’re going to have a chicken dinner first.”
Tommy’s sigh could have been heard across the park.
“Tommy,” Clarisse said in a low warning tone. “I know you want that ride, but Russel has made us a nice dinner, and we will enjoy that before there’s any talk of motorcycles. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Tommy complied. Though, he didn’t sound thrilled at the prospect of waiting.
That would have to do, for now, Clarisse thought and turned to address Russel. “Besides, all we had at the movies was a big tub of popcorn, and I’m starving.” Clarisse touched her son’s shoulder, reassuring, “There’ll be time for a ride soon. Let’s eat first.”
“Okay, Mom,” Tommy agreed with less preteen attitude.
Clarisse was proud of him for volunteering to help Russel spread out the picnic food without her prodding.
Russel had brought a bread knife and a loaf of crispy, Italian bread, which he sliced up and put on a paper platter. He handed each of them a paper plate, napkin, and real silverware. The cooler bags contained chips, cups, and a few sodas. He gestured to the wine, and she nodded. He poured a glass for her and poured a soda Tommy and himself. She was surprised he didn’t opt for wine but was secretly pleased since he was taking her Tommy for a ride on his bike.
He set out the crispy pieces of fried chicken on another platter, opened the potato salad, plunged a spoon into it, and said “Voila! Dinner time.”
Once the food was on the plates, Tommy’s disappointment vanished. Her active, growing boy loved food with a passion and dug in without any more encouragement. Clarisse had to admit the food smelled wonderful, and from Tommy’s blissful smile and stuffed cheeks, she guessed it tasted good too.
The first bite of chicken was heavenly. “Russel unless you want to share the breading recipe with Katy, don’t ever let her try your chicken.”
“She’s welcome to it. I’d love to be able to get some of my Mom’s chicken without making it myself. I generally like cooking, but I think there’s something comforting about eating food that reminds you of good times.”
Clarisse remembered that he’d just lost his Mom. She set her chicken down on her plate and reached a hand out to cover his. “Katy would be just the person to trust a family recipe, too. She’d love nothing more than to bring back the best of memories.”
Russel squeezed her hand, offering his thanks. “I’ll be sure to make some for her and see what she thinks.”
“If that happens,” Tommy muttered, mouth stuffed full, “you have to bring the leftovers home. This stuff is awesome!”
Russel let out a bark of laughter. “Thanks, Tommy.”
After devouring every shred of chicken but the bones, most of the potato salad, and the entire loaf of bread, they all sat back and were silent for a few moments. Dinner conversation had covered the comings and goings of other people in the park, the white puffy clouds gathering on the far western horizon, the greenness of the grass, and the upcoming motorcycle ride.
Russel began to put away the utensils and containers, pouring out the last of the wine and stuffing trash into a plastic bag. As he finished, five motorcycles roared up the road and came to a stop not far away at the nearest picnic tables.
Five husky men and five women got off the cycles. None wore standard helmets, but all had some headgear, ranging from spiked-top helmets to leather goggles and skull caps. One of the men pulled a bottle out of his saddle bags, while others produce
d six and twelve packs of beer, and bags of fast food.
As Russel, Clarisse, and Tommy were heading for the parking area, one of the men, a guy who was built like a wrestler, yelled “Hey, Burke, that you? Look what we have here guys. It’s Russel with one L Burke.” He began to move toward them with a rolling gait. “Where ya going, Russel with one L?”
Russel handed Clarisse the cooler he had been carrying, and gave the bag with the blanket and table cloth to Tommy. “You go along to the car now, both of you. Don’t stop. Put the stuff in the car and get in.”
“Russel, what’s . . .” Clarisse started, but he quickly cut her off, saying “Just go, now. Do it!”
Scared by his tone, and the size of the guy that looked a little like a charging rhino moving toward them, she did as he said.
The big man closed the distance to Russel faster than she thought possible, given his size and shape. Russel stood his ground.
“What’s a matter, Burke?” the man said loudly, “‘Afraid your little black lady friend and her whelp will hear or see something they shouldn’t?”
“Rudy, be quiet,” Russel said calmly. The round man outweighed him, but was shorter and had less reach, and Russel knew his moves from previous confrontations with him. He stood, arms to his side, feet planted slightly more than shoulder width apart, and with hands relaxed and open.
“Be quiet,” the man mocked. “When did you get so high and mighty? If you want me to shut up, then you’ll have to come over here and make me.”
“Just walk away, Rudy.”
“Not a chance. Why don’t ya introduce me to your friend and her kid? I betcha we could have a good time. If you know what I mean.”
Russel saw the sickening gleam in Rudy’s eyes as he turned toward Clarisse and Tommy, who were putting the picnic remains in the car. If they got inside and drove away everything would be fine. He had to give them time.
“This has nothing to do with her. Keep your eyes and hands off her.”
“You don’t tell me what to do. In fact, I think you’re due for a lesson in respect,” Rudy said and charged at Russel.
A Slice of Heaven (Cupid's Cafe Where love is on the menu Book 6) Page 5