“You mean the beef from China?” she asked, baiting him for a response.
“Actually,” started Rico, “it’s from Japan, and it’s their most expensive meat.”
“Do you mean the Wagyu beef from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black Cattle that are raised in the Hyogo Prefecture? The Kobe raised and slaughtered according to strict rules set out by the Kobe beef marketing and distribution promotion, and it makes up the top approximately 1% of the meat processed.”
Taken aback, Rico smiled at the exchange.
“I may have met my match,” he told a surprised Sarah, raising his wine glass to toast with Patty.
“Don’t even get me started about Bearing Sea Red King Crab or Canadian Foie Gras,” replied a confident and sassy Patty, who hadn’t felt like her old self in quite a while, she realized.
“What are you doing for dinner tonight, Patty?” asked Sarah, as she pulled bag after bag out of the cooler.
“Nothing, I suppose, since Joshua is spending the night at his new friend’s house.”
“How about you, Rico…I mean besides your quick final check on your students? There’s far too much great food here for just Mac and me,” Sarah said, with a smile and a wink at Rico. “With two pounds of meat in each bag, we could feed a small village.”
He started to protest until Patty spoke up, saying, “It might be nice to talk shop with someone over a nice dinner and some wine.”
“OK. OK,” said Rico. “I suppose I have nothing to lose.”
“Would you mind, Rico, if we put just a little of each dish aside for my father? I know he would love a treat like this,” continued Sarah.
“Absolutely,” he replied. “I have calculated a plate for both Samuel and John, as well. Maybe you can deliver his while I deliver John’s and check on my students.”
“Can I meet them…your students, I mean?” asked Patty.
“Sure. Why not?” agreed Rico. “We will prep everything first and prepare it right after we return.”
With all three working, course prep took just over an hour. With an additional 30 minutes to prepare Samuel’s and John’s plates, the three split up, with Sarah lending the truck to Rico.
Samuel was thrilled with the lavish meal, as was John.
Rico returned to his kitchen to a frantic but competent staff pulling off a classic meatloaf meal, complete with butter-smashed potatoes and green beans au gratin. Paired with a loaded garden salad, and banana cream pie for dessert, he stood proud as he introduced Patty.
One of his newer students smiled at Patty flirtatiously. Pulling Rico aside, he asked what her situation was. “She’s spoken for,” Rico replied flatly, surprising even himself.
“What was that all about?” asked Patty, as the trainees all resumed their work.
“Oh, nothing,” he replied. “It just seems a few of my students noticed how pretty you are!”
“Are you saying I’m pretty, Chef Rico?” she asked bluntly.
“Do you always just say what’s on your mind?” he replied.
“Yes, pretty much always. That’s who I am,” said Patty.
“Well, Ms. Patty, who is both pretty and always speaks her mind, would you please help me pick out some special wine for tonight’s dinner?”
“For tonight’s dinners, I believe you mean. Of course. I would be happy to. What do you like, Chef?”
“Rico. Please call me Rico, and surprise me with your choice,” he said, leading her to the wine room.
Her eyes widened as she saw hundreds of bottles lining all four walls of the large room.
“Where did all these come from?” she asked, recognizing the labels on a few bottles she had already pulled out.
“Gifts mostly, from wineries across the globe hoping I would mention them in an interview or article I was featured in.”
“Do you know how snobby that sounds?” she blurted out. “Oh no, I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair. Sometimes I put my foot right in my mouth.”
“No, that’s OK. You’re pretty much right,” Rico replied. “Back then, I was the snob you are referring to. When people bend over backwards to give you lavish gifts, at a certain point one starts to think they have actually earned or deserve it.
“Some people get caught up in drugs or alcohol, sex or money, but my vice was recognition and praise, with some coke mixed in, and I consumed it like a heroin addict.
“None of that matters anymore, but I think we are looking at one of the most diverse fine wine collections anywhere in the world, especially now.”
“I would agree,” she replied, as she paired each dish with its proper wine.
Patty smiled, remembering a scene in one of her favorite movies, City Slickers, starring Billy Crystal and Jack Palance. Fellow ranch guests Barry and Ira Shalowitz, loosely portraying Ben and Jerry’s ice cream founders, have a showdown where Ira claims to be able to pair any meal with the correct ice cream.
She would never forget the classic response from Ira when Crystal’s character asks him to pair a flavor with beans and franks. “Scoop of chocolate, scoop of vanilla. Don’t waste my time.”
“Ever see City Slickers?”
“What’s that?” asked Rico.
“Never mind,” she said, now concentrating on each categorized shelf.
She chose a Sauvignon Blanc to pair with both the meat and seafood.
Pulling a bottle at random, she gasped. “This is a Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, bottled in 1992, their debut year. It’s over $6,000 a bottle!”
Quickly putting the bottle back on the shelf, she asked if there were any others more reasonably priced.
“Why does that matter now?” he asked. “In this next-world,” he continued, “a Screaming Eagle carries no more weight to people than an average box of wine. It’s just wine to them.
“I know you appreciate it. And Patty,” he continued, smiling, pulling back out the bottle and another identical one just below. “Wait until you see their Cab! This is why I don’t let just anyone come into the wine room.
“What is the price of good company and engaging conversation?” he asked, holding up each bottle.
“We shall serve this wine at exactly 47 degrees, if only to preserve a small amount of snobbiness from the old-world.”
Patty was feeling happy around a man…for the first time in a while.
If she was honest, she didn’t miss Ralph at all. The love she had for him started to wane long ago with her very first abuse at his hand. Once he started hitting her son, it disappeared altogether, never to return.
Still not sure about Rico, she enjoyed the conversation around her passion for food and drink.
* * * *
Meeting back at the West’s kitchen, Sarah was instrumental in getting a newly hired Patty off the dinner shift for the night.
With the food prepared, Mac showed up at Sarah’s house at 7:30 p.m., as instructed. She had asked him to bring Bo in the truck, leaving Mac only to think he would be spending the night.
Dinner by candlelight was the norm now and still kept its charm. Mac loved the dinner, admitting he couldn’t spell most of the items he consumed.
He made love to her that night, confident and gently, leaving her no doubt she was choosing wisely.
Rico and Patty thoroughly enjoyed their evening at his home, talking of culinary things most would find trivial.
He walked her home, kissing her on the cheek, and thanked her for the best night he had had since he could remember. “What did you think of the wine?” he asked.
“Mmm, it was just OK, I guess,” Patty replied, with a wink and a smile.
“Yeah, right!” replied an excited Rico, laughing. He drove back to the Ranch, again borrowing the truck, with a smile and renewed faith in his place in the valley.
* * * * * * *
Chapter Five
Weston, Colorado
James and Jason made it down the mountain the way they had come.
Pausing for a moment at the same spot o
n the road where they had first met, Jason gave a silent prayer for how much his family’s life had changed in a short period of time.
The rest of the short trip was uneventful, with both keeping a watchful eye for anything out of the ordinary.
Pulling in to Second Chances Ranch, the men were met with the happy screams of children and a now semi-mobile Chance.
“What have you all been up to?” asked Jason, lifting little Jenna and tossing her playfully in the air. She squealed with delight.
“My turn,” said the other girls, as he switched between them.
“Can I get a turn, Daddy?” asked Billy to James. “Sure, son,” he replied, winking to a shocked Janice and Lauren.
“Whee!” cried Billy, as James swung him around. “More, Daddy, more!” he called out. James, always having had a good sense of people, and especially his wife, took advantage of the opportunity, telling Billy, “OK! Mommy’s turn,” as he handed him to Janice.
Swinging him in a large circle, he cried out, “Faster, Mommy! Faster!”
Hugging him tightly, she whispered, “I love you, son.”
“I love you too, Mommy,” he replied without hesitation, running off to play with the girls.
* * * *
David got on the radio with James in the early evening, relating the new information about the Topeka Kansas group headed their way.
“Well, we’re a little over 20 miles west of the I-25 Interstate, so I hope they will not veer that far off the beaten track, but we will be prepared in case they do,” said James. “Thank you, my friend,” he added, “for the update. How’s it going on your end with the bridge?”
David relayed the story of Mel using the bandsaw, as well as Mike’s little stunt on the bridge. “It’s down now, the bridge that is, thanks to Mel and a few sticks of two-year-old dynamite.”
Signing off, James and Jason prepared for their first official day as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Weston, Colorado.
Arriving at the Sheriff’s office at 8 a.m., they were shown the office area on the second floor of the courthouse, designated for their positions.
Each had a small room with plaques on their respective desks, announcing their titles. “It’s a bit quieter without the phones, computers and fax machines,” noted the Sheriff. “But that just gives you more time to be out amongst the townsfolk of our fair town.”
“Great,” said James. “Where do we start?”
“You have a meeting with the newly elected city council at 1 p.m. today,” replied the Sheriff.
“OK,” replied James. “Do we have an agenda?”
“Of course…” Then, following a long pause before the Sheriff walked out the door, he added, “I’m sure you two resourceful men will come up with one.”
“Pen to paper, Jason, but this time without the scotch,” said James, laughing. “The city council works at the pleasure of the mayor’s office,” he added.
“Yes, and the mayor’s office serves at the pleasure of the Sheriff’s office and the courthouse,” replied Jason.
“It’s the circle of life, I guess. Now let’s get down to business,” suggested James. “We have four newly elected town council members: two previous ones and two new ones. They will, of course, have their own ideas of where this town is headed and how to get there. I want them on our side if it ever comes down to it. You and I are never going down like Mr. Grimes, I can assure you.
“One more thing, Jason. There can be no more comments about the Sheriff or the Judge in front of anyone outside our Ranch. Are we agreed?”
“Yes, we are. I understand it’s our families first. Nothing matters more.”
* * * *
The council meeting at 1 p.m. was anything but tame, with the longstanding members reserved at first and the two new ones shouting conspiracy theories about Mr. Grimes.
He was apparently their choice, and they seemed to have the story about right concerning his early demise.
James gave Jason a look that said, Don’t agree. Just listen, as the veteran councilmen looked on.
“The council serves at the pleasure of the Mayor, and I serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff and Judge Lowry,” stated James, not believing the words were coming out of his mouth.
Forgive me, Lord, for not standing up for injustice now, as David stood to Goliath, James thought. I will, in good time he prayed silently.
The veteran council members nodded approvingly, and James worried about the futures of the new ones.
Topics of the day ranged from clean water, hygiene, safety, and food, including a community garden that got James’ attention.
“I’ll donate a variety of heirloom seeds, meaning we can reuse year after year to get the garden started,” James announced. He and Jason would make gathering the supplies for five initial greenhouses a priority for the week.
* * * *
Presenting the idea to Sheriff Johnson and Judge Lowry, James and Jason were given one acre of land in the middle of the town for the project, but not before being grilled about the meeting with the town council, wanting to know everything.
“Just town talk about how to help citizens with clean water, hygiene and food,” replied James.
“Everyone seems on board to get things done,” he added.
“That’s good to hear,” announced Sheriff Johnson.
“We need loyal people we can trust to watch over the good people of my town,” interjected the Judge, getting a look from the Sheriff.
“There is one last thing that Jason and I did not discuss with the councilmen,” James said. He relayed the information of the Topeka group, telling them that he had overheard it on his radio while at the ranch. He was not about to give up any information about David and his outfit, and a look to Jason told him to keep quiet.
“I will consider my options,” said the Sheriff, “and have a plan, just in case they make it all the way up here”—this time getting a cross look from Judge Lowry.
“We’d best be getting back to work,” said James, with his hand on Jason’s shoulder.
* * * *
“Were getting in the middle of some crap here, aren’t we?” Jason asked as they walked back across the street to their new office.
“Like it or not, yes, we are,” replied James. “Those two men will have it out eventually, and if it’s a fair fight I’m pretty sure the Sheriff will come out on top. I just don’t count on the Judge fighting fairly is all. We need to be prepared for either outcome, though.”
The rest of the afternoon was boring by next-world standards.
“We will start on the community gardens in a couple of days,” said James. “I’ll bring the tractor, but the Sheriff and Judge will be paying for the gas.”
There were three gas stations in operation within the town limits when it went dark. Judge Lowry and Sheriff Johnson made it clear from the third day that all gasoline from the three stations would belong to the town, and any remaining fuel would be distributed at their discretion.
The gas station owners were agreeable, as they seemingly had no choice. Getting the gas out of the large underground tanks proved difficult at first, having to be siphoned by the gallon.
With the Sheriff nominating a few local ranchers, they were able to set up a foot-powered pump capable of pumping nearly four gallons a minute into five-gallon containers.
Nobody knew exactly how many gallons were in the ground beneath each station, but the station owners had an idea, with each checking their written logs. All agreed it should last a while.
* * * *
James and Jason headed home about 5:30 p.m., according to the town clock.
Going home to anxious children was nothing out of the ordinary to Jason. For James, it meant everything this night.
He imagined, as all dads do, that their young child would greet them at the door with a hug and hopes of games to be played. He would not be disappointed this night, as Billy ran across the large open living room and jumped into his arms, telling him everything about his
day.
“Sorry,” he said to Janice in a whisper.
“No worries,” she replied. “He’s been glued to my side all day.” Her smile said it all.
Dinner tonight was ribeye steak from their own steer, slow-cooked over the traditional charcoal barbecue grill. James would have commandeered the grill, had he been home, but both he and Jason were impressed by the outcome.
“You ladies did a fine job on the steaks,” said Jason.
Next World Series (Vol. 3): Families First [Second Wind] Page 7