California Summer

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California Summer Page 26

by Anita Hughes


  Josh slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her. She kissed him back, and a shiver of excitement ran down her spine.

  “Let’s go back to my motel and get my things,” he said hoarsely. “I’ll show you how much I love you.”

  Rosie turned on the ignition and shifted into reverse.

  “Rosie, wait!” Josh shouted and clutched the dashboard.

  “What is it?” She froze, her hand on the steering wheel.

  Josh ducked his head out the window and grinned. “You almost ran over my surfboard.”

  Eighteen

  Rosie and Josh left the beach and picked up Josh’s things at his motel room. They closed the curtains and made love. Afterwards Rosie stood in the motel shower, the hot water seeping into every part of her body. Her heart was so full she felt as light as the soap bubbles on her freshly washed skin.

  They drove leisurely down the coast, the ocean changing from a dark gray to a shimmering turquoise. Their picnic of sourdough bread and Edam cheese was the best she ever tasted, and when they stopped at Point Lobos to watch the sea lions clambering over the rocks she never wanted to leave.

  A warm breeze wafted in the window, and Josh kept his hand on her knee. He was like a schoolboy, showing her points of interest: inlets where he had surfed, taco shacks on the beach, colorful beds of flowers.

  “When I was a kid, I was obsessed with California missions,” Josh said as they approached San Luis Obispo. “I did my mission report on Mission San Luis Obispo. Did you know in 1772 there was a famine and the missionaries were starving? A group of men traveled to the Valley of the Bears and killed enough grizzly bears to feed four missions.”

  “I forgot you were a history buff.” Rosie closed the window. It was early evening and the air was chilly.

  “Do you mind if we stop here?” He waved at the low stone building. “I haven’t visited the mission since I was nine years old.”

  Rosie was exhausted. The last twenty-four hours were a blur, like a car speeding on a racetrack. She wanted to sink into a bubble bath and then climb under the down comforter. She wanted to share a bowl of Peg’s homemade soup, and eat a slice of chocolate cake for dessert.

  “It’s after five o’clock.” Rosie checked her watch. “It’s probably closed.”

  “I bet the church is open.” Josh stopped the car in the gravel driveway. “Let’s take a look.”

  Josh took Rosie’s hand and led her down a stone path. “See the grapevines on the archway.” He pointed to the trellis growing over the walkway. “The missionaries produced their own wine. It was the first wine made in California.”

  “It’s very pretty.” Rosie admired the lush rosebushes. “I’d love to take a quick peek.”

  “Let’s go in the church.” Josh pulled her towards a white building with a wooden door.

  Josh opened the door and stepped inside. The church was one room with two pews separated by a narrow aisle. The floor was stone and the windows were set high in the wall. There was a beamed ceiling and yellow candles at the altar.

  “It’s beautiful.” Rosie admired the stained-glass windows.

  “There’s a small room off the main sanctuary,” Josh said. “When I was a kid I hid there after the tour ended. I got in so much trouble, I was grounded for a week.”

  Josh led her to a tiny room. There was a statue of Jesus and a painting of the Last Supper. A wooden altar was framed by a dozen candles, their flames flickering in the dark.

  Rosie squinted in the darkness. A group of people huddled around the altar. Someone gasped and she made out the form of a woman in a yellow dress and a wide hat.

  “Estelle?” Rosie recognized the opal dangling around Estelle’s neck.

  “Hello, dear.” Estelle stepped closer. “It’s lovely to see you.”

  “What are you doing here?” Rosie gasped. The faces in the group turned towards her.

  “Colby, Ryan, Morris!” Rosie’s eyes were wide. “Angelica, Dirk, Oscar, Yvette! What’s going on?”

  Estelle put her hand on Rosie’s. “I had to bring the roses; we couldn’t have a bare church.” She led Rosie back to the main chapel and turned up the lights. There was a huge vase of white roses at the altar, pink and yellow roses tied to the pews, burnt-orange roses lining the aisle, and red roses scattered over the floor.

  “I don’t understand.” Rosie felt shaky. Her throat was dry, and she couldn’t swallow.

  “I brought the champagne.” Morris entered the main sanctuary. “It’s in ice buckets in the back, but we can pop open a bottle now. You look like you need it.”

  “And I have the dress.” Angelica stepped forward. “Thank god Dirk drives faster than a race-car driver, or we wouldn’t have made it in time.”

  “We wouldn’t miss it.” Colby leaned forward and kissed Rosie on the cheek. “Josh called and told me you changed your mind.”

  “Changed my mind?” Rosie repeated in a daze.

  “About Rosie’s Fish Tacos.” Colby grinned.

  “I did?” Rosie turned to Josh.

  “You did.” Josh nodded. “It’s a wonderful opportunity. We’ll work out the details: if you have to travel for business, we’ll go together.”

  “Why is everyone here?” Rosie demanded, feeling like Alice in Wonderland tumbling down the rabbit hole.

  “For your wedding.” Esmeralda stepped out of the dark. She wore a floor-length black gown and red lipstick. Her dark hair was shiny, and she cradled a velvet box.

  “Our what?” Rosie turned to Josh.

  “This is a gift for both of you.” Esmeralda handed Rosie the box. “I’d like you to open it now.”

  Rosie lifted the lid and took out a shiny brass key.

  “It’s the key to my house in Montecito.” Esmeralda smiled. “I’d like you and Josh to live there and fill it with beautiful children.”

  “Thank you.” Josh nodded, catching his mother’s eye.

  “Rosie!” A woman dashed through the door. She wore a heart-shaped pendant around her neck and clutched a red box. “Oh my god, I thought we’d be too late. Patrick’s car doesn’t go over fifty on the highway.”

  Rachel wiped the sweat from her forehead and handed the box to Josh.

  “Rachel brought the wedding rings.” Josh snapped open the box and revealed two matching gold bands. “You said you wanted to elope, but it didn’t feel right to get married without our closest family and friends.”

  “But how did everyone know to come here?” Rosie wondered aloud.

  “I called them while you were showering at the motel,” Josh admitted. “Patrick is going to perform the ceremony. He got ordained online. And Oscar will give you away; it’s good practice for him before Angelica’s wedding.”

  Rosie gulped and turned away, afraid she would burst into tears.

  A hand touched her shoulder and she inhaled Angelica’s perfume.

  “Sometimes I’m not the easiest person to have as a friend, and I haven’t been very supportive of your relationship with Josh,” Angelica said. “But I love you more than anything and I know you’re going to be happy.”

  Rosie gave Angelica a hug and wiped her eyes. “Your dress is in the back room.” Angelica pointed to the door. “It’s an Alexander McQueen crepe sheath with a sweep train.”

  “I’m going to do your makeup.” Yvette stepped forward. “And Morris is going to style your hair.”

  “And I called your parents.” Morris held up his phone. “We’re going to FaceTime them when the ceremony begins.”

  Josh squeezed Rosie’s hand and whispered in her ear, “You’re going to be the most beautiful bride. I’ll meet you at the altar.”

  Rosie curled her fingers around his. The candles flickered on the altar and it all looked so romantic. “I can’t wait.” She looked up and smiled.

  Josh leaned close and kissed her. “Neither can I.”

  Epilogue

  Rosie stood on the porch of the Pullman estate and couldn’t believe it had been ten months since she and Josh g
ot married. At first Esmeralda’s house was overwhelming with its huge empty rooms and overgrown garden. But Estelle sent her gardener to help, and now Rosie had a vegetable garden and a rose garden and a lawn for entertaining. The dark wood floors had been replaced by a light oak, and Josh painted the walls yellow. Morris taught her how to dust in places she couldn’t reach, and Rachel helped clean out the attic and stock the kitchen.

  Her favorite things about the new house were Opal and Grace. The first thing Rosie and Josh did after they moved in was go down to the local animal shelter and pick out two dogs. Opal was a Labrador mix named after one of Josh’s favorite cars and Grace was part English spaniel and loved to retrieve balls on the tennis court.

  She tipped her face up to the sun and thought it was lovely to have a whole weekend to relax. There was always so much to do: projects around the house and approving Colby and Ryan’s marketing plans and running the taco store in the village. And it was almost impossible to pull Josh away from the Classic Car Showroom. Sometimes she picked up a pizza and sat in his office while he mulled over his inventory and sales figures.

  “Hi, Rosie.” Estelle walked out onto the porch. “Aren’t we lucky to have such perfect weather. The lawn looks gorgeous.” She surveyed the long table covered with a white tablecloth and ceramic vases. Gold filigree chairs had pink cushions, and there were strings of colored lights. “I’m so glad we’re finally holding a wedding here. I didn’t think anything could top Angelica and Dirk’s wedding in Monte Carlo, but it will be nice to have one at home. And Peg has outdone herself, with lobster and steak and three types of cheesecakes.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Rosie agreed. “Where are Angelica and Dirk? They’ll miss the rehearsal dinner; it starts in three hours.”

  “Angelica called, they got held up at the studio and they’re stuck in traffic.” Estelle patted her hair. “I don’t know how she juggles it all. She and Dirk are doing publicity for To Catch a Thief and she’s in preproduction for her next movie. It’s all hush-hush, but the leading man is supposed to be someone very famous.”

  At first when Rosie saw photos on Instagram from the set of To Catch a Thief, she couldn’t help being envious. Even if she didn’t have feelings for Ben she missed everything about making movies: watching the daily rushes and spending hours in the editing suite and the thrill of seeing the finished cut on the screen. She had lived and breathed cinema since Kenyon, and she hadn’t realized how much she loved being surrounded by writers and actors and directors.

  But she came home from a trip to New York with Colby, and Josh made her close her eyes and led her into the den. One whole wall was a movie screen and there were velvet-covered chairs and a library of DVDs. It was so much fun watching movies together. Rosie introduced Josh to classics like A Streetcar Named Desire with Paul Newman and Butterfly 8 with Elizabeth Taylor, and they found they both loved current films from India and Brazil. Rosie even renewed her subscription to Variety and was so proud when Angelica was included among the hot new actresses.

  “Where is the bride?” Rosie asked Estelle. “I haven’t seen her all afternoon.”

  “Yvette is with Esmeralda in the cottage,” Estelle replied. “I’m so glad Esmeralda is staying with us for a few days. It might be wishful thinking, but she seems better. The clinic in Switzerland is helping her memory.”

  “I can’t wait to show her everything we’ve done with the house,” Rosie responded as a yellow car pulled into the driveway. Dirk was driving and Angelica sat in the passenger seat, her hair hidden by a floppy hat.

  “Rosie.” Angelica ran up the steps and hugged her. “It’s wonderful to see you, we have so much to catch up on. Don’t you love Dirk’s car.” She waved at the car. “It’s a 1965 Peugeot. Dirk found it in Cassis when we were filming and had it shipped to America. I feel like Grace Kelly driving along the Boulevard de la Croisette and Dirk is every bit as sexy as Cary Grant.”

  “You look beautiful.” Estelle kissed her daughter. “Tell us all about the new movie, we’re dying to hear the details.”

  Angelica took off her hat and adjusted her sunglasses. She wore a formfitting dress and white stilettos.

  “It’s a remake of Pretty Woman,” she said. “Though I’ll never manage Julia Roberts’ smile, it’s the best in Hollywood.” She paused and her eyes danced. “We’re in a mad rush to get the costumes sorted out because we had to move up the schedule. I’m pregnant!”

  “You’re pregnant?” Rosie gasped, noticing how Angelica’s breasts were squeezed into her bra.

  “We found out last week.” Angelica beamed. “Dirk is already thinking of names; he wants something British: Rupert or Nigel if it’s a boy and Tabitha or Beatrix for a girl.”

  “I’m going to be a grandmother,” Estelle said and her voice cracked. “That’s the best news in the world.”

  “Rosie has news of her own.” Angelica glanced pointedly at Rosie.

  Rosie looked at the ground and her cheeks turned red. She had confided in Angelica when she was in Los Angeles two weeks ago, but she asked her not to tell anyone.

  “What is it, Rosie?” Estelle looked at Rosie inquisitively.

  “Josh and I didn’t want to say anything until after the first trimester. You never know what can happen.” She fiddled with her ring. “We’re having a baby. I’m due in December.”

  “A Christmas baby!” Estelle beamed. “How wonderful. Josh must be on top of the world.”

  “We’re both excited and terrified.” Rosie laughed. “Where is Josh? I haven’t seen him since we arrived.”

  “He and the groom played tennis and they went to the pool house to change,” Estelle said. “It’s wonderful having everyone together. It reminds me of when they were children. Who would have guessed Sam and Yvette would fall in love and get engaged? I remember them playing cowboys and Indians and fighting over rafts in the pool.”

  Josh’s sister, Yvette, and Angelica’s brother, Sam, had started a whirlwind romance at Dirk and Angelica’s wedding. Yvette said it was all because of her dog, Josie. Josie fell into the harbor in Monte Carlo and Sam fished her out and saved her.

  “They seem like the perfect couple,” Rosie agreed. “They both want to travel before they start a family. And Sam is teaching Yvette how to cook. They had us over for dinner last week and Sam made spaghetti marinara. He’s a wonderful chef and the first time I met Yvette she was having caramel popcorn for dinner.”

  “Love is the strangest thing or maybe it’s something about this house,” Estelle said ruminatively. “All those years that Oscar lived above the garage, and it wasn’t until he went away that we realized we were in love. Even Morris and Ryan fell in love in this house. I don’t know why Morris kept it a secret for so long,” Estelle said with a little smile. “Oscar and I are so thrilled. Morris deserves to be happy.”

  “I’m so happy for them.” Rosie nodded. “I wish they were here for the wedding, but they’re having a wonderful time in Europe. Morris sent us postcards from Ibiza and Sicily.”

  “You and Daddy are the best role models.” Angelica hugged her mother. “Dirk and I hope to be half as good as parents. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get a box of crackers and use the bathroom.” Angelica turned to Rosie. “You know what it’s like, Rosie. You can’t go an hour without wanting to pee and if you’re not eating saltines you feel like you’re going to throw up.” She squeezed Rosie’s arm. “I can’t wait to exchange food cravings and labor and delivery options. Dirk wants to have the baby in London like George and Amal Clooney. There are private hospitals, and they serve you hot chocolate and scones on a silver tray.”

  Angelica drifted inside and Rosie turned to Estelle.

  “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you about the baby sooner. I’m a little superstitious.”

  “I never told anyone until I was three months along,” Estelle agreed. “But it’s going to be fine. You and Angelica are lucky, there’s nothing better than raising children with your closest friend. Esmeralda and I had
so much fun when the kids were young. They were always running in and out of the house demanding Popsicles and getting pool water on the kitchen floor. Looking back, it was the best time of my life.”

  “I can’t wait.” Rosie nodded. “Angelica and Dirk will come up on the weekends, and we’ll all play tennis and swim and go to the beach.”

  “I really can’t think of anything better.” Estelle noticed Oscar talking to the gardener. “Except of course, marrying the man you love.”

  Josh came out of the pool house and his hair was damp from the shower. He wore a sports shirt and slacks and he looked up at Rosie and waved. Rosie waved back and imagined what their child would look like: a little boy with Josh’s blond hair or a girl with her dark hair and Josh’s blue eyes.

  They had already started talking about the things they would do as a family: get one of those baby backpacks and go hiking in Yosemite, teach him or her to swim early so they could accompany Josh surfing in Mexico. And one day they’d go to Italy and explore the Colosseum and the Roman Forum and eat gnocchi and gelato.

  “Rosie, Estelle.” Josh bounded up the steps. “Sam and I just played two sets of tennis and we’re starving. We’re going to raid the kitchen and Sam’s going to make his roast beef sandwiches. You should join us, they’re the best in Montecito.”

  The afternoon sun reflected on the lake and the air smelled of cut grass and roses. Rosie put a hand over her stomach and happiness bubbled up inside her. She touched Josh’s arm and turned to Estelle.

  “You’re right,” she said, and her face broke into a smile. “There’s nothing better than marrying the man you love.”

  Guacamole with Cottage Cheese and Hawaiian Pink Sea Salt

  2 ripe avocados, halved with pits removed

  1 cup cottage cheese

  juice of 2 limes

  1 jalapeño pepper, minced (with seeds)

  ½ cup diced sweet onion

  ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

  1 teaspoon minced garlic

  1 teaspoon pink sea salt to taste

 

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