Love Caters All

by Nicci Carrera

  His footsteps stopped. She opened her eyes. Their gazes locked. A full grin brought out Rick’s dimples. Feminine excitement uncoiled low in Maya’s body. Could she back off this path now? Her muscles tensed at the thought of denying herself his touch. No, she couldn’t stop it. This thing was going to happen. Sex. Sex was going to happen. She was powerless to stop this train.

  Oh. My. Gosh.

  The edges of Rick’s mouth turned up. No dimples...this was a knowing smile. He knew he had her.

  She could slap him. If only they had time…

  ****

  They pulled the van up to the town square at four. Maya parked in a reserved spot on Main Street. At first Rick was surprised Maya didn’t have to get to the site of the reception early for set up, but they weren’t the only caterers. Plus her help appeared to be hard at work. Maya had it all under control, and she knew how to delegate.

  The art show looked impressive. Tents in the main area housed a variety of interesting sculptures. He longed to go in there and take a look, but that would have to wait.

  “Looks fun, huh?” Maya had come up beside him.

  Her hair was shiny like a mink’s. Jason had gone home…they were alone. He stroked Maya’s hair. It was silky on his fingertips.

  Maya tensed. Then she relaxed. He lowered his arm to her waist. She didn’t pull away, made no attempt to conceal their relationship. Rick’s chest swelled with pride.

  Tonight’s reception was closed to the public. A burly bouncer type with a clipboard checked in guests by the opening in the purple velvet ropes. The event was well run. In an offhand manner, not expecting an answer, Rick said, “Who runs this town anyway?”

  “Eugenia McClintock.”

  “Seriously? There’s one person?”

  Maya smiled. “No, not completely. I hope she shows tonight. She lost her husband. Now her son’s in a coma. But it would be good for her to do something normal. For her, that means making it to every town event.”

  “Are you close?”

  “Oh no. She’s important and wealthy. She and Juelle, her daughter-in-law, have just been on my mind a lot. I see them at the hospital where Sebastian is being cared for.”

  “Did Eugenia arrange this show?”

  “The Oil and Water is a traveling show meant to feature Maine artists. They have two shows a year. A man named Lincoln Shattuck was the driving force behind getting Lobster Cove on the rotation. Eugenia is involved in everything, though. Anyway, it’s a boon to local artists.”

  “I bet.”

  An attractive bleached blonde in her late thirties, with a kid in tow, walked up to the van.

  Maya smiled at the woman. “Hi, Candy. How are you?”

  “Okay, thank you.” The woman had a fragility about her, but she wasn’t petite or frail. “It’s nice to see you. I wanted to ask you about catering Bobby’s birthday party.”

  “Sure,” Maya said.

  “I can’t pay much.” Candy drooped.

  “No problem.” Maya shrugged. “I’ll do it for free.”

  “I can’t let you.”

  “I could really use some of your blueberry pies here. Rick baked today, gave me a taste of having some help. How about we do an exchange?”

  “Oh, Maya. Really?”

  Maya nodded.

  “I’ll email you the party details.” Candy led the child away.

  Rick said, “What are you doing giving your services away for free?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Candy is a widow. Things are really rough for her and Bobby right now. I want to help.”

  “She was working you.”

  “She was not!” Maya frowned as her hands found her hips.

  “Regardless. Bartering your services isn’t how you get ahead.”

  “Boy, you really don’t get it! You Silicon Valley types are really all about the bottom line, aren’t you?”

  Ouch. “That’s not fair.”

  “Candy needs help.”

  “You’re right.” But she wasn’t. That woman certainly had a real tragedy in her life, but she was also working the sympathy angle. Rick needed to manage his protective instincts, though, or he’d drive Maya away.

  ****

  Halfway through the Oil and Water reception, Maya’s role ended. Her job was to ensure the canapés were delivered with style. Once the party moved to the main meal, she was done. Her staff put everything back in the van. She and Rick were free to enjoy the party.

  The funny thing was at first Maya was mad when Lincoln Shattuck didn’t give her the whole catering gig. At first? Heck—she’d remained mad the whole time…right up until…Rick walked into the picture. Then everything changed.

  At the moment, Rick was off to fill a tub with water from the spigot on the side of the community building, giving Maya a moment to think. The tents looked great, all set up for the judging to begin tomorrow. The reception tonight was mainly for VIPs. The purpose was to make them feel special in exchange for their support. Of course the VIP treatment varied by donation level, all marked by the table designation. Decorations at the tables matched the level. The tables all looked lovely, but in reality, the color themes were a hierarchy based on how much was donated. A thousand dollars earned you entry. You could rub elbows with the artists, judges, and other VIPs, plus have a seat at the gold table. Five thousand gave you a platinum table with an artist at the table. Twenty thousand earned you the diamond table which came with three of the most famous artists plus a city council member.

  Maya couldn’t imagine wanting to do this. A thousand dollars to be at the bottom of the pecking order. Most of the gold people were small-business owners. They participated for the opportunity to advertise and rub elbows with wealthy customers. Maya was just fortunate she could get in with her van instead of her wallet. The organizers really didn’t have to hire her. In fact it was an insult to the Country Club, who supplied most of the food, only to have to give the appetizers to a food-truck caterer. Getting the partial gig was a huge windfall, pure luck on the surface of it.

  But of course Maya didn’t limit herself to looking at just the surface of things. Someone had to have pulled some strings. Who could her benefactor be? She would have thought maybe old Hunt McClintock, but he was dead when the offer to cater the appetizers at the Oil and Water Art Festival reception came through.

  That left Eugenia McClintock. Maya would not have thought it possible, but as the saying goes, when you eliminate every possibility but one, then no matter how improbable, that one must be right. Eugenia McClintock was the only one with both the influence and any connection whatsoever to Maya. But why? Eugenia was a hard woman. Very controlled, not to mention controlling! But Eugenia hadn’t controlled her expression when Maya went to tell the McClintocks personally that she wouldn’t be staying in New York. Maya even told them about turning down the offer from Le Petit Boulevard. She wanted to respect them by being totally honest, well mostly. She didn’t tell them getting mugged was the reason she came home. But the fact that a McClintock Scholarship awardee had received an offer during the school’s competitive hiring event, reflected favorably on the fund. It made her look bad to turn it down, but the offer made the scholarship look good and would make it easier for another awardee to get into the cooking school. The McClintocks deserved to know about the job offer.

  Eugenia’s well-maintained face showed surprise followed by disappointment. So, if Eugenia really was still helping Maya, why? It was incredible. Maya was so lucky to live in Lobster Cove. But she still regretted not taking the job in New York. Fear had been the wrong reason not to take her next step.

  Then again if she had taken the New York job, she wouldn’t have met Rick. Was he so important in her life? Here he came now, sauntering down the sidewalk. The tub of water made his biceps pop. Yeah, Rick Nordan might be that important.

  The tables were starting to fill as people finished the cocktail hour, exchanging talking among the art pieces for their seats.

  “What else can I do to help
?” Rick said.

  “How about some dinner?” Maya said.

  He grinned. “Great!”

  Maya led the way to one of the gold tables where she’d been told she could sit. Jill Aubry and Maggie Harris, the owners of Maggie’s Diner, confirmed the second chair was free. Rick pulled out the chair for Maya. Tomas and Eve Darling, the owners of Merlot’s Wine Bar, joined them, completing the table.

  Before they could get up to go to the buffet, Eugenia appeared. Her face looked strained, but her makeup was perfect, as usual. “Who’s this?”

  “Hello, Eugenia,” Maya said. “This is Rick Nordan.”

  “Rick Nordan. I’ve heard you were in town. What are you doing at this table?”

  The other guests frowned while Maya winced at Eugenia’s subtle disdain.

  “He’s with me,” Maya said.

  “Well, what are you doing at this table? Come join us on the dais, both of you.”

  Rick looked about to protest, but Eugenia marched away, head held high. Rick shot Maya a questioning glance.

  “It’s Eugenia,” Eve said. “You better go.” The other diners nodded.

  “You’re probably right,” Maya said. “Rick, is that okay?” When Rick nodded, she apologized to the others at the table and excused herself and Rick.

  They approached the diamond table on the dais. Eugenia pointed to two chairs, one on either side of her, in the center. Once Maya and Rick were settled, Eugenia delivered a brief welcome to the crowd. The woman was a commanding force for sure, despite the strain in her life.

  Guests at the diamond table didn’t have to go to the buffet, they were served.

  Rick looked like he belonged, even with his casual attire. He oozed self-confidence. Perhaps that was why he fit in with the elites. Eugenia started talking to Rick about all the reasons he should consider a donation to the Oil and Water Art Festival. Rick said he’d be happy to chip in for the diamond table.

  Maya picked up her jaw, which had fallen to her chest. Eugenia had just managed to extract another twenty thousand dollars for the show. At first her heart soared for all the people of Lobster Cove who would benefit directly or indirectly from Eugenia’s fundraising powers. Eugenia had obviously known Rick could afford it. Poor man.

  When Eugenia was out of earshot, but still with her formidable back turned, Maya mouthed, “I’m sorry,” to Rick.

  Rick shook his head. His brown hair moved along his collar. “It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

  He didn’t mind dropping twenty thousand dollars. It was a relief, but also kind of staggering. Rick looked so young compared to the others. A bit of tattoo showed below his polo shirt. A hint of goatee roughed his chin. He was young, yet powerful.

  They had grown so comfortable with each other, but the art reception reminded her of Rick’s real stature. Reminded her this powerhouse was just on vacation. Soon he would return to a world that spun in a sphere way beyond her reach. Maya’s stomach tensed.

  “Are you okay?” Rick said.

  Before she could answer, Eugenia resumed her position between them, blocking Rick from view.

  Maya talked to the people next to her but longed to be down on the floor with the gold-table people. They were finally free to leave once Rick assured Eugenia the check would be in the mail in the next few days. Eugenia handed him a card with the address of the fundraising committee.

  Later, Maya dropped Rick off at his house.

  Rick leaned on the open van door. “Dinner tomorrow night?”

  “You know, Rick, I don’t think this is going to work.”

  He hesitated, his big hand wrapped around the pink door. “Even if I promise not to let a battle axe sit between us in the future?”

  She giggled. “Don’t say that. I owe a lot to Eugenia. The poor woman is going through a really hard time.”

  “I know.” The dome light added a glint to his eye.

  “You don’t look too sympathetic.”

  “The reception was a bit like a tooth extraction without Novocain.”

  She giggled again. “I’m sorry.”

  “No problem. I didn’t need that twenty grand.”

  “That’s the trouble, Rick. We come from completely different worlds.”

  “I know.”

  He accepted her argument? Shoot. Her heart dropped to her belly. But…no…it was for the best. So why did she feel like she had voluntarily walked out of a lush garden so she could walk solo across the Sahara?

  “I made reservations at The Cliffside tomorrow.”

  Her heart lifted. The Cliffside. She loved that restaurant.

  “At seven. I’ll pick you up at six-thirty, okay?”

  “Okay.” Tears of relief choked off further words, but that was okay, she only needed one. She’d said it. Yes. Yes to this crazy temporary thing that would leave her broken-hearted. Yes to all of it. Because “yes” to dinner meant, “yes” to the bedroom.

  “And Maya?”

  “Yes?”

  Rick studied her.

  Maya stopped breathing.

  His eyes narrowed making his face look domineering. It was like he’d put on a mask for a masquerade. He changed persona so deftly. Before her stood the poster model for CEO. “Leave the van by the truck. Give me those extra keys. I’ll go down early and put all this stuff away, get it cleaned up for you.”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  “Jason and I already decided this. You,” he pointed at her chest, “sleep in tomorrow.”

  In the rearview mirror, Rick stood in the driveway watching her go. Somehow her house seemed to belong to him now. Or maybe it was that Rick seemed to belong here, in Lobster Cove.

  Rick was in her house. She was in a log cabin with Mama and her sisters. Everything was upside down, yet right-side up.

  ****

  The next day Rick really questioned his generosity. Fortunately he had the ability to make coffee at the house or he never would have made it down to Love Caters All. But he had to. He’d promised. He’d also promised twenty thousand dollars to support the arts of Maine. At this point, he might need to move here just to get his money’s worth.

  Was he crazy? Maybe. Crazy about a Cruz.

  “You did what?” Jason stacked the last trays on a shelf.

  Rick stuffed a chafing dish into the sink.

  “I promised Eugenia McClintock twenty thousand dollars for the Oil and Water Art Festival.”

  “You better watch out. The women in this town have you wrapped.”

  “Oh, put a sock in it.” It was nice to have a guy to talk to, though. Jason was a nice guy, someone who could be a friend.

  “You’ve been seeing a lot of Maya.”

  “We’re having dinner tonight.”

  “What’s going to happen when you leave?”

  Rick scrubbed the inside of a chafing dish with a plastic scraper. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”

  “Uh huh. I know how far you’ve figured.”

  Well…he couldn’t deny it.

  “She’s going to be hurt after, when you leave.”

  Rick’s gut clenched. He had to figure something out, like a way for Maya to come back with him. “Think she’d come to California?”

  Jason stopped spraying out a pan. “For how long?”

  “Hell, I don’t know.” Visions of Maya at his flat, in his bed, there after every day of work, flashed.

  “Well…you better figure it out.”

  “I got a question for you, Jason. Why doesn’t Maya like you dating her sister?”

  Jason stopped washing pots. He eyed Rick for a moment. “Maya thinks I’m not good enough for Cara because I quit my career.”

  “Why did you?”

  “To take care of my mom.”

  “And Maya doesn’t understand that?” That couldn’t be possible.

  Jason’s green eyes narrowed. “It’s complicated.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning Maya’s a little confused about her role in life. She thinks sh
e’s Cara’s mom.”

  Yeah, Jason had that right. “Do you think you’re good enough for Cara?”

  Jason eyed the sprayer. “Not at the moment.”

  “You going to stop seeing her?”

  Jason snorted. “Right.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning do we really get to choose who we fall in love with?”

  Rick’s chest constricted around an absence of air. He stared at Jason in silence until the air came back. “You’re in love with Cara?”

  Jason nodded, looking miserable.

  “What’s the deal?”

  “Cara’s just toying with me. Has been since high school.”

  “Oh.” Poor bastard.

  “Maya’s a straight shooter, though. Treat her good, k?” When Rick nodded, Jason went back to spraying a pot. “Show up with flowers tonight.”

  “Know where I can get some?”

  “Yep. Flowers in Bloom. Corner of Maple and Main.”

  Something told Rick that Jason had pulled out the flower apology more than once in his life. He was a good-looking guy. He was a sports guy, too. Maybe Cara had good reasons to keep him at a distance. Who knew? The flowers were a good idea, though.

  Chapter Six

  Maya loved The Cliffside, with its green awning, white tablecloths, and formal waiters. Their table had a view over all of Lobster Cove. Boat lights scattered diamonds on indigo water. Lights in the buildings on the opposite side of the harbor, including the giant McClintock mansion, winked on. At their table, the candle’s flame cast soft yellow pools on the cloth, while the scent of melting wax added to the homey ambiance. The first course was an exquisite shrimp cocktail…for her at least! Rick enjoyed rocket salad.

  “I can’t believe you are allergic to shellfish,” Maya said.

  “Hey…it happens. I’m from an inland people.”

  “Really? What is your background?”

  “African, to begin with.”

  “Okay, Mister, we can all say that. Depending on what you believe. Let’s stick to a little more recent history, shall we? Tell me about your family.”