“Yeah.” Leo exchanged glances with Tia. “Tia spend most of her time in the galley, but her efforts were appreciated.”
“You never told me you knew Leo.” Julie shook a finger at Tia.
“Well, I guess it never really came up.” To distract them, Tia lifted the tiramisu from the picnic basket, removing the plastic lid and presenting it to her uncle. “How about this?”
“You are an angel,” he told her. “But we really need an espresso to go with it.”
“You’re right,” Tia said, “but I didn’t think of that.”
“I’ll run to the Starbucks kiosk downstairs,” Leo offered. “Four espressos coming up.”
After Leo left, Julie turned to Tia. “You and Leo at sailing camp together? That is so interesting.”
“Interesting?” Tia feigned ignorance as she cut into the tiramisu.
Roland started chuckling. “Your aunt thought she was going to play cupid,” he told Tia.
“What?”
“But her plans got squelched,” Roland lowered his voice, “when she learned that Leo and Natalie got engaged.”
“Oh, Roland.” Julie frowned at him. “Really!”
“You know it’s true, sweetie.” He poked Tia as she removed his empty dinner plate. “You should’ve heard your aunt complaining all morning long. Going on about her spoiled plans and bad timing.”
“Oh, Julie.” Tia gave her a dismal look. “I hope you never say anything like that to Leo.”
“Of course not.” Julie rinsed a plate in the sink. “I’m not an idiot.”
“I’m sure you’re happy for Leo and Natalie.” Tia carefully set a square of tiramisu on a dessert plate, putting a sprig of mint beside it.
“Yes, yes.” Julie set a rinsed plate aside. “I’m sure they’ll be perfectly happy together.” She shook a finger at Tia. “But I can’t believe you never told me that you already knew Leo. I didn’t think we kept secrets from each other, dear niece.”
“I, uh, I just didn’t think it was important.” Tia turned her attention back to dishing out the dessert. She still remembered how she’d very nearly told Julie about Leo after sailing camp ended. How close she’d come to blurting out her excitement over her first kiss. But so much had been going on at the time. It had been the end of summer, and Tia’s flight home had been the next morning. There just hadn’t been time.
“Here comes the espresso express,” Leo announced as he entered the room with the coffee carrier in hand.
“That was quick.” Tia tossed warning glances at Julie and Roland. Hopefully they would have the good sense to put the kibosh on the previous conversation.
“There was no line at Starbucks.” He set the coffees next to the tiramisu.
“Perfect timing.” Tia set a dessert plate in front of Roland, and Leo followed her with a coffee.
“Perfetto.” Roland beamed at them as he picked up his fork.
The room got quiet, except for compliments to the chef, as they all enjoyed the chilled dessert. Tia glanced nervously at Leo, wondering if he had any idea what his boss had hoped to hatch with her invitation for Tia to come to San Francisco. Was that the only reason Julie had asked her to come down here? No, that was ridiculous. Julie had asked her here because she knew Tia was a good chef. At least Tia hoped so. Still, it was unsettling to think that Julie had hoped to make a match between Leo and Tia. It was time for Tia to start distancing herself from Leo. Not a moment too soon.
12
After the cooler was repacked with the leftovers and the ice packs, Tia got out her ukulele, and they held another impromptu singalong. But after a few lively songs she could tell that despite his smile, Roland was tiring. She slowed the tempo down and finally ended with Roland’s favorite, “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” Hawaiian style.
Tia put away her ukulele, then went over to kiss her uncle’s cheek. “You get some good rest now. Don’t forget that I’ll be here with Julie tomorrow,” she promised, “while you’re in surgery.”
“Thanks, honey. I appreciate it. Thanks for the unforgettable Sunday dinner.”
“You’re going to be just fine.” She squeezed his hand. “I know it.”
“You’ve got a lot of people praying for you,” Leo assured him as he picked up the cooler.
“That’s good to know.” Roland sighed as he leaned back into his pillows.
“I hope we didn’t wear you out,” Tia said as she got the picnic basket.
“Not at all,” he assured her. “You were good medicine.”
“See you tomorrow,” Tia told both of them as she went out the door. Once again she felt a hard lump in her throat as they walked to the elevator, but to her relief, she didn’t cry.
“He’s going to come through this,” Leo said as he pushed the down button.
“I think so too.”
Leo held up the cooler. “That was an awesome lunch, Tia. Seriously, I can’t remember the last time I had such a great meal. Thanks!”
“Thank you.” She smiled at him. “I’m really glad you joined us. I think Roland appreciated it too.”
“It was my pleasure.” He grinned as they went into the elevator. “Now I know firsthand that Julie didn’t make a big mistake in hiring you after all.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You thought it was a big mistake?”
“To be honest, it seemed like a bad idea. I mean, I had no idea who her niece was when Julie said she planned to ask you down here. I pointed out how a chef could make or break the dinner cruises, and I warned her that she shouldn’t hire you just because you were a relative. To be honest, it seemed a formula for disaster.”
“Disaster?” She frowned.
“Well, what if you hadn’t been such a fabulous cook? What if you were lousy? It would be hard to have to fire a relative. Don’t you think?”
“I guess so.” As they went into the parking garage, Tia tried not to dwell on Roland’s disturbing revelation about Julie’s failed attempt at matchmaking. What if she’d called Tia a week sooner? Would Leo have still gotten engaged? Of course, she knew it was pointless to obsess over it. Just move on already!
“You seem kind of quiet again,” Leo said as they got into the Jeep.
“Oh?” She leaned back and sighed. “I think I’m just a little tired.”
“Well, you had a long day yesterday. And all that cooking today. You’re probably due for some R&R.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re going to keep watch with Julie tomorrow?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Do you need a ride to the hospital?”
She turned to look at him. “It’s really nice how helpful you’ve been, Leo. But it’s not like you have to take care of me. I’m not helpless.”
“Ouch.” He chuckled. “Is that a rejection?”
“Sorry. I guess I worry that Natalie might not appreciate how much time you’ve spent with me lately.”
“She understands. After all, we’re co-workers. Julie is our boss. And we both care about Roland. It’s only natural we spend time together. We are friends, aren’t we?”
She slowly nodded. “Yes, I hope so.”
“A friend helping a friend—what’s wrong with that?”
“In that case, yes, I would appreciate a ride tomorrow. Julie said they’ll take Roland to surgery around 10:00. I wanted to get there just a little before that. Not too early so that they can have their time together, you know?”
“Yeah. That makes sense.” Leo turned on his radio, adjusting it so that a jazz song was playing.
“I’m surprised your radio works in the parking garage,” she said absently. “But I like the music.”
“It’s connected to my iPod,” he explained. “That’s Miles Davis.”
“Nice.”
“You seemed like a jazz person to me.” He pulled up to the pay booth, handing the attendant the parking stub and some cash.
As they emerged from the parking garage, Tia blinked into the bright sun overhead. “I
t’s still a nice day out here,” she said absently.
“Very nice.” He glanced at her before pulling onto the street. “Is there anything you’d like to do in the city? I mean, while we’re here. I realize you’re kind of stuck over at Roland and Julie’s. No car or anything.”
She explained that she actually had permission to use Roland’s car. “The truth is, although I do have a driver’s license, I rarely drive anywhere. I’ve never owned a car. I’d be really uncomfortable driving Roland’s BMW around.”
“Interesting.”
“I plan to start riding Julie’s bike. That’s how I’ll get back and forth to the boat. I’m actually looking forward to it.”
“That’s cool.”
“I know, you probably think it’s dumb. My own dad calls me an ‘earth muffin’ because he assumes I don’t drive a car because of environmental concerns. I suppose that was part of it at first, but it’s mostly because I don’t really enjoy driving.” Okay, now she really did feel stupid. Why had she just confessed all that?
“I don’t think it’s dumb. To be honest, I think most of us rely on our cars too much.” He laughed. “If I could get everywhere by boat, I would.”
“Well, that still uses fossil fuels,” she pointed out.
“Not when it’s a rowboat or a sailboat.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“Anyway, back to my question. While we’re still in the city, is there anywhere you need to go? Anything you’d like to do or see?”
“You know what I’d really been wanting to—” She stopped herself. “Never mind.”
“What?” he demanded. “You have to tell me.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Something I can do anytime. Maybe even ride the bike—”
“Come on, Tia, tell me. What is it?”
“Oh, it’s no big deal. I just wanted to see Golden Gate Park again. I remember going there with Julie, but we never made it farther than the Japanese Tea Gardens. I know there’s a lot more to see. I’m sure I didn’t see half—”
“Great idea.” He made an abrupt turn at the intersection, then pointed down at her feet. “Those look like good walking sandals. Wanna see how much area we can cover before the fog rolls in? The forecast was for late afternoon fog.”
“Oh, I don’t know—”
“Come on, Tia. This will be fun. I haven’t been there myself for quite a while. Let’s do it!”
“Uh . . . okay . . .”
“Since you already saw the east section of the park, I’ll park on the west end and we’ll start there.”
She suppressed the urge to protest and backpedal. What on earth was she thinking by agreeing to this? Seriously, she did not need to stroll through the park with Leo. How was that going to help with her new resolution to distance herself from him? What would his fiancée say?
However, the look on his face was so earnest and hopeful—and surprisingly boyish—as if he was really looking forward to this. How could she burst his balloon? So she said nothing.
He found on-street parking on the west side of the park, and they entered near the Murphy Windmill. Despite her earlier reluctance, Tia felt a surge of excitement to see the beautiful gardens. She began taking photos with her phone. “Do I look like a tourist?” she asked.
“Not too much.” He chuckled.
They paused to watch some teens playing soccer, then slowly strolled past a playground crawling with kids. “I nearly forgot it’s Sunday,” Leo said. “That and this weather have really pulled the people out.”
They crossed over to the Chain of Lakes where Tia took some more photos, then continued on down John F. Kennedy Drive, pausing to get photos at the Bison Paddock.
“This was always my favorite spot,” Leo said as he pointed to a pond where kids of all ages were operating remote control boats. “It’s the Model Yacht Club.”
Tia knelt down to get a photo of a tow-haired boy getting ready to launch a sailboat. Taking several shots, she could imagine adapting a scene like this into a pleasant watercolor. They went all around Spreckels Lake, where she got even more pictures.
“This is really fun,” she admitted as they continued along. “Thanks for bringing me.”
“Hey, I’m having fun too.”
By 5:00, Tia was concerned that she was using up too much of Leo’s time. “We should probably turn back,” she told him.
“Why?” he demanded.
She tried to think of an excuse. “The leftovers in the cooler,” she said suddenly. “I’m afraid that ice pack will start melting before long.”
“Oh, good point. It would be a shame to waste that fabulous food.”
“Besides”—she pointed toward the west—“the fog’s coming in.”
They walked a bit more briskly on the return trip and even more so as the cool damp fog rolled in to meet them. “Some people don’t like the fog,” she said as they turned onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. “But I think it’s kind of—” She stopped herself from saying romantic, because she didn’t mean that kind of romantic. “It’s sort of mysterious and dramatic. You know?”
“Yeah, I kind of like it too. Well, unless I’m out on the ocean. That can be a pain. But if I’m just hanging in my house, I kind of like seeing it surrounding everything. It’s sort of cozy and comforting.”
“Yeah,” she agreed.
Before long they were back in the Jeep and driving over the Golden Gate Bridge again, heading for Sausalito. Tia didn’t want to admit it—even to herself—but this had been an almost perfect day. Oh, she knew that was a major overstatement. Especially considering how many things were actually wrong with it. Just the same, she felt a deep down sort of happiness. However, she knew that it was only a temporary state.
“I hope the leftovers are still okay,” Leo said as he pulled into the driveway.
“I’m guessing they’re still cold. But speaking of leftovers, why don’t you take them home with you?”
“Seriously?” He looked like he’d just won the lottery.
“Absolutely.” Before he could get to it, she grabbed the picnic basket and ukulele case. “Just bring the cooler and stuff back sometime. You know, when you’re in the neighborhood. You can just leave it on the front porch.”
“You’re sure you don’t want it?”
“I’m positive. It’s my thank-you for taking me to the park.”
“Well, you are very welcome!”
With the basket and case in hand, she hurried up to the house with a sense of nearly perfect bliss. But as she went inside, a small wave of guilt washed over her. Like she was being blamed for stealing something valuable. Happiness perhaps? Or perhaps she was guilty of something more . . . something she wasn’t really ready to own up to just yet.
13
It was a little past 9:00 when Leo showed up to take Tia to the hospital. But first he brought the cooler into the kitchen. “I’m embarrassed to say that I polished off all the leftovers last night.” He set the cleaned food containers on the counter. “Ready to go?”
“I am.” She reached for her backpack.
“Does that mean you plan to camp there?” he teased as they went outside, where last night’s fog was still socked in. She noticed he’d put the top on the Jeep.
“No, it means I don’t like hospital food. Neither does Julie. I decided to pack a few things in case we get hungry.”
His brows arched. “Nice thinking.”
“Well, it’s not a feast like yesterday.”
As he drove through the fog, neither of them spoke much, but it didn’t seem like an awkward silence. More like they were both comfortable enough not to fill the air with idle chatter. Like, she told herself, they were friends. At least she hoped so. That’s what she’d been trying to convince herself last night as she was preparing food for today. It was her way to deflect unwanted feelings of guilt and to distance herself emotionally.
“We made good time,” Leo said as he parked the Jeep. “Missed the commuter traffic.”
; Tia pointed to the clock. “Roland won’t be going into surgery for about fifteen minutes.”
“Gives us time to say a quick prayer for him.” Leo turned off the Jeep.
“Yeah?” she said hopefully. “That’d be nice.”
Sitting in the Jeep in the parking garage, they both bowed their heads and took turns praying that Roland’s surgery would be a success, that everyone helping him would do their best job, and that he would come out of it healthier than ever.
“Thanks,” she told Leo as they walked through the parking garage. “I really do believe prayers help. Our family in Norton is praying for him today too.” She wanted to say how much she appreciated him bringing her here today but didn’t want to go overboard. Really, her intention was to maintain this relationship as a friendship. She didn’t want to feel guilty the next time she crossed paths with Natalie.
Julie wasn’t yet in the waiting area where she’d told Tia to meet her, but they settled in just the same. “How about if I get us coffees?” Leo offered.
“Wonderful. Julie and I both like lattes with a little cinnamon on top.”
“You got it.”
Shortly after he left, Julie showed up. “They just took him in,” she said as she sat down. “He seemed pretty relaxed.” But her hands were shaking.
“He’s going to be okay.” Tia reached for her hand, and Julie immediately broke into tears.
“I—I know,” she blubbered. “But I’m still scared. I don’t know what I’d do without him. And I’m just so tired.” She paused to blow her nose. “My emotions are probably going to be all over the place.”
“I’ve asked everyone I know to pray for him,” Tia said. “Leo and I just said another prayer ourselves.”
“Thank you!”
“Maybe we should pray again right now.”
“Yes.” Julie nodded. “I’d like that.”
Once again, Tia prayed for her uncle, and by the time they finished, Julie’s hands had nearly stopped trembling and Leo was coming with their coffee.
“Oh, you dear boy!” Julie exclaimed as he handed her a latte. “Just what I needed. You both are just what I needed. Thank you for being here.”
All Summer Long Page 11