by Andrea Hurst
Ryan wiped his hands on a towel and nodded to Lindsey to take his station. “And how are you holding up out there?” he asked.
Jude shrugged. Her face was noticeably pale.
“You look like you could use a break,” Ryan said. “How about we go outside for a few?”
They walked out of the back door and along the wooden walkway behind her building that overlooked the sea green water. The sky was clear again today, giving Ryan a perfect view of the crew setting up at the end of the pier near the large yacht. He was glad they wouldn’t be coming back to the restaurant again. Jude looked exhausted. He offered what he did best, a comfort meal.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?”
“So remember there’s no dinner service tonight.”
“Of course, I remember,” she said.
“I have a special picnic planned, just you and me, an early supper alone and a perfectly chilled bottle of your favorite Chardonnay.”
A smile softened her face. “That sounds pretty good,” she said. “I think we could use some time to just be together. Lindsey is already bailing on me her first evening home.”
“She’s a kid,” Ryan said. “Maybe she’ll meet some of the young people in town, make some friends.”
“Maybe,” Jude said.
He knew he should say more about the scene with Peyton, but this was not the time or place. Later when they were alone and rested would be better timing. He didn’t want to add to Jude’s already full plate. He appreciated that she was waiting for him to bring it up. When the time was right, he told himself.
Ryan drew her into his arms and kissed the top of the head. “Don’t let all this movie business get in the way. It’s just that. The movie business. It has nothing to do with real life.”
Jude nodded. “It’s more than I bargained for. The glamour faded pretty quickly.”
“It’s all smoke and mirrors,” Ryan said. “We’ll have our island back soon enough.”
Jude searched his face and he wondered what questions lingered in her mind. She yawned and released it with a sigh. “What time were you thinking of having our picnic?”
“How about this?” Ryan said, “After lunch, maybe we both could get a nap?”
“A nap,” she said, perking up. “Sounds heavenly.”
“Afterwards, I’ll pack my handy picnic basket and we’ll decide on a location.”
She threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Ryan.”
“You don’t need to thank me. Thank you for agreeing to come.”
His lips moved to hers, the kiss deepening as they pulled each other close. Jude was the most precious thing in his life now. There was no way he was going to lose her.
“Jude, where are you?” A waitress called out toward them. “There’s someone in the front who needs you.”
“I’ll be right there,” she yelled back.
“I’d better get back too,” Ryan said. “Lindsey is holding down the fort alone with the new prep chef.”
Once back in the café, Ryan hurried into the kitchen, which had gotten chaotic without him there to supervise. The new prep chef, Sierra, was peeling potatoes as fast as she could while trying to pull salmon off the grill at just the right moment. Lindsey plated and put food at the window for the waitresses. They made a good team. Jude had commented that the two extra summer waiters were doing great as well. In between orders, Ryan prepped everything for the salmon salad. He would make the sandwiches at the last minute before meeting up with Jude.
What else could he make? He wanted the meal to be special. Of course, he’d forgotten dessert. But what should it be? He looked over at the fresh strawberries that were just delivered today. They were as sweet as any dessert could be. If he packed fresh whipped cream, they could just dip the strawberries in it. He could sprinkle a little cinnamon in the whipped cream as well, or chocolate. Oh yes, chocolate whipped cream. A little container, fresh strawberries, and that would be it. He imagined placing the luscious, chocolate covered strawberry in Jude’s mouth and kissing the whipped cream off her lips.
They finished the last order and began clean up. Ryan demanded a neat workspace in his kitchen, so it wouldn’t take too long for the three of them to have the kitchen immaculate and ready for tomorrow.
While the others finished cleaning the pots and pans, Ryan dug out the rustic picnic basket that was used for special to-go orders from the cafe. There were blue and white-checkered linens that went inside it. He added the crystal wine glasses, wrapped well in napkins. Some forks, some plates, and it was set. He put everything aside until right before they left. Then he would make the sandwiches, wrap them tight, and they’d head off.
Lindsey watched him over his shoulder. “Going on a picnic?” she asked.
“Actually, while you’re out, I’m going to treat your mother to an early picnic supper.”
“Trying to be romantic?” She asked.
“Trying,” he said.
“Good, then I won’t worry about being home late,” she said. “Anyway, I was going to check out that coffee shop down the street too. It’s the newest looking place in town.”
“Marco just remodeled the shop before re-opening it. He knows his coffee.”
“Cool,” Lindsey said.
Ryan pointed to the stacked dishes that still needed to be loaded. Lindsey glanced at the clock and paused. It was already after three.
“All right, go,” Ryan said. Lindsey had put in a hard day of work, and he was pleased she would be joining him in the kitchen this summer.
Ryan pulled off his chef coat, threw it in the laundry basket, and headed upstairs. He was serious about taking a nap. He needed one, and so did Jude.
When he got upstairs, he saw that Jude’s front door was open to let in the cool breeze. He walked in to join her. She was sitting on the couch in a pale blue sundress that showed off her legs, a chilled drink in her hand. The apartment ran warm because of all the picture windows that were exposed most of day to the sun.
“Want some iced tea?” she said.
“No thanks. By the way, Lindsey just raced out of here. She was curious to check out Marco’s place.”
Jude grinned. “He certainly will catch her interest, but I’d say he’s taken by Becca.”
Ryan sat beside her on the couch and put his arm around her shoulder. Jude’s body felt warm and soft sitting so close to his. She smelled like fresh air and spring flowers. Jude was a beautiful woman, inside and out. He could hardly believe his luck finally meeting someone like her.
Jude laid her head on his shoulder. Her fingers drifted across the front of his T-shirt. “I’m so glad we have some time alone,” she said.
Ryan stroked her cheek and let his fingertips trace her full mouth. He lifted her chin and brushed his lips to hers. “Jude, my Jude,” he said.
She encircled him in her arms, the kiss becoming urgent. It was more than passion, almost a question seeking reassurance. And for a moment, it was only the two of them, fiercely in love against anything that could threaten them. Ryan stood and took Jude by the hand. He wanted her, wanted her more than anything in the world. He walked her down the hall to Jude’s bedroom and closed the door behind them. They fell onto the bed wrapped in each other’s arms. Ryan knew they may not fall asleep right away, but they would get their nap eventually.
Jude awoke to the sound of her cell phone chiming by the bed. Lindsey had sent her a text. Lindsey, thank goodness she hadn’t come home and found them here.
“Watching the movie shoot with Marco and Becca. Will grab food. Back later.”
Jude hated the idea of Lindsey being anywhere near Peyton, but Jude was glad something on the island was catching her interest and that she was meeting some of the local young people.
Jude looked at the time: it was after five. “Don’t be too late,” she texted back.
“Thought you and Ryan were going out for a picnic?”
Right, Jude thought. She hoped Lindsey didn’t feel
left out. Then she remembered her anxious plea to be allowed to go watch the afternoon shooting of the film.
“Ryan, wake up,” Jude said.
He shook himself awake. “What?”
“Did Lindsey know about our picnic before or after she asked to watch the filming?”
“I only came up with the picnic idea after she said you told her it was all right to go.”
Of course, Jude thought. Her daughter couldn’t get out of the house fast enough. “Lindsey met with Marco and Becca and they’re out watching the movie shoot. It’s going to run late.”
“That’s good. Isn’t it?”
Ryan rose in bed. His hair fell across his face and down his bare shoulder. “Maybe giving her some space is a good idea. Let her have some fun?”
Jude texted back. “Stay close in town and be back by nine.”
“Thanks. Later,” Lindsey replied.
Ryan pulled her down next to him. “That was quite a nap,” he said.
Jude nestled close. Her first night home and Lindsey was staying out as late as possible. Jude tried not to take it as a rejection. Her stomach growled loudly, demanding food. “I guess I’m hungry.”
Ryan winked at her. “For food or . . . ?” He laughed, “I know. Let me get some pants on and I’ll run down and get those sandwiches made, pack the basket.”
“I’m too hungry to wait to drive anywhere,” she said. She pointed out her front windows. “Best seat in town is outside on my back deck. And that way we won’t be gone too long either.”
Ryan paused “Right, I’ll get it all ready and we can sit there in style. I’ll be right back.”
Ryan hurried down the stairs back to the café kitchen. After slicing the fresh bread, he toasted it brown and crispy, then scooped on a hearty helping of the deep pink salmon salad. The sandwiches were dressed with butter lettuce, thin-sliced beefsteak tomato, a pinch of salt and pepper and then cut in half and arranged on a plate. He added a side of the homemade chips, cool now, but still crispy and delicious. He let the glistening strawberries and chocolate whipped cream stay chilled until later. He was about to leave when he remembered the wine. Basket full, Ryan took the stairs back two at a time.
Out on the porch, Jude had put some silverware and a bouquet of dahlias on the table. Ryan added the checkered tablecloth underneath for ambiance and laid out the luscious spread. He opened the Chardonnay and poured it into the long-stemmed glasses. Its golden glow caught the sunlight. The turquoise sky reflected off the surface of the water, mingling with shades of silver.
“A toast,” Jude said when he joined her at the table.
Ryan held up his glass. “To good food and . . .”
“And what?” Jude stopped. Ryan looked at her.
“And to us,” he said. The smile on Jude’s face was worth everything. They sipped the wine and then dug into their stacked-high sandwiches.
“Oh my gosh,” Jude said, “This is heaven on bread. This is the best salmon sandwich I have ever tasted. We have to put this on the menu.”
“Of course. It could be one of the specials. We’ll have to add thyme. I put tarragon in this time. Our salmon salad thyme special. It’ll be expensive,” Ryan said. “But it’ll be good. They’ll come from miles around for this one.”
They munched on their juicy sandwiches and crunchy potato chips. The setting was the perfect complement for the meal. In the distance, the Cascade Mountains still had a tiny bit of snow on their caps. Seagulls screamed overhead, dive bombing the beach below.
“Look at that,” Ryan said, pointing to the wet sand below. A huge bald eagle, its white head stark and regal, stood at the tide’s edge looking out over the water.
“You don’t often see them on the ground,” Jude said.
Ryan winked at her. “Maybe it’s lazy, or it just likes mussels.”
Her face finally broke into a smile. It had been a hard few days for her, and he was determined to help her unwind.
“Are you finished?” he asked.
Jude shook her head. “Stuffed and happy.”
“Just the way I wanted you.” Ryan stood and took the plates away. “But I have one more treat for you.”
Jude held her stomach. “I’m so full.”
“You’ll like this.”
He returned to the kitchen for the dessert that he’d placed on a glass platter in her refrigerator.
“Voilá,” he said, placing the platter of strawberries and a small tub of fresh chocolate whipped cream mixed with a pinch of cinnamon and lavender on the table. He dipped one of the strawberries in the luscious cream and held it to Jude’s luscious mouth. She took a bite, the red of the strawberry oozing over her lips.
“And I thought I’d already gone to heaven,” Jude said. “What is in this?”
Ryan laughed and pulled a chair beside her. “Oh, just a little magic.”
She took a strawberry, dunked it in the dark cream, and held it out to him. He took the whole thing in his mouth and tried to take part of her finger. She laughed and pulled away. Next thing he knew, Jude scooped some whipped cream onto her finger and held it to his mouth. He sucked the whipped cream off, licking her finger ever so softly. Looking into her eyes, he thought maybe they’d be going back to bed soon, even if it wasn’t dark yet. And then he remembered Lindsey. Anything else would have to wait for another day.
Chapter Eight
Jude propped up in bed and held the cell phone to her ear. With Lindsey there, she didn’t want it on speaker during her call with Lily.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Jude said. “I’m glad Betty finally went to the doctor. I had a bad feeling about that cough of hers.”
Jude listened as Lily explained about the extensive cancer treatments the doctors were recommending. “I’ll come by later today. And count me in for helping in any way I can.”
The filming had been going on for over a week now, and Jude was glad she finally had an afternoon off. She glanced at the clock and couldn’t believe she’d slept so late. She remembered waiting up last night for Lindsey to come home, and then nothing until Lily’s call now. It was almost 11:00. This was not like her at all.
She took a quick shower and fixed her hair. After throwing on some linen drawstring pants and a cool cotton shirt, she headed out to the living room. Lindsey was curled up in a chair by the window reading her Kindle with her feet on the coffee table.
“Hi, Mom, did you have a good sleep?”
Lindsey had her hair pulled up, and with no make-up on Jude could see the hint of her little girl she used to take to the swings in the park. “I did,” Jude said. “How are you doing? Good book?”
“It’s pretty good. You know, it’s another one of those, two teenagers; they fall in love then one gets sick and is dying. I’m getting a little tired of this storyline.”
“I can see why,” Jude said. She’d just heard upsetting news herself about her friend, Betty, and that was real enough.
Jude went into the kitchen scouting for food, but nothing looked good. “Have you eaten anything, Lindsey?”
Her daughter’s nose was back in her book. “Had toast,” was all she said.
Toast sounded doable. Jude made a cup of tea while she waited for the toast to pop. Her usual morning coffee didn’t sound appealing. She took her brunch with her and joined Lindsey in a chair by the window. “I’m headed over toward Madrona Island Bed and Breakfast to visit a friend. Do you want to come with me?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Lindsey said.
“Going to go see Betty who isn’t feeling too well. She’s been one of the extras in the film. You’ve met her in the café, but not her new dog Zinger.”
Lindsey perked up a little. “What kind of dog?”
“A curly red poodle rescue. Very cute. They have a lovely cottage right on the Sound next to the B&B.”
Jude waited for Lindsey to lay the Kindle down. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. We’ll get some ice cream while we
’re out.”
“I’m not five years old, Mom.”
“I know. I know,” Jude said, “But everyone likes ice cream.”
“All right.” Lindsey put the Kindle on the table, unwrapped her legs, and slid her feet into her flip-flops. “Give me a sec to brush my hair.”
Jude waited while Lindsey fixed herself up. She tried not to hum and show how happy she was her daughter was coming along. This was the first time they’d really had any time alone, and now they would have a whole, bright, sunny afternoon together.
“Okay, let’s go.” Lindsey had put on some very short shorts, sandals with higher heels, and some lip gloss. She was a beautiful girl, even if she did look a lot like her dad. Mitchell had always been a handsome man. That had been part of the problem when Jude was young.
They hopped into the car and headed out of the town center. Jude took her time, keeping to the 25-mile speed limit in the town limits before getting on the main thoroughfare. “Would you like to see the bluff where we spotted the whales last year?”
“Sure,” Lindsey said.
Jude took the exit toward the state park. The road wove along windblown trees and open farmland before opening to the gate of the forested park overlooking Puget Sound. “I’ll park by the lighthouse,” she said. “It has the best view.”
“This way,” Jude said after exiting the car. Lindsey followed her up a short bluff where they could see the glistening water and rocky beach below. “Lily, and Kyla who owns Tea & Comfort and I saw them right out here.”
They scanned the water looking for a telltale dorsal fin or air spouts.
“What’s that island way out there,” Lindsey said, pointing north.
“It’s actually Canada. Vancouver Island. Perhaps we could take a ferry there one day and go shopping.”
“Can we go inside the lighthouse?” Lindsey asked.
“Sure thing. You can even take the steps to the top and look out.”
“Let’s go.”
They wandered through the museum area on the bottom floor and then climbed the narrow steps to the top. “This was a military base during World War I,” Jude said. “Lots of history here.”