by Neil Crenner
the conversation and wouldn't let go of it. This made him feel a bit guilty, but he knew the other person, whomever it was, loved to hear about his life. Most of the conversation was about meeting Didier and Catherine threw in a few tidbits about when he was a boy. Reason loved this. He felt comfortable with Catherine and it was just so easy to talk with her.
They were just driving into the King's Cross' parking lot at 1 p.m. Reason was tired. He knew that Catherine was tired as well from the drive. They checked in quickly and agreed to be ready by 1:30 p.m. to drive up to the lighthouse. Catherine mentioned she wanted to freshen up a bit. They were just down the hall from each other on the second floor, which had been a large house at one time and now was converted.
30 minutes later.
Reason heard a knock on his door. He opened his eyes and wondered where he was for a second. He usually never was able to nap during the day however, he had laid down on the comfy bed and fallen into a deep slumber for 40 minutes. He arose and opened the door to find Catherine all dressed and ready to go.
"I couldn't sleep much, how about you?" she said quietly. "Oh, did I wake you? I'm sorry."
"Yes I had fallen asleep, but don't worry about it, come in." Reason waved for her to follow him as he turned and went back to lay down on the bed. Catherine followed and shut the door. "I was in a deep sleep, I must have been very tired after the drive and I didn't get much sleep last night," Reason said with a smile as he lay on the bed.
"Sit there in that chair. Do you like your room? It's so fun, this place."
"Yes if feels like home. I like it so much better than a motel."
"Sweetie I never stay at a motel, only a Hotel or a B&B."
"I will remember that."
"So I unpacked and freshened up and I am ready if it's not too late."
"Well, we can drive over to the lighthouse tomorrow morning. We're not in a hurry." Reason said calmly.
"If that's alright with you, I would love to have a nice early dinner and then retire. I brought three books to read."
"Yes, that sounds like fun. I have to check my cameras and then I want to read as well." Reason agreed. "Shall we call Didier and tell him we are here and checked in?"
"Sure, then he won't worry." Reason picked up the phone beside the bed and dialed Didier's work number. "It's ringing."
"Hello, Didier Gautier."
"Hello babe."
"Hey you guys made it?"
"Yes we are at the B&B and have checked in and we are planning on an early dinner and then retire and drive to the lighthouse tomorrow.''
"Well that's a good idea. You must be exhausted from that drive?"
"Catherine drove half way and I slept."
"I knew you would be tired. You never wake up so early."
"I am glad you made it there safely."
"Yes me too. Okay I will call you this evening." Reason listened a moment and then hung up the phone.
"What did he say?" Catherine asked.
"He knew I would be tired and that he was glad we had a safe trip."
"I hope he isn't lonely while we are gone."
"Colbert will keep him company."
"Yes she will. I hope she's not too much trouble for Didier."
"Didier loves her like she is his own."
"That's good. I am surprised he has taken such a liking to her, I never knew he liked dogs."
"You have been absent for too long in Didier's life. I am so glad that you came to California."
"That means a lot to me to hear you say that. I am so glad that Didier met someone like you Reason."
"So, I will shower and get dressed and meet you in about 30 minutes in the lobby."
"Sounds like a plan." Catherine rose from the chair and let herself out.
"Just wait in the lobby and I will be there shortly. It's very nice down there, sit by the fireplace and relax." Reason said. As Reason showered, he wondered if for some reason they weren't able to go today because it was just not meant to be.
He had been excited all day to see the lighthouse and show Catherine; however she didn't seem to share his feelings about it. He brushed it aside and finished showering and shaving and dressed and was down in the lobby in 28 minutes.
"I am here," she declared as he strolled into the lobby. Catherine was sitting in a Georgian Camel Back Settee next to the fireplace reading a book. "Oh there you are. I am ready when you are." Reason exclaimed.
"Reason, you are all dressed up. Should I change?" Catherine said shyly.
"You look fine to me." Reason assured her. "Did you bring your coat? It's a bit chilly out there in the evening."
"I brought my sweater, see it here," she reach over to pick it up from a small table next to the settee.
"Maybe you should get your coat?"
"Well if you think it will be that cold I will run up and get it and change into something else."
"Catherine you look fine." Reason assured her.
"I'll be right back. Wait here for me."
"Sure, I'll sit by the fireplace. Catherine departed and Reason sat on the settee. The warmth from the fireplace felt good. It was a bit chilly in the hallway and coming down the staircase. Reason watched as a few people came thru and went into the lobby. They smiled at him.
5 minutes later Catherine returned. She had changed into a full length black dress and was wearing her coat she flew here in with her scarf.
"Oh Catherine you changed. You look fabulous."
"I just had too, I felt so underdressed for supper. I love this coat too, I bought it at Neiman-Marcus when I was in New York years ago."
Reason chuckled.
"I inquired at the front desk about where to eat and they recommended a French restaurant a few blocks from here. How does that sound?"
"That sounds lovely. " Catherine smiled.
"They said we could walk to it, shall we?"
"A walk would be nice."
A walk later.
The restaurant was dark and filled with ambient light. It had cloth covered tables with high back chairs in nooks here and there. Reason asked to be seated in one of these nooks, more private. The host was obliging. It was not crowded, but not empty, Reason knew they were there early, it was just 3 p.m. The early birds would be arriving soon. "Shall we have some wine? I would love to taste a local wine from Soledad."
"Let's. Shall we have red or white?"
"We can start with a white and then for dinner we can add a red."
"An entire bottle?"
"I am sure if we don't finish it, we can take it with us. There's a small refrigerator in my room, how about yours?"
"I didn't notice it."
"It's hidden in the side board in my room."
"I'll have to check mine out."
"So how about a nice Chardonnay?"
"I like sweet wines."
"We'll get a nice sweet Chardonnay."
The waiter came to the table with two glasses of iced water and menus. "Good evening, I am Nathan, and I'll be your server this evening. Have you decided on a refreshing libation yet? We do have a little of the non-alcoholic beverages on the back of the menu."
"We'll have this Chardonnay, bin 23." Reason said.
"Yes, sir. Very nice choice. I shall have that out right away." He departed.
"I love our waiter, his accent is so French."
"So French," Catherine uttered with a perfect accent.
"Stop, you know I love when you speak in that deep French accent. I am craving some delicious lamb. What do you plan on having?"
"I am still looking over this menu. It has so much. I feel like veal. It's my favorite."
"That's Didier's as well. You have similar tastes."
"I used to cook the best veal around many years ago. It tasted better back then."
The waiter returned with the wine and quickly opened it, asking where they were from and what brought them there. He was very polite and engaging, Reason loved it. Reason didn't want to give out too much info,
that they were just taking a road trip.
"Are you ready to order? Or do you still want a few minutes?"
"I think we need a few minutes, but we would like to order the steamed mussels."
"I shall get that started right away monsieur." He departed.
"I love steamed mussels.
"Let's have this Pinot Noir, it's a nice bold wine or you can have a glass of wine if you want a sweet one."
"Sounds good to me. The waiter returned shortly and took their order. "I am going to have the Fricassee of Veal with peppers and monsieur is going to have the Cotelettes d'agneau Champvallon."
"Very good choices. I'll have the wine out directly." The waiter departed.
'You were fabulous Catherine, I think he was shocked."
"I think so too and I do think we made good choices."
"That is my favorite dish. I rarely find it except at French restaurants. It's absolutely delicious."
"I hope my veal is delicious as well."
"I am sure it will be, it sounds wonderful. Lamb is just my favorite meat."
"Veal is mine."
Later.
They ate and drank wine, and had the most pleasant time, laughing and talking with the waiter, who was very professional and at the same time very charming and interactive. Reason tipped him very well.
On the walk back Catherine remarked at how delicious her veal was, the best she ever had. Reason thought it might have been the wine helping her feel this way.
"I loved mine as well, but the dessert was my favorite."
"They were so pretty I didn't want to eat mine."
"Their coffee was amazing too."
"I had such a lovely time."
"It was lovely."
They went back to the King's Cross bed and breakfast and sat in front of the fireplace relaxing for a bit before retiring to their rooms.
"Tomorrow, let's wake up early and go to breakfast, then head up to the lighthouse." Reason said as they were