A Celtic Knot (10 page)

Catherine held the card for a moment. “May I open it now?”

“Absolutely.”

Catherine set the rose in her lap, slowly slipped her finger beneath the flap, and tore open the envelope. She pulled out a pale yellow sheet of stationery and carefully unfolded it. Nestled in the center of the note was a fortune. The tiny paper read,
You’re in for a wonderful surprise.

“And you doubted me,” Olivia said.

Catherine smiled slowly. “I’ve never doubted you, Dr. Carrington. Thank you for bringing me your fortune. I’ll put it in my wish chest with mine.” Catherine looked down at the note.

Dear Catherine,

Thank you for helping to educate women. Knowledge is power. Power is healing. I appreciate your contribution in helping women to find the information and strength they need to battle their cancer.

Warmly,

Your friend,

Olivia

Catherine slowly refolded the note and slipped it back in the envelope with the fortune. “Thank you. That was really sweet.”

“You’re welcome. I meant what I wrote.” Olivia watched Catherine carefully. “Have dinner with me.”

“As friends?”

“Absolutely.”

Catherine studied Olivia. “What if I told you I already have dinner plans?”

“What if I asked you to change them?”

“Not a hope in hell. She’s having dinner with me and my family.”

Olivia looked up at Laura looming above her with a stack of children’s books in her arms.

Catherine laughed at the apprehensive look on Olivia’s face. “Sorry, Olivia, but we do have plans. Laura has a son and daughter and I’m their godmother. I try to have dinner with them once a week. I love those two like they were my own. You wouldn’t think of interfering with my plans with my godchildren, would you?”

Olivia cautiously laid her hand on her own chest. “I wouldn’t think of interfering with your plans with Laura and her family.”

“Glad to hear it,” Laura said. “We don’t welcome bossy women in our store or into our lives.” She turned to Catherine. “I’ll go finish tidying up the children’s section. I should be done in twenty minutes.”

“Sounds great. Come find me when you’re ready.”

“I hope you enjoy your visit, Dr. Carrington. Hopefully you’ll come back again to enjoy our coffee and warm hospitality.” Laura strode off with a stiff back.

“Oh, yeah, that’s just one big warm fuzzy,” Olivia said. “Where did you find her? The witness protection program?”

Catherine laughed. “Laura and I met in college. She’s been helping us manage the store for the past four years, since her babies started school. She’s very protective of me.”

“No kidding.” Olivia gently caressed Maya’s head. “When I finally get the guts to ask a woman to dinner this is a little more animosity than I’d hoped for.”

Catherine leaned forward and placed her elbows on her thighs. “Mom mentioned you’ll be filling in for Ruth on Monday at the Coronado Hotel.”

“Yes, unfortunately that’s true. I saw that you had an announcement posted on your board for the lecture series. We appreciate that.”

“You don’t sound excited about the lecture.”

Olivia rubbed her thumb over Maya’s ear. “It’s just been such a busy week. Ruth offered to fly back, but I told her that was ridiculous and that I’d do it for her.”

“I loved the Coronado Hotel as a child,” Catherine said. “I used to go to the beach there with my parents. I loved how many famous people had stayed at the hotel, and it even has its own ghost.” She shrugged. “By the time I was a teenager I was mostly interested in the shops on Orange Avenue. I liked to imagine that Marilyn Monroe browsed through the same shops I did.”

“Have dinner with me at the Coronado Hotel Monday evening after my lecture?”

Catherine inhaled sharply. “That’s an expensive place to dine, Olivia.”

Olivia carefully considered her approach. “But worth the dining experience.”

Catherine twirled the rose in her hand before looking at Olivia. “How about a compromise? I’ll meet you after your lecture and we can go for an urban-girl walk. We can stroll Orange Avenue and pick a restaurant where we’ll both feel comfortable with the dining experience.”

Olivia smiled. “Sounds wonderful.”

“Now, shall I pay my penance and go get you something from the coffee shop?”

“That would be terrific. And I’ve been meaning to ask—why did you name this place Cocoa Cream?”

“When I was a kid, my mom would always make me hot chocolate, but she calls it cocoa cream. I have such fond memories of enjoying those mugs of cocoa cream in front of a roaring fire with my parents and friends. When I first dreamed of this bookstore, I dreamed of bringing people together to share those same feelings. That’s how this place of gathering got its name.”

“What a great story.”

“Can I bring you a mug of that hot cocoa cream?”

“It’s tempting, but I think I’ll sample your mocha frappuccino first.”

“One tall mocha frappuccino coming up. And don’t expect to find a little umbrella in your drink, either.”

“Damn, I was going to ask for that next, with a cherry and slice of pineapple.”

“Keep fantasizing, Dr. Carrington.”

Catherine walked away with a gentle sway of her slender hips that seemed to grab at Olivia’s belly and heat her deep inside.
If you only knew what I’m fantasizing about, Ms. O’Grady.

Ten minutes later Catherine returned with their drinks. “One tall ice-cold mocha frappuccino for our new customer, who Summer and Crystal did not fail to notice as she walked in.”

Olivia swung her legs off the ottoman and accepted the frappuccino. “Thank you. It looks great. Who are Summer and Crystal?”

“They’re my coffee-shop employees. They’re too young for you, and I’ve never seen them in grass skirts. So, hands off my staff.” Catherine seated herself on the ottoman facing Olivia. “I put an insulator sleeve around the cup so your hands won’t freeze.”

“That was mighty thoughtful of you, Ms. O’Grady.”

They both watched Maya stretch like a slinky and saunter off Olivia’s lap. She gingerly hopped onto the arm and then the back of her chair, kneading the soft, plush material several times before settling in.

Catherine shook her head. “Sorry about all the white hair on your pants. I’ve got a lint brush you can use before you leave.”

Olivia laughed. “Not a problem.”

Catherine raised her glass of ice tea. She leaned forward and tapped her drink to Olivia’s. “I believe my penance has been paid.”

Olivia smiled. “To good old Catholic guilt.” She brought the straw to her lips and took a sip. “This is terrific, thank you.”

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Catherine said.

“Neither can I. I’m on call till seven a.m., but I wanted to see you.”

“Despite what I’ve put you through.”

“Yeah, I’m thinking I should probably get my head examined.”

Catherine playfully smacked her knee.

“Although, in all fairness, Abbot, Costello, and Ruth’s absence contributed to my crazy week as well.”

Catherine became more serious. “It’s been a life-altering week for me, Olivia. Every time we talked, I wanted to know how you were, but felt hesitant to hear about your patients. Then I thought about how my mom doesn’t like to tell me about the women she works with in the Comfort Program, because she knows it makes me feel uncomfortable. I want to be a better person than that. I want to be more supportive to my mother’s cause and the work you do. It may take me a while, but that’s what I want to work on.”

“You’ve been through an incredible amount of pain with both parents, Catherine. Cancer is your family history, but it doesn’t have to be yours. Nobody expects you to do more than you can handle. Be kind to yourself. Give what you’re capable of giving and no one will fault you for it. Especially the people who know you and love you.”

“All you need is a set of pom-poms, Dr. Carrington, and you’ll be set.”

Olivia narrowed her eyes. “Don’t make fun.”

“Sorry for interrupting, ladies, but I’m about ready to go.”

Catherine looked up at Laura. “Okay.”

“I’ll go see if Dana’s ready. Why don’t we meet you in the coffee shop?”

“That’ll be fine. I’ll just be a few minutes.”

“Good night, Dr. Carrington. Hopefully we’ll see you here again.”

“Good night, Laura. Thank you for the return invitation. I wasn’t sure if you were going to blacklist me or not.”

“That’s yet to be determined.”

Laura walked away. “I can really feel her warming up now,” Olivia said.

Catherine laughed. Olivia reached for the pewter pendant resting against her chest. Catherine felt her heart beat faster at the touch. “This is lovely,” Olivia said

Catherine looked down at Olivia’s long slender fingers delicately balancing her pendant, tracing the cross. “It’s a mustard-seed necklace. Flip it over.”

Olivia gently turned the pendant around and examined the mustard seed imbedded in the enamel.

“The mustard seed is a symbol of all that can be accomplished if only you believe. My parents gave that to me on the first anniversary of our store.”

“That’s beautiful.” Olivia brushed her thumb across the mustard seed before laying it to rest against Catherine’s chest. Catherine stood hesitantly, her heart still beating hard. Olivia rose from her chair and gathered her paperback book. She bent down and stroked Maya’s chin. “Thanks for the warm hospitality, Maya. Maybe you could teach Attila the Laura a thing or two.”

Catherine smiled. “I’ll walk you to the door, Olivia.”

“That’d be great. I’ll go pay for my hiking guide first.”

Catherine touched Olivia’s arm. “I won’t hear of it. Please accept the book as a gift from me and my mom.”

Olivia took a twenty-dollar bill from her wallet, folded it in half, and slipped it into Catherine’s pocket. “If I don’t pay for this book, Laura is liable to hunt me down. Put the change in the tip jar of the girl who made my delicious drink.”

“Well, then, thank you for the tip, Dr. Carrington. I’ll spend it wisely.”

They walked together to the sliding glass doors.

“What time should I meet you tomorrow at the Coronado?” Catherine asked.

“My lecture should end around four-thirty Shall we meet in the main foyer at five o’clock?”

“Sounds great.”

Olivia nodded toward the cafe. “Your family is waiting for you.”

“Good night, Dr. Carrington.”

Olivia stepped through the doors and out into the cool night air, then headed across the parking lot. The traffic was steady on Fifth Avenue while groups of people walked the streets and gathered to talk. The shops lining both sides of the street were garishly lit with their doors open wide for business and the cool breeze. The sounds of the Caribbean spilled from the music store on the corner while ESPN broadcast the basketball game from the sports bar down the street.

Olivia looked back over her shoulder to the bright warmth of Cocoa Cream, washed by a wave of longing.

Sixteen

W
HEN CATHERINE WAS A LITTLE GIRL
, the Hotel del Coronado always made her feel like she’d walked onto the grounds of a fairy-tale castle. The massive red-peaked roofs soared upward. The pristine white building seemed to stretch forever, embraced by unending balconies. Sometimes she wished she could reclaim the pure pleasure she’d felt here as a child.

She walked along the patio, pulling her red cardigan tighter as the gentle breeze tugged at her dress. She looked beyond the expanse of white beach to the Pacific Ocean. Children played in the surf line, mindless of the cool water lapping at their toes. She leaned against the railing, letting the afternoon sun caress her face. She’d planned to arrive at the hotel only as Olivia’s lecture was ending, then whisk her away to dinner on Orange Avenue, but something had drawn her here earlier.

As she watched the children on the beach, Catherine felt transported back to her childhood, when she would come here with her parents. Together they’d built magical castles with water-filled moats and towering turrets. When they were done, they’d walk along the beach and collect shells and chase the sand crabs back into their holes.

When Catherine was around thirteen, she’d begun to realize that only very wealthy people could afford to stay at the fairy-tale castle of the Hotel del Coronado. For years it had bothered her that places like this were not within her family’s reach. She’d still loved to come to the beach with her parents, but she’d no longer wanted to wander around the hotel grounds.

Over time she’d come to realize how happy she was with exactly the level of wealth she’d achieved. She felt blessed with the success of Cocoa Cream, blessed that she’d been able to afford her own modest home.

The laughter of the children drew Catherine’s eyes back to the beach. Her dad had loved when they buried him in the beach sand. She clearly remembered the day he’d said, “When I die, I want you two to bury me right here.”