Return to Gray Harbor (13 page)

They all laughed after that and headed over to McAllister's.

After about two hours they had everything that they needed, including four picnic tables and benches, in an unfinished wood that matched the building exterior. They also purchased paint and supplies for a mural, wood chips, geraniums, potting soil, shovels, and a watering can. They scheduled for the picnic tables to be delivered in the afternoon, but packed up the rest of the supplies in Michael’s car.

Judy proved to be a master gardener. By two thirty, they had all of the flowers planted and wood chips in place. They had even begun to add the base coat of paint for the mural on the wall. An hour later it was a nice beige color. Judy decided it would be best if she spent some time thinking about what to put up on the mural before starting. But even without the mural, they all decided it looked a lot better out there. The picnic tables were scheduled to arrive in thirty minutes, so they decided to hang out at the market, get a bite to eat, and visit Mom and Annie.

Judy walked in and headed straight for the cheese counter where their mother was. “Hey, Mom! How’s business today?”

“Good, good. It’s picked up a little. With more barbeques coming up, everyone has stopped by to buy cheese for cheeseburgers today. Unfortunately, no one has been too adventurous today. Mostly cheddar.” Marty frowned. “So what are you kids up to today?”

Michael answered for the group, “We’re working on the picnic area project and then we’re going to the hospital to visit Dad. Are you going to head there tonight?”

“Ahh, I went this morning at eight. They have special hours for spouses from eight to eleven. Thank God! That’s usually the slower part of the day. But I may stop in just before eight to say a quick goodnight. Are you kids taking care of dinner tonight?” Marty looked hopeful.

“I’m going out with friends tonight,” said Jonah.

Judy looked at Michael for confirmation and then turned to their mother. “Michael and I will be home tonight, Mom. We’ll put something together, any request?’

Marty looked thoughtful. “No cheeseburgers!”

Michael, Judy, and Jonah walked through the aisles and grabbed some cheese, salami, mustard, pickles, bread, chips, and sodas and then headed for the register. Michael insisted on paying for it all. They then headed out and sat on the ground and made quick work at making sandwiches — and devouring them just as quickly. A short time later, the delivery truck arrived and they worked with the driver to get the tables set up. It was starting to look really good out there. Then they sat down and finished up their lunches and hung out, chatting for a bit.

Michael and Judy decided on a simple dinner of pasta, salad, and garlic bread and went back in to make their purchases, then headed over to the hospital to visit their father. Michael had to admit that James seemed to have visibly improved since the day before. He still couldn’t really move one side of his face or his arm but he had demonstrated his walking abilities and excitedly spoke about coming home, and coming back to the market, as soon as possible

The kids told him about the picnic area and the website. He seemed to respond well to both projects and he loved the idea of the mural. He said they had to have blueberries, the Maine tartan, lobsters, and of course a moose, integrated into the mural somehow. Everyone felt energized after seeing Dad and by five-thirty  they were all home and unwinding.

Michael had a great time preparing the meal with Judy and while they worked, she confided that she wanted to go to the Rhode Island School of Design to study graphic and classical arts. She told him all about the portfolio preparation process and excitedly said that having a real company use her logo, even if it was just the family business, could really help her application.

After he, Judy, and his mother had dinner later that night, they all parted ways to do their own thing. Michael went up to his room and picked up the Wall Street Journal but quickly decided against opening it ... why ruin the rest of the evening? He had much more exciting things to think about, like tomorrow, and his ‘business lunch’ with Beth.

The next morning, Michael awoke with feelings of nervous energy. He wanted everything to be perfect. He got up and showered and shaved. He donned a fresh purple polo shirt, brown belt, jeans, wayfarer sunglasses, and his boat shoes. He looked casual but clean-cut. The night before he had managed to find a wicker basket downstairs in the kitchen and even an appropriate checkered tablecloth and napkins. He got all his utensils and cups together and then headed off to the market to get supplies and make lunch for Beth and himself. They’d be dining in the brand-new picnic area at the market that day.

At the market, he found all of the necessary ingredients to make what he hoped would be a memorable lunch. He went to the storage room and prepared classic lobster rolls a la Mama Malone, along with a string bean salad made with red potato, onions, olive oil and oregano. He also had selected various cheeses, crackers, and grapes to go with the meal, as well as some San Pellegrino. After he was done, he packed everything in the car, and headed to the Warren Inn to pick up Beth.

She couldn’t believe the bicycle tour was finally over, thank God. Hosting the touring company was a great business opportunity, but she was also dead tired because of it. All she wanted to do was sleep. But she couldn’t sleep, she was too excited about seeing Michael later. She didn’t know where he was taking her, but she was pretty sure it was actually a date and that the business lunch was just pretense. Or at least she hoped it was. She remembered their brief kiss yesterday and smiled; yeah, this was definitely no business lunch. It was strange to think she had seen Michael almost every day the entire week. Bumping into him in town, at the Inn, and even on her run. Maybe it was kismet. Maybe they were meant to meet up again now at this time in their life. Whoa, she thought to herself. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here. They had shared two kisses...okay, one intense kiss that lasted several hours and then a casual one.

She finished her shower and then got dressed with care, selecting a sexy red thong and matching bra. Just in case. She put on some skinny jeans and then a belted silk navy t-shirt and strappy sandals. She carefully applied light makeup and then looked at her reflection to admire the finished product. She was usually a pretty modest person, but even she had to admit she had a glow about her that day. Her hair looked great and her outfit was nice but not too nice. It was just right for dining anywhere, really.

She packed her handbag up with all she’d need for the day and then left her cottage to head towards the Inn. By the time she arrived, she saw Michael already waiting outside, leaned up against his car. He had not seen her yet so she enjoyed this moment of observing him undetected. As she looked him over, she admired the manliness he exuded. With his arms crossed she could see the muscles in his deeply tanned arms. He looked less like a Wall Street guy today, and more like a guy who got his muscles from a hard day of work outdoors. She noticed he had shaved and that the clean-cut look worked for him as well as the more rough and tumble look he had been sporting the past few days. After a few more moments, she decided to make her presence known.

She walked towards Michael and waved to get his attention. He flashed a lopsided grin that was both sexy and genuine all at once. It lit up his whole face. She bit her lip, trying to hold back from saying something she shouldn’t.

“Hi Beth! You look great,” he said, as he smiled appreciatively and went around to open the car door for her. After she stepped in, he gently closed the door and walked back around to the driver seat. As he was starting the car, he looked at her and said, “Ready for our date — I mean ‘business lunch.’” He smiled at her again, this time more sheepishly.

“Why, Mr. Malone, I’d like to remind you this is strictly business, “ Beth attempted to say in her most professional voice.

He smiled at her and they drove in silence for a few moments, before Beth asked, “So, where exactly are we going?”

“You’ll see,” he said cheerfully. They pulled into Malone’s Market parking lot shortly after that.

“So here we are ... at the market?”

“Yes, I know, probably not what you’re thinking, but you’ll see.” He exited the car and went around to help her out and then went to the trunk and pulled out what looked like a fully-stocked picnic basket.

Now this seemed more like it. She loved picnics, one thing she could appreciate about Michael is he certainly made an effort to do something she would like. She was excited to find out what lunch was!

They walked around to the side of the market, to a picnic area that she was sure was new. It was cute. There were natural wood picnic tables and benches, nice planters with beautiful flowers, and the beginnings of a mural. It would make for a really pleasant lunch spot, especially on such a beautiful day. He led her to a table and he began to unpack the basket.

“So, what would you like to talk about, on our ‘business lunch’ Michael?” She couldn’t help gesturing with quote marks to tease him.

“Okay, I cannot tell a lie. Although I do value your opinion as a business owner here in Gray Harbor ... I invited you to lunch today under false pretenses. I’d rather just learn more about you, and get to know you. BUT I also wouldn’t mind hearing your opinion on what it takes to be successful in Gray Harbor ... with you ... I mean, business.” He smiled sheepishly as he stole a grape from the basket and popped it into his mouth.

“Michael, I just don’t know if I can stay here under these false pretenses. I’m not sure there’s anything you can do to convince me otherwise ...” She gave him a devilish grin and pretended to get up.

He placed his hands on hers and said, “Well, what if I tell you what I made today, could that maybe convince you to stay?”

“Perhaps.”

He smiled as he unloaded the grapes, cheese, honey for the cheese, white wine, and then finally two packages wrapped in wax paper. He handed her one and then opened and poured some wine for them.

They clinked their wine glasses and sipped. She was charmed by his efforts.

“What’s this?” she asked setting down her wine glass and opening the white package.

“It’s a lobster roll, but you’ll see it’s not exactly your traditional roll. It has its own special twist.”

Beth loved a lobster roll just as much as the next person. She bit into it and her eyes opened wide. This roll was different — it was served on a top-split brioche and the lobster was served true-Maine style. Beth could taste some light mayonnaise, lemon, salt, and green pepper. It was perfectly done. She usually opted for the simple butter-only recipe, but she had to admit this was quite good. She took another bite and moaned in appreciation.

“Michael, this is delicious! Did you make this?”

Michael grinned from ear to ear. “Why, yes, I did make it, and coming from you I’ll take that as a huge compliment. I do promise though …” he paused for effect, “ … not to let it go to my head.”

They ate in silence for a few moments and just enjoyed being outside.

“This is really nice, just being out here on a nice day, enjoying the food. There really aren’t many places to go in town if you just want a casual meal. And even the Tavern isn’t open for lunch.”

“Yeah, I was thinking that just now, too.  Not to get all ‘businessy’ but now that you mention it, I had put the picnic tables here so people who buy snacks can enjoy them before they hit the road again, but you may be onto something. But how would I go about serving food here at the market?”

Beth smiled and looked like she was thinking this through as she bit into her lobster roll. She explained the different approaches. Prepared foods versus made-to-order. She explained the health code restrictions for each and the pros and cons. She explained the permits, the types of refrigeration cases they should purchase. She felt like she was rambling and being boring, but Michael was taking it all in and really paying attention.

Before she knew it they had finished all of the food. They sat there and chatted a bit more about riding bicycles and where to get bikes for her business, then they both started to clean up the remnants of their lunch.

“So, I know I just said we would have lunch, but I also had something else in mind,” Michael said. “Wait here and I’ll be right back.”

He left with the basket in hand and headed back towards the parking lot. She heard the car door slam in the distance and then listened for Michael to return. She was feeling impatient and curious when Michael came back wheeling two old cruiser bicycles. One even had a banana seat.

“Oh, my God, Michael, where did you get those ridiculous bicycles?” Beth covered her mouth and laughed out loud.

“You mean these nineteen eighties classics?” he responded. “From my parent’s garage. It’s hard to get bicycle rentals in this neighborhood on short notice. But what could be more fun than watching a grown man ride around on a banana-seat bicycle for the rest of the afternoon?” He looked at her and laughed a little, and she literally felt her knees get weak.

“Don’t you laugh at me, Michael. I can ride a banana seat bicycle with the best of them, so I call that one. Where are we headed?” she asked.

“Oh, you know, around,” he said, smiling again.

She noticed that there was a small backpack in one of the bicycle baskets. She was intrigued.

“All right Malone, we’ll do it your way,” she said, as she placed her purse in the empty basket. “Lead the way!”

They rode around for hours, laughing and talking all along the way. They rode to the lighthouse and parked their bikes outside and got the tour so they could look at the view from the top. As they were standing there, Michael said, “Gosh I hope no one steals our bikes ...”

“That would be a shame, then I’d be stuck walking back with you,” she said, her eyes darkening.

He stepped closer to her, his body pressing against hers. She sucked in her breath; they were pressed against each other and he was looking into her eyes searchingly. She inched closer, and so did he. Just before he was about to kiss her, she heard a voice from behind.

“Eh, hem. This is a family place,” one of the lighthouse tour volunteers croaked at them. He was a salty-looking old man who probably spent most of his life out on the water as opposed to inside a lighthouse.

“We’re closing up in just a few, so you best be going elsewhere.” He looked at them with a spark in his eyes before he added, “My wife and I used to come here back in my day. A long time ago.” He shuffled away and made his way to the steps.

Michael was trying to hide his excitement. Beth really got to him. But maybe it was best they were interrupted? He let out a breath and said, “So, maybe it’s time to take this adventure back on the road?”

Beth nodded in agreement and they headed down the stairs and back to their bikes. Then they rode into town and got ice cream, walking their bicycles around. They stopped by a wine shop and bought a bottle of white wine for later that night. She hadn’t planned on a marathon date but that’s what the day appeared to be turning into. At around six they decided to go to Nick’s pizza and get a slice.

“So, Michael,” she said. “I still don’t know exactly what you do for a living?”

He laughed. “Sometimes I don’t know either. But in all seriousness, what I do is I help companies and people grow. Sometimes we also help them make difficult decisions. It gets complicated and sometimes it even feels a little clandestine. It can be really exciting, but I really do feel like it’s time for a change for me. I’ve made a lot of money doing this; I’ve invested most of it in long term investments, but now I want out so I can invest in my own future and do something that makes me happy ... something more meaningful.”

She looked pensive and then said, “Okay, so I still have no idea what that means, but it sounds like you’re on to the next thing.”

They discussed what that next thing could be as they left Nick’s pizza with their purchases and rode their bikes back over to the inn. It was getting chilly, but the briskness gave Beth something else to focus on besides her growing attraction to Michael. They parked their bikes in the large garage structure just behind the parking lot. It looked like an old carriage house that had been modernized a bit.

They walked out of the garage hand in hand, Michael grabbing his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. Beth turned to Michael and said, “This was by far the best business lunch I’ve ever had.”

He turned to her and said, “Oh, was it now?”

He came closer and she slowly dragged her hands up his arms and then linked them around his neck, looking at him. She desperately wanted to kiss him but began to doubt herself, what if it really was just a friendly business lunch? It couldn’t be, she reassured herself.

Just then he lifted his head and looked searchingly into her eyes. He must have found what he was looking for because his lips pressed softly against hers. At first he gently nibbled her lips, and then he began kissing her more deeply and aggressively. She was enjoying the kiss but she began to get very warm. The truth was she wanted him to touch her. When he looked at her and kissed her with such hunger and heat, how could she think of anything else?

She slid her hands up to his shoulders as the two of them edged their way to the carriage house. Once they reached it, he dropped his bag and roughly backed her up against the wall. He pressed the hard length of his body against her, holding her hips firmly as he kissed her more deeply. He then began to kiss her throat down to her collarbone. She threw her head back in desire and tried to move his hands down her body. But he fought her and instead said, “Sometimes I like to move slowly, but first, why don’t we move this inside.” He picked up his bag, waiting for her to lead the way.