“Four.” Wilma-Jean grabbed Joe’s arm. “Let’s see how well your baby boy cooks.”
Demarien led them to the table closest to the kitchen. “Haley will be right with you. I have to get back to cooking.”
Boone grabbed his hand and pulled him in for a kiss. “Congratulations, sweetheart. Love you.”
“Love you too,” he whispered against Boone’s lips, kissing him one more time before running back to the kitchen.
Haley smirked and handed him his spatula before heading for the door. “Today is going to be a good day.”
Time flew by as Haley poured drinks and Demarien plated everything with perfect precision. Toast layered beside eggs. Crispy bacon. Herb-roasted potatoes. Strawberries bright against the muted colors of the kitchen.
The rain deepened outside, tapping harder now against the inn. Haley carried tray after tray of coffee and juice out to the tables, and more people arrived.
Milo ran inside the kitchen. “We are out of seating. I’m herding people to the sitting rooms. We have a waitlist, Damarien. A waitlist!”
“They came for the murder, but we’ll make them come back for the quiche,” he said, snickering.
“Damn, I have to go do a tour. I think I’m going to call Puck in. He’s not the best with people, but he can seat them in a pinch. Even if he’ll bitch about brunch the whole time.”
“I can seat people and get drink orders,” Boone said from the doorway. “That was delicious, sweetheart.” He moved and kissed the back of Demarien’s neck. “You made Sammie cry.”
“What?” he spun around, but Boone was already back at the door, grinning. “Gotta go host.”
Milo snickered. “I’m glad you got your man and all, but I’mreallyhappy he’s so useful. It’s like you got an employee for all of us.”
“Don’t you let him overdo it. His leg still hurts if he’s on it all day.”
“Yes, sir.” Milo saluted and left.
Demarien had just turned back to the stove when Wilma-Jean and Sammie came in. “Boy, that was the best quiche I’ve ever had,” Wilma-Jean started, rubbing her stomach. “I’m proud of you, Demarien. Now I’m going to help Haley clean the tables. More folks need to be sitting and eating your delicious food.”
Sammie sniffled and hugged Demarien. “Look at you! Your dream is a beautiful thing, honey. You have such talent, and I can’t wait to eat your cooking again. Now, I’m gonna get started on the dishes. You might need to hire a little more help for Sundays. Want me to ask some of my folks?”
“Please,” he said, his own eyes watering. “Thank you, Sammie.”
“No thanks needed.” She turned to the sink and started loading the dishwasher.
“Every empty table is now full again,” Haley said, running in with her tray and a whole stack of orders. She laughed manically as she filled cups. “They love it, Demarien. Your food is a hit. Your dad is out there chatting everyone up like a proud papa bear. I’m going to make him start taking orders.”
She ran out of the room again, tray full of drinks.
For a moment, the kitchen creaked softly around them, while somewhere outside, wind stirred through wet cedar trees. Demarien’s smile seemed a permanent feature to his face now. His dream was really coming true.
That evening,Demarien was exhausted, but elated. The kitchen and dining areas were clean again, their pockets were flush,and the people of Myrtlewood Bay were in love with his food. Sammie had sent one of her part-timers to him that afternoon for an interview. The young man would work nicely for Sunday brunches.
Now, though, he walked slowly on his beach with Boone, Brownie, and a curious little crab. The tide had gone out nearly an hour ago, leaving the beach wide and silver beneath the fading evening sky. Waves rolled in softly, no louder than breaths, and gulls drifted like scraps of paper above the water. There was nobody else around for miles.
Boone walked a few paces ahead, his shoes dangling from one hand while the cold water washed over his bare feet. Every few seconds, he glanced back over his shoulder with that easy grin Demarien had fallen for years ago.
“You’re being weirdly quiet,” Boone said.
“I’m thinking.”
“That's dangerous, huh?”
Demarien huffed a laugh, though his heart was pounding hard enough to make him dizzy. “Yeah. Really dangerous.”
The wind pushed through Boone’s tousled blonde hair as he stopped walking and turned toward him. The sunset painted everything around them gold and copper. Behind Boone, the ocean stretched endlessly into the horizon.
