Page 7 of Sugar Plum Serenade

CHAPTER 3

It wasn’t a date, Olive told herself as she stored Tuck’s purchases behind the counter. He was a friend, a neighbor. That was it. She’d only be in Seawolf Beach for a couple of weeks, so it would be foolish to date anyone. So, it wasn’t a date.

The weather was a little chilly, but still, the walk was pleasant. It was nice to move forward instead of walking in circles in the limited space of the boutique. Tuck asked about her day; she shared only the good. Pleasant customers. Sales. It was just her second day, but she was learning her way around. She asked about his day, but he didn’t share much. Good business for a Tuesday afternoon at the bar and no fires to call out the Seawolf Beach Volunteer Fire Department had made for his own good day.

They didn’t have far to walk. Tuck led her to a small, white, one-story house just beyond what was considered downtown. The only sign that it was a restaurant was the hand-painted placard on the front porch. Maggie’s. Dawn had never mentioned this place, and Olive was certain she never would’ve found it on her own.

They stepped inside, and she immediately realized why Dawn had never said anything about Maggie’s. White tablecloths. Waiters in dark suits and pristine white aprons. Soft, unobtrusive music playing in the background. This was not the place to bring two little girls. There were probably no chicken nuggets or mac and cheese on the menu.

She started to tell Tuck that she was underdressed for a place like this, but a glance proved her wrong. Every customer in the restaurant was as casually dressed as she and Tuck were.

Her escort approached the wait stand. “I don’t have a reservation, but I thought maybe on a Tuesday it would be safe to take a chance.”

The pretty young blonde smiled at him, the way women probably did on a daily basis. “We always have a place for you, Tuck.” The hostess grabbed two menus and led them to a back corner. As they walked through the restaurant, Olive glanced through a couple of doorways into other rooms. Maggie’s was bigger than it appeared to be from outside.

This wasn’t a place you brought a neighbor for a friendly meal, but was the perfect place for a date.

They were seated at a corner table that would’ve been great for a romantic dinner. It was almost private. A new itch crawled up her spine. A warning? Maybe.

Olive studied the menu. Maggie’s wasn’t cheap by any means, but it wasn’t as expensive as she’d expected. As she perused her choices, she said, “I’ll be paying for my own meal.”

“No, no, I invited you…”

She lowered the menu just enough to glare at Tuck over the top. “You tricked me. This is not a date. We’re just friends having dinner together. That’s it.”

“Are we?” he asked. “Friends?”

“I suppose.” She turned her attention to the menu. So many choices! After a long day of retail, she was starving.

“Can’t one friend buy the other one dinner?”

“Not tonight,” she said without looking at him again.

“Fine. Be that way. If you change your mind, let me know.”

She wasn’t going to change her mind.

She chose shrimp and grits; Tuck ordered a steak. Fresh baked bread and salads were placed before them, and again, Olive was reminded of how hungry she was. Maybe if she attacked her food like a starving dog, Tuck would be glad this wasn’t a date. He could definitely have a steady girlfriend or a wife if he wanted one, so he must be particular. Did this laid-back, easygoing guy have high standards? Would a little crude behavior in a nice restaurant make him back off?

Did she want him to back off?

Not really. Besides, she couldn’t make herself misbehave in public.

Over bread and salad, he quizzed her. What do you do when you’re not helping your sister? Do you enjoy being an event planner? Is there a boyfriend at home? He already knew where she lived, from their past brief encounters at Dawn’s house. She knew it was coming, but she still twitched a little when he said, “Mike tells me you used to be a ballerina. That’s cool.”

“Enough about me,” she responded without addressing that issue. “What do you do with yourself in Seawolf Beach?”

He narrowed one eye but didn’t press her about her old vocation. “You know everything there is to know about me. I’m a simple man living a simple life. I’m thirty-four years old and have all my teeth. No cavities. I own The Magnolia, the bar Uncle Houston left to me when he passed a few years back. In case you’re not aware, the place isn’t as fancy as the name implies. I’m also a volunteer firefighter, but thank goodness that doesn’t take a lot of time. Though we do train on a regular basis. There was a big fire a couple months back but nothing since, not even a dumpster fire. We have to stay sharp, prepared for anything.”

“I had no idea about your excellent dental health,” she said with a smile. “I guess I did know the rest, or most of it. And no girlfriend?”

“I already answered that question. No. Not at the moment.”

She wanted to ask why not, but she didn’t. Was there a recent heartbreak? Was he difficult in a way she hadn’t yet seen? “The Magnolia must be open tonight. Why aren’t you there?”

“I’d rather be here, with my friend.”

Olive glanced down at her salad.