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Sophie shook her head. “I promise you I’m not encouraging her.” She went to find a vase, which she filled with water. “Now that she’s about to walk down the aisle, Hazel feels it’s her duty to see that everyone is paired up.”
“Well, they don’t call it Operation Love for nothing,” Noah drawled. He looked around the cabin. “I like what you’ve done to the place. All the colors are very cheerful.”
“When I first moved it, the atmosphere was on the drab side,” Sophie said as she arranged the flowers in the vase. “And that’s an understatement. Everything was blah and brown. So I asked Hazel if I could paint the walls eggshell and she agreed. Then I just kept adding pieces with lots of color—reds, purples, oranges, deep blues. I made it my own.” Sophie felt a burst of pride as she surveyed the living area. “It made a world of difference.”
“It’s a lot like you,” Noah said. “Bright, sunny and a little bit bold.”
A girl could really get used to Noah’s flattering words, Sophie realized. “If you don’t stop giving me compliments I’m not going to be able to fit my head through that door,” she teased. “We should be leaving soon for the festivities.”
“I’m raring to go. I’ve never been to a Founder’s Day celebration before.”
Sophie winked at him. “Well, then, you have no idea how much fun awaits you.”
“Shall we?” Noah asked, holding out his elbow for her.
She grabbed her coat and pulled it on, then gently placed a hat on before looping her arm through Noah’s. After all the work Grace had done on her hair, Sophie had no intention of messing it up. Since the majority of events were being held outside, bundling up was crucial. Sophie didn’t relish turning into a Popsicle. She took a deep, fortifying breath. Her emotions were all over the place. It felt so nice to be walking arm in arm with Noah. When they reached his car he pulled open the door for her, then waited for her to get situated before he closed it.
You can’t train someone to be a gentleman. Her father’s voice buzzed in her ear. It was one of his favorite sayings. Roger Mattson was a big believer in courtly gestures and men acting like gentlemen. She liked to think he would approve of Noah, although she wasn’t certain he would appreciate her dating a cook. Although he’d hailed from humble origins himself, her father had become a bit of a snob when it came down to her potential suitors. That’s why he’d been so ecstatic about her relationship with his protégé, John.
Sophie and Noah’s arrival at the celebration was met with stares and whispers. Sophie knew the townsfolk were brimming with curiosity about him. Noah was new in town and a bit mysterious, according to some of the residents. Sophie had heard snippets of gossip about him, most of which made her giggle and shake her head. Now that they’d shown up together, she knew their names would be linked for weeks and months to come. She prayed it wouldn’t bother Noah too much.
She knew from the life she’d led in New York City that being the subject of gossip wasn’t always fun. Thankfully, here in Love it wasn’t mean-spirited or vicious.
“I think we’re on the tip of everyone’s tongues,” Sophie said in a loud whisper. “Everyone is staring and flapping their gums.”
“Doesn’t bother me a bit. They’re just staring because we’re the best-looking pair here,” Noah teased. Sophie liked the way his blue eyes twinkled, and there were little laugh lines at the corners of his eyes as he began to preen.
Sophie burst out laughing. “I like your confidence.”
He winked at her. “Never let ’em see you sweat.” Noah leaned close and whispered, “Matter of fact, we could really put a show on for them if you want.” He reached for her hand and raised it to his lips, pressing a kiss on it. Out of the corner of her eye Sophie could see some of the townsfolk pointing and saying her name in loud whispers. Deciding to play along, she batted her lashes in an exaggerated way and ducked her head.
“Let’s move along before I break character and burst out laughing,” she finally said, trying to suppress a giggle.
“Where to? I smell something amazing.” He rubbed his stomach. “It would be nice to eat someone else’s food for a change.”
“Why don’t we go grab something? I know this year’s theme is clambake, so if you enjoy lobster, crab and other shellfish, you’re going to be a happy camper. It’s all included in the price of the tickets we purchased when we arrived.”
As they made their way toward the food, Sophie and Noah stopped a few times to speak with people who crossed their path. It was amazing how in a year’s time she had come to know almost an entire town. Most of them she considered friends.
Each and every time they met someone, Noah gave a hearty, warm greeting. It made Sophie feel all warm and fuzzy inside to see him so well connected to the community.
“You’ve really come out of your shell,” she noted as they continued walking.
“I had a shell?” Noah asked, a dumbfounded expression on his face.
Sophie tried not to laugh. “Yes, you did. You were a little closed off and slightly cranky. But once you got into a groove you began to open up. I’m sure glad you did, and so are all the customers. They really love you coming out to the dining area to meet them, in case you didn’t know. You’re becoming a regular culinary rock star here.”
Noah let out a low whistle. “A culinary rock star. That’s high praise, Sophie.” He bent over and bowed to her with a flourish. “Thank you kindly. My parents would be very proud.” He made a face. “Cooking is a big deal in my family. They wanted me to stay in Homer and help run the restaurant.”
“And you didn’t want to do that?” Sophie asked. She could relate to Noah’s dilemma. It was always a hard choice which road to take. Granted, her circumstances had been different, but the dilemma had been the same—stay or go.
“Pardon the pun, but there were too many cooks in the kitchen. I respect my parents for what they built and for all their hard work, but I wanted something of my own. Something I created from the ground up. I think being the youngest of five boys made me feel as if I always had something to prove. I guess you could call it ambition.”
Sophie admired Noah for his pluck and grit. She knew firsthand how difficult it was to break away from f
amily expectations. Noah could have walked right into a position at an established family business, yet he’d chosen to forge his own path. Truthfully, it didn’t surprise her one bit. Noah had character. And even though he was a cook at the Moose Café, who knew where his career might take him? She believed in him. One day Noah might open his own restaurant. Knowing he wasn’t taking the easy road made her feel so proud of him.
Ruby and her husband, Liam, approached them from the opposite direction as they walked with their five-year-old son, Aidan. As far as Sophie was concerned, all kids should be as adorable as Aidan. With his curly dark hair and warm brown skin, he was a perfect blend of his parents. Sophie quickly made the introductions. Liam and Noah shook hands, while Ruby gave Noah a welcoming hug.
