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“Speaking of,” Miles said, pulling his phone out and checking the time. “I’ve got to get you back home. Dinner service is in a couple of hours. Won’t Darcy need you in the kitchen?”
Ariel nodded, her thoughts already jumping from the problem of Miles’s missing Christmas gift to the hustle and bustle that would be there to greet her at her B&B café, The Seaside. The great gift hunt would have to wait.
CHAPTER TWO
The sun had slipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the quaint Victorian house that housed both Leeside B&B and The Seaside Cafe. Inside, laughter and the clink of glasses mingled with the soft strains of jazz music, creating an atmosphere of conviviality that enveloped the Seaside Cafe like a snug embrace. The rustic bar area, adorned with nautical accents and weathered wood, was alive with chatter, while the fine dining room, set with white linen tablecloths and flickering candles, offered an intimate ambiance for those seeking a more elegant experience.
Ariel Hawthorne surveyed the scene with a satisfied smile, proud of the welcoming haven she had created at the heart of her beloved coastal town. Her gaze fell on her best friend, Jill, who had recently joined the cafe's staff as the new evening bartender. With her warm, charismatic manner, Jill had effortlessly slipped into her role, engaging with customers as though they were old friends. Ariel could not have asked for a better addition to the team. And it was nice having her best friend around so much.
"Another round of drinks for the table by the window, Jill," Ariel called out, her voice lilting above the din, as she wove through the crowd with a tray of empty glasses.
"Coming right up, boss!" Jill replied cheerily, her eyes twinkling with mirth. As she expertly mixed cocktails and poured pints, she regaled the patrons seated at the bar with anecdotes from her day job as a waitress in Endless Harbor. Her laughter was contagious, spreading like wildfire through the room and setting everyone at ease.
Jill is fitting right in, isn't she? Ariel mused to herself, feeling a swell of gratitude for her friend's support. There was such a difference in Jill the past few months. Had it been months since the redhead had hidden out in Leeside from her obsessed ex-boyfriend? The time had flown, and Jill was flourishing, and she'd become like another sister to Ariel. It made Ariel happy, that in this little corner of Maine, where the winter chill could sometimes seep into one's bones, the warmth of friendship was alive.
"Here you go," Jill announced, sliding a tray of drinks across the bar to Ariel with a flourish. "One Seaside Sunset, two Harbor Breezes, and an Old Fashioned. Let me know if they need anything else."
"Thanks, Jill," Ariel said, balancing the tray carefully as she switched her empty tray for the full one and turned back toward her waiting guests. As she navigated the bustling cafe, she couldn't help but marvel at the seamless harmony that had emerged between old friends and new acquaintances within its walls. The Seaside Cafe was more than just a place to eat and drink. It was a home away from home for the people of Endless Harbor, and it drew a new and eclectic bar crowd that Ariel had at first resisted, but now embraced.
Ariel moved from table to table, ensuring each guest was content. The hushed murmur of laughter and conversation mingled with the crackling fire from the far hearth in the dining room. She passed one of the staff, who had a steaming pot of rich lobster bisque in hand.
"Here you are, Mrs. Thompson," the waitress said to a regular whom Ariel recognized, ladling generous helpings of bisque into gleaming bowls. "Fresh from the kitchen."
"Thank you, dear," Mrs. Thompson replied, her eyes twinkling with anticipation. "It smells divine."
Ariel smiled, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she continued to her table. The satisfaction of her guests was paramount, and she reveled in the knowledge that she played a part in creating these precious memories. She was especially glad that the Thompsons—who had had a bad experience on their last stay with her—had come back to give Leeside another chance.
"Your drinks, ladies and gentlemen," she announced as she reached the table by the window. "I hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed making them."
"Thank you, Ariel," one of the guests replied warmly, raising his glass in a toast. "Where's that almost-husband of yours tonight?"
"Working down at the marina, as usual," she said, laughing. "But don't worry, I'm saving a dinner special and an Old Fashioned for when he drags himself in."
"Lucky man," the guest said, grinning.
The small, round buzz pager at her hip went off, alerting her that an order was ready in the kitchen. She excused herself and flitted between the tables as she wove her way through the Seaside Cafe to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Darcy expertly plated seared scallops, his nimble fingers arranging them with care atop a bed of risotto. His brow furrowed in concentration, and he wiped a droplet of sauce from the edge of the plate with a practiced motion. From down the hall, Ariel could hear Jill, laughing with a guest. Darcy glanced up at the sound of Jill's laughter floating down the hall. He looked momentarily distracted before he quickly looked away, refocusing on his culinary creations. It was a look that Ariel didn't miss.
"Table four is ready, Ariel," Darcy called out, his voice carrying. "Coming right up!" He deftly slid the last finished dish onto a waiting tray. Ariel grabbed garnish from a prep bin nearby and perfected each plate's presentation. As they worked in tandem, Ariel couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for her friend and colleague. They had weathered countless storms together, both in the kitchen and out, and their bond had only grown stronger through it all.
"Perfect timing," Ariel said, nodding appreciatively at the immaculate presentation.
"Another masterpiece, Darcy. You really outdid yourself on the specials tonight," she added, nodding approvingly at the tray laden with steaming plates. She reached down and reset the buzzer at her hip. "Our guests are in for a treat."
"Thanks," he replied, grinning with pride. "But I couldn't have done it without you – or our lovely new bartender, Jill."
Ariel chuckled, catching the slight flush that tinted his cheeks, and leaned in conspiratorially. "I've noticed you've been throwing quite a few glances her way lately. Is there something you'd like to share?"
Darcy's blush deepened, an incongruous look on the otherwise rock-star-vibes sous chef, and he feigned indignation. "What? No, no, I'm just… admiring her skills behind the bar, that's all."
"Uh-huh, sure," Ariel teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Just remember, we have a job to do here. But maybe after hours, you could offer to drive her home. I hear the snow is particularly beautiful this time of year."
"Very funny," Darcy muttered, though the idea clearly held some appeal for him. He shook his head, refocusing his attention on the task at hand. "Anyway, she drove her own car here, and we've got more hungry guests to feed. Let's get back to work."
Ariel laughed as she left the kitchen and once again wove her way through the restaurant, skillfully navigating the maze of tables and chairs as she delivered plate after plate of exquisite cuisine. The air was rich with the scent of mouthwatering dishes – succulent seafood, fragrant herbs, and the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread. Darcy was right about what a good team she, Jill, and the lanky sous chef made. The rest of the night passed like a well-orchestrated ballet.
Hours passed in happy busyness, familiar faces and new customers filling The Seaside, Katie barreling into the kitchen to request a cheeseburger for her own dinner, Miles humming happily as he sank onto a corner barstool to a waiting highball glass and a plate of blackened seabass and rice pilaf.
