“Very funny,” Savannah said but grinned.
“Why do you tell blonde jokes when you’re a blonde?” Ben asked.
“Because she’s a blonde,” Tristan said and they all laughed again.
“Hey, I know plenty of lawyer jokes too.” Kate arched an eyebrow at him.
“Probably not one that I haven’t heard before,” Tristan responded with a sigh. “I have pretty thick skin so fire away,” he challenged as they approached the entrance to Wine and Diner.
“Why don’t sharks attack lawyers?” Kate wanted to know.
“Professional courtesy,” Tristan answered in a bored tone.
“You’re no fun,” Kate said glumly.
“Because he’s a lawyer,” Savannah quipped but then her eyes rounded. “Oh, that wasn’t a one-liner, was it?”
“It is now,” Ben said and they all laughed once more. The comment came out naturally but Kate looked at him with a bit of surprise.
“Good one,” Kate conceded.
“I have my moments.”
“You don’t say…” When Kate looked at him with raised eyebrows, he shrugged.
“Not a whole lot,” Ben quipped and she smiled at his unexpected show of humor. “Maybe we shouldn’t rattle our new boss’s cage,” he said loud enough for Tristan to hear.
“Like I said, my skin is thick,” Tristan assured him.
They might not believe it, Ben thought, but he used to be a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, living for the day. He labored with his hands, made an honest living working up a sweat, and then came home to a woman he adored. He loved to fish, and Anna often came with him in his boat and read endless novels, bird-watched, and sometimes knitted. It might sound like a line in a country song but to Ben, it didn’t get any better than that. The only snag was that he and Anna had wished for children that never came. In return they became the aunt and uncle that their nieces and nephew adored. But Anna’s untimely death sucked the life right out of him. Unable to live in the home they once shared, Ben had sold everything, hit the road, and ended up in Cricket Creek, Kentucky, where he fished and mostly kept to himself.
Until now.
“You’re in luck,” Kate said, bringing Ben out of his thoughts. She pointed to a chalkboard easel perched beneath an awning leading to the front door of Wine and Diner. “Jessica’s pot roast is tonight’s special. Comes with glazed carrots and mashed potatoes. I just might have to order that too.”
“Sounds delicious,” Savannah agreed, “but I have chicken potpie on my mind. Jessica’s crust simply melts in your mouth,” she gushed to Tristan. “I just hope I can save room for dessert.”
Tristan nodded. “I’ve had both breakfast and lunch here but I’ve wanted to try dinner. I think I remember when this used to be called Myra’s Diner?”
“Myra is Jessica’s aunt,” Savannah explained. “During
the tough economic times here in Cricket Creek the diner started to struggle. Jessica came back from where she was a chef in some fancy Chicago restaurant to help Myra save her restaurant. She was only supposed to stay here for a while but fell in love with Ty McKenna, manager of the Cougars, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
“They have a little toddler that’s cute as a button,” Kate added and then looked at Ben. “I do believe his name is Benjamin too!”
“Oh…” Tristan said as if he were trying to digest all of the information.
Kate chuckled. “Tristan, this is a small town. Everybody knows everything about everybody.”
“I’m starting to get that,” Tristan said. “I was lucky to know the names of my neighbors in my complex much less their pasts.”
“Welcome back to Cricket Creek,” Kate said and winked at him.
“After you.” Ben opened the door for Kate to enter. He suddenly wanted to put his hand at the small of her back and usher her in but he didn’t dare. Instead, he held the door for Tristan and Savannah as well and then followed them inside. For once he wouldn’t be asking for a table for one or sitting at the counter trying to avoid small talk.
Bella, the perky little hostess, gave them a bright smile. “Well, hey there, Kate. I haven’t seen you in a while. How many?”
“There are four of us,” Kate answered. She pointed at the necklace Bella wore. “One of your mother’s creations?”
Bella lifted the bold coral and silver necklace from her chest. “Yes, Designs by Diamante is doing fabulous. In fact, Mom is having a difficult time keeping up with the demand. I help her out when I’m not working here or watching Logan play baseball, but unfortunately I didn’t get the creative gene.”
“Good to hear business is brisk but I’m not surprised,” Kate said. “I really need to pop in there soon.”
“I’m sure she would enjoy that,” Bella said. “So, will it be inside or outside tonight?”
“Anyone have a preference?” Kate asked.
“I’ll let you ladies decide,” Ben replied. “If that’s okay with you, Tristan?”
“Sure, I’m fine either way,” Tristan replied, but Ben noticed that he looked at Savannah in question. Damn, this was feeling more and more like a double date.
Bella picked up four menus. “It’s gorgeous outside with no wait, if that helps you make your decision.”
“I enjoy dining outdoors,” Savannah said. “And the patio is so pretty this time of year.”
“Sounds like the patio?” Bella asked. After the nods of agreement she said, “Oh, and we will have some live music later this evening. A duo from Lexington. They’re fantastic. We can even push back tables to make a dance floor if you’re so inclined.”
Ben couldn’t help it. “Well, ladies, you could do an encore of your earlier dance routine.”
“Do I want to see this dance?” Tristan asked.
“Um…no,” Savannah said but Kate grinned. “I think we’ll pass.”
“Ya never know. The night is young,” Kate warned as they followed Bella through the double doors out to the outdoor seating.
“Oh boy,” Ben said with a slow shake of his head. For a moment he felt like his old fun-loving self. “Heaven help us,” he added as they sat down, but the word
heaven
reverberated in his head. Was Anna watching? He used to feel her presence almost like a tangible thing and hear her lovely laughter as if she were in the room with him. Sometimes, he swore he could smell her perfume and feel the warmth of her smile. But lately he found himself going for days without thinking of her and it frightened him. Would he forget what she looked like? Sounded like? Would the memories fade and curl up on the edges like old photographs?
“Ben?” Kate asked softly. “Bella wanted to know if she could go ahead and take our drink order.”
“Oh…I…” Ben stuttered and glanced up at Bella. “Sorry. My mind drifted away there for a second. I’ll have a Manhattan,” he said, hoping the strong cocktail would dull the sudden shot of sadness.
“No problem! Happens to me all the time,” Bella said with an understanding wave of her hand. “Especially at the end of a long week. But hey, it’s Friday”—she looked at her watch—“and still happy hour for twenty more minutes!”
“I say we suck ’em up,” Kate announced and ordered a glass of house Chardonnay.
“Will I like that?” Savannah wanted to know. “I’m not much of a wine drinker,” she explained with an apologetic little wince.
“Maybe you should give it a try,” Tristan said. “Dinner is on me tonight, so have some fun exploring new things.”
“Thanks, I think I’ll try the wine,” Savannah declared with a determined lift of her chin. Ben had to grin. He had grown fond of Savannah over the past few years. Her sweet smile and easy demeanor had often chased away his sorrow for at least a little while. She was one of the few people Ben actually would talk to for more than a few minutes. He could also sense that although Savannah was beloved throughout Whisper’s Edge, there was loneliness beneath her cheerful exterior.
“Bring the ladies a bottle to share,” Tristan requested. “Do you have a recommendation? The only one I really know is Kendall Jackson.”
“Jessica is always adding something new and she was just talking about the Bogle Vineyards from California. The Chardonnay is rich and buttery with a lime finish.” Bella put a hand to her chest. “I personally like a new wine from Cupcake Vineyards called Angel Food.”
“Ladies?” Tristan asked, but Ben noticed that his gaze once again landed on Savannah and lingered. Oh, it had been a long time, but Ben recognized that look. If he wasn’t mistaken, the boy was smitten.
“Oh, the Angel Food sounds scrumptious,” Savannah said and Bella nodded. “Good choice.”
“For you?” Bella asked Tristan.
“Well, since we’re walking I think I’ll join Ben with a Manhattan, Woodford Reserve, please. I enjoy an old-school cocktail once in a while.”
“Nice choice. We only serve top-shelf bourbon here,” Bella told them. “Jessica’s daughter, Madison, is bartending tonight. She steps in once in a while and loves to mix drinks. The last time she was at Sully’s she challenged Pete to a best martini competition.” Bella shook her head and chuckled. “That would be something to behold! Your server will be back with your orders in a few minutes. Hope you enjoy your evening.”
“Thanks for treating us to dinner,” Kate said, but then winced. “Although, I had considered expensing it, anyway.”
“I would have approved it,” Tristan said. “After looking over the finances, I have to say that my hat’s off to you, Kate. Whisper’s Edge is still up and running largely due to your ingenuity.”
“Thanks, Tristan,” Kate said but shook it off. “We’re pretty tough here in Cricket Creek. We don’t give up without a fight. Whisper’s Edge is important to a lot of people. It’s definitely worth saving.”
Ben watched Kate’s eyes get a little misty and had the urge to reach over and cover her hand with his. It hit him hard that he missed tender moments like this in life, but he toyed with his napkin instead. Ben also noticed that her comment made something flicker in Tristan’s eyes. Tristan McMillan seemed like a straight-up kind of guy, but Ben had a sudden inkling that there just might be something more to his buying Whisper’s Edge than he was letting on. The retirement community wasn’t exactly a cash cow, but Ben just bet that the riverfront property itself must be worth a mint with the addition of the nearby baseball park, coupled with the new strip mall. He certainly hoped he was wrong. But before he could think much more about it their server came over with the bottle of wine.
“Hey there, I’m Sunny and I’ll be your server on this lovely night.” She flashed them a smile as bright as her name. “I have a bottle of wine for the ladies and the Manhattans are coming right up.” She showed the bottle to Savannah. “This is what you ordered, right?” After Savannah nodded, Sunny took a corkscrew out of her apron and deftly opened the bottle. She then poured a small amount into Savannah’s glass. When Savannah’s eyes widened a bit Sunny said, “Try it, please?”
“Oh…okay.” When Savannah swallowed hard, Ben had to hide his grin.
Ben remembered being green around the ears like that when he’d first started dating Anna. She had come from an upper class family and knew about all that stuff. Ben was the son of a construction worker and didn’t know a good wine from a hole in the ground but he had quickly learned. Ben believed that when you loved someone you learned to enjoy their favorite things too. He learned to appreciate a fine wine, and Anna went fishing.
Savannah looked at Tristan. “Maybe you should do the…uh…honors.”
Tristan shook his head. “It’s for you to decide if you like it or not, Savannah.”
Ben watched the exchange with a lump in his throat. He remembered feeling like a fish out of water in this kind of situation but Anna always put him at ease until he eventually felt comfortable in any setting. He leaned forward and said, “Savannah, my wife loved her wine and I watched her do this many a time. She called them the five S steps…see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savor.”
“Oh…so what do I do?”
“Pick up the glass. Look at the wine,” Ben instructed.
Savannah nodded. “Pretty? Now what?”
“Swirl the glass to get the aroma going and then take a deep sniff.”
Savannah obeyed but then appeared confused.
“What did you smell?” Ben asked.
“Um…” After sniffing again Savannah tilted her head and frowned but then her eyebrows shot upward. “Oh…apples? Like, tart ones.”
“Granny Smith,” Kate supplied.
“Yes!” Clearly warming up to the process, Savannah took another sniff. “Oh…ah, vanilla! Yes, definitely vanilla!” Her eyes rounded. “Wow and it does remind me a bit of the sweet smell of Angel Food cake. Amazing! Can I take a sip now?” She looked up at Sunny, who stood there patiently and nodded. Ben thought it was cute that Savannah looked at everybody for a moment, building the anticipation before taking a sip. After she did, Savannah shook her head. “Well, now…the wine does have the subtle flavor of tart baked apples and vanilla but with a toasty kind of aftertaste, you know?”
“So, you approve?” Sunny asked with a slight smile.
“Yes!” Savannah said with a laugh. “I guess I wasn’t supposed to take so darned long, huh?”
“Not at all.” Ben shook his head while Sunny poured more Angel Food into Savannah’s glass and then filled Kate’s. “It’s part of the fun.”
Kate looked at Ben with a sense of wonder. “You surprise me once again.”
“I’ll bring a bucket of ice and those Manhattans,” Sunny promised.
Savannah grinned. “Well, that was pretty darned cool.” She took another sip and rolled it around on her tongue.
“My mother enjoys attending wine tastings,” Tristan said. “Personally, I’m more of a craft beer kind of guy but I can see where it would be interesting.”
“Kate, I think we should do wine tasting at Whisper’s Edge.” Savannah looked at Ben. “You and Kate need to go shopping for some wines. I wouldn’t know what in the world I was doing. We can charge a cover fee and have, you know, cheese and crackers and all that stuff. What do you think?” she turned to Kate and asked.
“I think it’s a great idea, Savannah. It’s something
different, that’s for sure. Maybe you could put the word out and see if there’s any interest,” Kate said and then turned to Tristan. “Do you have any thoughts?”
Tristan waited while Sunny delivered their drinks and topped off the glasses of wine. “I guess you’ll need a few minutes to look over the menu or would you like to start off with an appetizer first.”