| |
Glassfloat Bay, Oregon: The Next Morning
~<>~
––––––––
“YOU HAVE BEKKA’S eyes,” the woman behind the busy counter at Griffin’s Café said as she poured Delaney’s fourth cup of coffee. The hue of her striped apron and pink uniform matched her rosy cheeks. Annalise Griffin, the coffee shop’s pretty owner, was about Delaney’s age and the spitting image of Grandma Bekka’s description. The bustling café with its 1950s décor was just as Delaney had envisioned it.
“Thanks, I’ve heard that before.” Her eyelids fluttering closed in delight, Delaney murmured her satisfaction as she sipped from her cup. “Mmm...have I told you your coffee is fabulous?”
“Only a dozen times or so since you came in this morning.” Annalise’s rich laughter filled the area. “I’m glad you like it. Your grandma said you like your coffee good and strong. I use dark-roasted Sumatra Mandheling beans, they’re rich and earthy, yet low in acidity. Here’s something else you’ll like.” Annalise set a scone on a plate before Delaney. “This is Laila’s newest recipe, date-nut with orange zest. It’s a big hit already.”
Delaney took a bite. “I can see why. It’s delicious. I’ve missed all my sister’s baking...although not all the weight I was putting on testing her recipes.” She rolled her eyes.
Making a raspberry sound, Annalise patted her trim midsection. “Tell me about it. I keep gaining and losing the same fifteen pounds because of your too-creative sister. Which is why I was thrilled when she started making her lighter alternatives.” She gestured to Delaney’s scone.
“This?” Delaney held up the scone, studying the fragrant fruit and nut-studded baked good. She should have learned by now not to be surprised by Laila’s incredible feats as a baker.
“Mmm-hmm. Amazing, huh?”
“It really is.” Though she was tempted to sleep in after yesterday’s long flight and the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Portland’s airport to the Pacific Coast, there was no way Delaney was about to miss the activities she’d planned for her first full day in Oregon, including starting her day at her grandma’s favorite hangout. She could easily see why Bekka was so fond of Annalise. With the woman’s inviting personality, Delaney felt as if they already knew each other, which really put her at ease.
Charmed by the small coastal town, she appreciated the cordiality she’d been shown by the townspeople in the café. She’d spent the last hour happily listening to their personal accounts of Bekka and found it difficult not to get teary-eyed when they expressed their sympathy at her grandmother’s recent passing.
The streets and buildings in the center of town were a quaint blend of old and new architecture. Many of Ocean Charm Boulevard’s storefronts and owners were familiar to Delaney from her conversations with her grandma.
It was easy to picture herself buying coffee and a scone at Griffin’s and taking a brisk morning walk down to the waterfront to watch the sea lions crowding the docks. What a perfect spot to pen her column.
Fatigued from her long flight and all those hours of pity-party-weeping, she allowed her wayward thoughts to wander until she pictured Varik taking Thursday’s leash and walking alongside Delaney as she led them to the ideal seaside spot to savor the sunrise along with their coffee and scones. She’d work on her column while Varik threw sticks for Thursday to retrieve. They’d plan their day together, right up until dinner, dessert, and then—
“We’re all excited to welcome Bekka’s famous writer granddaughter to town.”
Snapped out of her fruitless daydreaming, Delaney looked up to focus on the sprightly older woman speaking to her. A genuine smile lit the elderly woman’s crinkled face as she patted Delaney’s hand. “My sister and I never miss one of your columns.”
Delaney felt a rush of delighted warmth in her cheeks, as well as gratitude for being whisked out of her pipedream. “Thank you, but I’m far from being famous. My column just went into syndication a short time ago. Do you read it in the Glassfloat Bay Register?” She’d heard the name of the local paper from her grandmother.
“No, not the paper. We found them on the machine.”
That had Delaney stumped. “The machine?”
“Yeah, you know,” the woman’s fingers flitted as if typing, “the one that has the Google on the world wide web.”
“Oh!” Though she clearly meant finding her blog online on the computer, Delaney wasn’t about to be rude and correct her. “Well how nice. Thank you very much.”
The old woman offered a nodding smile, said, “You bet, cookie. See you later,” and tottled off.
“Don’t be so modest.” Annalise leaned close on the chrome-trimmed counter. “We all read your column and can tell you’re headed for the big time. Once your name is a household word we’ll be able to tell everyone we knew you when. By the way, it was nice of you not to correct her. Caroline likes to think she’s quite savvy when it comes to technology.” She winked as she pulled a folded sheet of paper from her apron pocket.
With a wave of the paper, she told Delaney, “If I don’t write it down I forget it.” Glancing at her notes she went on, “Caroline Crowe and her sister, Peggy, are making a batch of their marionberry cobbler this morning so make sure you stop by Crowe’s Coastside Bakery before heading home. Caroline,” she nodded in the direction the old woman had walked, “is the younger of the two sisters. Their cobbler gets snapped up fast but they’re saving a nice big serving for you. The sisters are so sweet, and they’re a real hoot. You’ll love them almost as much as their cobbler.”
“She was delightful. I’d guess she’s close to my grandmother’s age,” Delaney whispered. “And she’s still working in a bakery?”
“Yup. She’s got to be in her late seventies at least. It must be that old-world work ethic. My grandparents were like that too. She and Peggy are there at the bakery every morning at four, believe it or not.”
“Wow.”
Annalise gave an agreeing nod. “This is Caroline’s morning break time.” She looked up at the wall clock with a wistful smile. “It’s about the time your grandma would come in for her hot cocoa and scone each day.” She leaned closer. “There are rumors the sisters might be selling the bakery soon.”
“Ooh...it’s always been Laila’s dream to own a bakery,” Delaney said.
“She’s the first one I told.” Annalise gave a bright smile. “But she said there’s no way she could ever afford it.” She gave Delaney her notes. “Here’s the bakery’s address. It’s just a couple blocks down. I jotted a few other things for you too. There’s always something going on in town.”
“Great, thanks. I’ll definitely be stopping by for cobbler. I haven’t even been here a full day and I can already feel my waistline expanding.” Delaney laughed.
“Well there’s always TBT instead of the bakery,” Annalise said with a teasing chuckle. “I’m sure you’ve heard about it from your sisters.”
“Ah yes, Tuned by Turner...the weight loss company where Laila and Reen work. I just might need to sign up.” Delaney puffed out her cheeks.
Cupping her hand at one side of her mouth, Annalise engaged in a conspirator’s whisper. “Whatever you do, don’t get sucked into buying their food. It’s awful. We’re talking nightmare worthy...even their baked goods and desserts.”
“So I hear.” Laila and Reen’s descriptions of TBT’s unpalatable food were enough to make Delaney shudder. “And yet, it’s a popular, thriving business. Go figure.”
“No competition,” Annalise said with a shrug. She tapped the paper where she’d scrawled her notes. “Make sure to keep Saturday afternoon open. Miriam Schmidt’s hosting a luncheon so everyone can meet you. You’ll like her, she’s quite a character.” Looking amused, she elbowed Delaney. “She likes to think she’s the town’s unofficial mayor.”
“I look forward to meeting her.” Delaney enjoyed the small town vibe. Such a close-knit community where it seemed everyone knew each other was something foreign to her. But it was something Bekka loved.
“Just a heads up,” Annalise continued, “she prefers to be called Mrs. Schmidt. She’s in her sixties and prides herself in knowing every last bit of gossip about everyone in town...and probably the next couple of towns over too.” She laughed. “She’s a little pushy, maybe a little intimidating at first, but she means well and is a real sweetheart.”
“You think I’ll pass muster?” Delaney half-teased, excited but nervous about meeting everyone, knowing they’d all be checking her out. Being the center of attention always made her anxious.
Annalise made a raspberry sound. “You have nothing to worry about,” she promised, brandishing a wide dismissive wave. “Everyone will love you. After all, you’re Bekka’s granddaughter. I doubt there’s a soul who disliked Bekka.”
Annalise’s assurance was so matter of fact it helped take the edge off Delaney’s nerves. Although being compared to her wonderfully gregarious tall-tale-telling grandmother didn’t necessarily put Delaney’s mind at ease. She only hoped she wouldn’t disappoint Bekka’s friends.
“Sounds like fun,” Delaney said. “Will you be there too?”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t leave you all alone to face the town’s razor-sharp scrutiny.”
Delaney’s eye’s bugged.
“I’m just teasing,” Annalise assured. “I’ll be there along with Laila and Reen—which reminds me, I talked to your mom on the phone a few days ago.”
“You did?” Delaney wasn’t really surprised. Astrid had made fast friends with a number of people in town when she was there visiting Bekka. She told Delaney that Annalise was especially kind and helpful when Bekka died, catering the food free of charge for the gathering at Bekka’s house after the funeral.
“She called to tell me about something she felt was important.”
“Oh...” Delaney squirmed in her seat. Knowing her overprotective mother, she’d probably filled Annalise in on the entire story of her poor daughter’s broken heart. “So she told you about what happened with me and my Viking?”
“Your who?”
“Varik,” Delaney clarified. “The man who—” She stopped abruptly, realizing Annalise looked genuinely surprised and a bit uncomfortable.
“Uh, no...Astrid wanted to describe something she thought you might want to pick up for your dessert tonight. Or maybe for your dinner. But, um...” She covered Delaney’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “If you ever need to talk, I’m a good listener. And nothing you tell me will ever go any further. In other words...you have my word Mrs. Schmidt will never know.” Her mischievous smile made Delaney laugh.
It didn’t take much more encouraging on Annalise’s part. Delaney found herself feeling so relaxed with her that she ended up telling the near stranger everything that happened. Annalise was right, she was a great listener—the kind who just let Delaney vent without offering advice.
“I’m sorry I babbled on like that, taking up all your time. You should have stopped me.” Delaney glanced up at the clock noticing it was close to lunchtime as a new wave of customers came into the cafe. “But I have to tell you, Annalise, it felt so good to talk to someone and get it all off my chest. Thanks for listening.”
“Anytime, that’s what friends are for. Under the circumstances, I probably would have done the same as you...hop on a plane and get as far away from the guy as possible.” She made a flying plane gesture with her hand. “I will tell you one thing though. Never consider a door completely closed until you lock it yourself and throw away the key.” In response to Delaney’s obvious confusion, she added, “In other words, it’s possible this may not be the end for you and your Viking.”
“I appreciate the sentiment but...” Delaney shook her head from side to side, unwilling to keep bruising her fragile heart by getting caught up in an ongoing cycle of wishing or hoping. “It’s over. I’m all the way out here starting the next phase of my life, and Varik is back in Chicago getting ready to teach for the fall term at the university there.”
“Well, whatever’s meant to be will be,” Annalise said.
“I believe that.” Delaney was fully prepared to move forward, putting all the heartache and difficult times behind her. “What about you? Anyone special in your life?”
“Oh boy. Got a few hours?” After an exaggerated roll of her eyes, Annalise laughed.
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Delaney offered an inviting smile.
“Tell you what, we’ll get together for lunch soon and you can listen to me spill my latest tale of romantic woe. Deal?”
“Absolutely. Now...about that dessert-for-dinner my mom called you about...” Delaney sat forward perching her chin on her hands.
“Ahh yes. You need to stop by Parasol Cove Ice Cream Parlor before you go home today. The address is in my note.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled. “They’ve created a new flavor in honor of your move here.”
Delaney’s eyes grew wide as she clapped her chest. “No...you don’t mean...”
“Yup,” Annalise confirmed. “Their homemade butter pecan ice cream with a caramel ribbon and fudge brownie chunks. They’re calling it Delaney’s Scoop. Get it? It’s kind of a play on words, you know, with you being like a reporter and all.”
“Delaney’s Scoop...how clever. I love it! That settles it, Annalise. I’m definitely having ice cream for dinner on my first day in my new home town.” She received a hearty smile and big thumbs up from her new friend.
“Perfect. Live every day like it’s your last...that was Bekka’s motto.” Annalise came around to the front of the counter to give Delaney a hug. “Welcome to Glassfloat Bay, Delaney. I think you and I are going to be great friends.”
Delaney had no doubt she was right.
Dear Diary: It looks like I made the right decision to pack up my life and move to Oregon. Things could have been so different if I hadn’t so readily, and foolishly, believed the lying, scheming Ursula, but it’s too late for regrets. What’s done is done. Varik could have called or come over to explain...but he didn’t. And I’m okay with that. It won’t be anytime soon that I’ll be forgetting my Viking and the sexy, romantic times we shared together, but I believe making the move, being close to my sisters and brothers, and meeting new friends like Annalise Griffin will turn out to be the best medicine for me.