Sierra sipped wine and looked up at the stars, surveying the full moon lighting up the darkness. She could see her breath in the cold air.
“It's definitely feeling more like late Autumn tonight. Winter, even. I'm not ready for it to be this cold yet,” Sierra said.
Wes turned off the grill and stepped toward her from behind. He wrapped his arms around her waist. She placed her arms over his as he leaned closer. She could feel his warm breath against her neck.
“Days like today and nights like this would be easy to get used to,” Wes said softly.
“You've only been here less than two weeks. What happens when you or I have to go? Wes, is this...normal for you? I mean, do you meet women in towns where you work and it's all great for a while until...well, until it's time to move on to the next geological contract.”
Wes spun her around. “What? Of course not. I've made it a point not to date in most places I've been for that very reason. Sure, I'm human. I've dated, but it was always casual. For me. For them. But with you. Nothing about this is normal. Being with you. Being in Mill Hollows. It's everything. This cabin- that covered bridge-all of it. I'm falling in love with every part of this experience. Most of all, though, I'm falling in love with you, Sierra Blake.
Sierra wrapped her arms tightly around Wes' neck as their lips met.
“I'm falling in love with you, too,” she whispered into his ear.
“Look. I don't know what's going to happen after my contract. You don't know what your next move is either. What I do know is I want to figure out a way to be together. It's crazy, I know. But knowing you feel the same cosmic dance of emotions as I do so quickly can only mean this is real. That's what I know. Critics say people can't fall in love in a few days. If that were true, there wouldn't be a cliché' of love at first sight. I'm not saying it was necessarily love the first time I laid eyes on those gorgeous cinnamon eyes or saw that crinkle in your nose when I coaxed you into serving me coffee, but there was something happening, for me, at least, then and there in the cafe.”
Sierra bit her lip. “You did have a certain charm about you, I guess. I liked your smile. It's disarming and curves up a little on one side.”
“Really. That's all you've got, after I just poured my heart out,” he teased.
“OK. I felt my pulse race when I saw you pull into the driveway to the cabin the night you moved in. Honestly, it's been racing every time I've seen you. I felt it even when I heard your name mentioned at my family's dinner table.”
“That's more like it. Now, we'll figure out what to do about later on when later on arrives. For now, let's enjoy our dinner before it gets cold.”
****
Wes brought in wood and placed it into the fireplace. He knelt down and added starter sticks to get a fire going. Sierra watched him as she leaned against the counter with a glass of wine in hand.
“Need a hand?” she asked with a chuckle.
“I've got it. You can't rush a good thing. It takes time for the spark to catch and turn into more,” Wes said as the logs began to glow from the rise of building flames. He raised up onto his feet and spread his arms open; a smug grin of satisfaction perched over his lightly bearded jawline.
Sierra clapped her hands softly and made her way toward him. Wes slid her hair behind her shoulder on one side and kissed her neck.
“So, what was that about not rushing a good thing?” Sierra asked playfully.
“I'm not rushing anything. I'm taking all the time in the world,” Wes said in a rasped softness as his lips found hers. Embraced in each other's arms, time fell still.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
**A FEW WEEKS LATER**
A mermaid of just under three feet tall entered the living room; plastic orange pumpkin shaped bucket in hand. Spiral pigtails bounced around as Eden sashayed around the room. Halloween hadn't been celebrated in many moons inside the Blake home since all of their children had grown up and Eden was the only grandchild. This was the first year Roxie was going to take her trick or treating at the community center.
“Now, Roxanne. Don't let that child get a bunch of candy and come home with a sugar rush before bedtime,” Richard warned. Eden jumped between his knees and he tickled her sides. Giggles filled the air. Miranda entered from the hallway.
“Agreed. One piece per day. That was the rule for you three and that should be the rule for Eden since she's living under our roof now, and we also have to deal with the aftermath of sugar highs. Something we haven't been exposed to in more years than we'll discuss.”
Miranda dropped a plastic spider bracelet into the bucket and a mermaid toy for her collection.
“Thanks gwammy! I don't like candy. I like toys and juree,” Eden said, beaming.
“She means jewelry,” Roxie corrected. Everyone nodded.
“We know what she meant,” Miranda said. “She'll get there. Jewelry is a hard word for a three year old isn't it, baby?”
Eden nodded as Sierra entered from the hall. “Is that Ariel from The Little Mermaid in our living room? May I have a hug Miss Ariel?” Eden rushed over and Sierra knelt down to squeeze her adorable niece.
“We'll be back by eight. This thing is going past her bedtime, but that's what holidays are for. Remember our Halloween antics, Sierra? We would sneak candy into our room and hide it under our pillows.”
“Yes, I remember. The tooth fairy always seemed to come for one of us shortly thereafter. Usually it was for you. I remember mom finding tootsie rolls under your pillow after she'd already caught you the night before with some other candy. I knew you were going to be in big trouble, so I said they were mine and that I hid them under your pillow.”
“I guess you had your moments,” Roxie teased.
“I knew that candy was Roxie's,” Miranda lamented. “You two had been arguing about something or other that entire night before, so when you covered for her, I let it go. It was worth it to stop the fussing between you two.”
“Some things haven't changed. You two still seem to butt heads over the smallest things,” Richard added. “But remember who's there for you when the chips are down. Family. Sisters. Even your knucklehead of a brother.” Sierra and Roxie exchanged smiles of understanding. They knew their father only spoke the truth.
“Mama, let's go!” Eden tugged at Roxie's black leggings.
“OK, sweetie. See you all later on. Pray for me to get through the next two hours with all of the kids under the age of ten in Mill Hollows.”
****
Poppy stretched her legs across the edge of the couch and perched her fluffy body alongside Richard. A knock at the door alerted her attention as she raised her head and her eyes darted around.
“It's alright, Poppy. It's Wes. You know Wes. He's the one with a little bit of fuzzy hair on his face like you,” Richard joked.
“Ha. Ha. Very funny, dad.” Sierra opened the door and welcomed Wes inside.
“Hey. Happy Halloween everyone,” Wes said as he walked over and petted Poppy, who had risen up with her tail in the air awaiting him.
“Happy Halloween. We're hanging out and watching the news. We will be watching Charlie Brown on the tube in a bit when Eden gets back. That's our big Halloween plans,” Richard said.
“Wes, there's some warm apple cider in the kitchen on the stove. You and Sierra have some please before heading off to wherever you're going,” Miranda offered.
“We're just going to dinner at Hill's Italian Eatery. No big plans. Neither of us are really into adult Halloween antics at Frankie's Brewhaus or Pollyanna's Dance Hall,” Sierra said.
“Pollyanna's is now a hangout for more kids your age. They dropped Dance Hall from the name a few years ago,” Miranda added. “Your dad and I used to cut a rug and a half down there when you all first moved out. The crowd changed as us line dancers and shaggers stopped going.”
After a shared cup of apple cider, Sierra and Wes were on their way to dinner.
“I have something for you,” Wes said after they ha
d ordered.
“For moi? What is it?” Sierra teased.
Wes placed a small box on the table. “I found this by the gristmill and cleaned it up. A blue quartz that has molded into this shape over time as it rested upon a large buried formation.”
“It's shaped almost like a heart. Wow. I love it, Wes!” Sierra rubbed her fingers over it, admiring the rare shape it had formed into.
“I find all sorts of things in my line of work. I found a diamond on a dig in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. I've had it cleaned and kept it in a safe deposit box. It's roughly a carat.”
“This is lovely. Thank you so much for giving this to me.”
After dinner, a nervous Wes walked Sierra to her front porch and took her by the hand.
“May we sit? There's something I need to to tell you.”
Sierra's throat tightened. “What is it? I don't think I want to know.”
Wes dampened his lips and breathed in deeply as they found a seat on the steps. “I've got an opportunity. It means that I'd have to end my contract earlier than anticipated.”
“How soon?” Sierra asked hesitantly.
“It's a position with a company working on a dig in Africa. It's six months in two different countries in Africa. I've been before, but only for a few weeks. It's something I would've jumped on before coming here, but now. The rush of an exploratory dig doesn't thrill me in the same way. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I thought I should tell you right away, so it doesn't...”
“Doesn't blindside me when you leave? I'm sorry. It's a great opportunity for you, Wes. I would never ask you to even consider turning something like that down. That's a once in a lifetime offer.”
“It is. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there in college. My life is different than it was then. My goals are changing. I've spent all of my twenties on the road and moving around. I really need to consider this. It's not like I have a job offer after my contract ends to stay here, but you're here. I need to know what you want. Do you see a future with me if I found a way to stay in Mill Hollows or would you go with me if my career takes me elsewhere?”
“That's a loaded set of questions. I can't be the reason you stay. I just can't. Do I love you? Absolutely. Do I want you to stay or would I go with you elsewhere? Yes to both. But I'm not the one with a chance of a lifetime career-wise in front of me. You are.”
Sierra stood up and folded her arms. Wes put his hands in his pockets and searched for words or the right move to make.
“It's chilly. I should get inside. You don't even have a coat on. We can talk about this later.” Sierra knew she didn't have the right to be angry, but she couldn't ignore the sensation of being kicked in the stomach repeatedly at the thought of losing Wes.
“I don't want to leave like this, Sierra. I can tell you're hurting. I'm hurting.”
“What do you want me to say, Wes? I haven't made a decision about my own plans. How can I ask you to make commitments to me? We've only known each other a short time. Life's short. Do what makes you happy. Going to Africa would make the Wes I've come to know quite happy.”
“OK. I guess I thought we would make decisions together, but you're exactly right. Life is short. And I must not make you happy enough for you to ask me to stay.”
With that, Wes turned and walked away. He didn't look back and Sierra turned and walked inside, fighting back tears until she reached her room and closed the door. Her parents had retired to their room and Roxie was putting Eden to bed. She didn't want anyone to hear her cry. There had been enough tears cried on pillows already since her return by her sister. She didn't want to give anyone a reason to feel sorry for her. She knew when she got involved with Wes that he would likely be leaving, and she let her guard down anyway. She had planned on telling him that she had decided to stay and run the cafe. There was no reason to tell him now. She couldn't hold him back.
Roxie opened the door quietly, and sat down on the bed beside Sierra, who was foiled into the fetal position with her head upon a pillow. Roxie laid down behind Sierra and wrapped her arm around her sister's waist.
“Is Eden asleep?” Sierra asked with a muffled voice.
“Yes. She's worn out. My little mermaid is counting fish in her sleep. I'm here. Tell me about this tomorrow. For now, go to sleep. I've got you, sis.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The first day of November brought about a flurry of patrons to the Salted Caramel Cafe. Menu items including turkey and dressing to welcome the first day of November had always been a crowd pleaser. Cranberry scones and slices of pumpkin pie were already close to selling out and the lunch rush hadn't even ended. The entire Blake family were on hand to welcome the start of the Thanksgiving season. Visitors touring the Blue Ridge mountains had found their way over from Roanoke and neighboring towns to Mill Hollows for stops at historical sites and quaint shops. The cafe was a favorite of locals, but also for travelers.
Roxie and Miranda prepared casseroles and side dishes. Richard and Tom carved slices of turkey and ham. Sierra and Carlotta were covered in flour and frosting from working on baked goods and desserts. Eden had stayed with a sitter, who was to play with her dolls and have a tea party.
As the crowd began to wind down, Richard and Tom had slipped out the back door and over to the sports bar to watch the Virginia Tech game against a top rival.
“I see your dad and Tom have disappeared. That seems to happen every year that we have a family work weekend during football season,” Miranda remarked. “I don't suppose I'd have it any other way. It wouldn't be the same if those two didn't sneak across to grab a beer together and watch the game.”
“I think we should all head over. I don't understand why we aren't allowed to attend a game where Tom's coaching,” Sierra said.
“We'll jinx him,” Roxie said. “That's what he says. We went once last year during his first year coaching and they lost. I mean, they really lost. It was the only home game they had lost so far in the season. After that, they went on to win the remaining home game. That was it. Their season hasn't been great this year, so you know. We'd only add to the losing streak if we attended.”
“Well, you girls are the same way. Roxie, you wouldn't let me make an appointment to have my hair done by you because you said it would make you nervous. Sierra, when we visited you in Florida, you had us stay with you rather than putting us up in that swanky resort you worked at because you were afraid we'd complain too much to the front desk.” Miranda always had the words for putting one in his or her place.
The women pursed their lips and nodded at their mother, as each began wiping down their stations. Roxie whistled and Sierra cleared her throat. A hearty chuckle ensued by all as Miranda strutted past them. They enjoyed seeing their mother in her element, teasing her children, and smiling with contentment. She had been through so much, and to see her come out stronger, was more than admirable to them.
“Things look good here. Let's go catch the final quarter,” Miranda said, shutting off the lights.
As they exited the door, Sierra hung back. “I'll be over in a minute. Go on ahead.”
“Everything alright, Sierra?” Miranda asked.
“Do you need me to stay and help you with anything?” Roxie added with a curious head tilt. She was worried about her sister and they hadn't had a chance to discuss the tear-stained pillow incident from the night before.
“I'm good. I just need to pack up some cranberries to make some tea later on at home,” Sierra said in an effort to persuade them to leave. She nodded at Roxie to go ahead with Miranda.
Sierra leaned back on a table in the front of the cafe and slid onto it. She surveyed the room. There needed to be a few cornucopias added to the tables to hold silverware and napkins. It was time to remove the witch from the shelf in the corner. She thought of menu items to add for the upcoming holiday season.
This is what I want. I want to manage the cafe. I can do it all. Cook. Bake. Handle the budgeting and finances. Marketing. I'm going to do it. Roxie does
n't want to do this and she stepped up when I couldn't. How did I never consider taking over the cafe before? I've always loved it. I know what I didn't love. Small country towns. I wanted to leave this place behind. Now, I can't imagine anywhere else I'd rather be...unless it were with...Wes.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Sierra drove up to the cabin; anxiousness filling her chest. Wes' truck wasn't there. She got out and walked to the door, holding an envelope in her shaky hand. After knocking to be sure he wasn't home, she took the spare key and went inside. She laid the envelope on the table for Wes to read the contents upon his return.
'Wes,
Whatever you choose to do. Whatever path you need to take. I hope you'll remember me and our time together. Though it was short, my feelings for you are the kind you hold onto forever. I couldn't ask you to stay, but know that I want you to. You've found one of a kind objects along your travels, but the truth is you're one of a kind, also. I'm here to stay. In case you're wondering how to find me, should you ever choose to keep in touch, I'll be here at the cabin. You said it feels like home to you here. I'm going to move in here. It will keep some part of you close because you feel like home to me.
Love,
Sierra'
CHAPTER TWENTY
Richard was taking off his boots in the mudroom as Sierra entered the back door.
“Need help, dad?”
“Naw, I got it. I'm sorry things didn't work out for you and Wes, sugar. He seemed a little choked up when he gave me the keys earlier.
“What?! He's already gone? He didn't tell me he was leaving right away.”
“He'll be back this weekend to get his belongings. He had a meeting in Richmond with the Corps of Engineers. I guess he's filling out paperwork to complete his assignment.”
Love at the Salted Caramel Cafe Page 7
