A Slice of Heaven (Cupid's Cafe Where love is on the menu Book 6)

by Ashley Lauren

  “Alright, just hold on,” Russel said.

  She didn’t get a chance to reply before they were off and accelerating onto the main road. She wasn’t sure when she started the scream, or if he could even hear her over the engine’s roar, but she was still screaming as he sped off down the street to the traffic light. Thankfully, it was red, and they stopped. Clarisse had run out of air, and in her moment of fear, couldn’t figure out why her lungs were burning for air.

  “Just take a deep breath, darling. It’s alright,” he yelled over the engine noise.

  Clarisse shook herself and gulped in some air. Two calming breaths later, she realized that it really hadn’t been that bad. The initial acceleration had scared her, but the rush of the wind on her face was exhilarating.

  “There, that wasn’t too bad, was it?”

  “N… no,” she yelped, “Not too bad.”

  At the beginning of the ride, Clarisse had squinted so that her eyes were nearly closed, blocking out the road that seemed to rush by too fast. But gradually, she got used to the swaying rhythm of turns and the gliding feel of the open road. She opened her eyes to see what she could of the ride without turning her head too far. Clarisse was brave, but too much movement made her feel as if she was about to fall off.

  Slowly, she went from hanging on to Russel for dear life to gently hugging him as she made peace with the rumbling, big machine beneath her. Russel’s obvious skill and control of the machine soothed her, and she really began to enjoy the ride toward the restaurant.

  They headed south to Route 24 and then east on 24 up into the hills, through the Caldecott Tunnel. She gasped when they entered the darkness of the tunnel. The sidewalls rushed past at too high of a speed, but they made it out of the tunnel without being plastered against the tunnel walls.

  A few turns later and, Russel pulled the bike into a trailhead parking area and shut off the engine. Clarisse sat for a moment, listening to the clinking of the cooling engine beneath her. Putting the bike up on its stand, Russel gently pried her clasped hands apart and got off the bike. He helped her down, and she removed her helmet. Her ears were ringing from the noise of the engine and the wind, and she felt slightly disoriented. She had gotten used to the bike’s vibration and noise. Now, all everything was still and quiet. Very odd.

  Russel took her hand gently and led her to the edge of the road. After checking for traffic, they jogged across the pavement and stood on a narrow path which fell steeply down the mountainside below. In front of them was the entire Bay Area, laid out like a jewel under a blue dome of sky.

  “Oh, Russel, it’s beautiful!” she cried. “Look, you can see the Bay Bridge and all the way to San Francisco!” she pointed at the water gleaming in the sun, leading to the city far off in the distance.

  “I thought you’d like it,” he said. Pointing down and slightly left to right he told her, “There’s Oakland and Berkeley, and you can see the highway where we came up. We’re right above the tunnel, which is over that way.”

  “I’ve only lived here a couple of years, and I’ve never been up here. Oh, Tommy would love this!”

  “Well, I’ll just have to bring him up here and show him,” Russel said, smiling.

  Clarisse looked at him, “Oh, I don’t know about that. He’s only twelve and, well, is it safe?”

  “I got you here safe and sound. Besides, I bet he’d get a kick out of the ride.”

  “I’d just bet he would. I wonder…” Clarisse mused.

  “What?”

  “Well, I was scared to death at first and screamed my head off. I wonder if Tommy would be scared, too.”

  “He’s a young boy. He’d probably be as scared as you at first, but I bet you he would bite his lip in half before he wailed like you.”

  Russel’s eyes danced with humor, and though she’d just been slightly insulted, she couldn’t argue with his point. “Speaking from experience?”

  “I suppose so,” Russel said, running a hand through his hair. “At that age, I was completely fearless, and if there was something that scared me, I tried it twice just to prove I could do it.”

  Clarisse thought of Tommy and his latest basketball trick that involved slamming dunking the ball, starting from jumping off a chair. It gave her nightmares, worrying that the chair would tip over as he took a running leap at it and then up to the basket. He’d been fine so far, but she still worried. “Your poor mother must have been beside herself.”

  Russel frowned, “I suppose so.”

  Clarisse knew that she had said the wrong thing. Russel looked like he’d been knocked over the head. His smile was gone, and that tired sadness she’d seen in the diner was back. She quickly changed the subject, hoping to erase the lines of sorrow.

  “Thank you for the ride and the beautiful view. I would never have gotten on a motorcycle if you hadn’t pushed me. And it was fun! I’m always harping on Tommy to try new things. Now, I can say that I have as well.”

  One side of Russel’s mouth tipped up. “It’s good for young boys to try new things. Gives them confidence.”

  “I think so.”

  “Well, we’d better get back on the road. The place I had in mind is up in Lafayette, and it’s about dinner time. I’ve been too busy to eat today, and I could eat a whole cow.”

  Glad to see that Russel’s good-humor had returned, Clarisse took Russel’s arm in hers. I just bet he could.

  They crossed the road and got back on the Harley. Russel backed it around, pointed it down the highway and took off. Clarisse let out a whoop, but this time not in fear.

  Chapter 6

  “So, when the doc told me that my Mom had been admitted to the hospital, I just jumped in the truck and drove all night up to Salt Lake. I didn’t know what else to do. My older brother, he’s… well, let’s say he and I don’t see much of each other and let it go at that.” Russel didn’t want to tell her all about his brother and his problems.

  “I just up and left Hank in charge of everything at the shop,” he continued. “Hank’s a good hand and knows the ropes. It was Mom I was concerned about. Truthfully, I felt guilty about not seeing her more often.” He looked down at the table top.

  So, that’s why he looked so sad and tired when he showed up at Cupid’s. I should have guessed as much when he froze up on that comment I made about his mother. Clarisse wasn’t sure if she should ask, given his earlier reaction, but she said, “So, what happened? Is your mother okay?”

  “Naw,” he said.

  A sheen of tears formed over his eyes, and Clarisse saw how he struggled to get his emotions under control. She’d never seen a grown man cry and wasn’t sure she could avoid crying in sympathy if he did. Her heart ached for him, and she reached a hand across the table, placing hers on top of his. He sniffed, shook his big head, and looked at her across the ruins of their meal. “She died, Clarisse. She was just too far gone from alcohol abuse… she couldn’t keep on.” He lowered his head, looking down at the table.

  Oh no, he’s going to cry, and I will too if it happens. “Oh, Russel, I’m so sorry.”

  He looked up at her, shrugged his wide shoulders, and sighed. “Someday, we’ll talk more about it, okay?” He had a far-off look in his eyes, a sadness that she’d seen before.

  She squeezed his hand, and he turned his palm up to capture hers. His big warm hand enveloped hers, and something pinged in her heart. This tough, bear of a man loved his mother and felt responsible for choices. She couldn’t image what it would be like to grow up in a house where her mother was mentally absent because of grief and alcohol. She’d had her challenges, getting pregnant and raising Tommy, but her parents always challenged and pushed her to improve. It was a tough love, but it was love.

  Poor Russel had gone through his own challenges, but his family hadn’t been there for him. Instead, he’d grown up too soon.

  Russel sniffed again and then plastered on a huge smile. “No more talk of the past few days, okay? Right now, we’re going to have fun. During
dinner, you said something about old movies.” When she nodded, he went on, “There’s a theater I do work for playing Casablanca tonight. How about we go there tonight?”

  “Oh, I’d love it! That’s one of my favorites. I could watch that one over and over again!”

  “Well then, let’s go. Good thing we’re on my bike. If we were in a car, you’d have to put up with my Humphrey Bogart impressions. Here’s looking at you, kid.” Russel quoted, pointing a finger at her.

  Clarisse laughed, thinking the impression wasn’t half bad. In fact, it suited him and made him even more appealing. Wiggling her eyebrows, she improvised her own quote. “And of all the cafes in all the towns in the world, you walked into mine.”

  “Count yourself lucky,” Russel chuckled.

  I do. Clarisse went with Russel as he paid the check, a warm feeling filling her soul. They went outside, got on the Harley and rode off into the darkening night.

  They pulled up in front of Clarisse’s apartment at ten o’clock. Tommy’s bedroom light was on, and that meant he was still up.

  “Russel this has been so much fun. Thank you for a wonderful evening. Now, I’ve got to go in, get Tommy to shut off the TV, and go to bed. I’m tired enough to fall asleep without bothering to change into PJ’s.” A yawn escaped, and Clarisse covered her mouth, embarrassed. “As you can see, five-thirty is going to come too early tomorrow. Then, it’s breakfast for Tommy and off to work for me.”

  “Thank you for coming. I didn’t realize you started your day so early or I would have had you home sooner.”

  “Don’t be sorry. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

  “I’m glad. Let’s do it again sometime,” Russel said. “Look, I know you’re tired. How about I stop by Cupid’s for breakfast tomorrow, and we talk about it then?”

  “Sure. I’ll see you then.” She reached up and patted his cheek, stubbly with five o’clock shadow. “Good night, and I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

  Clarisse turned toward her front door. When she got there, she turned and waved. Russel was still standing by the Harley, looking tall and handsome, even more handsome now that she’d gotten to know him better. He was a strong man inside and out. That thought sent a few butterflies swirling through her stomach. She wouldn’t say that she needed to lean on anyone, but she liked the fact that Russel was the type of person she could count on.

  Russel offered a farewell wave and then got back on his Harley. She stood in the doorway, watching him roar off into the night.

  Russel rode his bike back to the shop. He wanted to check on Monday’s schedule. It looked like Hank had several new jobs lined up this week. That was good. He knew he could trust Hank to do the right thing. Hank had made it possible for him to concentrate on taking care of his mother’s care while she passed quietly away.

  Mom, Russel sighed. They hadn’t talked much. The heavy doses of pain medications made it impossible to have a real conversation. She had whispered she was sorry and that was something at least. He knew in her heart, she was sorry. She just hadn’t been able to overcome her addiction.

  More troubling was the fact that she had once thought Russel was his brother, Zack. Then, she began to cry. It hurt that he could do nothing, just watch his mother deteriorate by the minute. At one point, she called out, “I know I didn’t do right by you boys… I know it. I wish I could tell Zack I forgive him. When is he coming, Russel?”

  She hadn’t remembered that Zack was never coming. Some day he might feel comfortable talking about his past life with someone. Maybe someone like Clarisse. But he doubted it. He had done some terrible things himself, and was sure no one would understand the circumstances. How could anyone believe that he had changed so completely from back then?

  Holding his mother while she died in his arms had given him perspective. He may have started down the same path as his mother and his brother, but he was on a much different one now. This path had led him to Clarisse.

  He smiled to himself, setting down a pile of paperwork. He marveled that someone as wonderful and strong as Clarisse would even consider going out with a guy like him. I’ve turned around. I’ve made something out if my life, and people who don’t know my past respect me. What if she knew?

  He scrubbed his arm over his eyes, which had misted up, thinking about his last days with his mother. He’d remade himself and wasn’t the screwed up kid he’d been, but he couldn’t risk telling her about Zack and his former life. I just can’t. I’m nothing like Zack, but I could’ve been. If Father Mike hadn’t taken me under his wing, I might have…

  He stood up, strode out of the office, and locked up the building. He opted to drive home in his truck. Opening the gate and then driving his truck through, followed by closing the gate after and locking it again were part of his nightly rituals as was his statement to himself. “Tomorrow’s another day.”

  Chapter 7

  Katy was pleased to see that Clarisse was even happier than usual Monday morning. She waited until the early morning rush was over before she began to pry.

  “Well, how did it go?” she said, when they were alone together in the back, cleaning tables.

  Clarisse smiled. “You ever rode on a Harley?”

  “Not that I remember,” Katy said, “and I think I’d remember.”

  “Yes, yes, you would.” Clarisse laughed. “Well, the next question is, have you ever seen the view of the cities and the bay from Grizzly Peak Blvd?”

  “Oh, yes, that I have seen. I bet it was beautiful up there last night. But, you went up there on a motorcycle?” Katy looked at her expectantly.

  “He showed up yesterday on a motorcycle, a Harley, and me in my nice sundress, all ready to go out to dinner. He didn’t specify, but still, it was a bit of a shock. He’s standing in the doorway, wearing jeans and carrying a helmet, and there’s a big red motorcycle in the driveway behind him. I was totally unprepared for that!”

  “And let me guess. You’ve never been on one before, right?” Katie laughed. “Oh, that must have been a shock! What did Tommy think?”

  “Of course, Tommy thought it would be cool. He wants to ride on one now and couldn’t talk about anything else this morning. When do I get a ride, Mom? Was it fun? Where did we go? There was no end to the questions.”

  “What does he think of Russel?”

  Katy’s look hinted to Clarisse that there was more to the question than it appeared.

  “What you really want to know is if he was concerned that Russel’s white?”

  Katy shrugged. “Kids his age sometimes tend to make indelicate comments about mixed-race couples.”

  Clarisse had done her best to raise her boy right. She believed that race, color, or sex made no difference. Someone’s compassion and work ethic were the best indicators of the worth of a person. “Tommy didn’t even mention it. He just wanted a ride on that bike!” She smiled at Katy. “He was pretty impressed with the tattoos, as well.”

  “Tattoos? You mean Russel?” Katy asked. “I’ve never seen him in anything but long sleeves.” She looked thoughtful, “but come to think of it, his size and all, even though he doesn’t look the type…”

  “Well, he’s a gentle giant, as far as I can see. And a perfect gentleman.” Clarisse turned to the front expectantly as the bells announced a new customer. It wasn’t Russel. “We’d best fill the syrup pitchers, and some of the napkin dispensers are nearly empty, too. I’ll get working on those items.”

  Katy thought Clarisse looked a little disappointed as she set off with a stack of napkins. Odd. She seemed happy about her date a second ago. Katy checked that internal radar of hers and confirmed with herself that she’d made a good match.

  “If you sure you’re okay…” Katy trailed off, giving Clarisse an opportunity to comment. Clarisse just bobbed her head, and Katy continued, saying, “then I should work on payroll for the week. I’m sure you’d like to get paid?”

  “Sure would,” Clarisse grinned.

  The quick smile re
assured Katy, and she headed to her office. She hadn’t been in there long when Katy heard the jingle of sleigh bells, followed by Russel Burke’s booming voice.

  “Morning, Clarisse!”

  Clarisse’s cheery reply warmed Katy’s heart. The happy voices of new couples always made her day. Vowing to enjoy the feeling, Katy got up from her desk and went out to the coffee machine, picking up a carafe and filling it with regular coffee. Clarisse was standing in the center space at the front counter, reaching for a menu from the rack. A silly grin lit Clarisse’s face, making Katy doubly glad she’d postponed her paperwork.

  “Good morning, Russel,” Katy greeted. “Nice to see you back.”

  “Oh, I had to come back. After all, that slice of pie and company of such good-looking ladies is just like a little slice of heaven. To top it off I had a wonderful time out with Clarisse last night. No way could I stay away.”

  Several customers glanced up from their breakfasts. A sweet older couple that Katy had matched a few years ago, looked directly at Katy. Betty offered Katy a sly wink and then unabashedly stared at Clarisse. Katy’s eyes gleamed with humor, but her lips remained neutral.

  “I was afraid I’d scared you off after all,” Clarisse said, completely absorbed in Russel. Not paying any attention to the rest of the diner occupants who loved the romantic drama as much as the food.

  “Would you like to sit in the front here or at a table? Or a table out on the patio. It’s a mild day, and it’s nice out there,” Clarisse continued.

  “Patio sounds great,” Russel said.

  “Okay, follow me.”

  Clarisse glanced at Katy briefly, making sure it was okay to open the patio. Katy gave her a meaningful look and gestured for her to go, indicating that she’d take care of the front with Susanne, the other Monday server.

  Katy poured a cup of coffee for herself, watching the couple go. She loved this part of young love.