by Jenny Kales
“Callie!” Piper called but she was already walking out of the back room, ready to greet George.
“Calliope! Hrisi mou. I came as soon as I heard.” George’s weathered face looked anxious, his brown eyes crinkled at the corners.
“Oh no!” Callie, exclaimed, concerned. “What’s wrong? Is Olivia all right?”
“Yes, of course. Well, as far as I know. What are you talking about?”
“I don’t know,” Callie said, now thoroughly rattled. She didn’t mean to be so protective of her daughter, but her daughter had asthma, and occasionally, she experienced a bad attack that required emergency treatment. It was a constant source of worry. Callie composed herself and asked her next question in a more measured tone. “What did you hear?”
George looked around. “Let’s sit down,” he said to his daughter. “Piper, dear,” he said smiling at the young woman who stood looking quizzically at them behind the register. “You bring us loukoumades and coffee, OK?”
“Sure, Mr. Costas,” Piper answered, already pouring the coffee. She plated about a dozen of the small, Greek doughnuts and handed them across the counter. Callie accepted the plate gratefully and took a whiff, the cinnamon and honey glaze making her mouth water.
Finally, George was seated with Callie at a snug table in the corner, presumably for privacy. He dug into the loukoumades with relish before looking up at his daughter.
“I hear that Hugh is moving to your neighborhood with Raine,” George said her name with emphasis.
He brushed a crumb from the corner of his mouth and sipped his coffee, a slight frown creasing his already-lined forehead. “Kathy told me this news. Calliope, I’m sorry that I let you down.”
“What are you talking about, Dad?” Callie felt a headache starting right behind her left eye. George seemed to be speaking in riddles since he walked through the door.
“This whole time, I’ve been trying to convince her not to sell the house to Hugh.” George twisted a paper napkin in his callused hands. “I tried to help you because you’re family. I know you don’t want to be near Hugh and his wife. He sees his daughter and he’s a good father, even though he didn't work out so well as a husband. But living so close to you – it’s too close for comfort. I did my best.” He patted Callie on the hand.
Callie was utterly confused. “Wait a minute. You mean that you were only going out with Kathy because you thought you could dissuade her from selling a house to my ex-husband?” Part of Callie’s heart was doing a little dance. Maybe she wouldn’t be related to Raine one day, after all.
But the other part was none too happy with her father’s antics. Whether or not Callie liked the situation, Kathy had feelings. George definitely liked to interfere, but being a “player” wasn’t his style – at all.
Callie’s emotions barely had time to settle before George hit her with his next bombshell.
“Not exactly true. I started out wanting to know more about this woman trying to bring your ex-husband back to Crystal Bay. But, well….” He stopped speaking and turned several shades of red while he busied himself with the loukoumades. Callie took pity on him. He really was one of a kind!
“Dad,” she said gently. “I think I know what you’re trying to say. You started out wanting to sabotage the house-hunting but ended up really liking Kathy. Is that it?”
George’s face was as red as the Santa hats that Piper had displayed around the shop. He nodded, his lips pressed together. Callie felt a rush of love for her father.
“It’s all right, Dad. Really. I’ll be fine with Hugh and Raine moving nearby. I’ve just been acting silly. It was a shock, that’s all.” Maybe if she said it enough, it would become true. “Anyway, Olivia deserves to have her father in her life as much as possible.” That last part was definitely true.
“Dad,” she said, leaning forward, now genuinely curious. “How long ago did you decide that you like Kathy? Does she feel the same way?”
Fortified with doughnuts and coffee, George had recovered enough to be a little gruff. “Who ‘decides’ to like someone? You do or you don’t. You know, like with Sands. You like him, yes?”
“I do,” Callie said slowly, impressed with his skill at deflecting an issue away from himself. “But we were talking about you.”
“I told you before. She’s a nice lady. We have fun together. Who knows what will happen?” George shrugged, but his eyes twinkled at Callie.
“That’s great, Dad. Seriously, I am happy for you. Just so you know: you didn’t let me down. You don’t have to keep protecting me, you know.”
“You’ll learn, Callie, mothers are the same as fathers. Will you ever want to stop protecting Olivia?” He had her there.
“Probably not.” She smiled at him and he smiled back. He laughed his big-hearted laugh.
“So, you see? It’s normal to protect and to worry.”
Customers were starting to trickle in for their afternoon snacks and evening meal pick-ups. “You’re busy, so I’m going. Say hello to Olivia for me. And to Sands.”
George enveloped her in one of his rib-crushing hugs and left. Callie wiped up the table and took the plates to the back room in a daze, avoiding Piper’s interested gaze.
Say hello to Sands? Callie thought. That was a new one.
George must be in love.
Nineteen
“Sweetie, Viv, why don’t you go ahead and get in the car. I’ll join you in a minute.”
The day of the dreaded Dayton holiday lunch had finally arrived and Callie didn’t feel ready for it. The food was ready – with Max and Piper’s help, she’d been able to make the baked goods they’d asked for, along with spanakopita, avgolemono soup and pastitsio – a fragrant meat and macaroni dish topped with a luscious cream sauce. This was going to be a Greek feast, for sure. Regarding the status of the complicated family hosting the lunch – Callie wasn’t so sure she was ready to deal with them.
“I take those boxes,” Sweetie insisted and Callie gratefully handed her the last two boxes they needed to pack – those were filled with Christmas cookies and traditional Greek baked goods.
In this case, Callie was thrilled that her business only delivered the food to the guests and that serving was not required. She didn’t want to be around the Daytons longer than was necessary, given the fact that Mrs. Dayton and now, Nick Hawkins, Dayton son-in-law-to-be, seemed to have a thing for reckless driving. Especially, it would seem, when Callie was the only other motorist on the road.
In the end, she’d asked Sweetie and Viv to come along for the ride. She would have preferred the extra muscle offered by Max, but he was holding down the fort at Callie’s Kitchen.
“I can bring the food to the Daytons,” he’d persisted, but stubbornly, Callie had refused. As much as she didn’t want to face that group, she didn’t want them to think they’d gotten the best of her. Besides, she wanted to gauge their behavior for herself.
“Are you ready, dear?” Viv asked, all bundled up, her cheeks bright red from the cold. “I told Sweetie to stay in the car since it’s already warmed up.”
Callie darted her eyes around the kitchen. “I think so.” All of the other food had been kindly packed into her car by Max.
“I won’t be gone long,” she told him as she walked out the door with Viv.
Suddenly, Callie had second thoughts. Would she wind up counseling Lexy and Nick once again – or would she wind up in a ditch? Maybe she should have taken Sands advice and made an excuse regarding the Dayton party.
No way. Callie squared her shoulders. Cancelling without notice would be fatal to her business. She’d stay on her guard and she’d be fine! Anyway, Callie was deeply curious to see how the Daytons behaved around her. The good news was that if they were all seated and eating, they wouldn’t be on the road.
Icicles dripped from the eaves of the modest older homes that Callie and her crew passed as they made their way along Lake Shore Drive. The Dayton address was in a neighborhood of large, newer homes that w
ere set far apart from each other and well off the road. Callie knew that the homes in that neighborhood backed up to an inlet that fed into the bay, to accommodate the boating mania that most Crystal Bay residents shared. Callie wondered if the Dayton family had ever had any incidents on the water or if their vehicular troubles were relegated only to dry land.
Viv and Sweetie kept up a rapid and lighthearted chatter throughout the drive that Callie found soothing. That is, until they wanted to know all about the new house that Hugh and Raine were purchasing and how she felt about it.
“Well,” Callie said, striving for diplomacy. “At least Hugh gave me some warning. It will be strange to be living in the same neighborhood with him. I’d be lying if I said otherwise. I’ll get used to it.” She said all of this in a firm tone, hoping that would settle it, but she should have known better.
“Callie, you can tell us the truth,” Viv said. “I know it can’t be easy for you.”
“I know, Grandma, but we do have Olivia. We have to work things out for her sake. Anyway, I can’t tell him where to live!” Unfortunately.
“Oh, I know,” Viv nodded her head vigorously. “Still, the man sometimes doesn’t seem to have the sensitivity that God gave a goose when it comes to people’s feelings.”
“Or squirrel,” Sweetie pointed out, as one of the furry brown rodents shook its fluffy tail at them as it ran across the road in front of the van.
Callie had no desire to denigrate her ex-husband, but even she had to laugh at that one. She just shook her head and said “Hugh means well. We’ll all adjust.”
Fortunately the ladies were changing the subject of their own accord as they started to point at and exclaim over the elegant homes along the tree-lined road. Soon, the Dayton house loomed in front of them, at the end of a lengthy drive. The snow-covered trees and rooftop of the large, rustic home made a pretty picture as the three women emerged from the car.
The sun was bright despite the frigid temperatures and patches of snow were turning to slush. “Be careful, both of you,” she told Viv and Sweetie. “I don’t want you to take a tumble out here.”
“Don’t baby us,” Viv chirped back and Sweetie nodded, a little less certainly. She was probably missing the mild, warm air of Greece right about now.
Callie gave each of the women a pastry box to carry and a stern warning not to carry anything else or risk slipping and falling. Carefully, they all made their way up to the front door and Callie rang the bell. Of course, it was Mrs. Dayton who answered the door. Callie almost didn’t recognize her; she was wearing glasses with large, squarish frames. They looked out of date, which was very unlike the well-dressed, fashionable Mrs. Dayton.
“I was wondering where you were,” she said by way of greeting, glancing at Sweetie and Viv with a dubious eye. Today she was decked out in a silvery grey sweater and black skirt, a red and green Christmas tree pin placed jauntily near her shoulder. “Who do you have with you today?”
Well hello to you, too. Callie only smiled and shot her two helpers a warning glance. “This is my grandmother and my aunt who’s visiting from Greece. They’re just along for the ride – and to help me carry a few things.” Mrs. Dayton looked stern. Was she going to invite them in or not?
Callie took a deep breath and tried a different tack. “Sorry if we’re a little late. The roads are slippery and we don’t want to risk an accident.” No doubt about it, Mrs. Dayton’s cheeks flushed a bit at that last line.
“Greece?” she said, nodding at Sweetie, a hint of a smile on her face. “How interesting. I’ve always wanted to visit the island of Santorini.” Sweetie nodded and beamed, her dimple clearly on display.
“All right, no use standing around in the cold,” Mrs. Dayton’s frosty demeanor had thawed ever so slightly – thank goodness. “Come in.” Finally. She stepped back and held the door open wide for Callie and her small but motley group.
The trio looked at each other and then followed Mrs. Dayton into a large entry way that led to a long hallway, and behind that, the kitchen.
“Wipe your shoes, if you please, then follow me,” Mrs. Dayton instructed. The three ladies took turns wiping their slushy boots on the door mat so as not to track anything into the beautiful space. The gleaming hardwood floors were covered in plush area rugs and Callie could only imagine Mrs. Dayton’s reaction if they tracked in snow and mud.
Viv and Sweetie were speaking in whispers, almost like they were in church. Callie didn’t blame them a bit. Despite its rustic appearance, the house had what could only be described as an expensive “hush” over it.
The Dayton home was truly a lovely and welcoming space, with high ceilings, exposed beams and casual, but expensive-looking furniture. It reminded Callie pleasantly of an upscale ski lodge. She longed to be able to sit and read near the large fireplace she noticed in the airy front room. Instead, she followed obediently behind Mrs. Dayton’s broad-shouldered frame.
“Just put everything over here,” Mrs. Dayton said. Callie was surprised when her client took some of the boxes from her and arranged them on the granite countertop. Mrs. Dayton definitely didn’t seem like the type to be helpful to “the help” but maybe she was just in a hurry.
“Thanks,” Callie said with real gratitude. “All of the instructions for reheating are taped to the front of each box. Should be a snap!”
“All right,” Mrs. Dayton said briskly, fidgeting with a huge emerald ring on her finger. “Is that everything?”
“Yes, you should be all set.” Callie wondered where the dining room was – no doubt, it was a beautiful space and she found her desire to get in and get out was overridden by her curiosity about the lovely home. Mrs. Dayton was being fairly gracious. As long as she was here, why not take a look around?
“Can I take a peek at the set-up?” she asked Mrs. Dayton. “I just wondered if there’s anything that I – or we – should help you with in the dining room. Then we should be going. We don’t want to be in the way.”
“Yes, let us help,” Viv agreed and Sweetie nodded. Mrs. Dayton seemed distracted and she gave them her assent.
“Go ahead. It’s just through there. I should go and check on Lexy. She’s still getting ready.” Mrs. Dayton rolled her eyes and pointed at a doorway next to the homey eat-in kitchen – also rustic and ski-lodge like. Callie liked the space very much – it radiated warmth and comfort, unlike its owner.
The trio made their cautious way to the dining room and Callie heard their collective intake of breath at the sight. The scene was pure holiday glamour, but in a casually refined way. Again, the high exposed beams provided a rustic touch and large windows framed the now-frozen inlet and sparkling snow outside.
The long dining room table was set with aplomb. Grudgingly, Callie had to admit that Mrs. Dayton had an eye for decoration. Each place had some evergreen clippings and pinecones strewn artfully by the plate. The centerpiece was a tiny live evergreen tree, trimmed with silver and gold Christmas ornaments.
“Is beautiful,” Sweetie said, gazing around her with appreciation. She smiled at Callie. “And your food is perfect touch.”
“Here, here,” agreed Viv. “It doesn’t seem like there’s much for us to do.” She sounded regretful and Callie knew it was because her grandmother was dying to take a better look around.
Callie scanned the room once more. The buffet was empty, just waiting for Callie’s rich Mediterranean-style lunch. Stacked on one end of the expensive-looking buffet was a stack of fancy-looking plates.
“I’m going to see if Mrs. Dayton wants me to put these cookies on a plate for her, and then we really should be going,” she said to the two ladies who were now chattering about how much they would enjoy a dining room just like this one.
“Yes, dear,” Viv said. “We’ll just enjoy this gorgeous room a moment longer and we’ll be right out.” She blinked her eyes innocently at her granddaughter.
Callie was uneasy. She trusted herself to be discreet about snooping – Sweetie and Viv, not so m
uch. “I’ll be right back,” she warned them. She hurried back to the kitchen but Mrs. Dayton was gone – Lexy must be doing some serious primping. From upstairs, Callie could hear the distant whine of a hairdryer and Mrs. Dayton’s voice urging her daughter to hurry up. Oh well. Better leave well enough alone.
She walked to the foot of the stairs so that she could call “goodbye,” but almost ran smack into Nick Hawkins. When he registered who she was, his face did a strange thing: it slowly turned red, like those pens that gradually change color when your turn them upside down.
“Callie, hi,” he said, looking at her, then away. “I didn’t know you were here. I’m just on my way to run an errand before the party.”
“I’m on my way shortly, too,” Callie replied, her tone light. But her gaze was sharp as she tried to decide if Nick looked like a man who would leave a woman and her dog stranded by the side of the road.
Just then, a crash sounded from the impeccable dining room, followed by what sounded like a cry and a muffled curse. Callie watched in horror as Nick brushed past her and into the dining room. Quickly, she followed him, her heart in her throat. And to think, we were just inches from a clean getaway.
“Who are you?” Nick demanded. A crystal pitcher lay on the floor at Sweetie’s feet. Or what was left of it. It looked like it had shattered into a million pieces. Viv was crouched on the floor, plucking at glass shards and muttering to herself.
Callie rushed to Viv’s side and pulled her to her feet. “I’ll sweep it up – no use getting cut,” she told her. Then she turned to Nick, a smile plastered to her face. “Just a little accident, Nick. I’m so sorry.”
“Accident?” Nick said, his voice deep and menacing. “That ‘accident’ was a Waterford pitcher given to Lexy and me for our engagement.” He glared at the three of them, turning his gaze first to one, then the other. “Do you have any idea how much those things cost?”
“I’m very sorry,” Viv said firmly, standing up tall and facing Nick. “I’ll pay for the damages.”
