"You can work here for as long as you want. Have a good evening." Becky opened her car door and got in.
Jenny did the same. As she drove home, other than the ugly slushy roads, she thought the town looked beautiful covered in its blanket of snow. She turned into her driveway and got out. Just then, a car pulled in and parked behind her. The door opened and a gentleman got out.
"Hi Stefano, you're early."
* * * *
Derek turned onto Jenny's street and just as he approached her house, he suddenly pulled over and parked. He watched as Stefano walked up and gave her a big hug and then a kiss on the cheek.
His world seemed to crumble around him as disappointment sank in. He watched as they walked to Stefano's car and carried several grocery bags inside her house. No doubt, she was cooking dinner for him. Derek started his truck and drove home.
Later that evening, he had finished his packing and placed his luggage next to the door, ready for when the driver comes up the next morning to pick him. Derek sat on the couch drinking an eggnog and listening to a CD of Rick Wakeman, which was as close to classical music as he could get.
His thoughts kept drifting to the sight of Jenny hugging Stefano and wondering what they were doing right then. The ringing of his doorbell snapped him back. He got up and answered the door. "Colleen, what are you doing here?"
Not waiting to be invited in, she brushed past him and leaned a large wrapped gift against the wall while she removed her coat. "I took a chance that your hill would be cleaned off so I could bring this to you." She picked up the gift. "Let's go in the living room so you can open it."
He closed the door and followed her inside where she had taken a seat on the couch.
"Come, sit here and open it."
He sat next to her. "You didn't have to get me anything."
"Of course I did. I've been working on this for weeks and I just couldn't wait for you to return from your trip to give it to you. Open it."
Derek placed the gift on the coffee table and opened it. "Colleen, I don't know what to say." She had painted a perfect portrait of him.
"Ellen gave me a photo of you to go by. Do you like it?"
"Yes, I do. I've never had anything like it. Thank you."
"Where do you want to hang it?" she asked.
"I don't know."
"I think it should go up over your fireplace."
"I don't know about that. I don't want to seem ostentatious."
Colleen laughed. "You? Don't be silly."
"I'll decide once I return from my trip and hire a professional to hang it. Thank you so much. It's a wonderful gift."
"What are you drinking?" She nodded toward his cup on the table.
"Eggnog. Would you like some? It's non-alcoholic."
"Sure, that would be nice."
He went to the kitchen to get her drink. When he returned, he found her fingering through some papers on his end table. "Looking for something?"
"What? Oh, no, just waiting for you to return." She took the drink from him.
She sat down on the couch and he chose the chair.
"What time do you leave tomorrow?" she asked.
"Early. A driver is coming to pick me up and we'll get Wes on the way to the airport."
"Aspen sounds like so much fun. Do you plan on skiing?"
"I certainly hope so."
"If I were going away for the holiday, I would go to Hawaii. The warm climate and beaches sound so much more inviting to me."
"That's just the opposite of me. Give me the mountains and snow any time over the beach."
"Well, you know they say, opposites attract."
Derek began to feel a little uncomfortable with where the conversation might be heading. "Colleen, as I said, I'm leaving early in the morning and I'm sure you want to get home before the roads get too slick." He stood up. "Again, thank you for the portrait. You did a wonderful job on it."
"Of course, I should be going." She walked to the front door where Derek helped her on with her coat. "Have a wonderful trip. If you get bored, call me."
"I'll see you when I get back." He opened the door and she hesitated before walking out. No doubt waiting for a kiss. As he closed the door, he knew he was lucky that she left with no problems.
Pecan Pie
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup pecans, whole or chopped
Cream sugar and butter; add syrup and salt. Mix well. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add pecans. Pour into a piecrust and bake at 350°f. for 1 hour, 10 minutes.
Chapter Nine
Once they arrived, it didn't take long for Derek and Wes to get settled at the Chalet in Aspen. After unpacking, they came downstairs to the kitchen where Wes started a pot of coffee.
"This house is unbelievable. What does your client do to have such a great place?"
"He's an agent for some professional athletes. We went to law school together and I helped him with some of the contracts he negotiates for the endorsements he gets for them."
"I definitely went into the wrong career."
Wes got two cups out of the cabinet. "What do you want to do today?"
"I was thinking we should probably go ahead and rent our ski equipment and while we're out, pick up some food for the house."
"Excellent idea, and don't forget, we need to stock the bar. If we're going to be here for two weeks, we need a fully stocked bar."
"Is there firewood here, or do we need to get some?" Derek asked.
"Phil said there's a building out back full of wood."
"Maybe we should bring some in while we're waiting for the coffee to finish."
"Yeah, I don't want to do that in the snow or after dark."
The two men grabbed some gloves and went to bring in the wood. After finishing, they opted for taking their coffee with them and drove to one of the ski shops in town to rent their equipment. On the way back, they stopped by a supermarket and picked up some food, basic supplies, and liquor.
After finishing dinner at a restaurant that evening, they decided to go into the bar for some after dinner drinks.
"I think this trip is just what I needed. I'm already feeling better," Derek said. "You never told me how Cynthia took the news about you leaving town for two weeks."
"She already knew. You were right about Colleen calling her immediately after you told her. By the time I called her, she was not happy." Wes smiled at two ladies who walked by the table and continued watching them even after they were seated at a nearby table.
"But, she let you take the trip anyway without putting up a fuss?"
"Oh no, she was totally pissed and said if I were going, she was coming too."
"You're kidding. What did you say?"
"I told her that if she didn't like it, I would find someone else to spend my time with." He waved and smiled at the two ladies, who were waving back.
"I didn't tell you about my visitor last night."
"No, who?"
"Colleen stopped by my house around eight o'clock to give me a Christmas present."
"What happened?"
"I accepted her gift and told her she should go because I was leaving early the next morning. You should have seen what she gave me."
"What was it?" Wes took a drink of his cocktail.
"She painted a portrait of me from a photo Ellen gave her. She did a great job on it too."
"Really? She did a pretty good job on those paintings she showed at the gallery." Wes motioned for the waiter. "Would you take those two ladies over there each a hot Peppermint Patty Cocktail?"
Derek could only shake his head and chuckle when the waiter left with the order.
"What?" Wes asked.
"You uphold your playboy reputation very well."
"I try, my friend. I try. Did you tell Jenny you were leaving?"
"Yes. For all the good it did."
"What do you mean?"
"She stopped by my office yesterday morning and gave me a sweater for Christmas and I gave her a gold necklace with a chef's hat pendant. I was just about to kiss her when Colleen walked in to thank me for the tennis bracelet I gave her."
"Wait a minute, you gave Colleen a tennis bracelet?"
"No, I didn't. Ellen bought it with my credit card and gave it to her saying it was from me. Jenny left pretty fast when Colleen started waving the bracelet in front of her. After work, I drove over to Jenny's to explain about the bracelet."
"Did she understand?"
"I never spoke to her. When I drove toward her house that Stefano guy had just arrived and she was in the driveway hugging him."
"All the more reason to enjoy the company of some ladies here in Aspen, which I believe is just about to happen." Wes and Derek stood as the ladies Wes had bought the drinks for approached the table.
"Thank you for the drinks," one said.
"They're wonderful. What do you call them?" the other asked.
"Please sit down," Wes said. "They're called a Peppermint Patty. It's hot chocolate with a couple shots of peppermint schnapps."
"They're delicious. I'm Janice, by the way."
"And, I'm Barbara and we're from Chicago."
"I'm Wes and this is Derek and we're from a little town close to Cincinnati."
The next day, Derek and Wes spent the whole afternoon skiing with their new friends.
* * * *
"Thank you, Mrs. Perkins. Enjoy your pies. Merry Christmas." Jenny had spent most of the morning selling the pies she had baked the day before.
Becky brought out a tray of Christmas cookies and slid them into the display case. "What's your plans for Christmas?"
"I'll be spending the day at my parents' house helping mom cook Christmas dinner."
"Don't you ever take a break from cooking?"
"Probably not until the day I retire." They laughed.
"Have you heard from Derek?"
"No, and I don't really expect to. I have come to the realization that he's not that interested."
"Not true. I've seen the way he looks at you when he's been in here."
"But, if you think about it, he's not been in here for quite a while either."
"I'm just saying, don't give up." Becky went back into the kitchen just as the door dinged indicating a customer.
Jenny looked up. "Oh no," she mumbled.
"Good morning, Miss Marshall."
"Good morning, Mrs. Dunlop. How can I help you?" Ellen was the last person that Jenny thought would be in today.
"I forgot to order pies for Christmas and was hoping you would still have some."
"We have some pecan pies left, but I believe we're out of pumpkin."
"Two pecan pies will be fine."
Jenny got two pies from the kitchen and brought them back to the counter to box them.
"Have you heard from my brother since he left?"
Now she understood why Ellen had come in. "No, I haven't. Have you?"
"No, but he said he probably wouldn't call." She handed Jenny a credit card.
"Would you like anything else? We have a pumpkin cheesecake that is out of this world."
Ellen thought for a few seconds. "No, I think the pies will be enough."
Jenny swiped the card and waited for the receipt. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the machine rolled out the slip. "Here you go."
Jenny put the credit card and slip on the counter with a pen. Ellen signed the top copy and kept the bottom for herself.
Jenny handed her the boxes of pies. "Thank you and come again."
Ellen smiled, took the pies, and went out the door. Quickly, Jenny rushed to the window.
"Was that Derek's sister?" Becky asked, walking back out with a sliced cheesecake and placed it in the countertop display container.
"Yes. She bought some pies, but she was really on a recognizance mission."
"What makes you think that and what are you looking at?"
"I'm watching Ellen. Yep, just as I thought."
Becky now stood next to Jenny. "What?"
"See that gray car on the other side of the square?"
"Yes."
"And the red car next to it?"
"I see it."
"The gray car is Ellen's and that lady she's talking to is Colleen next to her red car. The real reason Ellen came in here is to find out if I'd talked to Derek and now she's reporting back to Colleen."
"That must mean that neither of them have heard from him either."
"I bet you're right. I hadn't thought of that."
* * * *
"She's not heard from him," Ellen reported to Colleen.
"That's good. I wish he would answer his phone when I call."
"Have you tried calling from the office? If he sees the office number on his phone, maybe he'd be more likely to answer."
"Already tried it, still no answer. Cynthia and I are planning on flying out there this weekend to surprise them. Unfortunately, if we don't find where they're staying, we can't surprise them."
"What a wonderful idea, but are you still going even if you can't get in touch with them?"
"Yes, we already have our plane and hotel reservations. We'll track them down somehow."
Ellen looked at her watch. "I need to get back to the office."
"And I have a meeting with a new trucking company that I have to get to. I'll be back at the office later."
The ladies got in their cars and left the square.
* * * *
Christmas Eve morning, Derek sat at the kitchen table working on his laptop when Wes came down the stairs and walked into the kitchen. "You look like hell."
"You should be on my side of it." Wes walked over to the coffee pot and poured the last of it into a cup and took a drink.
"It's close to noon. I was beginning to worry about you."
Wes sat down at the table. "I had a very late night."
"What time did you get in?"
"I think it was around four this morning." Wes took another drink of coffee. "You were a little rude leaving Barbara alone like you did last night."
"I'm not interested in becoming involved with another woman right now." Derek heard a noise behind him and turned to see Janice walk in.
"Good morning," she managed to say.
"Sorry, sweetie, I just poured the last of the coffee."
"That's okay." She walked over to him and took a drink from his cup. "I need to get back to the hotel. Barbara already called and we're meeting for lunch."
Wes walked her to the door and gave her a hug and kiss. "Thanks for bringing me home last night."
"You're welcome. Barb and I are going to a movie tonight. Any chance you guys would want to come along?"
"Depends on the movie. It's not a chick-flick, is it?"
"We'll pick one you like," she teased.
"Call me later and we'll figure something out."
"Okay." She grabbed her coat and left.
"You heard?" Wes asked.
"I heard. A movie on Christmas Eve, seriously?"
"What do you want to do, bake cookies for Santa? This trip was supposed to revive you, Derek. But, in the last few days, I swear, I think you've gotten worse." Wes sat back down at the table.
"Maybe two weeks was too long for a vacation. I keep thinking about things I should be doing back home."
"Is one of the things you should be doing named Jenny?" Wes laughed.
"That's not funny. I'm not a player, like you. I want to settle down and have a family some day, but with the right woman. I thought I had found her, but maybe not."
"You're talking about Jenny again, right?"
"Yes."
"So why not go for it? If she's the person who makes you happy, you should act on that."
"I know, but every time I start to..."
"What?"
"Everyone tells me she's all wrong for me."
"Why do you
listen to that shit? Does she make you happy?"
"Yes."
"Do you think about her all the time?"
"Yes."
"Do you love her?"
Derek hesitated. "I don't know. I thought I did, but then I saw her with that guy at the art gallery and again at her house before we left. Hell, I slept with Colleen. Would I have done that if I loved Jenny?"
"You were drunk and I'm sure Colleen did some persuading."
"Jenny looks really happy when she's with that guy."
"She looks really happy when she's with you. My advice to you my friend is to have some fun on this trip and when you get home, make your decision between wanting Jenny as your wife, or just your occasional cook."
Christmas morning in Aspen started with a light snow, but by early afternoon, the clouds had passed and sunshine took over.
"Come on, Derek! We're late and the ladies are going to beat us to the slopes.
Derek came down the stairs wearing the sweater that Jenny had given him. "You go ahead. I'll call a cab and catch up with you. I need to make some phone calls."
"Don't tell me you're going to make some poor soul work today."
"No, I want to call some family and friends to wish them a Merry Christmas."
Wes picked up his skis and opened the door. "Tell Jenny I said hi." He walked out closing the door behind him.
Derek pushed the speed dial button on this phone.
"Hello."
"Marry Christmas."
"Well, if it isn't my long lost brother. Merry Christmas to you as well. How's Aspen?"
"Very restful. How's everything there?"
"Hectic. I'll be glad when Christmas is over. Thanks for the gifts. The boys loved the video games, almost as much as John." Ellen laughed.
"You're welcome. How are things at the office? Any word on those contract bids yet?"
"Everything at the office is running smoothly. I called about the bids and they all said we should hear something at the beginning of the week."
"Good. I'm anxious to see what we get."
A Kitchen Affair Page 12
