“If you need anything, let me or Jamie know. I’m going to go talk to my mom.” Violet waited for a response but Bernadette walked toward the register where several servers where gathered. For a girl who had just been asking about the owner, she certainly didn’t seem very interested in meeting her now. Sighing softly, Violet wondered if she had been as rude when she was young. She didn’t think so. Especially to an employer. But maybe there was nothing to it. Bernadette may just not know how to communicate in the workplace. Lots of kids were more comfortable with people their own age and didn’t know how to have a conversation with someone else. Just making eye contact was a good start, though.
Her mother started talking as soon as Violet was in ear shot. “We’re canning the last batch of sauce today. You’ve done a great job running the place. Not a single complaint, the servers loved you, and business went up. Are you sure you guys don’t want to stay on full time?” She winked but Violet could tell she was partly serious.
“I think one week was enough.” She loved teaching eighth graders, but she really didn’t mind helping out at the restaurant. Her extroverted personality was a good fit for that kind of job. She loved seeing people from all over Arcadia Valley trying out pizza with kimchi or speculating on what that certain flavor was in the sauce. One woman even offered her money to divulge the secret. Violet had smilingly declined because she’d known that even if the woman had added the required touch of Korean red chili flakes, it wouldn’t have been the same. The days of slow cooking and home grown tomato crop made all the difference.
“Of course, we’re going to work on sun drying the tomatoes and bottling them in olive oil this weekend. It might go on a little more than a few days. Maybe until next Wednesday.”
“Wait. What?”
“You don’t mind, do you?” She said it all very casually but Violet could tell she was invested in Violet’s answer.
“Mom, what’s going on? Just tell me straight out.”
“Why would anything be going on?” She waved at an older couple being seated before turning back to Violet. “Unless you’ve had enough of the restaurant…”
“No, that’s not it.” Violet took a moment to regroup. Something was up but she couldn’t really pin down how she knew. Her mother had never asked her to help out before and now she was extending her days at the restaurant like it was nothing. Very suspicious. “Of course I’m really happy to help out. Everyone has been great and I like getting to see people that I wouldn’t otherwise.”
“Good,” she said, clapping her hands. “Silas and a few workers are installing the bar tomorrow morning around five. I’m afraid I have to take Elise to Twin Falls for an appointment so if you wouldn’t mind, maybe you could be here. Just bring one of those mysteries you like to read if you don’t have anything to do. It’ll help pass the time.”
Violet cocked her head. “Okay,” she said slowly. “I guess I can be here. I don’t have any plans tonight. I was just going to read and get to bed early. But don’t you think he seems trustworthy? I don’t think there would be any problem with just giving him the code for the door.”
For a moment, Violet’s mother looked like she was at a loss. “No, you’re right. I do trust him. I just think it’s better if somebody is here. And you’re a morning person. You don’t mind, do you? Bring Thor. Maybe he and Loki can have a playdate while Silas puts everything together.”
Violet sighed, deciding not to explain how she wished Loki and Thor had remained unacquainted. “No, I don’t mind.”
“Now, I know it’s not good to mix business with friendship, but I’ve invited him and a few friends over for dinner tonight and I was hoping you would come.”
“Dinner tonight?” Her mind raced with possible excuses. She’s just told her mother she was available at five in the morning tomorrow because she had no plans. “What about the restaurant?”
“The assistant manager can take over for one evening. I thought you’d appreciate a day off and not one where you had to cook.”
Violet searched for some reason she couldn’t go but couldn’t bring herself to lie. She could simply decline but then she’d have to explain why. There was no reason not to have a simple dinner with her mother and some friends.
“Sure, I can be there.” Violet tried to sound a little more enthusiastic about getting a night off. “I’ll probably bring Thor because he’s been alone all day.”
“Of course,” her mother said, putting her arm. “The more the merrier.”
Violet forced a smile but was thinking how it really wasn’t an iron-clad rule. In fact, sometimes just a few people were the right amount. But bringing it up would only raise her mother’s suspicions. They were hospitable, welcoming people who loved their community, and most dinners had two or three extra guests. It wouldn’t make sense for Violet to start wishing for more time alone with her mother.
As she watched her walked toward the kitchen to chat with the cooks, Violet let out a small sigh. Maybe if she had been honest all those years ago, she wouldn’t be shoved in Silas’s way so much. Maybe if she had been brave enough to share what was happening at school then she could have transferred earlier and avoided most of the pain. But maybes didn’t save the world and she needed to take responsibility for her life right now. That also included facing the feelings she had for one dark-haired carpenter. She couldn’t seem to shut him out of her life, no matter how hard she tried.
Chapter Twelve
“I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.”
― Emma Goldman
Silas stepped into Page Turners and felt himself automatically relax at the smell of books. He was a carpenter and was most at home working with wood, but books were a close second. Simply the sight of the packed shelves made him smile.
Irene, the owner, was at the front desk and they exchanged friendly waves. “I’ve only got about fifteen minutes to find a book,” he called over to her.
“Or two,” Irene said with a knowing look.
Her niece, Kenia, looked up from where she was opening a box and flashed a smile. “Or three,” she said.
“You know me so well.” Silas turned toward his favorite aisle, feeling the warmth of belonging to a community large enough to have a little privacy, but small enough that the bookstore owners knew your reading habits.
That feeling of warmth turned to surprise as someone walked directly into Violet Tam. He managed to check his speed the second before they made contact so instead of knocking her backward onto the hard floor, he merely pushed her off balance. She let out a grunt of surprise and dropped the book in her hands. Gripping her arms, he struggled to avoid stepping on her feet.
“I’m so sorry,” he said. Just his luck that the moment he got close to her again, he’d run her over like a raging bull.
She looked up at him and laughed softly. “We’ve got to stop meeting this way.”
Was she flirting with him? His face went hot. He wanted her to be flirting with him but it seemed so unlikely. It was much more likely to be her dry sense of humor rather than any romantic overture. “In the mystery aisle?”
“Around corners.”
He tried to think of a witty response but his brain seemed to have shifted into neutral. Letting go of her arms, he bent down and picked up her book. He glanced at the cover before handing it to her.
“You’re a Dennis Lehane fan?”
“I think so.”
“You’re not sure?”
“I read a few of his short stories and really liked them. Animal Rescue was great. I’m just not sure if his books are as good, but I’m willing to give them a try.” She shot him a look. “At this point, most people say how much they liked Shutter Island and ask whether I thought Leonardo DiCaprio great.”
“Well, I can if you want,” he said, trying not to smile. Taking off his cowboy hat, he ran a hand through his hair, wishing he hadn’t come straight from the workshop and wasn’t covered in sawdust. They not only had a shared love for the
mystery genre, they seemed to agree that the movie was never as good as the book. “But do you know why Dennis Lehane doesn’t write the screenplays the movie adaptations?”
She shook her head.
“He said he has no desire to perform surgery on his own child.”
She laughed and Silas felt a surge of happiness at the sound. He’d just told Irene that he only had a few minutes to find a book, but he was mentally erasing that statement and hoping their impromptu meeting would turn into a long talk covering all things literary and perhaps a few subjects not found in the mystery section.
Her cheeks went pink. “I’d better go. I’m on a quick break from the restaurant.”
“Of course, sure.” He wanted to kick himself. He’d been standing there, smiling at her like he had straw for brains. “Me, too. I mean, I’m not on a break from the restaurant. But I’ve gotta get back to work.”
Her lips twitched as if she was trying hard not to laugh. “I’ll see you later tonight.”
“Yeah. Tonight.” He stepped to the side so she could pass. “Wait… tonight?”
She paused, inches away from him. Looking up, her dark eyes were filled with some emotion he was afraid to name. “Dinner tonight. At my mom’s house.”
“You’ll be there?” The moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to take them back. It sounded like he only accepted the invitation because he thought she’d be working.
“Yes. Is that a good or a bad thing?” She put a hand on her hip, her posture giving sass to her words, but there was a definite note of uncertainty in her voice.
“Good,” he said hurriedly. “Definitely good.” A long moment stretched between them as he saw the sass leave her expression and she looked at him with a vulnerability that made his chest tight.
“I― I should buy this.” She held up her book and stepped away from him.
“Yeah, I should go, too.” He started to follow her out of the aisle.
“Aren’t you going to look for a book?”
“Right.” He shook his head. “Book.”
She pressed her lips together as if to keep from laughing. “See you.”
He nodded and turned toward the rows of books. Her footsteps faded away and the faint sound of voices echoed from the front of the store. Silas leaned his forehead against the shelf and closed his eyes. He couldn’t have a conversation with Violet that didn’t involve him making multiple inane statements and then losing his reason. She must think he was battling early onset dementia. Maybe she would even tell her mother that he shouldn’t be putting in the new counter bar. As air-headed as he sounded around Violet, she might expect the thing to fall over at the first nudge.
Plucking a book from the shelf, he tried to read the back cover and couldn’t focus on the words. He’d walked into Page Turners looking for something to read and now all he could do was replay their conversation over and over in his head. No one else had the ability to turn his day upside down faster than Violet, and there was nothing he could do about it. Maybe there had been some moment in the past few weeks where he’d knowingly stepped into the position he was in, but Silas couldn’t think of one. It had all happened without fanfare, and now his heart was making decisions without his input.
Of all the things he’d expected to happen when he’d decided to return to Arcadia Valley, falling for Violet Tam was never one of them.
***
Violet opened the door and smiled. “Hi,” she said, her voice a little too cheerful. She was wearing a flowered button up shirt with a flowing skirt that reached her ankles. Silas thought about how beautiful and at ease she looked, just as she had in the garden and at the bookstore. The girl could wear anything and look perfectly beautiful. One eyebrow arched and Silas quickly refocused.
The light yellow walls and white trim seemed to glow in the afternoon sun that shone through the windows. It was a classic farmhouse sitting room with a fireplace at one end and a piano at the other. He wondered if Violet played. A row of bookshelves was packed with books, classic and modern mixed together like spare socks in a basket. Silas wanted to go check the titles but he resisted. Looking around the empty living room, he said, “Am I early? I thought Ron said six. I can come back later.”
“No, come on in.” She waved him through the door way and he let the screen door shut with a soft thump. “I’ve been kicked out of the kitchen so you can keep me company in my exile.”
“Romy sends her regrets. She and Charlotte, Nico’s girlfriend, are going full power on the canning this evening.” He held out a small bowl and a foil covered pan. For some reason, he suddenly felt shy.
Violet accepted them with a smile. She looked into the bowl. “Carrot salad?”
“One of my mom’s favorite recipes. Warm ginger carrot salad.”
Pulling up a corner of the foil, she inhaled deeply. “These rolls smell amazing. Oregano, thyme…” She shook her head. “I can’t name the rest.”
“They’re savory squash rolls. We had a lot of pumpkin and squash last year so we still had some puree in the freezer. The herbs and sharp cheddar seem to work together.” He reached over and pulled out a roll, offering it to her. Even Romy had been impressed by how perfectly they had risen and browned this time.
Violet took a small bite and smiled as she chewed. “Romy is a genius.”
For a moment, he wasn’t sure whether to correct her or not. “These are mine, actually.”
Her eyes went wide. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
Silas gave her a long look. He didn’t think she was being sarcastic. That wasn’t really Violet’s way. Realizing she was being sincere, he couldn’t think of a response. She sounded as if he impressed her with all of his skills, when in reality he was simply a carpenter who knew a few good recipes.
Thor bounded through the room and stopped in front of Silas, sniffing his hand and giving an expectant look at the door. “Sorry, buddy. I left your new friend at home.”
Violet cleared her throat. “So, any sign of…?”
“Well, she’s been craving pickles and ice cream but from what I’ve been reading, it’s too soon to tell. Maybe in a few weeks.”
“A few weeks what?” Mrs. Tam asked as she entered the room, wiping her hands on a dishtowel.
Silas looked at Violet and an unspoken agreement passed between them. “Oh, nothing interesting.” He smiled to soften his non answer. “Are you sure we can’t help out in the kitchen?”
“No, we’re almost ready.” She looked at the dishes in Violet’s hands. “You didn’t have to bring anything.”
“I know. But I don’t usually get to cook for anybody other than Romy, and she’s a better cook than I am.”
“I know just how you feel,” Violet said, laughing. “Everything I can make is just a pale shadow of the dishes my mother taught me.”
He met her gaze and realized it was the second time in just a few minutes that she had treated him like a friend instead of an old enemy. Hope rose in his chest faster than he could fight it. He was afraid to give words to his yearning, but it was there, sharp and sweet. As many times as he’d tried to convince himself that it was an impossible task, his heart couldn’t let go of the desire to somehow, in some way, make amends with Violet.
“There’s my boy,” Elise said. She was wearing a stained apron and had a pot holder in one hand. “You’re sitting with me at church on Sunday again, right?”
Silas let himself be hugged and answered when he was let go. “Of course. I feel more comfortable at that service. My mom always went to the eight o’clock and it just…”
“Reminds you of her,” Elise finished for him. She sighed. “Maybe in time you’ll find some comfort in those things but I understand how hard it can be. When my husband passed away, I thought I might have to move. So many memories.”
Mrs. Tam rubbed Elise’s shoulder and smiled. “I’m glad you didn’t. And I know Ron is, too.”
Silas saw the moment Violet puzzled out that comment and almost laughed at he
r expression. It was probably the same one he had worn earlier that day.
“And speaking of Ron,” Mrs. Tam said, nodding at the front door. Elise stepped forward to open the screen, a huge smile on her face. The paleness of her cheeks lessened a little as she waited for Ron to climb the porch steps.
“You didn’t have to bring anything,” Elise scolded him as he handed her a beautiful pie.
“I know, but I had a hankering for apple pie and thought I’d better bring it to share, or I’ll undo all my healthy eating for the week.” He kissed Elise on the cheek. “It’s a selfish reason, but I’m a selfish man.”
“Oh, you.” She playfully swatted him on the arm and ushered him through the doorway.
“Is everyone here?” he asked.
“Demi decided to go home. She was saying that Charlotte and Nico don’t go out very much, and I said that she should go offer to babysit little Elena. I know Charlotte loves that little girl, but every couple needs some time alone.” Mrs. Tam chuckled and said, “And some need chaperoning.”
Silas frowned, thinking that Mrs. Tam was suggesting that he wasn’t to be trusted around Violet. He couldn’t argue with the fact that he had bullied her in high school, but he hoped he could be trusted to behave himself around her now, even as beautiful as she was. He wasn’t a predator. Then as Elise giggled, the realization hit him that Mrs. Tam was referring to Ron and Elise, and he almost laughed out loud.
Violet met Silas’s gaze and this time her expression was a mix of horror and amusement. He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she turned away to stifle her laughter. There it was again― they were like friends, instead of enemies. Silas’s heart needed only the smallest spark. Love bloomed inside him like a firework, lighting him up from the inside. He struggled to hide his emotion, thankful that Violet had stepped away.
“Shirley, you forget that I have my own house. I don’t need you chaperoning my dinner dates.” The laughter in Elise’s voice belied her words.
Summer's Glory: Seasons of Faith Book One (Arcadia Valley Romance 2) Page 10
