Better Than Chocolate (15 page)

      “Mom’s still going to have a cow.”

      “We’ll deal with it when it comes up,” Suzanne said without seeming overly worried.

      “So that’s the secret? Do what you want and just make mom think you’re living the ways she wants you to?”
      “It’s not that bad. I’ll just make sure she knows I’ll still be coming down to Vancouver at least once a week for shopping and Mark and I are still together. And I let her think the stocks I buy and sell are just a hobby, not our main source of income.”

      Elena shook her head in wonder. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

      “It’s never too late,” Suzanne said laughing as they arrived at Mary’s.

      “Coming in?”

      “It’s late and you’re going to be up early tomorrow. I’ll call it a night,” Suzanne said lightly.

      “Mary’s still up.”

      She probably wants to make sure everything’s set up for tomorrow.

      “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

      “I wouldn’t miss it,” her sister said smiling at her. She gave her a quick hug and then left walking up the street towards the Sea Side hotel.

      Mary looked surprised to see her. She wondered what Brad had said to her to make her look that way even as Mary quickly got her a cup of tea.

      “Is everything set up for tomorrow?”

      “The ices are going, the bakery’s delivering all the brownies and pies tomorrow and I just have to chop up about a zillion lemons tomorrow and juice them.”

      “I still say you should’ve done that today.”

      “Then it wouldn’t be fresh,” Elena said simply.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

She woke at dawn the next morning, heart beating double time. Elena’s grand opening was today!

Jumping out of bed she threw jeans and a T-shirt on, and then left Mary a note, before walking down to Elena’s. The Gods had been good. Clear blue sky greeted her and it promised to be a perfect day weather-wise. Elena’s looked exactly as she had left it the night before. Perfect!

She put on a pot of coffee and pulled out the lemons. By 7:00 she’d cut a mountain of them into halves and was busy juicing them. She looked up at the sound of someone knocking on the door to find Brad standing there.

“You’re early aren’t you?” she said opening the door to him.

“Couldn’t sleep,” he said. He leaned forward brushing a strand of hair off her forehead and felt a shiver ran through her. “Looks like you couldn’t either.”

“There’s too much to do,” she said.

“I’m here to help,” he said smiling. He sniffed appreciatively. “That coffee smells wonderful.” He handed her a small brown bag. “I brought some cinnamon buns to go with it.”

“Cinnamon buns?”
      “I know the bakery isn’t delivering until eleven and I figured we could use something to get us going.”

The smell of fresh cinnamon buns and coffee assailed her and she suddenly realized she was ravenous. She put the buns on a plate in front of them and poured two cups of coffee. “I know for a fact the bakery doesn’t open until ten o’clock on Sundays.”

“Connections,” he said lightly. “They may not be open yet but there’s a baker in there cooking up a storm. Goes by the name of Tom. I talked him into giving me a couple of samples.”

“They didn’t have any low-fat muffins?”

“You don’t need them,” he said eyeing her appreciatively and she felt herself flush.

“I keep thinking I’ve forgotten something!”

“Too late now if you have,” he said grinning.

“That’s no help!”

“Come on. You sent the invitations out, right?”

She nodded.

“The bakery goods are on order, you’ve got the lemon juice started. The ices are iced.”

“Yes, but…”
      “No buts. I’ll help you with the lemon juice and then we’re leaving.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“You can’t do anything here and you’ll drive yourself crazy if you stay.”

“Says who?”
      “Says me. Come on. I’ll have you back by eleven.”

“That’s too late.”

“10:30.”

She looked at him. “You’re not giving up on this are you?”
      He shook his head.

“Ooh – OK, but you have to have me back by ten.”

“You’ll see.”

They drove in silence, the ocean beside them. “What if we break down?”
      “I’ll call a cab.”

“You really think Elena’s is going to be a success.”

“I’d bet on it,” he said firmly, glancing sideways at her. She wasn’t the first business owner to have opening day jitters. She looked about as calm and collected as the proverbial cat on a hot tin roof, a spring about ready to be sprung, or students about to be released on the last day of school.

He pulled off the road onto a winding dirt and gravel road that went through a stand of trees.

“Where are we going?”

“Just wait,” he said, pulling into a small clearing that went down to the ocean. He came around to her side, opening the door for her.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “But why are we here?”

“This is where I’m planning on building my first house.”

“First? How many are you planning on building?”

“I don’t know,” he said grinning. “I thought I’d start with one.”

“That’s what you’ve been doing?”

“Among other things,” he said. “See,” he said, taking her hand in his. “I thought this is where the main house would go.”

“Main house?”

“It’ll be about 2 – 3000 feet but I’ll build a guest cottage to start with so I have somewhere to stay while I’m building.”

“Of course,” she said faintly. “Isn’t that a bit big for just one person?”
      “Maybe. Who says I’m planning on staying single?”

She looked at him in alarm. “This is so not the time.”

“I haven’t decided what to do with it. I might keep it or I might sell it.”

“OK. You just decided to start building houses?”

“It’s a good place to build. And I’ve got some ideas on what I want to do.”

‘It, it’s a beautiful place,” she said. Why was she having trouble breathing. “Have you decided what the house is going to look like.”

“I don’t know. I like the idea of a Cape Cod. Overlooking the ocean with a widow’s walk on top.”
      “Widows’s walk?”
      “Cape Cods were a favourite along the Maine coast when hunting whales was the main source of industry.  The wives used to go up to the top of the roof and watch for their husbands to come home. Sometimes they didn’t. Sometimes they kept walking along the walkway…waiting.”

Her eyes teared up. “That’s so sad.”

“It is,” he said nodding in agreement. “But they’re also one of the most practical houses with a classic design built to withstand stormy weather while taking advantage of ocean views.” Enthusiasm coloured his voice. “I want big panels overlooking the ocean. And solar panels for the roof.”

“I thought environmental was too expensive?”

He shrugged. “Short term But long term, definitely the way to go.”

She laughed. “And inside?”

“A state of the art kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel applicances.”

“You don’t cook.”

“I beg to differ. Besides that hasn’t stopped you so far.”

“Point taken.”

“And there’ll be huge open rooms with lots of space along with smaller nook areas for more privacy.”
      “You’ve thought of everything.”

“Not everything. But it’s a start.”

He looked at her and she felt her heart begin to beat faster. She wasn’t sure whether he kissed her first or she kissed him. All she knew was that suddenly her arms were around him and he was kissing her hard so that she lost all control, all thought while she felt his hands exploring, touching. Her phone rang. She ignored it. It continued to ring.

Brad’s phone rang. She tried to ignore it but the sound continued. Brad cursed as he pulled away from her. “Hello.”

“Greg! …I, sure we’ll be back in twenty minutes. I wasn’t expecting you to call.” He hung up to find Elena glaring at him. “He’s your father.”

“It’s like he knew.”

“I think it’s just coincidence,” Brad sighed. “They’re down at Elena’s. They were hoping to surprise you.”

She looked startled, then laughed. “Well, they certainly did that.” She sighed, “come on, it’s time to get back.”

“Yeah…”

But she was all too aware of his presence as they drove back. Of his strong hands on the wheel. She felt a shiver of longing recalling how it felt when he held her with them. If he’d intended to take  her mind off the opening he’d certainly done that. She cast a sideways glance at him taking in those chocolate brown eyes, his gorgeous full lips. Lips that …enough.

Elena’s opened today. It was her dream. And her parents were waiting for her. She felt a certain sense of trepidation, not sure what her mother would think of it. Would it compare favourably with the chi chi boutiques and shops she frequented in Vancouver?

And why should it matter, she thought defiantly.

They pulled up to find her parents waiting out front for them.

“Darling, you look wonderful,” her mother said. She cast a glance at Brad. “I thought you said you weren’t involved.”

“We’re not mom,” Elena protested feebly. “We just had to do – something,” she said helplessly.

“He is her business consultant,” her dad said, stepping forward. “I was beginning to wonder if we were going to see you at all,” he said to Brad.”

“Just tying up some loose ends,” he said lightly, not elaborating. “But I wouldn’t miss the opening for the world.”

“I should hope not,” her father growled. “This has turned out better than I ever expected.”

      “Your daughter’s an amazing woman.”

      “She is that,” her dad growled. “And don’t forget it.”

      “Never,” he said casting Elena a look.

      “Come on. I’ll give you the grand tour,” Elena said, stepping forward.

      “Are you sure? I mean if you’re busy. We don’t want to get in your way dear. We just came down to see if everything was ready to go or whether you could use some help.”

      Her mother seemed oddly vulnerable and Elena felt a sense of surprise. “Brad’s already assured me we’ve done pretty well everything we can. Now it’s time to relax and enjoy it. I’ll be happy to give you a grand tour.”

      And she did. She held her breath while her mother surveyed the paintings she had displayed aware that her mother had wonderful taste even if she didn’t always agree with her.

      “Darling, they’re beautiful. You’ve become much better. There’s a real maturity to your work now.”

      Elena felt her eyes tear up even as she told herself she was being silly. What difference did it make what her mother thought? But even as she thought that she knew it wasn’t true. It mattered tremendously to her and it probably always would. She saw Brad let Mary and Carol in. “Thank you. That means a lot,” she said sincerely and was surprised to see how startled her Mother looked.

      She went over to greet Carol and Mary. “Can you believe it? It’s finally here. Opening day for Elena’s.”

      “It’s beautiful,” Mary said, wiping a tear out of her eyes. “I’m so proud of you.”

      Carol looked nervous. “I just keep wondering if there’s anything we’ve forgotten. I think I’ll take a last minute look around.”

      Elena laughed. “I think I’ve already done that twenty times this morning.”

      “I guess so,” Carol said looking shame faced. “I feel responsible for making sure nothing gets missed.”

      “If it makes you feel better …” Elena said.

      “Oh, thank you,” Carol said and went off to check everything out to her own satisfaction.

      “That’s what you want in a manager,” Mary said pointing after her.

      “I know,” Elena said, excited. “I can’t believe this is actually happening.

      “Oh, I brought you a present,” Mary said pulling a small box out of her purse.

      “You shouldn’t have,” Elena said touched as she opened up the small jewellery box. Inside nestled on velvet sat a gold coffee cup made into a brooch. “I’ll wear it with pride,” Elena said putting it on.

      She felt tears coming on looking at everyone gathered before her. Brad, her Mom and Dad, Mary, Carol and she knew that outside with her brother waited her friends. Stephen and Jazz were setting up ready to play music. She wasn’t ready for this. She looked at the sleek coffee machines and smelled the aromatic scent of fresh brewed coffee. She looked at the state of the art ice machine ready to provide taste-tempting raspberry and margarita ices on demand. Everything that could be done had been done.

      She looked up to see Brad smiling at her and felt her heart leap. Carol was busy fussing over some flowers and Mary polished an already gleaming counter-top.

Outside friends and family waited in the warm sun while Steven and Jazz played for them. She moved over to Brad.

      “This is it. The grand opening of Elena’s.” She felt her tears coming to her eyes. “I want you all to know I couldn’t have done it without your help.

Your support and encouragement mean everything to me. Thank you!” She turned to Brad and whispered in his ear. “Especially you.”

      He gave her a look that made her heart race, made her feel weak-kneed. “Anytime.”

      She opened the door.

      The rest of the day passed in a blur. She could remember Race and Bente talking to people about their art. She remembered briefly seeing Star and Meghan and holding her breath while Star narrowly missed jumping on one of Race’s delicate glass bubbles.

      She passed out a zillion samples of pies and brownies with ices and about a million cups of coffee. She remembered talking to Dan from the wharf and Steve and Jazz. Brad had brought over the Mayor at one point and a City Councillor who had both dropped in.

      Her mother tried to buy out the gallery with her friends but Elena had to explain this was an open house and they weren’t really trying to sell anything. Besides if her mother had bought everything she wanted she wouldn’t have had anything left for the gallery walls. She did promise to sell her the picture of the mother and her children in the forest.

      Her dad beamed with pride and told everyone possible ‘she’s my daughter you know’.

      The day ended with Stephen and Jazz jamming with Nathan and his friends while people danced in front of Elena’s and on the dock in an impromptu open air concert. It was as perfect a day as she could have wanted.