Christmas at the Restaurant (The Nantucket Restaurant #2)(21)

Two older ladies came into the bar and Jill went over to help them. They both ordered vodka martinis with a twist and the broiled scrod with Newburg sauce, which was on Paul’s new prix fixe menu.

“Our friend Charlotte was in here last week, and she raved about these new specials you have. They are a great deal,” one of the ladies said as Jill jotted down their order.

“I think so too,” she agreed. “That comes with your choice of clam chowder or Caesar salad.”

“Chowder for me.”

“And salad for me,” the other lady said.

Jill punched their order into the computer and went into the kitchen to get hot rolls and butter for them.

It was still early and not busy yet in the kitchen, so as Jill was filling a basket with rolls, she told Paul that her two customers came in because their friend loved the new menu and they both ordered from it too.

“That’s good to hear. Tell them they’re going to have a tough choice for dessert. Jared made a key lime creme br?lée that is fantastic and we have a new flourless chocolate lava cake scented with orange. That’s good too.”

Jills stomach rumbled. “I might need to try those…so I can accurately describe them to customers.”

Paul laughed. “I’ll make a sample tasting plate for you and Gina so you can both try. Hold on.” He put a slice of the chocolate cake and a small round ramekin of the key lime creme br?lée on a plate and added a dollop of fresh whipped cream to both desserts. “Here you go.”

“Thank you!” Jill took the plate of desserts and basket of rolls and headed back to the bar. They still only had the two ladies for customers at the bar, and after dropping their bread basket off, Jill pulled Gina into the nook behind the bar, where they kept extra stock and where they couldn’t be seen by the two ladies but where they could still see the front door and if anyone was coming toward the bar. She set the plate of desserts down. “This is from Paul. The two desserts that go with the prix fixe menu. Jared made this one.”

Gina dipped a spoon into the creme br?lée and a look of surprise came upon her face. “Oh, that is so good. It’s like key lime pie, but better.”

Jill liked the creme br?lée but loved the warm chocolate cake with its hint of orange flavor. They quickly ate most of the desserts and set them aside to finish later.

The bar started to fill up and Jill and Gina were busy for the next hour. Gina had just served the two older ladies their desserts when one of them motioned toward the television. The news was on and there was another warning about the dangers of frozen pipes.

“That poor family. Imagine having to move out of your home right before the holidays. Insurance should cover most of the insurance costs, but I heard she lost all the gifts she’d bought and wrapped. She was all done shopping!” one of them said.

The other lady smiled. “Well, I just heard that someone made a big donation. They called and asked for a list of the items she lost—the gifts. And they went shopping, wrapped everything and dropped off two big garbage bags worth of gifts at their hotel’s front desk.”

“Who did that? Do they know?”

The older woman shook her head. “No idea. She wanted to be anonymous, I guess. All I know is that she had white hair, like us!”

“It wasn’t me,” the other lady said and her friend laughed.

“No, wasn’t me either. I can’t afford to do that. But bless her heart, whoever it was.”





Matt and Mandy were meeting Kevin and his date at The Gaslight at seven. The plan was to have dinner and stay and listen to some live music. The Gaslight was right downtown and had an intriguing menu, with lots of small plates and creative appetizers. Mandy loved their tuna nachos.

When they reached the front door of the restaurant, they spotted Kevin coming their way with his date, and both Mandy and Matt’s jaws dropped. Matt turned to Mandy and lowered his voice. “I had no idea, I swear. Kevin told me that he met someone a week or so ago at happy hour. He did say her name was Amy, but I never made the connection. I was kind of distracted at the time and didn’t ask any questions. I guess I should have.”

Mandy took a breath. At least if Amy was dating Kevin, maybe she’d stop flirting with Matt. So, it might not be a bad thing—though she wasn’t keen to spend an evening with the other woman.

Kevin looked happy though and Amy was all smiles as she walked along with her arm through his.

“I’m glad we could all do this tonight,” Kevin said. He glanced at Amy and it was clear that he was smitten. “Matt, Mandy, I’d like you to meet Amy.”

“We met recently, at the Crosswinds,” Amy said. “And I know Matt from the Boat Basin.”

“It’s nice to see you again,” Mandy said politely.

Matt nodded. “Kevin mentioned he was dating someone new. I didn’t realize that it was you, Amy.”

Amy grinned. “When Kevin told me you were one of his best friends, I took it as a sign.”

Kevin looked confused. “You didn’t say anything. I didn’t know you knew each other.”

“Didn’t I? Sorry about that. I meant to.” She smiled at him and he melted.

“Shall we go in?” Matt suggested.

They were seated at a cozy table near a fireplace that was filled with candles. Amy and Kevin sat next to each other on a bench and Mandy and Matt were opposite them on chairs. They ordered cocktails, white wine for Mandy, vodka and soda for Amy and beers for the guys. They decided on a bunch of appetizers, including tuna nachos and small plates of braised short ribs and fried chicken sliders.