Christmas at the Restaurant (The Nantucket Restaurant #2)(26)

“Sounds like they need to fix that freezer fast, or get a new one,” Connie said.

“They do,” the woman across from her said. “But it’s so old that it’s not worth fixing and a new one costs thousands that they don’t have.”

“Ladies, would you like coffee or tea?” Emma asked. “Or dessert?”

No one wanted dessert, but everyone wanted decaf coffee. Emma went off to get it and when she returned, Connie was looking at her curiously.

“You have a big freezer here, Emma, right? What do they call it, a walk into or something like that?”

Emma realized what she was suggesting and thought it was a great idea. “A walk-in. Let me go check with Paul and see how much free room we have.”

She went into the kitchen, found Paul behind the line pouring Bearnaise sauce over a filet and told him about the food pantry’s broken freezer. He went into the walk-in and returned a moment later.

“We have room for about sixty turkeys. If they want to store them here, that’s fine. I can meet them here on Tuesday before we open.”

“Wonderful, I’ll let Connie know.”

Connie was thrilled with the news. “I’ll call them as soon as I get home. The delivery usually comes around nine. Will someone be here that early?”





Emma and Paul finished up around eight. Gina was closing the dining room and bar and Jared was doing the same in the kitchen. Sunday nights tended to be slow, but Emma and Paul usually stayed through the main dinner rush before leaving. They usually had a late dinner together once they got home, and stayed up late relaxing and usually watching a movie as they both had the next day off and could sleep in.

They rarely felt like cooking after spending the day at the restaurant and usually picked up Thai takeout or pizza, depending on their mood. But today, Paul surprised her.

“How does a good steak sound to you? That won’t take too long.”

“Sure, as long as you don’t mind cooking.”

He smiled. “I don’t mind.”

When they got home, Emma offered to help, but he shooed her away and she decided to take a hot shower and wash off the feel of the restaurant. The hot water felt wonderful and she took her time letting it wash over her. She changed into a pair of comfy sweats and a big oversized sweatshirt that was faded but soft from many washings. With still-damp hair, she padded into the kitchen and breathed deeply.

“That’s not just steak. What else are you making? It smells heavenly.”

Paul finished pouring a really good bottle of cabernet, so good that Emma raised her eyebrows as he handed her a glass. Usually, they drank good but inexpensive wine like a Josh cabernet or even occasionally, Paul picked up a box of wine, which they’d discovered was actually pretty good and stayed fresh longer than a bottle. This was one of the more expensive special blends from Charles Krug.

“I opened it when you got in the shower, to give it a little time to breathe.”

Emma took a sip. It was rich and smooth and made her taste buds very happy.

“This is delicious, but it seems a bit of a splurge for a Sunday night. I thought we were saving it for a special occasion? Not that I mind. I don’t.”

He laughed. “Well, it is a Sunday, but I hope it might be a special occasion.” He took a quick sip, then set his wine glass on the counter and got down on one knee, surprising Emma totally.

“Paul, what are you doing?” She knew this was coming eventually, but she didn’t expect it that night. Emma had wondered about maybe Christmas or New Year’s Eve, though she had made it clear that she wasn’t in any hurry, at all.

“I’m trying to make this day special. I thought about giving this to you on Christmas or New Year’s Eve, but then I realized what I love most about you, about us— is the little moments, spending our days and nights together doing ordinary things, relaxing with the cats, working together, laughing and loving each other. I don’t want to do this on a holiday. I just want you to know how special you are to me every day.

I love you, Emma and I love our life together, and I’d really love to make it official. We don’t have to commit to a date, but I do want to commit to each other, and I hope you do too. Will you make me the happiest man on Nantucket and say you’ll marry me?” He pulled a small box out of his pocket and opened it. The ring inside was perfect. It was a lovely diamond, not too big but not small, and it was set in an antique platinum setting. It was delicate and very pretty. “This was my grandmother’s ring. If you don’t like it, we can change it and get whatever you want.”

Emma’s eyes were suddenly watery, the ring blurry as she blinked back happy tears. “Yes! It’s perfect, Paul. I love it. More importantly, I love you. Thank you for making this such a special Sunday.”

He slid the ring on her finger, then stood and pulled her in for a hug and a sweet kiss. They broke apart when the stove timer beeped.

“Dinner’s ready. I hope you’re hungry?”

“I’m starving.” She watched as Paul pulled a pan out of the oven that had two thick strip steaks smothered in a blue cheese and panko crumb topping that was slightly browned from the broiler. He put each steak on a plate, then poured a red wine reduction sauce over it, added scalloped potatoes and roasted asparagus.

“That looks amazing. I didn’t realize we had any really good steaks.” When he’d said steak, she’d been picturing a simple thin cut, not these prime strips that were over an inch thick.