No, please, she said, shuddering at the thought of what he would bring home. Saltines and cheese from a can? I like to cook. Well just have to adjust to each other. But you have to tell me if you dont like something. No more sneaking food into the trash.
Ah. Now the bread interrogation makes sense. At least he looked a little bit shamed. I didnt want to hurt your feelings, but it just wasnt my kind of sandwich.
She smiled, suddenly finding the whole situation funny. Got it.
Reece helped with breakfast as much as he could, but mostly he carried dishes in and out of the dining room and forwarded requests from the guests.
Sara and Reece worked in a comfortable rhythm, which was frankly amazing given that it was only the second breakfast on which theyd cooperated.
Reece, as usual, ate oatmeal. At least that was healthy. But he loaded it with butter and sugar and refused her offer of raisins.
Strawberries. She remembered that he liked strawberries on his oatmeal, and she mentally added them to her grocery list.
She had a sudden vivid memory of wandering through the grocery with her mother.
Oh, these tomatoes wont do, her mother would say, frowning at the produce. Your father doesnt like his tomatoes too ripe.
But I like them ripe, Sara had pointed out.
I do, too. But I have to put a meal on the table that pleases your father. I like to make him happy. Youll understand someday.
Sara had privately believed she would never understand, and shed vowed that when she was grown-up she would cook exactly what she liked, husband or no husband. Yet here she was, plotting how to fix food that Reece would like.
And he wasnt anything close to her husband.
What was going on here? Was she secretly more like her mother than she thought?
You know, she said, maybe you should buy a few foods that you especially like. Then youll have something to fall back on if youre not wild about my cooking.
Sara, I never said I dont like your cooking. I think youre amazing in the kitchen.
She knew he was just soothing her ego, and she tried not to feel ridiculously pleased at the compliment.
But she couldnt help the smile that spread across her face. Reece thought she was amazing.
I WALKED twenty-two steps, Miss Greer said proudly. Can you believe they have me walking the day after surgery?
The doctor said your recovery is going well. Reece was surprised at how chatty Miss Greer was on pain meds. Not out of her head or talking in German, as shed been yesterday according to Sara, but relaxed and jabbering like a magpie.
So hows everything back at the castle? Miss Greer asked. I understand you fixed breakfast yesterday. She didnt seem distressed by that idea.
Sara did all the cooking. I just put it on the table.
Shes a good girl, that one. Youre not letting her handle the money, are you?
No, maam. I ran the credit cards for the guests.
Good. Now, Reece, I want you to do something for me. Theres a girl here whos been taking care of me-I want to give her some money, but I dont have any cash with me.
You want towhat? Were the hospital staff shaking down Miss Greer?
Shes not a nurse, just a volunteer, and shes been so sweet and I know she could use some extra cash.
Miss Greer, I dont think thats a good idea. The woman was on heavy drugs and she might not be thinking right. Did she ask you for money?
Oh, heavens, no. Her name is Fatima. I dont have any cash in my purse, but I have some at home. Could you get outoh, about a hundred dollars and make sure that Fatima gets it?
Normally Miss Greer was extremely prudent with her money. Why dont you wait until youre at home, and send it to her? Reece suggested.
My secret stash is under my mattress. Just bring the money next time you visit. Or send it with Sara.
Now he knew Miss Greer wasnt in her right mind. No one who knew Sara would give her a hundred dollars to deliver. Not that she would steal it-never that. But what if it got mixed up in her money ball? At the very least, the bills would get all wrinkled. If she didnt give them to some homeless person.
Normally Miss Greer was extremely prudent with her money. Why dont you wait until youre at home, and send it to her? Reece suggested.
My secret stash is under my mattress. Just bring the money next time you visit. Or send it with Sara.
Now he knew Miss Greer wasnt in her right mind. No one who knew Sara would give her a hundred dollars to deliver. Not that she would steal it-never that. But what if it got mixed up in her money ball? At the very least, the bills would get all wrinkled. If she didnt give them to some homeless person.
Ill do that, he said to appease Miss Greer. Chances were by tomorrow she would forget all about it. Later, if she really did want to send a gift to Fatima, she could still do so.
Well, I expect youve humored me long enough, she said. Jeopardys on. I want to watch that.
Are you sure theres nothing else you need?
Theyre taking good care of me here, dont worry.
They were drugging her up, that was for sure. Hed never seen her so cheerful.
You and Sara enjoy the evening. Why dont you go to a movie or something?
Reece coughed to disguise his reaction. Sara and me? Why would she say that? Had Sara mentioned their quasi-date?
Come on now, Reece, Miss Greer said with a smile. Ive seen the way you look at her. Have you tried asking her out on a date? I know shes not dating anyone.
Im not really Saras type, he said diplomatically.
Her type are all flakes. Artists, musicians, movie directors, starving actors. She could use a boyfriend with a head on his shoulders.
Ill make a deal with you. Ill let you play matchmaker with me if you return the favor. How about that nice man who owns Old Salts Bar and Grill? Hes a widower, nice-looking-
Miss Greer tittered like a schoolgirl. Dont be silly. Im allowed to play matchmaker-Im an old woman. Now be gone with you. Alex Trebek is on.
LATER THAT AFTERNOON, Allie came over to the B and B. Cooper was handling the afternoon charter on his own, since it was only a couple of passengers, and Allie had decided she would visit Miss Greer. Sara asked to tag along, solving her transportation problem, and afterward they were going to do some wedding planning.
So how are you managing without Miss Greer? Allie asked as soon as Sara was buckled into the passenger seat of Allies little blue Suzuki Rodeo.
That was a very good question. Okay, I guess. Reece is helping.
Allie raised her eyebrows. No kidding? Does he wear a frilly apron and scrub bathtubs?
Sara let herself form that mental picture, then embellished it slightly, picturing him in the frilly apron-and nothing else. Surprisingly sexy.
Sara?
She snapped back to the present. He makes beds. And he serves breakfast. Unfortunately, he also put Miss Greers good china in the dishwasher.
Thats bad?
Of course Allie wouldnt understand. She was a tomboy through and through and had probably never had a dishwasher. Or fine china, for that matter.
Its bad. Now we have to try to replace it before Miss Greer gets home from the hospital, and its a rare pattern. Reece found a few saucers on the Internet, but thats it.
Hmm. Are you talking about those white dishes with the pink roses?
Sara nodded.
I saw some of those somewhere. I remember thinking, hey, those are just like the ones at the Sunsetter.
Sara sat up straighter, nearly strangling herself on the shoulder harness. Oh, think, Allie! Where did you see them? Was it recently?
It seems I was with Cooper, so pretty recently. Maybe at one of those antique stores on Second Street.
Which one?
Allie shrugged. They all run together in my mind.
At least it was a place to start. There were probably a dozen antiques stores in Port Claras old downtown, but it wouldnt take that long to hit them all, blitz style.
When they reached Miss Greers room at the hospital, Reece was just coming out. He looked yummy today in crisp jeans and a shirt with blue stripes, neatly tucked in. At least hed gone to short sleeves in deference to the warmer May weather, but the shirt was starched to within an inch of its life.
Allie greeted him with a hug, which was a little bit funny when Sara thought about it. A few short weeks ago, all of the Remingtons had been Allies enemies, trying to take away her boat and her livelihood. Now she was marrying into their family.
No cruise today? Reece asked her.
Coopers handling it. I needed an afternoon off and some girl talk.
How is she? Sara whispered, nodding toward the partially open door.
Health-wise, pretty well, Reece replied. Shes been up walking, and shes a regular Chatty Cathy. But Im afraid I upset her.
Sara gasped. You didnt tell her about the dishes, did you? Because I have a lead on some replacements.
No. But Iwell, I asked her about the future. She was worried about whether she could keep running the B and B, and I asked her if shed planned for retirement and if she had long-term care insurance andand, well, she got upset.
Of course she did! Nobody wants to think about being shuffled off to the old folks home, especially when theyre lying in a hospital bed.
Im worried about her. She keeps her money under her mattress, for pitys sake.
It makes her feel safe, Sara pointed out sensibly. She went through a war, remember. Maybe her parents were able to escape Germany because they did have a cash reserve.
Reece looked thoughtful. I never thought of that. Would you try to calm her down? I didnt mean to upset her.
Allie slipped into the room, leaving Reece and Sara alone. Im sure you meant well, Reece, but not everyone sees the world like you. As cautious as Miss Greer is with her money, Im sure she has some saved for a rainy day, which is better than a lot of people.
What if she becomes disabled? What if her mind goes? She has no family to take care of her. Someone could take advantage of her.
She has lots of friends. I love her like my own grandmother, Reece. I wont let anything bad happen to her. She supposed Reece saw that as the blind taking care of the blind, but she refused to spend her days worrying about the future. Life was too short.
Impulsively she leaned up and kissed his cheek. Youre sweet to worry. But you really need to lighten up. Live in the moment. Smile a little more. Carpe diem.