Page 10 of Moonlit Harbor Nights

“Why thank you.” His smile widened.

“Any idea what you’d like?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact. I saw that your lunch special is a Monte Cristo sandwich today. I’d like that, with a side salad and those award-winning sweet potato fries.”

“You got it.” She smiled at him. “Excellent choice.”

“Glad to hear I’ve got the owner’s approval. Where should I sit?”

“Anywhere you like. When your food is ready, I’ll come find you. Would you like anything to drink with that?”

“Just water. Thank you.” He offered her another charming smile and left the beverage and condiment console.

Vivian watched him go, and after a few moments she let out a dreamy sigh. Then she shook herself abruptly, scolding herself for reacting that way—especially in the middle of a work shift.

She filled a glass of water for Alan and carried it over to the booth where he’d settled himself.

“If you change your mind about getting another beverage, our drink menu is there,” she said, smiling as she placed the glass of water down on the table. “And our dessert menu is there as well.”

“I’ll consider it all carefully,” he said, crossing his forearms on the table and leaning toward her a bit. “Based on how wonderful it smells in here, I would be a fool not to try as much as I can.”

She laughed, thrilled by his compliment, and went to put in the order for him.

While it was cooking, she busied herself with various tasks around the pub, and she kept glancing in Alan’s direction. For the most part, he was perusing the menus or typing things into his cell phone, but once or twice she caught him looking at her and smiling. When that happened, she felt herself blush scarlet, but she did her best to act nonchalant as she continued her work.

Soon his meal was ready, and she carried it out to him. She set it down on the table in front of him with a proud flourish.

“There you are,” she said. “Our Monte Cristo sandwich with a side salad and order of sweet potato fries. I got you a dish of our secret sauce on the side for the fries, and of course there’s someof the secret sauce on the sandwich along with the traditional mustard.”

The fried ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese sandwich looked incredibly appetizing, and Alan’s eyes lit up when he saw the secret sauce on the side.

“Fantastic,” he said. “Thank you so much. I’ve heard so much about your secret sauce.”

She preened, feeling proud. “It’s what we’re known for more than anything else. It’s a secret family recipe.”

As she spoke, he dipped an end of his sandwich into the sauce dish and took an eager bite. He chewed and swallowed quickly, his expression one of amazement.

“That’s truly remarkable,” he said, dabbing his mouth with his napkin. “I have to commend you. I’ll be telling everyone about your secret sauce.” He leaned forward, his smile warm and encouraging. “How do you make it?”

She laughed, flushed and pleased. “I think you missed the part where I said it was a secret family recipe.”

He shook his head. “You’re right. I was just so eager to learn that slipped right by me. It’s such an incredible taste—my curiosity is itching to know how you do it.”

“Well.” She shook her head, feeling so charmed by his attention that she could hardly think straight. “I shouldn’t tell you this, but the most important secret ingredient is cinnamon.”

“Cinnamon? Really?” He dipped his sandwich into the sauce dish again and took another bite. He swallowed, nodding his head in approval. “I think I can taste it. It’s just a pinch or two, right?”

She smiled. “It depends on how large the batch is. There’s a whole lot of ingredients in our secret sauce, but the cinnamon is part of what gives it its special kick.”

“Mm.” He smiled and dipped a sweet potato fry in the sauce. “This is a really special place you’ve got here. I heard that it was in danger of going out of business not that long ago.”

Vivian nodded, remembering that troubling time with a slight shudder. “It looked dangerous there for a moment, you’re right. We—well, it turned out that my husband hadn’t run the finances of the pub very well, and after he passed away, things were rocky. But we pulled through, my children and I, with a lot of help from the community. We had a fundraiser, you see. The people of Rosewood Beach love The Lighthouse Grill and were only too happy to help out.”

“I can understand why. This food is incredible, and the people here are so warm and friendly.” He gestured to Vivian with a smile.

“Oh. Thank you.” She laughed breathlessly. “We love it here. It’s easy to be warm and friendly when you work with people you love.” She cleared her throat, feeling as though she was letting the conversation get too personal too fast. “Where do you work?”

“I’m a car salesman.” He flashed his charming smile at her. “I haven’t come over this way for quite a while, but if I’d known that the owner of this pub was so fetching, I would have come to The Lighthouse Grill a lot sooner.”

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