Page 32 of Moonlit Harbor Nights

He cleared his throat awkwardly. “I wanted to make sure you had a chance to try the coffee before your customers arrived.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, thank you, Terrence.” She paused for a moment, and then said, “Would you like to stay for a cup? You can tell me all about how good it is and why.” She chuckled.

His heart felt lighter all of a sudden. “Thank you, Vivian, I think I will.”

“Why don’t you get settled at the counter and I’ll make us some coffee?” She took the bag he handed her and looked inside it. “Mm, these look fancy. Which one do you recommend more?”

“The Colombian roast,” he said. “It’s produced by a family-owned business.”

“Really?” She perked up with interest. “I like it better already.”

“Would you like me to help you?” he asked as he followed her to the counter.

“Thanks, but no. I don’t let customers touch the coffee makers, even respectable customers like yourself.”

“Hmm, but am I a customer? You haven’t opened yet. Right now, I’m just a friend.”

The smile she gave him made his heart skip a beat, but she shook her head.

“We’re still a restaurant. But thanks for offering.”

He sat down at the counter and watched her make the coffee in a few dexterous movements. In a few moments, the coffee maker was beginning to gurgle as the coffee brewed, and Vivian inhaled deeply of the fragrant aroma that was beginning to waft out of the coffee pot.

“So far I’m sold on the smell,” she said. “Oof. That’s good. Puts some life in my bones without me even having to taste it.”

They chatted for a while, talking about the weather they’d been having and other casual topics. He wanted to ask her about the man that had come into The Lighthouse Grill the last time he’d been there. Terrence had never seen that man before, but Vivian had seemed to know him well. He was hoping the man had been some relative of hers, maybe a cousin.

Before he’d worked out a way to bring it casually into the conversation, however, Alexis appeared with a couple of little plates in hand.

“Good morning, Terrence!” she sang out cheerfully. “I decided to bring you and Mom a couple of these bear claws. They taste amazing.” She pursed her lips. “They werenearlythe answer to my insatiable pregnancy craving. Nearly. But not quite.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Alexis,” he said with a chuckle.

“Hey, I’ll take nearly at this point,” she replied, laughing. “Enjoy your coffee, you two.”

She disappeared into the kitchen, and Terrence took a polite nibble out of the bear claw.

“That’s very good,” he said, nodding in approval.

“They are, aren’t they?” Vivian smiled. “One of our most popular breakfast foods.”

“Let’s see if the coffee goes well with it,” Terrence said eagerly. He could see that the coffee was just about finished brewing, and he was looking forward to getting to taste it.

Vivian poured both of them generous helpings of the coffee and sat down next to Terrence at the counter. He watched her take a sip of the steaming beverage, frown slightly in concentration, and then take another sip.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“It’s good,” she said slowly. “But there’s something about it that isn’t what I’m looking for. It’s got a nice flavor, but it’s a little too nutty. We want a flavor that’s smooth and delicious, but doesn’t have any extra pizazz to it. People come here expecting plain diner coffee, and we don’t want to give them something artisan.”

He shook his head, chuckling. “You say I’m too nit-picky, Vivian, but you are a bit particular yourself.”

She chuckled with him. “Maybe so. But the pub isn’t just a restaurant to me. I feel like I’m giving everyone in Rosewood Beach a second home. I know what they like, and I want to give it to them, like how as a parent I like cooking food for my children that I know they’ll love.”

He smiled at her, thinking to himself that she was an incredibly kind and generous woman. He knew that she’d started The Lighthouse Grill with her husband Frank, and that the vision had been his as well, but he couldn’t help feeling that Vivian had probably always been the heart behind theestablishment. He knew that the best businesses were well-maintained and well run not just because people were careful, but because they cared.

“I think that’s wonderful,” he said, meaning it sincerely. “And I think the people that come here get that sense about this place. It’s genuinely welcoming, like you are.”

She laughed and smiled at him. “That’s sweet of you to say. Thank you, Terrence.”

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