Page 11 of Rumors in Bayberry
Small but picturesque, especially the town square.
Reed had spent the morning walking the streets of Bayberry.He’d taken a few pictures to send to his partner in Chicago.Reed had a good feeling in this town.
But as he walked down each street, he found himself searching for something—or rather someone.Beauty.She’d disappeared so quickly from the coffeeshop he couldn’t help but wonder if it was something he’d said or perhaps something he hadn’t said.Either way, he’d like to clear things up between them.
He’d really hoped to have run into her again as he’d traipsed along the various streets with cute shops.One time, he’d thought he’d caught a glimpse of her.When he’d caught up to the woman, he hadn’t been able to call out her name, because he still didn’t know it.Instead, he’d tapped her arm.The woman had stopped and turned to him.It hadn’t been Beauty.It was an awkward moment as he’d profusely apologized for his mistake.
With all of the walking, he’d worked up an appetite.He wouldn’t mind a repeat of yesterday’s food truck cuisine.Too bad the trucks had packed up and left town.
He headed back to Main Street, where there were a handful of choices for lunch.He kept walking until he noticed the busiest restaurant on the street.He was curious to see what drew so many people to this establishment.
The exterior of the building consisted of white brick with black shutters.On the white bricks, bold black letters had been attached.They spelled Mel’s Grille.On either side were wall sconces with matte black paint.
Reed was intrigued.When an older man pushed open the door and stepped outside, Reed caught a whiff of what awaited him.His feet picked up their pace.
When he pulled open the front door, the delicious aroma wafted toward him.He inhaled a deep breath.There were a number of different scents, from a summer citrus to the savory notes of roast beef.His stomach rumbled its anticipation.He couldn’t wait to see the menu.
As he stepped into the busy dining room, the hum of voices reached his ears.He glanced around.The place wasn’t fancy.Three of the walls were painted white.The fourth wall had large black and white squares painted across it.The black squares were filled with framed black-and-white photos of racing cars.He glanced at the red vinyl benches and white laminate tabletops.This place felt like it had been plucked right out of the fifties.
His gaze moved from table to table.It wasn’t until he’d looked over most of the room that he realized what he was looking for—or rather whom he was looking for—Beauty.But as he finished scanning the dining room, he was disappointed she wasn’t there.
He knew it shouldn’t matter to him.He wouldn’t be in Bayberry long enough for it to matter.Still, he wanted to see her one more time.
After he was seated, he asked the server, “What’s the special?”
“Today’s special is a hot roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes or we have a cobb salad with avocado ranch dressing.”
The server looked to be in her thirties.She wore a fifties-style white uniform with red trim.She had brown hair that was much too short for a perky ponytail like her co-worker.
He glanced up at the woman and noticed the fine lines bracketing her bloodshot eyes.She tapped her pen against the small tablet in her hand, as though she were anxious to get on with it.
He glanced over her shoulder and saw more people enter the restaurant.None of them were Beauty.As soon as he realized he was looking for her again, he forced his gaze to the menu.“Let me have the roast beef sandwich.”
“Gravy on everything?”
“Yes.”
“And to drink?”
He glanced around at the other tables to see what people were drinking.He saw tall glasses with a pale-yellow liquid.“Is that lemonade?”
The server nodded.“We have fresh-squeezed lemonade this week.”
“Another special?”
“Yes, sir.”
While the server went to put in his order, he leaned back in his chair.The restaurant had a steady stream of people coming through the door.Too bad none of them were Beauty.
For all he knew, their paths would never cross again.Disappointment welled up within him.In the next breath, he told himself it was for the best.His track record with relationships wasn’t the best.Now he focused his energies on his work—his professional achievements.
When his food was delivered, it tasted even better than he’d been imagining.The brown gravy was rich.The potatoes were buttery and creamy.And the bread was melt-in-your-mouth soft.If he had to guess, he’d say it was fresh-baked.He hadn’t had a meal like this in a very long time.It was so good he would be back for another serving before he left town.
He finished eating quickly, not because he was in a hurry, but because it was simply that good.His meeting with the owner of theBayberry Gazettewasn’t until Monday.This weekend, he intended to have a little downtime as he took in the area.
Buzz.
He pulled his phone from his pocket.He looked at the screen.It was his partner, Brad Pearson.Reed’s finger swiped over the screen.He couldn’t wait to tell Brad that Bayberry was even more impressive than he’d anticipated.
