Two weeks later

“You’re flying out to New York tomorrow morning and coming back the next day? Are you sure you want to do that?” Bethany’s mother looked at her as though she’d lost her marbles.

“I’m sure. I’ve had all week to think about it and I think it’s a sign. It’s time to put the condo on the market. And I need to get it ready to be shown and meet with the realtor.” Gina Corcoran had texted her earlier in the week and asked if she might be ready to list her unit as they had several buyers interested in her building.

The market was hot, and she didn’t expect that it would take long to sell if it was priced right. It was Bethany’s last connection to Manhattan, but it was silly to keep paying the mortgage every month if she wasn’t living there and if she had no intention of moving back.

“It’s a good time to sell.” She got all the ingredients for her mother’s favorite lemongrass smoothie and made one for both of them. She brought the smoothies and a cup of black coffee to the kitchen table where her mother was reading the paper.

“Thanks, honey.” Her mother stuck a straw in the smoothie and took a sip. Bethany noticed that her hair was growing in nicely now and was a little curly. That was new though they said it often happened to people who had chemotherapy. Overall, her mother looked and felt really good. And her doctor was encouraged by her progress.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“I’m great. Marcia’s going to stop by later this morning and we’re going walking and then out to lunch with Glenda and Janie.”

“That sounds fun.”

After she finished her smoothie and cleaned up the kitchen, Bethany took her last sip of coffee and headed to the restaurant. 

All the Quinn’s were there when she arrived and it looked like they were having some kind of family meeting. Ryder looked up when Bethany walked in. She didn’t want to interrupt and was going to keep walking to the kitchen but Ryder called her over.

“Let’s ask Bethany’s opinion.”

She smiled. “My opinion for what?”

“Once a month, the whole family gets together for dinner. Just the family. It’s this Sunday night, and she wants to invite Harry Peterman. It just doesn’t seem appropriate.What do you think?”

“Oh, um. Well. Who is hosting?” she finally managed.

“My mother always hosts,” Maggie said. Her eyes were stormy and it was clear how she felt about the matter.

“Well, if your mother is hosting, then I think it’s her decision who to invite.”

“Thanks, Bethany. I quite agree.” His mother looked pleased.

Ryder sighed. “You’re no help at all.”

She laughed. “Sorry about that.”

A mischievous gleam came into his mother’s eyes. “Would it make you feel better if I told you to invite Bethany? I’m sure she’d enjoy having dinner with us.”

Family dinner with the Quinn’s. Bethany didn’t know what to think.

“What do you say, Bethany? Want to join this crazy bunch for dinner?” Ryder asked.

She did actually. In the past two weeks, she and Ryder had been spending a lot of time together. Just about every night they had a drink or two after work. They hadn’t gone on an actual date yet, but Bethany was comfortable with how things were progressing and she imagined that Ryder was being cautious since she worked for him too. But, she definitely sensed the interest. She could see it in his eyes. She was happy just spending time with him. And she felt bad that she had to decline their invitation.

“I’d love to, but I can’t this Sunday night. I’m flying to New York in the morning and meeting with a realtor. I’m putting my condo on the market.”

“Oh. Okay. Well, that’s good then. When do you come back?”

“Monday, late afternoon.”

“That’s a fast trip,” Maggie commented.

“I know. It’s not ideal, but I didn’t want to miss work.”

“You can’t do it over the phone?” his mother asked.

“No, not really. I need to declutter my condo a little and get it ready to show well.”

She didn’t mention that she was also going to meet with her former boss, Mark Newton. He said he wanted to show her the new restaurant he was going to be opening. He also said he wanted her to come with him as his executive chef and the salary he mentioned was dizzying.

But it was an easy decision to say no. It wasn’t what she wanted to do or where she wanted to be anymore. And she told him as much, but he still insisted that she come see the restaurant and have a drink with him ‘for old times sake.’ She knew Mark well enough to know that he was going to try to put the pressure on to change her mind, but she didn’t mind meeting him for one drink. She owed him a lot, and she was curious to see what his new venture was going to be like.

She had one drink at the bar with Ryder and Maggie at the end of the night. They were both in great moods as it had been a busy night and in the past two weeks, sales had gone up significantly and word was getting around about the new menu. They had a steady stream of tourists coming in too using the discount coupons. And Bethany was thrilled to see that they were now rated the top restaurant in Quinn Valley on TripAdvisor.

She smiled as she saw two couples at the bar drinking coffee and sharing a piece of chocolate cake. As she’d hoped, it had become a popular favorite and was mentioned in most of their rave reviews. One of the reviews even said that after eating the chocolate cake, a woman’s boyfriend went out the very next day and bought an engagement ring. Stories like that warmed Bethany’s heart.

“So, I’m finally going to meet my mystery man with the great voice,” Maggie said.

“Charlie Harris?” Ryder asked.

She nodded. “He told me yesterday that Sean, the regular salesman, is going on vacation in April. And he’ll be covering then and making the deliveries.”

Bethany laughed. “In April? That’s like six months or so from now. That’s funny”

“I know, right? It’s all just teasing fun. I do look forward to talking to him though. I have to admit I’m curious to see what he looks like.”

“You need to go on a date before then,” Ryder said.

Maggie surprised them both by agreeing. “I know. And I have one lined up for next Thursday night. A friend of Sally’s new boyfriend. We’re going to see a concert in Lewiston.”

“That sounds fun.” Bethany was glad that Maggie was going to put herself out there. A new customer came to the bar, and she went to take his order.

Ryder looked thoughtful as he took a sip his beer. He set the glass down and turned to her. “What do you say we go on a real date when you get back? Like out to dinner. Wherever you want to go?”

“Oh. I’d love that. It would be nice to see some of the other local restaurants. I really haven’t been anywhere since I got home, except for here and O’Shea’s.”

“There’s a few good places in town and in Riston there’s an Italian restaurant that I love. They have good cannoli.”

“That sounds perfect.” Bethany yawned as she checked the time on her cell phone. It was getting late, and she had to be up really early. She pushed her half full glass of wine away and fished in her purse for some cash.

“You didn’t even finish your wine. Your half-glass is on me. Have a safe trip, Bethany.”