The Chef's Choice by Kristin Hardy Read Free Book Online Page B

watching her.
    â€œSo, how are the plans for the big weekend?” Cady asked.
    Pete’s eyes gleamed. “Great, thanks to you. We’re in one of your cabins, harbor view, they said.”
    â€œI’ll make sure Lynne puts you in guesthouse two,” Cady said. “It’s got the prettiest view of the water. You can sit out on the deck in the morning with your coffee. Jenny’s going to love it.”
    â€œI hope so. I want her to be happy.”
    â€œAfter twenty-five years, Pete, I think you can be pretty sure she’s happy.”
    â€œYeah, but she’s had a rough time lately, what with losing her dad and all.” He took his cap off and turned it around in his hands. “I want to give her a special anniversary, something she’ll remember.”
    Like a weekend at the Compass Rose, Damon translated. “You’re coming to the inn for your anniversary?” he asked.
    Tebeau nodded. “This weekend. Usually I just take her out and buy her a lobster. I figured twenty-five years deserved something more, though. This young lady helped.”
    The young lady in question flushed and looked away.
    â€œTell you what,” Damon said. “Come to the restaurant for dinner while you’re there. I’ll make you a special meal. Off the menu, I mean, just for you two. What does your wife like to eat?”
    Tebeau thought a moment. “Garlic, shrimp, crab cakes. And mushrooms,” he added.
    Sometimes you just had to go with your instincts. Damon picked up two baskets of tomatoes. “I know just what to make for her. You know anyone who sells ramps here?”
    â€œRamps?” Tebeau took the tomatoes and set them on the scale.
    â€œWild leeks. White flowers, green leaves about so big.” He measured. “I sauté them up with morels and asparagus and you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven. If I can find them. Got any ideas?”
    â€œMaybe.” Pete took the money Damon offered. “Old Gus Cattrall next door to me, he’s got all kinda stuff growing in the woods over on his place.”
    â€œGreat,” Damon said. “Does he have a stall here?”
    Tebeau shook his head. “Naw. Mostly he just sells stuff out of a cart on the road. Never seen him put out—what did you call them, ramps? But if he’s got ’em growing, I bet he’d be happy to let you pick them yourself.”
    â€œJust tell me who to call or where to go.”
    Pete handed Damon his change and loaded the tomatoes into a box. “Thing is, Gus isn’t likely to cotton to strangers walking around his property. He knows you, though, Cady. You’d better come instead.”
    â€œMe?” she asked blankly. “But—”
    â€œSure. This guy’s got my curiosity up. Why don’t you come over to my place tomorrow morning about six? We can catch Gus before he gets working. If he’s got any of those ramps growing you can bet he’ll know where and we can just pick ’em. Easy as pie.”
    â€œEasy as pie,” Cady said under her breath. “All right, Pete, sure. As long as you’ve got time.”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    â€œThen I’ll see you tomorrow. Damon—” she directed him a thunderous look “—we’d better get going.”
    He had better sense than to argue. Cady marched to the end of the row in silence, though he could see from the set of her shoulders that she had plenty to say. He figured he’d just wait her out.
    He didn’t have to wait long.
    â€œHappy with yourself?” she demanded as soon as they were out of the square.
    Now was not the time to smile, he reminded himself as he followed her down the street. “Happy why?”
    â€œOh, you got your trip to the market, now you’re going to get your wild onions.”
    â€œLeeks.”
    â€œWhatever.” She stopped beside her truck. “You’re good at getting people to