Page 59 of An Island Summer
Meghan turned her focus to Rupert. “I won’t be able to stop by in the morning.”
He brightened as if swimming out of himself. “That’s fine,” he said. “As long as you cook me something else.” Then he sat up, more animated than she’d ever seen him. “I’d love one of your muffins, Hester.”
She grinned at him, his excitement amusing her. “Muffins?”
He threw his withered hand to his heart. “They were your specialty. Oh, they melt in your mouth. How I’ve missed them…”
Meghan laughed, warmed by him. “Done. I’ll make you some muffins.”
TWENTY
“What’s all this?” Tess said with a yawn as she padded into the massive kitchen and sat down in front of the row of muffins Meghan had made for Rupert, giving Charlie’s side a pat.
“I’ve been up since 4a.m.,” Meghan replied, holding a heavy bowl against her chest as she mixed the ingredients, the sugary scent filling the space around her. I’ve been to the market already this morning, and I’ve been testing recipes for the last hour and a half.” She stuck her finger into the batter and tasted it. “This one needs more salt.”
“I’m not complaining, but what’s going on?” Tess asked.
Rupert’s advice had whirred in Meghan’s unsettled mind all night. She’d barely slept, the idea of finally knowing something she could do that excited Rupert making it difficult to sleep. For the first time in ages, she was driven and eager to get up and get started. She had no idea if her recipes would work or not, but she could take the first step and let it lead her, like Rupert had said.
“I want to create a few recipes that are mine specifically.” She pointed to each of the muffins in front of Tess. “I’ve made banana nut truffle, pecan glaze, ruby chocolate with raspberry, maple oat, and the ones with the frosting are bow-wowzers for dogs, made with peanut butter and banana. Charlie loves them already.” She lifted a spoonful of batter from the bowl in her hands. “These are going to be butter popcorn. In honor of Hester’s movies.”
“Oh my gosh, Meghan,” Tess said, wide-eyed. “That’s incredible. How did you come up with all these ideas?’
Meghan shrugged, unsure herself. “They’re just coming to me.”
“What are you going to do with all of them?” Tess asked excitedly, wriggling on her stool to reach a doggy muffin to give to Charlie.
Meghan spooned the batter into one of the muffin tins. “I have no idea,” she replied, amused. “I started by making a few for Rupert and I couldn’t stop myself.” She took in the kitchen counter, filled with rows upon rows of all the delicious recipes she’d created. “Maybe I could offer some to people at work.”
Tess got up. “Oh… You could have them test out different samples and we could see which one is the favorite! I’ll be your first tester.”
“Go for it,” Meghan said, sliding the final trays in the oven as Tess grabbed one of the pecan glazed muffins and unwrapped the paper cup, taking a bite.
Tess slid down into her chair, her eyes rolling back in delight. “Oh my…” she said with her mouth full. “This is incredible…”
A tingle of purpose spread over Meghan’s skin. “Really?”
“Yes,” Tess said, taking another bite.
“I just wish Pappy could see it,” she said, putting her hands on her hips and surveying the batter-filled bowls and dirty dishes.
“Yeah. He left before the loose ends were all tied up and never got to see you doing what you were supposed to be doing in life. But I’m sure he’s somewhere watching,” Tess said, looking around as if she’d find him.
The idea of loose ends reminded Meghan of that final day with him once more, and the complete focus he’d had when he’d grabbed her arm and said, “Go to Ricroft.” Whatever the mystery was (or wasn’t), it was in the past, and she was ready to focus on the present. She reached over and pinched a blueberry sugar crumble muffin, holding it up into the air. “Pappy, I hope you can see all this. It sure feels like a start.”
“I’m certain that he can. And he’s beaming down at you.” Tess reached over the bar where she was sitting and snatched another muffin, unwrapping it and taking a bite. Shaking her head in ecstasy, she said, “Wait until the people at work taste these…”
The idea that Meghan would soon be sharing her own recipes with others suddenly filled her with anticipation. “I’ll make us coffee. Then, we can take a bunch with us and taste test while we unload Pappy’s closet.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Pappy’s house looked darker, much smaller, and its age was more evident after spending a night in The Seabreeze. It felt less like a place of refuge and more like a sidenote to bigger things that were on Meghan’s horizon. She could suddenly feel Pappy’s presence everywhere. It was as if he were telling her that this cottage hadn’t been the destination at all, but rather a vehicle to get her to where she really should be.
The humid heat hit her, the air so wet that she struggled to get a deep breath, and she wondered how she and Tess had put up with it for as long as they had. Meghan twisted her hair into the clip she’d brought and turned to Tess. “Let’s just pile everything in your bedroom.”
Tess slipped off her flip-flops and stood barefoot, as if even the tiny strips of plastic on the tops of her feet were too hot.
With a click of the radio in the bedroom, Meghan and Tess began to empty the closet. Meghan grabbed an armful of Pappy’s clothes, and for just a second, the feel of the massive pile, mixed with the faint scent of him, felt like a warm hug within her arms. She breathed it in and hoped it was his way of telling her that he was there. She lumped them on the bed in Tess’s room and came back for the next load, she and Tess working easily together, the two of them making trip after trip, the whole ordeal of moving Pappy’s things feeling easier this time.
