Page 85 of Smuggler's Cove
“There’s a Target about twenty minutes from here. And if you haven’t been to a Total Wine, you are in for a treat. It’s Disney for grown-ups,” Irene cackled. “Then you can hit Uncle Giuseppe’s afterwards. That, too, is an amusement park for foodies.”
Madison gave Irene a hug. “You have been so helpful. As soon as we are settled, we will have you over for dinner. On the patio, of course.”
“That would be swell.” Irene had taken a liking to these city slickers. They were very down-to-earth, all things considered. She, too, had done a little digging about their background. Unbeknownst to Lincoln, Madison, and Olivia, everyone in town knew about their background, and their climb from drama and humiliation.
Madison and Olivia spent two hours shopping for towels, linens, toiletries, and household cleaners. The next stop was the liquor store. When they entered, they stopped in their tracks. “Irene was not kidding. And the place is beautifully appointed with the wood shelves. Rows and rows of them.” Madison looked around in awe.
“It reminds me of a bookstore, but with booze,” Olivia stated.
“This is amazing! Where have I been all this time?”
“Working.” Olivia elbowed her, grabbed a shopping cart, and began to peruse the aisles. A middle-aged gentleman wearing a vest and a headset greeted them.
“Welcome to Total Wine. Is this your first visit?”
“How could you tell?” Madison flashed a big smile.
The man chuckled. “The expression on your face. I’ve seen it before.”
“I’m that obvious, eh?” She continued to smile.
“I’m afraid so, Miss. What can I help you with today?”
Olivia gave the man a list of wines, beer, and alcohol.
“Having a party?”
“Eventually. We are stocking up for our summer rental,” Madison answered.
“Whereabouts?”
“Smuggler’s Cove,” Madison answered.
“Nice little town. Be sure you make it to the seafood festival. Best one along the shore.”
“We will. They’re honoring my uncle this year. He passed away, but he was a local icon.” Madison was surprised at how she spoke about her uncle with such authority. And rightly so. She was beginning to understand and appreciate his value to his friends and the community.
It took about an hour for them to fill their cart, and the gentleman helped them load the car. “Where are you off to now?”
“Uncle Giuseppe’s,” Olivia answered.
“You gals are going to have a ball in there. They play some of my favorite music, too. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin. Old school.” He grinned. “Nice meeting you ladies. Enjoy the rest of your day. Keep in mind, we deliver.”
“Thanks. You’ve been a great help.”
Olivia was behind the wheel as Madison turned to look at their packages. “Do you think we can fit anything else in here?”
“I am sure we will do our best!” Olivia grinned, typed in the address, and exited the parking lot.
When they arrived at Uncle Giuseppe’s, they had a similar reaction as they had at Total Wine. To one side was a long case filled with prepared food, from chicken marsala to zucchini muffins, eggplant rollatini to stuffed mushrooms. Dozens upon dozens of olives lined the shelves on the opposite side. “I had no idea there were that many types of olives!” Madison declared.
Olivia knew her friend might go overboard purchasing the food. “Let’s get only what we need this weekend, as far as produce and meat.”
Madison sighed. “You’re right. I’ll try not to get carried away.” She wheeled the cart toward the back of the store. “But we must get a ball of that fresh mozzarella.” She watched as a man behind a glass window swirled the cheese in water and then into a ball. Olivia tapped her shoulder. Behind the next window were people making fresh pasta. Across the aisle was someone making fresh pizza, and in front were a dozen baskets of freshly baked bread including focaccia, ciabatta, ciriola, and pane Pugliese.
“Oh, my goodness. I am going to be in a carbohydrate coma,” Madison sighed.
They carefully chose a few items for dinner and breakfast, although it was difficult to leave without purchasing several pounds of cheese.
