Page 21 of The Night Ride
Nodding, I plastered a tight smile and greeted the pizza delivery guy.“Hi, thanks for getting here so fast.”Nick wore his long brown hair in a ponytail.His thin lips were slightly hidden by his goatee.
“For one of our best customers, we live to serve.”Nick smiled, and I spied a tooth encased in gold that hadn’t been there the last time I ordered from Mario’s Little Italy.
Aiden took all the boxes and cartons from him.I wasn’t going to argue about it.If he wanted to act all chivalrous, fine.I was exhausted from the long, emotionally draining day.I handed the delivery man cash.“It’s all you.”
He saluted me with the cash in hand.“Thanks.I’ll see you next time.”
Pizza was one of my weaknesses.On a busy day, it was easier to have someone else do the cooking than to do it myself.Probably why I still had some junk in my trunk.But I’d never wanted to be a twig.I enjoyed food and had always figured life was meant to be celebrated and enjoyed, not mourned.Part of life was experiencing food, with all its varied textures and tastes.
One of my dreams was to head to France and Italy where I could eat and drink my way through the countries.
In the kitchen I pulled out plates.Everyone helped themselves to pizza, wings, and cheesy garlic bread.Once we were all seated around the table chowing down, I asked, “What was so imperative that you had to drive here?What did Evan order you to do?”
“We have a letter for you, from him.He asked that we hand deliver it and ensure you read it,” Wyatt explained.
The bite of pizza became difficult to chew, and I blinked back tears.There wouldn’t be a day that passed when I wouldn’t miss him.I’d be walking around with an Evan sized hole in my heart forever.“Where is this letter?”
“I’ll grab it.”Aiden rose from his seat.
When he returned the ivory envelope gave me pause.There was a part of me that really didn’t want to read it.But I took it from Aiden’s outstretched hand and put it on the table beside my plate.
“You’re not going to read it?”Aiden asked with anger lacing his words.
“Not tonight.”I looked at my brother’s friends and fellow SEALs.“It’s been a long day, and I just discovered that someone I trusted has been stealing from me.I know that you have your orders, but this is a minefield I can’t walk into tonight.I’m sorry if that’s disappointing to you but it is what it is.”
“We understand.”Wyatt shot Aiden a scowl.
“Is there a reason you weren’t at the funeral?”Aiden snapped.
“Aiden.”Wyatt scolded with a furious expression.
“Paige didn’t let me know about Evan’s passing until two days before the funeral.I had the esteemed restaurant critic, Martin Wong, visiting Sweet Dreams the same day.I couldn’t leave something that important to my assistant baker.As much as I wanted to be there, I couldn’t get out of my responsibilities last minute.Paige and Nora couldn’t make it either.We’re planning to visit his grave to pay our respects and hold our own small ceremony without the Navy pomp and circumstance this fall.I wanted to be there, but I couldn’t control that I wasn’t informed until it was too late.There’s no rebooking Martin Wong, and his stamp of approval is too important when you’re in my line of work.The fact that he even came to my bakery to review it was a win for me.”I sniffled and rubbed the tears from my cheeks.
“We understand sometimes duties get in the way of things you’d rather be doing.And I’m sure that critic loved your peanut butter cookies.They are always a hit when we received the care packages.”Lucas grinned like the Cheshire Cat.
“If you provide me with updated info on your new unit and addresses, I’m happy to keep sending them.”I didn’t say even though Evan was gone, because we all knew it.And I glanced at Aiden.“Have anything else you wish to judge me on?”
He narrowed his gaze.“How did the review go?”
“Spectacular.Just got his starred review in an email.It’s already hit the online version of Foodie Nation.”
“I figured you’d knock it out of the park.Why didn’t Nora attend?”Aiden asked.
The unexpected compliment threw me off my game.I shrugged.“Didn’t ask when she said she wouldn’t attend.We’re not really on speaking terms.She doesn’t approve of my lifestyle choices.”
Brows rose around the table.But Aiden was a dog with a freaking bone and asked, “Such as?”
“I should have stayed in Northern Cali and helped her with the property.But Crystal Lodge Campgrounds is tied to that land when I always hated it.That wasn’t my place.I don’t have many fond memories of it nor the people there.I’ve built a life here for myself.Any other questions?”I glared at Aiden.I wouldn’t budge from my defensive stance.I fought too damn hard to get here.
“No,” Wyatt stated glaring daggers at Aiden.
I rose from my seat, done with the meal and the day.“I’m going to get the couch and pull-out bed made, then I’m turning in for the night.”
“What about the person stealing from you?”The question came from Lucas, but it was out of concern.
“I’ll figure it out in the morning.I can’t deal with more than that.I’m up early and out the door by four every morning.I’ll leave my spare key behind so you guys can lock up when you leave tomorrow.Just put it under the front door mat and I’ll get it when I get home in the evening.And I don’t care if you approve or not of my choices.”I snatched the letter from Evan off the table and left them sitting in the kitchen.
I’d clean everything up once I was finished getting blankets and pillows doled out for my guests.And then I planned to take a hot bath and go to bed, in that order.
