“There is that,” Beckett said, opening his door.
Adam met him at the front of the car, his backpack on even though they were just grabbing lunch. “Put a note on the community board.”
Nerves formed an alliance in Beckett’s gut. If this wasn’t something he wanted to keep on the down-low, he’d do just that. There was very little Maureen, who owned the General Store, didn’t know. People used her wall-sized chalkboard as a community forum, asking for things, offering them, and sharing whatever information they wanted out there. Even if no one in the store found out, Maureen was Louis’s older sister, which meant Chef would find out. His siblings would know within the hour.
Beckett started to clap Adam on the shoulder before remembering he didn’t like to be touched without warning. Dropping his hand, Beckett just smiled at him. “Let’s leave it for now.”
The deli was in a strip mall with a couple of drive-through restaurant options—nothing recognizable. That would be too mainstream for Smile. The quickest options were Triple W’s, which stood for Wally’s Wonderful Wings—way too long to put on a sign—or Big Burgers. Smile was a step back in time with its false-fronted buildings painted ridiculously bright colors. Even the strip malls joined in on the fun decor.
As he and Adam walked into Angelo’s, his phone buzzed with a text from Jill; it was a list of some things they needed.
Inside the deli, the tables were busy but there was no line up at the counter. His stomach growled, overshadowing the unease he felt from being stared at by the couple near the window.
Mrs. Angelo smiled at him from behind the counter. He didn’t know her other than to recognize her, but she’d run this place since he was a kid. Her grayish brown hair was piled on her head and wrapped in a scarf. Her flower-patterned shirt poked through a white apron. She reminded him a bit of his mom with her friendly smile and assessing gaze.
“Beckett. Adam. How are you boys?”
Adam stared at the menu. “I’m good. I’ll have a pastrami on whole grain, Dijon mustard, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and pepper.”
“Please,” Beckett reminded, shooting Mrs. Angelo a smile.
“Please.” Adam went back to looking at his phone.
Mrs. Angelo nodded, her eyes soft. “How’s your family?”
Beckett smiled, the muscles in his chest loosening.See? Not everyone wastes time on the internet.“We’re good. Working hard, but we’re okay with that.”
When she winked at him, he thought he’d imagined it until she leaned in with laughter in her eyes. “But not all work, right? You and that pretty girl are having some fun?”
“Hot Mountain Man,” Adam muttered, his eyes still on his screen.
Son of a… His mouth refused to work, but she didn’t seem to mind. She waved away her own question and said, “What can I get for you?”
Ordering an Italian meat sub with a bag of chips, he listened to the chatter of the diners and watched as Mrs. Angelo whipped up a delicious-looking sandwich, humming to herself. When his gaze landed on a sign at the end of the counter readingWE CATER, he wondered about outsourcing. Presley really was rubbing off on him.Do not think about Presley and rubbing in the same thought.Though he did a great job, Chef was getting older. What if he couldn’t keep making the commute? Plus, what if catering saved on food waste by ordering exactly what they needed depending on the number of guests? Not for dinners, but it might help with the other meals.
“I’m curious—” he started, clearing his throat like a nervous high schooler.
“That’s a good thing in a person,” Mrs. Angelo said with a wide smile.
Beckett laughed, enjoying the sparkle in the older woman’s gaze even if he was the subject of some teasing.
“Not that he’s asked,” Beckett started, being sure to word things carefully. “But to make it easier on Chef, I’m curious about low-maintenance lunches, like sandwiches and salads, being brought into the lodge.” Just an idea. A way to ease things up. They could even cut back Chef’s hours.Shane hadn’t asked for that and none of them had discussed it yet, but Beckett knew Louis wanted more time with his husband. It was good to think ahead.
She set the mayo down, nodded her head. “Us old people don’t like to admit when we need to slow down. It’s a good idea, especially with Louis retiring.”
Beckett nodded.Thathad been on the community message board. There was a big party later this summer to celebrate Louis’s career as a teacher at Smile Public School, where he had taught PE for the last forty years.
“We’re just looking to simplify a little.”
“How often were you thinking?”
Not a no. “I’d need to chat with my sister and brother if you’re open to it.” Mrs. Angelo catered and ran a busy shop, a successful business. She knew how to turn a profit.
“It’s only ten minutes from the dock to the lodge. We could organize custom orders depending on the number of guests you have. We’d just need to know first thing how many and what types of sandwiches. Your brother is back and forth daily, so pickup wouldn’t be an issue. Are you looking at lunches only?”
Excitement hummed in his veins as he looked at the glass case full of baked goods.
“Breakfast options would be great as well.”
