I’m Waiting
A Chez Gastronomique Suite Story: Part 5
Previous chapter links are available at the end of the story. The next story in this series drops on Tuesday.
“So what is this surprise? Rose Moon asked as the windshield wipers did double time clearing away the rain from the windshield.
Ross Johnston concentrated on driving this wild and windy night. “You are curious about where we are going for our date?”
Rose looked bemused. “This is not a date,” she replied as she had in their previous two meetings.
“It’s a ‘get reaquainted’ session,” echoed Ross with a chuckle. “Same old Moonie.”
“I was living a perfectly fine life before you waltzed back into it after 15 years. Remember I am the aggrieved one here.”
“So it’s not a date.”
“Definitely not.”
“Good to know,” Ross replied. “When might our meetings be considered a date? We do date-like things.”
“I’ll let you know,” answered Rachel.
“If we went out with another couple would that be a double date?”
Rose raised her eyebrows.
“Not a date,” he said as he stopped the vehicle in front of the restaurant. “Then what should I do with the flowers?” he asked. He reached back and picked up the flowers from the back seat and handed them to her.
“They are all blue,” Rose said with a little moan recognizing the symbolism inherent in his gift. “Despite this being a most romantic gesture and the colour is here to back it up, this is still not a date,” she said as she opened the door aided by a gust of wind. Quickly she pulled herself from the car and hustled to the door where it was held open by a restaurant hostess.
The hostess eyed the flowers with admiration. “Those are lovely flowers. ”
Rose smiled. “Yes my d,” she stopped and corrected herself. “My friend gave them to me.”
“They are indeed beautiful. Blue says so much more than red or yellow, don’t you think?” Catching the almost date reference she wisely stated, “Your friend is just parking the car?”
“Yes. His name is Ross Johnston. We have a reservation,” Rose said as a wet Ross came through the door.
“Here is a towel,” said the hostess.
“We have a reservation,” Ross said as he towelled off. “Johnston. Ross Johnston.”
“Yes Mr. Johnston.”
Ross handed the towel back to the hostess.
“This way please,” she said as she walked to the restaurant door.
“Beautiful craftsmanship,” Ross said, admiring the door. “This is much better than I pictured it.”
“How did you picture it?” inquired Rose as she looked around and then at Ross who took a quick look while walking beside her.
“I had heard it was magnificent but this, with you here, is far beyond what I thought possible.”
Rose smiled. “Yes. They have done everything they could to make this restaurant memorable.”
“Thank you for noticing,” replied the hostess as they reached their table. “Marcel, our Maitre d’, expects the finest in our work.”
“He almost always gets it,” said Rachel softly.
Just then another voice greeted them. “Welcome. I trust all is ….” the voice faltered for a second before resuming, “well so far tonight.”
“Hello Marcel,” said Rachel. “It’s been quite a while.”
Ross looked between Rachel and Marcel as the hostess discreetly returned to her post.
“Yes. Indeed,” replied Marcel with a little force in his voice. He suddenly turned on the charm a bit. “How is Ingrid?”
“The best cook ever.”
“Give her my regards,” he replied coolly. “Now if you will excuse me,” he turned and wandered off stopping at another table along the way.
Ross looked over at Rachel. “I sense a story here.”
Rachel smiled. “More than one actually. Marcel keeps his ear to the ground looking for the best people to hire. It’s an amazing place to work. He has crossed the line a few times with me by trying to hire Ingrid away from my cafe. She is by far the best chef around and by all rights deserves to be hired for her skills at any fine restaurant.”
Ross frowned. “You have mentioned that before.”
“She has been offered many positions but turns them all down. She likes the freedom I give her. She is also my friend and that means more to her than anything else in her world.”
“Have you considered opening a restaurant much like this one?” asked Ross.
“Like this? No. This one has Marcel written all over it. It’s nice and the food is quite good but it lacks something homey that would make it more, I am going to use the word welcoming, but it’s not the right word.”
“I know what you mean. But would you consider a larger restaurant?”
Rose thought about it before focusing more on Ross. “Why? Are you thinking of opening one?”
“Me? Not really. I have little interest in restaurants other than eating in them but you, you might, seeing as you own a cafe in a small town.” he left the implication dangling.
“I like where I live and where it is located. I like my cafe.” She looked quickly around the room. “Not right now,” she said with a sigh. Ross watched with interest making mental notes.
Rose took a more detailed look around the room noticing everything that she would change. There weren’t many changes she would make, she noted but what there was would remain with her. “This is my first time that I am here for a meal,” she said as she returned her eyes to Ross. She noticed how he was looking at her. It made her feel warm inside. She hadn’t felt this good in, “Well, years,” she said to herself.
Ross broke her concentration. “I have been thinking about buying a condo.”
“Here? Why?”
“Not here. I am looking somewhere in town so that I can spend time in my own place nearer to you.”
“You are moving from the coast to be near me? That would mean you would be flying back and forth quite a bit. Besides, we are not seeing each other.”
“I can see you fine,” Ross stated.
Rose shook her head. “You know what I mean.”
Ross looked down at his hands and then back at Rachel. “I am thinking about moving my whole business here. I would buy a building for office space.”
“Would that be good for your employees?”
“They are a good group and all would keep their jobs, even if they didn’t move here. I need a smaller office there if only for those who wish to work there. Some will work remotely.”
“That’s rather accommodating of you. You are serious aren’t you?”
“I like the people who work for me. They deserve the best I can give to them.” He looked directly in Rose’s eyes, “I am not trying to put pressure on you Rose. I have been thinking about this for a while. My mother is not getting any younger. I need to be here to look after her when she needs me. Being near you is an added bonus.” He smiled as he reached out and touched her hand. Unlike the other times, she did not withdraw it immediately.
“Ross, It is great that you want to move back to be near your mother. As for me, we are starting to get to know each other again.”
The hostess arrived at the table. “Here is a vase for your flowers while you are in the restaurant,” she said, setting the vase on the table. “Your waiter should be here soon.”
“Thank you,” said Rose as she put the flowers in the vase. She turned towards the hostess. “Marcel designed everything in this restaurant?”
“Oh yes,” said the hostess. “He has a hand in everything. Why do you ask?”
“Just noticing all the little touches. They are quite thoughtful.”
“With the staff he is open to suggestions. He wants us to feel like we own the restaurant too.”
“That would explain some of the interesting touches.”
“This is your waiter, Robert,” said the hostess as Robert approached. “He will be looking after you tonight.”
Robert smiled. “Is there something you would like to drink?”
Ross looked eager. “Now you are talking. I will have a beer that is on tap.”
“Would you like any specific one?”
“Surprise me.”
Robert turned to Rose. “And you madam.”
“I will have a glass of red wine. You may surprise me too,” she said as she looked at Ross.
“Very good.”
“Robert, could I have the Sautéed Duck Breast; Caramelized Endive and Glazed Broccolini Port-Tamarind Sauce?
Robert looked at her with large eyes. “An excellent choice. And for you sir.”
“He will have Pan Roasted Filet Mignon; Short Rib Dumpling Ginger-Lemongrass in Beef Jus.”
“Excellent choices,” Robert said enthusiastically. “I will be back shortly with your drinks.”
Ross looked over at Rose with interest. “You didn’t look at the menu. I thought you hadn’t eaten here before.”
“I haven’t, but I have studied menus along with Ingrid. This menu is a particular favourite.”
“And you knew I would like whatever you ordered for me?”
“Pan Roasted Filet Mignon; Short Rib Dumpling Ginger-Lemongrass in Beef Jus. Yes. I knew. I make it my job to know what people are ordering. You will like it as there are few chefs who make it better.”
“Like Ingrid?”
“Like Ingrid.” Rose looked at the flowers. “A condo. That should be interesting.”
“I don’t need a large one. How about you help me pick it out?”
“Ross,” she started, then lost in her thoughts. “I think that would be a good idea.”
“Really?” said a shocked Ross.
“Really. You need someone who is going to notice things and ask the right questions. I know the people in town. It would be unfair to turn them loose on you.”
Marcel stepped into the kitchen and approached Robert. “The lady you just took the order from. What did she order?”
Robert looked at Marcel with some interest. “She ordered the Sautéed Duck Breast; Caramelized Endive and Glazed Broccolini Port-Tamarind Sauce.”
Marcel looked on with approval. He turned to the chef. “You have the best Sautéed Duck Breast; Caramelized Endive and Glazed Broccolini Port-Tamarind Sauce. Is there any way you can make it just a touch more special?”
The Chef looked at Marcel with focused eyes. “Yes.”
“Excellent,” replied Marcel as he turned and exited the kitchen.
“What just happened?” asked Robert.
“Marcel is trying to impress someone. Back to work Robert. I have a marvelous creation to start unfolding.”
Miss the previous chapters? Click on the link to read them.
Chapters 1 & 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
This story is also a part of the At Rose’s Cafe series.
At Rose’s Cafe Part 1
At Rose’s Cafe Part 2
Marcel and Rose… now that would be an interesting team…