Page 47 of Smuggler’s Cove (Twin Lights #1)

Viggo could not wipe the smile from his face.

Jason greeted them when they entered the restaurant.

“Viggo, good to see you, my man.” Jason patted him on the back. “And, Madison, right?”

“Yes, good memory.” They shook hands.

“Nice to see you again. Did you get to the marina you were referring to?”

“Yes. My Uncle Kirby’s.”

“I heard someone was giving it a makeover.”

“Yes, that would be us. We decided to refurbish it and get another season out of it.”

“I can tell you, there are a lot of happy people in town. They first heard some highfalutin’ folks from up North were taking over, but those rumors got crushed quickly. Glad it’s you.”

“We are happy to be involved,” Madison said modestly.

“Booth or table?” Jason asked.

Viggo looked at Madison. “Which do you prefer?”

“Booth, thank you.” She felt it was more intimate, and better for conversation, especially when you are learning about someone for the first time.

Once they were settled and the waiter had taken their drink order, they began to chat. Madison asked him about wharfs, piers, docks, and jetties. He pulled out a small pad and pen from his inside pocket. “I thought you might ask, and decided this would be the best way to describe them.”

Madison was charmed by his conscious effort to entertain or enlighten her. To her, it didn’t matter. Both were acceptable.

Viggo began to draw what was supposed to be a body of water and then proceeded to draw and explain each term. Madison listened intently, but if you quizzed her later, she would have drawn a blank. She was absorbed. Enchanted.

They each ordered oysters, and the scallop special with polenta and mushrooms. Madison thought the cuisine was as good as many New York restaurants. The wine list was also impressive but not pretentious. For her, it was the best of both worlds.

They chatted about their childhoods, and Madison treaded lightly.

As far as her family, she mentioned her parents were “separated” and she spent a lot of time at her grandparents.

She wasn’t aware that Viggo knew about her father, and he was good enough to steer clear of it.

He let her tell him what she wanted to tell him without pressing her for details.

Madison was comfortable with their conversation. She was straightforward with all of it except for her father’s sordid past. And it was the past. Done. Over. Everyone had moved on.

Neither Viggo nor Madison was in a hurry, and they decided to share a dessert: a warmed date cake with vanilla gelato.

It wasn’t until they were halfway through dessert that Madison realized they were dipping their spoons into the same soft mound of sweetness and cream.

Anyone would think it was an intimate gesture—unless you were with your girlfriends, and then anything goes.

But with a man? On a first date? Was that suggestive or familiar?

Madison decided it didn’t matter. It felt natural.

They were so engrossed in conversation that they didn’t notice they were the last patrons in the restaurant. Viggo finally realized the waitstaff had started to leave. “I think we are keeping these people from going home, or out for fun.”

Madison gasped slightly. “How embarrassing.”

“Not really. It shows you are enjoying the evening. At least I hope that’s the reason we have kept these fine folks past their shift.”

“I am enjoying this evening.” Madison smiled affectionately.

Viggo gave Jason extra cash to spread to the patiently waiting staff, apologized profusely, and said goodnight.

As they walked back to the truck, Madison noticed how clear the sky was, with a sliver of the moon and the city skyline in the background. “Glorious night.”

“It is. Have you spent any nights here yet?”

“No. This is my first.”

“Wait until you get a look at the view from the house. It is spectacular.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” Madison sighed.

Should she invite him in for a nightcap?

Tea? Coffee? She decided to decide when they got to the house.

If Olivia and Lincoln were still up, she might invite him in or not.

She allowed the next few minutes to float by as she enjoyed her feelings of elation.

When they arrived at the house, Madison noticed the lights were still on and decided to invite Viggo in.

It was safer that way. Not that she didn’t trust him .

She didn’t trust herself, feeling clumsy and awkward.

Madison couldn’t remember the last time she was with a man and felt the way she felt that night—all goofy and giddy.

Viggo agreed to join her for an evening cup of tea. Olivia and Lincoln were sitting on the patio in front of the firepit. The air was cool enough to warrant the warmth, but not cold enough to shiver. A cashmere throw made it quite comfy.

“This looks inviting.” Madison said, “And the view! Wow. This is spectacular.”

Lincoln sat up. “Hey. Join us.”

“I shall put on a pot of tea. Be right back.” Madison went into the kitchen, and Viggo pulled two chaise lounges closer to where Lincoln and Olivia were reclining.

“How was dinner?” Olivia asked with a sleepy yawn.

“Delightful. Madison is quite an interesting woman.”

“Yes, she is,” Lincoln said. “I am sure you, too, have interesting things to tell.”

“Me? Not really.”

“I doubt that, but I am not going to pry,” Olivia said with a smile, before excusing herself to give Madison a hand, but really to get the skinny from her sister-in-law.

Olivia sidled up to Madison, who was arranging herbal tea bags on a tray with cups, saucers, cream, sugar, and lemon. “And?”

“And it was wonderful. Such an interesting man. Kind. Accomplished. Modest. Loves animals.”

“So far, so good.” Olivia leaned against the counter.

“Yes. I would like to see him again, but I don’t want to seem pushy. You know, as in how I can be pushy, according to my brother.”

“Tell him you had a wonderful time. See how he reacts. If he says he would like to do it again, tell him you’ll cook dinner. If he says nothing, then let it go.”

“Good advice.”

“That’s what you pay me for.” Olivia gave her a wink.

Madison and Olivia brought the teapot and accessories out to the patio. Madison set the tray on a large cocktail table, and everyone fixed their own. An hour later, Lincoln and Olivia said their goodnights, and Viggo acknowledged it was time for him to go, as well.

Madison walked him to his truck. “Thank you for an exceptional evening, and the tutorial on jetties, wharfs, piers, and docks.”

“Thank you for joining me, and you are a very good student.”

Madison didn’t wait for any encouragement. Might as well jump. “I would like to see you again. Perhaps dinner on the patio?”

“I would like that very much,” Viggo said. He gently lifted her wrist and kissed the back of her hand.

Madison thought she might faint. “I’ll be here every weekend preparing for the opening. Good night.” She turned and walked into the house without looking back, but she knew he was watching her glide effortlessly to the door.

Madison was up early the next morning. She brought her coffee to the patio and wrapped herself in a throw.

She recounted every minute of the evening before, from when he knocked on the door to the kiss on the back of her hand.

If she had to give it a grade, it would be an A+.

Now if only she could keep herself from second-guessing herself.

How long should she wait to invite him to dinner?

One week? Two weeks? She would seek counsel from her brother.

Yes, her brother. She wanted a man’s opinion.

Not that Olivia’s didn’t matter, but Madison didn’t want to make any stupid mistakes.

She gazed out at the crystal-clear water in the distance and noticed kitesurfers gliding on the bay. For her, it was too early and too chilly for such a sport, but she enjoyed watching the colorful sails drift and bob. She could get used to mornings like this. Relaxed. Quiet.

The silence was broken by Olivia making her way outside. “Good morning! And how are you this lovely day?”

“I could not be better.” Madison shielded her eyes from the morning sun.

“The two of you seemed to hit if off rather well.”

“I think it was the funny glasses.”

“That had to be a great icebreaker.”

“It was. I thought he was going to drive off the road.” Madison chuckled.

“So? What’s next?”

“I suggested coming here for dinner.”

“Oh, goody. When?” Olivia was thrilled with the prospect of Madison having a companion.

Madison shrugged. “Eh, you know my slogan.”

“Oh, baloney.”

“I think I am going to ask my brother for advice.”

“Seriously? You are going to ask Lincoln? That ought to throw him.”

“Throw who?” Lincoln’s voice came up from behind.

“You, dear brother.”

“What do you have up your fashionable sleeve now?”

“I need some advice.”

“Wait. Hold on. You are asking me for advice? This must be serious.”

“It is. I am getting too old to keep making man-mistakes. Here’s the situation. Viggo and I had a wonderful time last night. I think I speak for both of us. I suggested I would cook dinner for him.”

“Now that’s a laugh. You don’t know how to cook!” Lincoln cackled.

“Aside from the obvious, how long should I wait to invite him?”

“Wait a week, and then invite him for the following week.”

“Should I text him a thank-you?”

“Of course, but an invitation doesn’t have to be included. Give it a little space. Keep some of the mystery.”

Olivia nodded in agreement.

Lincoln added, “Another idea is to have a small dinner party and invite him. We can include Irene, her husband, Hannah, Charlie, Crusty, Detective Burton and his wife Nancy, and the mayor and her wife.”

“Done!” Madison sat up. “See, I knew you were good for something.” She grinned.

“Glad to be of service.” Lincoln sat in one of the lounge chairs and looked out at the view. “I could get used to this.”

“I just said the same thing a few minutes ago.” Madison’s thoughts were clicking. If this summer went well, maybe she would approach the owners to buy it. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

They spent the next hour discussing the calendar of events.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony in the morning would kick off the festival.

Two days of seafood, music, crafts, and then the award ceremony.

Madison and Lincoln would say a few words and accept the plaque, which would eventually hang in the community center.

Madison sent off a quick thank-you text to Viggo and mentioned a dinner party. “Details to come.”

He responded with, “My pleasure. Affirmative.”

Now she had to round up the rest of the invitees and find a caterer.

She didn’t want to saddle Olivia with cooking, and Lincoln would be tired from working all day.

She phoned Irene, who was thrilled to be of service again and gave Madison information about Dearborn Farms and Market.

She made an appointment with the catering department for later that morning.

The next thing on the agenda was to find a date on the calendar.

Time was passing quickly. Olivia suggested the weekend after Mother’s Day.

That would give them four weeks to plan, and it wouldn’t interfere with a holiday and the festival.

Madison worked up an evite and sent a text to everyone:

Please Join Us for Dinner on the Patio May 18th Half past six 29 Portland Road The Wainwright Family