Cranberry Bluff by Deborah Garner Page A

unspoken, as to how introductions should be given and received. Those dictated politeness, especially when meeting in front of other people. Susie and Bryce had been polite to each other, but the whole conversation had seemed tense. It didn’t make sense.
    Unless…no, that made even less sense. How could they possibly have known each other before? And, an even better question: If so, why would they have tried to hide it?
    Sadie stepped into Eleanor’s and looked around. It was crowded, but she saw an open table in the corner. She crossed the room and grabbed it immediately.
    Sadie smiled at the young server who approached. She was soft spoken and dressed in a casual style that fit the northern coastal area. Her earrings, made of polished driftwood and beads, swayed as she handed Sadie a menu.
    “Dinner for one?”
    “Yes,” Sadie said. “One it is.”
    “Everything on the menu is good. Our soup of the day is cranberry wild rice, which is served with cranberry cornbread and honey butter. There’s also a special entrée tonight: Fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and pine nuts in a pesto sauce.”
    “You’re just making it harder to choose, you know,” Sadie said.
    “How about a glass of wine to get started?”
    A busser passed by, filling a water glass and removing a second place setting on the opposite side of the table.
    “Thanks, but no. I just had wine back at the inn where I’m staying this weekend,” Sadie said. “I’ll stick with water and then have coffee after dinner. Or maybe cappuccino – we’ll see.”
    “We have so many wonderful inns in this town,” the server replied. “Where are you staying?”
    “You’re right, Cranberry Cove has so many fabulous places. I try to stay at different inns when I come here. This time I’m at Cranberry Cottage Bed and Breakfast. It’s delightful.”
    “The one that changed ownership recently. The last owner passed away, used to come here a lot. We miss her,” the server said. “I haven’t gotten to know the new owner well. She’s been here a few times, but keeps to herself. Quiet type, I figure.”
    “Yes, she seems to be.” I imagine she would be , Sadie thought to herself. “By the way, is Eleanor here tonight? I’d love to say hi to her.”
    “Yes, she’s in the kitchen. I’ll send her out. And I’ll give you a few minutes to look over the menu.”
    “No, that’s fine,” Sadie said before the server could turn away. “I’ll have the pasta special. It sounds delicious and I’ve been good about carbs on this trip.” Aside from the brie bites at the inn. And the scones that morning. And a few cranberry white chocolate bars she’d downed the night before….
    “Good choice,” the server said, taking the menu and heading to the kitchen to place the order.
    Sadie looked around the room as she sipped her water. The décor was more artsy than representative of the ocean, which was refreshing. Light coral walls blended well with watercolor paintings of gardens and cottages. Eleanor’s could have fit in anywhere. Santa Fe, for example, had many similar cafés. Larger cities like New York or Seattle did, as well. Often they were found in the hipper sections of town. College students and young professionals frequented them for their combination of good food and casual atmosphere. Sadie found this ambiance comfortable and sought out such places on every trip.
    A basket landed on the table. Sadie tore a partially sliced piece of olive bread from a baguette style roll. Taking a bite, she returned to mulling over her thoughts about Susie and Bryce.
    Was she imagining a connection? After all, Susie was newly married. Surely she hadn’t been flirting with Bryce. Now, Bryce flirting was another matter altogether. Men like that – handsome, self-assured – invariably flirted when an attractive lady was around. But it seemed out of place for Susie. Maybe Sadie was being too judgmental, but her instincts were usually right. That