me what happened with your son getting married at the opening. It was a great PR angle you know.”
“It was really nothing like that,” she explained. “We didn’t know a thing about it until minutes before, and I can tell you, it totally blew my husband and me away.”
“Well, I can understand that.”
“I realise why he wanted it that way though. Sam is quite a humble boy. He’s likes to earn his way, which is very much like his father. He really didn’t want any more fuss or money spent on him. I’ve got to say in hindsight, it certainly is a good way of cutting back on all those relatives that you feel you have to invite.” They both laughed at this. “I’m joking. Really, I would have loved to have planned a wedding for him as we didn’t have a big one ourselves, but that is what he wanted. Also, once the restaurant opened, I don’t know when they would have had the time for a wedding much less a honeymoon.”
“So they didn’t go away?”
“Not in the order that you would think. Three months before the restaurant opened my husband sent them to Hawaii for a week’s holiday. That’s when Sam proposed. They told us after the wedding that they considered it their honeymoon.”
He laughed. “It sounds like it’s your husband’s fault for sending them to Hawaii.”
She joined him. “I’ve never thought of it like that. I’ll be sure to tell him tonight.” Chilli felt her face warm with the mention of Rob. “Though I have to say, he is very generous. It’s one of his best traits.”
“Sounds like a good guy. No bad habits at all?” he asked rather cheekily.
Chilli didn’t waste a second answering. “Yes one. Being late! I can’t stand it, but you can’t have everything.” She smiled. “Anyway as I was saying, the wedding was a huge surprise, but they are so right for each other. We were a little stunned when there was a bit of press about it with the launch of the restaurant. Sam wanted them to rave about his food and not focus on the wedding.”
“If I remember correctly, there seemed to be a fair bit of raving about his food in the articles I’ve read. He seems like a very clever chef.”
“He is.” Chilli remembered the latest review she had seen that week in the local paper. It stated, ‘Chef, Sam Montgomery, achieves a balance of flavours, enhancing the individual tastes and textures of ingredients without masking or overpowering them. All of the elements are in place to make Montgomery’s a smash.’
Jeff cut into her thoughts. “So, any other children for you?”
She shook her head. “No, just one divinely perfect one!” she said, laughing. “I wish there were more. I’ve been going through a bit of an adjustment since Sam got married.”
“In what way?”
“Just getting used to not being the most important female influence on him, that’s all. Lucky for me, I have a beautiful daughter-in-law, and I couldn’t love her more if I tried,” she explained. “And she really tries to include me in so many things, how could I possibly complain?”
He raised an eyebrow. “But you still sound hesitant?”
Chilli bit her lip. “No, not at all. I’ve probably noticed that Miranda is now more self-assured. She asked my opinion more often before. So did Sam. But then again, I have raised him to be able to make a decision, and goodness if he was married and had to keep asking my opinion, it would be a bit of a worry. My father tells me that it really is just an adjustment in the tides.”
“Well, you sound very lucky to me,” Jeff said, “You’ve got it all worked out. Lucky you!”
“Thank you.”
There was a pause and then he asked, “One thing I hope you don’t mind me asking.”
“What’s that?” she asked, not sure if she should.
“Were you only five when you had your son?” he asked with mock seriousness.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I was six,” she said, joining him in his laughter, noticing that he seemed as startled and delighted as she was by this sudden flash of candor.
Chilli was used to people asking this question. Her mother and grandmother had all looked young for their age. It definitely was a compliment, but she also loved people to know that she was Sam’s mother. She didn’t want to look like his older sister or friend.
Their laughter was interrupted by the announcement to prepare for landing. It had been a quick trip and Chilli had enjoyed the easy conversation.
As the plane taxied in, she saw Jeff pull his cuff back and check the time. Leaning across she said, “I meant to say that they are great cufflinks. I noticed them because I’m always buying cufflinks for my husband.” She also couldn’t help but notice that they matched his pond green eyes.
“Thank you. And I meant to say,” he said slightly mocking her, “That is a very smart red suit you are wearing. I noticed it at the airport.”
“I think you are making fun of me.”
“No really, I did notice it at the airport.” Again, there was that kink across his brow as his smile widened.
“Well, good luck with your boat.”
“Good luck with your restaurant. Not that I think you need it.”
Chapter 3
It was a beautiful evening as Chilli walked out of the Brisbane airport with a spring in her step. She checked the time. Hopefully Rob should be pulling in any second. She’d had two fabulous days in Melbourne, was feeling great and looking forward to having dinner and telling him everything. She didn’t have to be apart from her husband for long to miss him.
Since Sam had finished school, whenever Rob had travelled for work, he insisted she travel with him. While he worked, she spent great, luscious portions of her life browsing book stores. When Rob’s business was finished for the day, they would try new restaurants and see shows that didn’t come to Brisbane. Her two favourite gourmet magazines were read from cover to cover and new restaurants circled. It became their delightful challenge to dine in as many of them as possible. In the last 15 months, with their latest venture, she had been unable to travel with him quite as much and had missed it.
At 25 degrees, it was much warmer in Brisbane than what it had been in Melbourne. Taking off her jacket, she placed it on top of her case, and thought once again that it was a shame that no one could see the beautiful silk lining of black and white stripes with huge red cabbage roses.
Rob’s silver BMW was nowhere to be seen. She dialled his mobile and it rung seven times before it went to message bank. She checked her mobile for any messages. Nothing. She was starving. Again she looked at her watch. How many times did she have to remind him to be on time? He was very frustrating. She stifled a yawn.
From where she waited, she saw Jeff Bryson leave the airport terminal and join the queue at the taxi rank. Five minutes later, a taxi pulled along beside her. The window went down. There were those green eyes and that wide smile again. “Can I give you a lift somewhere?”
