Page 36 of Deck the Skulls
The air felt cold compared to the warmth of the car, making her shiver. Anatoly frowned and hugged her closer to him.
“This way,” he said, turning them to walk toward the back of the car. A large golf cart appeared, driven by a petite woman with a big smile.
“Hi! I’m Pam, and I’ll be your race car driver,” she chirped. “Please climb aboard and keep all hands and feet inside until the ride comes to a complete stop.”
Rissa snorted at the women's humor, but Anatoly took her comment seriously.
“You’ll drive slowly, yes? No racing around corners? This vehicle isn’t meant for such things,” he said while helping Rissa into the back seat.
“No, sir,” Pam agreed, her expression turning solemn. “You’re getting the VIP treatment, so that means I won’t try to catch air even once.”
This time, Rissa laughed, and Anatoly grumbled something about insolence as he climbed in next to her.
“Here, you might want this,” Pam said, handing them a blanket from a box in the front seat. “We set up heaters at the site, but the ride there will be a little chilly.”
Anatoly grabbed the blanket before she could and wrapped it around her, then tucked her close against his side. Between the soft, thick fleece blanket and Anatoly’s warm bulk, Rissa felt perfect, even when the cart picked up speed and a cold breeze hit them.
Pam drove the cart along the winding pedestrian paths that covered Balboa Park. Many of the attractions were closing for the day, and people were starting to leave, so there were several spots where Pam had to slow down and let traffic move before she could start up again.
Then she turned off the main path and into the area for the Japanese Friendship Garden and Tea house. They were clearlyclosed, but Pam ignored that and drove off to the side, where someone else wearing a matching polo was holding a gate wide open for her. She waved as she drove through.
The path through the garden was just barely big enough to accommodate the cart, but Pam showed some serious skill by maneuvering down the winding trail without disturbing a single leaf. When they got to a wide section, she pulled up and parked.
“Here we are,” she announced, pointing to a small set of stairs. “It’s right up there.”
Anatoly was quick to get out and then lift her from the cart. She thought he’d put her down, but he didn’t. Instead, he walked the short distance to the flight of stairs and started climbing.
“Damn, that’s swoon,” Pam mumbled, then Rissa heard the cart turn around and head back up the path.
“You don’t have to carry me,” Rissa said, even as she snuggled into Anatoly’s arms. The greenery around them was so thick that she couldn’t see what was ahead, but she was content to let things unfold.
“I do as I please,” he answered with his familiar arrogance. “And you’ll let me.”
“As long as it’s something I want,” she answered.
He stopped in his tracks. She looked up, but he didn’t meet her gaze. He was staring ahead, his expression intense. “I can’t guarantee that it will always be what you want, but I swear it’ll be what’s in your best interest.”
That seemed like a strange distinction to make. “Aren’t those the same things?”
“Not always,” he answered, then rushed up the remaining few steps.
Her response died in her throat as he crested the stairs, and she could see what was waiting for them.
It was a small grassy space surrounded and shaded by trees with a burbling waterfall mostly hidden at one end. The placewas almost entirely illuminated by fairy lights strung from tree to tree. There were candles on the small round table at the center and candles on tall, enclosed holders almost all the way around the space.
The whole effect was magical!
“Good evening,” a man said, appearing at their side. “I’m Mark, and I’ll be your server this evening.”
He led them to the small table and pulled out a chair for Anatoly to set her down. He then moved the space heater a little closer. Between the heater and the blanket, she didn’t feel the chill at all, but she was feeling a little dazed.
“You set this all up?” she asked as Anatoly took the seat next to her. “I didn’t even know you could do something like this.”
“I wanted to reserve the entire Spreckels Organ Pavilion and provide you with a private concert, but they couldn’t do that quickly, so I settled for this. We’re next to the amphitheater, and they’ll start performing soon. I’ve been assured we’ll be able to hear the music here but still have privacy.”
“You’ll be able to hear everything perfectly,” Mark said as he picked up Rissa’s napkin, snapped it open, and laid it across her lap. She’d never seen anyone do that outside of movies. “Chef Bradley prepared your meal and gave me strict instructions on how I should serve it. Shall we begin?”
“You may,” Anatoly answered. Mark gave him a nod and disappeared past a nearby tree. That’s when she noticed the narrow footpath. They must have the food prep/staging area hidden over there.