Page 64 of Unexpected Gifts
“Oh, it fits all right.”
Abby laughed and nudged him with her elbow. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Please do.”
The trail opened up into a clearing where a log cabin built by early settlers had been updated and transformed into a restaurant. In addition to modern windows, a front porch had been added. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney. Lanterns hung from the porch eaves.
Samuel guided the horses to a gentle stop near the front entrance.
“Welcome to Mia’s,” Samuel said.
“This is a restaurant? In the middle of the woods?” Abby asked.
“A few years back, the owner turned her family’s cabin into an Italian bistro,” Luke said. “Mia was a well-known chef in New York, but for some reason, she decided to give it all up and return to her family’s property. She only opens on Friday and Saturday nights. There’s only seating for a dozen.”
“Have you been here before?” Abby asked.
“We took my mother here for her birthday. It was a special night. The food’s unbelievably good.”
“I can’t wait.”
Luke got out first and then helped Abby down, holding her around the waist for a moment before setting her down onto the icy walkway.
“I’ll be here to take you home whenever you’re ready,” Samuel said.
“What about the horses?” Abby asked. “Don’t they get cold?”
Samuel gestured at a barn not far from the cabin. “We stay nice and toasty. Don’t you worry, Dr. Parker.”
“Glad to hear it,” Abby said, smiling up at him.
Luke took her arm and led her down an icy path to a heavy wooden door. An older man in a black suit greeted them and held the door for them to pass through. “Good evening, Mr. Hayes. Dr. Parker. My name is Remi, and I’ll be taking care of you tonight.”
“Thank you, Remi.” Rich aromas of garlic, simmering tomatoes, and fresh herbs made his stomach growl. “We’re happy to be here.”
“Right this way.” Remi led them to a table by the window. With silky hair the color of the moon and his tall, slender frame, Remi reminded Luke of an aging movie star from the golden era of cinema.
“It’s so romantic,” Abby said. “And intimate.”
There were only six tables in total, all draped with red-and-white-checkered cloths. In the remodel, wooden beams had been added overhead, presumably for structural purposes, but they added to the rustic romance of the place. As did the original stone fireplace, alight with a real wood fire. Black-and-white photographs of Italian villages and landscapes hung on the walls. They appeared to be the last seating of the evening, as the others were in various states of dinner, some with main courses and others nibbling on bread.
Once they were seated, Remi told them about the menu, which changed depending on the chef’s whim. “Tonight, we’ll start with an antipasto platter of various meats and cheeses, followed by a second course of handmade pappardelle with wild mushroom ragù. For your third course, you will enjoy osso buco with saffron risotto. For dessert, we have Mia’s famous tiramisu.”
There were no choices. One ate what Mia made. Not that anyone complained.
“The second and third course will be paired with an Italian wine. However, we’ll begin with a glass of prosecco,” Remi said.
Luke’s stomach grumbled again. “I’m starved,” he whispered to Abby, in case she’d heard his embarrassing growling.
“I am too,” Abby whispered back. “But what’s osso buco?”
“Braised veal shanks.”
“Oh, the poor baby cows.” Abby made a face and played with the crescent moon necklace nestled at the hollow of her neck. “I’ll not think about them and their pretty eyes.”
“I don’t think you’ll be thinking of anything but how delicious it is,” Luke said.
Mia emerged from the door that led to the kitchen. Her thick black hair was pulled back in a loose bun that flattered her delicate features and dark complexion. She was a petite woman, only slightly over five feet.