Hi! :-) Thanks, as always, for your kind reviews. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. This is another short chapter, but I wanted to go ahead and post it. Hope you like it. Thanks for reading!!

=========================

Chapter 8

Janet looked up from the counter when the bell jangled, signaling the arrival of a customer. She removed her glasses and said a spirited "hello" to Jack, who was sporting a huge grin.

"From the look on your face, I'd say the meeting went well."

"The meeting went very well," Jack confirmed. "I am now the proud, if not slightly terrified, owner of 'The Captain's Table'."

"Jack, that's great!" Janet said, relieved she could feel genuine happiness for him.

"Thanks," he said graciously. "I haven't felt that rush of adrenaline from starting a new project in a long time. This is going to be good for me."

"Congratulations," Janet said. "I have to say, you picked a great restaurant to buy."

"I love the location, and I love that no matter where a person sits, the view of the water is right there. I like most of the décor but, of course, I want to put my own stamp on it. You know, give it the ol' Jack Tripper look."

He grinned and winked; Janet laughed.

His good mood was infectious. Janet found herself feeling livelier and more energetic since Jack had stepped into the shop.

"Do you plan to keep the same name?"

"Yes. I like the name. It fits."

"Oh, good," Janet said, wiping her brow in mock relief. "I'm so glad you won't be asking for names again."

"Jack's Bistro wasn't so hard to come up with, once we eliminated all those weird names."

"Hey!" Janet protested, but she had to admit he was right.

"Can you take a break?"

"Sure. It's been a slow day. I can close up for about thirty minutes or so."

"Great. This new restaurant owner can't wait to buy the lovely florist shop owner a hot cup of coffee. I may even spring for a muffin or a scone."

"Ooh, big spender," Janet teased.

===================

The mild autumn day allowed them to sit outside a small café just down the street from Janet's store and enjoy the fresh air, their lattes, and some much-needed, tension-free conversation.

"This is nice," Jack said, looking around. "I think I'm really going to like living here."

"You don't think you'll get tired of the rain?"

Jack shrugged. "Maybe. At times. Do you?"

"Sometimes. But when it stops raining, everything is so green and so fresh. I know there are worse places to live. Much worse."

Jack studied her face. "Do you think you would ever consider moving back to Southern California?"

Janet shook her head. "I don't miss it. It's going to be strange to be there again. Taylor and I are spending Thanksgiving with Terri and her family."

"She told me. You'll like her house. It's very nice."

"She showed me pictures when she was here. I'm looking forward to seeing it."

"And I'm looking forward to meeting Taylor and having dinner with the two of you. Will Saturday night work?"

Janet nodded. "Saturday would be fine. 7:00 p.m.?"

"Works for me. Where would you and Taylor like to eat?"

"How about 'The Captain's Table'?" Janet suggested with a grin. "You can tell Taylor your good news."

Jack liked Janet's idea. "Okay," he readily agreed.

"They have a great children's menu. I hope you don't change it too much."

Jack smiled. Spending this relaxing time with Janet had put Jack into a generous mood. "I won't change it at all," he declared, "if it means I can count on you and Taylor eating there. Often."