Chapter Seven
When they arrived at Giuseppe’s, the host led them to a table in the middle of the room. Davin looked around – the restaurant was quiet and there were a few tables where both he and Alexis would be able to keep their backs to the wall. He knew that she would be no more comfortable than he was sitting out in the open like this.
He opened his mouth to tell the host that they’d need a different table, but he didn’t get the chance to speak before Tino appeared in the doorway from the kitchen. He grinned and waved a hand in greeting then called, “Not there,” to the host.
The kid gave Davin an apologetic look. “Sorry. It’s my first night, I …”
Tino reached them and rested his hand on the kid’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Booker. You’re fine, you did a good job picking up menus and bringing them to the right section.” He smiled at Davin before he continued, “I’ll teach you the order we like to seat the tables as people come in, and over time, you’ll get to know our regulars. When you do, you’ll know that some of them will always want to be seated by the wall.”
Booker glanced at Davin before looking away quickly. “Sorry.”
“It’s not a problem,” Davin told him. “You couldn’t know.”
Booker looked at him again, taking his time before nodding slowly. “If I’d stopped to think about it, I could probably have figured it out.”
Tino smiled. “You’re a fast learner; the more I teach you, the more you’ll figure out on your own, but go easy on yourself. I’m expecting this to take time. Why don’t you go and get water for the table.”
Tino led Davin and Alexis to a table in the corner of the smaller room at the back of the restaurant and smiled as he gestured for them to sit.
“I assume this is better?”
Davin nodded happily and raised an eyebrow at Alexis.
“This is great, thank you.” The angle of the table meant that they were each able to sit with their back to the wall.
“Alexis, this is Tino. He owns Giuseppe’s. Tino, this is Alexis.”
“Oh! You’re Cal’s friend! You’re staying at Terry’s house?”
“That’s me. They weren’t joking when they said that news travels fast in a small town, were they?”
Tino chuckled. “It’s true, but if it helps, the only reason I know is that Terry is one of my oldest friends – I didn’t hear about you from customer gossip.”
She smiled. “That does make me feel a little better.” She glanced over her shoulder.
“What’s the deal with Booker?” Davin asked. “He said this is his first night, but I haven’t seen him around town before.”
Tino glanced to where Booker was walking slowly back to them, carefully carrying a jug of water.
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you some other time.” He smiled at Alexis. “I hope you guys have a good evening.”
“Is the short version that he’s a good kid, who’s gone through a bad time, and you’re giving him a chance?” Alexis asked.
“It is.”
Davin watched as Booker reached the table and set the jug down. He looked nervous and eager to please. Davin hoped that he’d step up and make the most of the chance that Tino was giving him – he struck Davin as the kind of kid who would.
~ ~ ~
By the time she set her fork down, Alexis’s cheeks were aching from smiling and laughing so much. Davin seemed quiet and maybe even a little reserved at first, but when he opened up and got talking, he had her laughing and opening up right back.
“Okay, so we’ve traded enough war stories that we can each respect the other’s experience in the field, as you call it. What about in life?”
She raised her eyebrows. “You mean back in the real world, on civvy street?”
He nodded.
“What do you want to know?”
All her breath caught in her chest when he reached across the table and took her hand in his as he said, “Everything.”
She swallowed as she met his gaze. “There’s not that much to tell. My job was my whole world. Since I retired I …” She made a face. “Well, there was Gordon. So, I’d say that I haven’t been too successful back in the real world.”
He squeezed her hand. “It all depends on how you look at it. You could say that you tested out one possibility and discovered that it wasn’t suitable. That’s a success in its own way – you eliminated one possibility and now you’re free to explore others.”
“True.”
“And you rescued the horses. That’s a major success if you ask me – and if they could talk, I’m sure they’d agree with me.”
“Also true. I don’t know what came over me. I mean, I love horses, I hated the idea of them going off to meet such a horrible fate but …”
“But what?”
“They’re a big commitment, you know? I had no idea what I was going to do or where I was going to land once I made the decision to leave DC and to leave Gordon. Then, when I learned about the horses, it became about them rather than about me. What are you thinking?”
“That you’re still working.”
“I don’t understand.”
He chuckled. “Probably because I need to explain myself better. I don’t know you well enough yet, but I do know how it is for people in your profession. I’m guessing that your whole life was going from one op to the next, always pursuing an objective. Whenever you completed a mission, you moved on to the next.”
She nodded.
“And when you retired, you didn’t have a next one to move on to. When you got rid of dull Gordon, you had absolutely nothing on the slate, rescuing the horses became a mission in itself.”
“I suppose it did. But now that’s complete.”
“Is it? Do you see getting them to a safe place – to Lily’s barn – as the end of your involvement with them?”
She shrugged. “It could be, but I don’t think so.”
Davin smiled. “I hope it isn’t. I think you could go on a whole new journey with them – I don’t mean an actual journey – nothing that you’d need to leave the lake for. I think you could find a lot of purpose and fulfillment in making them part of your life.”
“Yeah.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Or has the appeal worn off now that the active part – the rescuing them – is over.”
“Not the appeal, that hasn’t worn off, no, but …” She blew out a sigh. “I think if anything has worn off, it’s my belief in my abilities. I knew that I could rescue them, I don’t know that I’m capable of creating a bond with them.”
“The only way you can know is to stick around and see.”
She smiled. “Are you just trying to persuade me that I shouldn’t leave town yet?”
“Partly. I’d hate for you to go before we have the chance to get to know each other better. But even if you decide that you don’t want to spend any more time with me, I just know how good this place is for people like us. Most of the guys have found work here. I don’t know what plans you have in that respect, but I do know that you’re going to need some kind of purpose, you’ll go nuts without it. It seems to me like the horses could be that for you.”
Alexis pursed her lips. She’d thought that the horses could provide her with some sense of purpose, but she’d been second-guessing herself. They didn’t need her active input. They’d worked hard all their lives and seemed content to wander around the pasture at Lily’s place. As long as they were munching hay and hanging out together, their life was good. If she were to be around them all the time, it would be more for her benefit than theirs.
“Maybe. I’ll give it some time and see.” She looked up as Booker walked past their table, leading a couple to a table in the far corner. “I wonder what his deal is.”
Davin smiled as the boy approached them on his way back. Booker returned the smile and came over.
“Is everything all right for you? Anything I can do?” he asked.
Davin raised his eyebrows at her, but Alexis shook her head. “Everything was wonderful, thank you. I think we’re done.”
Davin nodded his agreement. “We’ll just need the check, but there’s no hurry. How about you? How’s your first night going?”
Booker’s gaze darted around before he leaned in a little closer with a big smile on his face. “It’s going well. I think I’m doing okay. Tino did me a big favor, offering me the chance to work here. I’m not going to let him down.”
“I’m sure you won’t,” Alexis told him. “You seem to be doing great. I wouldn’t have guessed this was your first night.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you new in town?” Davin asked.
Booker dropped his gaze. “Kind of. I … spent some time here when I was small, and I just moved back a few weeks ago.”
“And are you happy to be here?” Alexis asked. She imagined that a boy his age, or young man – she’d guess that he was in his late teens – would rather move to the excitement of a big city than out here to a small town like Summer Lake.
When he didn’t answer, she chuckled. “Did your parents move up here, and you had no choice in the matter?”
There was no mistaking the look of pain that flashed across his face. He hid it quickly, but Alexis felt bad that she’d obviously said the wrong thing.
“I came by myself.” He looked back over his shoulder. “If you don’t need anything, I’ll get back out front. I’ll let your server know that you’re ready for your check.”
“Thanks,” said Davin. “You’re doing a great job.”
They watched him walk away before Alexis turned to Davin and blew out a sigh. “Looks like I put my foot in it there.”
“He definitely didn’t want to talk about his family, did he?”
“Do you think he’s all right?”
“I hope so. I’ll ask Tino what the deal is with him.”
~ ~ ~
They didn’t see Tino again before they left, but Davin intended to give him a call and ask about Booker; there was something about the kid. Davin couldn’t put his finger on it, but if Booker needed help of some kind, he wanted to offer any assistance he could.
They stopped at the host station on the way out, to thank him again and to say goodnight.
“I didn’t mean to be rude earlier,” he told Alexis. “I just …”
She held up her hand with a smile. “If anyone should be apologizing, it’s me. I’m sorry. I was curious about you, and I overstepped. You don’t owe me – or anyone else – an explanation, and you certainly don’t need to apologize for not giving one.”
Booker glanced at Davin, and he nodded. “She’s right. You don’t have to answer anyone’s questions if you don’t want to. Your personal business is your own. I hope you settle in well. I’m not going to ask if you have friends in town – because it’s none of my business – but if you need any help with anything, you can give me a call.”
He offered Booker one of his business cards – he’d usually bitched to Adam that he didn’t need the damn things, but he was glad he had one on him tonight.
Booker took it and read it and then looked up at him wide-eyed. “You work security?”
“I do. It’s nowhere near as exciting as it sounds, but I’m not a bad guy to have around if ever you need backup.”
Alexis laughed beside him. “It’s true. He helped me out just the other day.”
“Thanks. I … I’m okay. I’m not in trouble or anything.”
“I didn’t think you were,” Davin reassured him. “I just wanted you to know that if ever trouble shows up, you’re not on your own.”
He took two twenties out of his wallet and stuck them in the jar on the podium. The kid’s eyes grew wide again, and Davin shrugged. “I don’t know how they work tips around here. If you each keep your own, then great – that’s for you. If you pool them and then divvy them up, you’ll be bringing a bit more to the pot.”
“Thank you.” Booker’s smile was more genuine and less wary this time. “I appreciate it. And you’re Davin and Alexis, right?”
They nodded.
“Do you come in here a lot?”
They looked at each other and Alexis chuckled. “This is my first time; I’m new in town. I think it’s safe to say that we’ll be back, though.”
Davin nodded happily. He hoped that they’d be spending more time together after tonight – that this was the first of many dates that they’d go on.
When he pulled up in front of the house, Alexis turned in her seat to face him. “I really enjoyed this evening, thank you.”
His heart sank; her words sounded a lot like Thank you and goodnight. He made himself smile.
“I enjoyed it, too.” He pressed his lips together and waited; it was better to see what she had to say than to go jumping to conclusions.
She laughed. “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know what you think easy would be.” Did she want him to let her off the hook?
She rolled her eyes. “I’m thinking that I’ll appear too easy if I invite you in.”
“Does that mean that you want to, but you don’t think you should?”
She nodded slowly. “It’s not my standard MO, but I think we proved the other night that our chemistry is off the charts, and we did say ...”
“We did, and if that’s what you want, I’d love to – but there are no expectations and there’s no big rush.” He smiled. “We can take our time.”
“We probably should.”
“Yeah.”
Her eyes shone in the dark of the cab. “Want to walk me to my door?”
“I do.”
She reached for the door handle, and he jumped out and hurried around the hood of the truck to meet her. He reached for her hand as they walked up the path to the front door.
She brought their joined hands up in front of them with a smile.
“What?” he asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious. He didn’t think of himself as a hand holder. He didn’t remember reaching for Zoe’s hand even once while he was with her, yet he’d reached for Alexis’s hand a few times tonight.
Alexis squeezed his fingers. “Don’t look so worried. I like it – that’s what I meant. And you know, I was with Gordon for a while, and I don’t think we ever held hands. With you it feels … natural.”
She let go of his hand to take her keys out of her purse. She unlocked the front door and pushed it open before turning back to him.
“I’m torn. I want to take our time. I don’t want to jump into something that we might just as quickly want to jump back out of.”
He wanted to say that he wouldn’t want to jump back out. Instead, he leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. “Like I said, there’s no rush.”
She blew out a sigh. “But when you kiss me like that I want to rush. I want to drag you upstairs and …”
He stepped closer as she spoke, resting his hands on her hips. He wanted to take her upstairs, too. There was something about her that drew him in and turned him on. He wanted …
“Davin?”
He stepped back in a hurry and put a protective arm in front of Alexis as he turned to face the street. He didn’t recognize the female voice that called his name a second time.
“Davin?”
“Yeah. It’s me. Is that …?” He peered at the shadowy figure next to his truck. “Shayna?”
Alexis stepped around him to stand by his side.
Shayna opened the gate and came hurrying up the path.
“I’m so freaking sorry!” she said when she reached them. “I …”
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Alexis asked before Davin could.
Shayna looked over her shoulder. “I’m so sorry to interrupt you guys like this. I think I’m fine now, but he creeped me out. This is the quickest way home and I thought I could … but ...”
“Who creeped you out?” Davin asked as he scanned the quiet street. He couldn’t see anyone.
Shayna shuddered. “Just a guy. I don’t know him, but he was hanging around by the gym tonight. He wolf-whistled when I was going in. I could see him leering through the windows while I was teaching my Pilates class and …” She shuddered again. “He’s probably gone now. It might not even have been him, but I thought I saw him following me on my way home and …”
“Why are you walking home by yourself?” Davin’s tone was sterner than he’d intended, but he was pissed! Not at Shayna, but at the asshole who’d made her feel unsafe.
She made a face at him. “Because it’s Summer Lake! You know what it’s like here. There’s nothing to worry about – normally.”
“You can’t ever let your guard down,” Alexis told her. “Summer Lake does seem like a safe place but don’t ever get complacent – please.”
Shayna nodded. “I know. You’re right. Anyway. I’m sorry. I’ll be fine now. I just … you know how it is when you convince yourself that there’s someone behind you and they’re getting closer – I just panicked and got stupid. Then I saw you and …” She gave them a rueful smile. “I knew I’d be safe if I could just get to you. I’m fine now. You guys have a good night.”
“I’ll take you.”
Shayna met his gaze. “No! I wasn’t looking for a ride, honestly. I …” She turned to Alexis. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean …”
Alexis reached out and touched her arm. “You have nothing to apologize for. You did the right thing. I’m glad you spotted us. Let Davin take you home and make sure that you’re safe.”
“Shoot. I’m so stupid! I didn’t mean to mess your night up.”
Davin gave Alexis a rueful smile before telling Shayna, “You didn’t mess anything up. Go jump in the truck, I’ll be there in a minute.”
Shayna gave Alexis another apologetic look. “Sorry.”
Alexis just smiled. “There’s really no need.”
They watched her get in the truck before he turned back to Alexis. “I guess she took the decision out of our hands.”
She chuckled. “I’m afraid so. It looks like I’m losing out to a younger woman.”
“No! It’s not like that. I … I can drop her off and come straight back. I …”
She stepped closer and gripped his shirt at his sides. “Relax; I was teasing you.”
“Sorry. I guess I don’t have much of a sense of humor when it comes to that. I just don’t fit the stereotype of the older guy who goes out chasing younger women. I learned my lesson there. And I don’t want you to think …”
She reached up and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I don’t.”
He leaned down for another quick peck. “So, we’re going to take this slowly?”
She nodded.
“How slowly?”
She laughed. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”
He laughed with her. “Coming over here as soon as I get off work?”
“Deal. Don’t expect me to cook for you, though. We can order something from The Boathouse.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Okay, you’d better go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He touched his lips to hers one last time before turning to go.