Chapter 13 Diamond #2
“Well, hello, Mr. Handsome!” I wink at Hunter and peek around him at the attractive man he brought with him. Someone new with gorgeous blue eyes. “And hello to your new friend. Another jaw dropper. Welcome to The Thirsty Cow, Sugar.”
The man nods and smiles. “Thank you. Hunter tells me you’re the best guy in town for coffee.”
“Aww, he did? That’s so sweet. But yes, that’s true.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.” Hunter rolls his eyes, but he still smiles.
“This is my friend Alec. He’s here for the week to help with the rodeo school.
We used to rope together, and he agreed to come back here and help me out.
Warren is taking up a lot of our time, and I want the students to get their money’s worth if I’m not as available, you know? ”
Warren is the foster child he and Gabe have taken in. I know Hunter is happy to have him, but he wasn’t prepared for how much time it would take to get Warren settled and, well, be a parent who owns a business and still travels to compete in rodeo. It’s not an easy transition.
“It’s okay to ask for help from your friends. No one can say no to that handsome face, Hunter. Go sit your fine ass down, and I’ll bring your usual.”
Hunter huffs but does as he’s told, and the blue-eyed dreamboat smiles as he watches him weave through the tables to sit on his favourite sofa.
“I’ve never seen Hunter listen so well before. He’s changed a lot since we were kids. It’s nice to see.”
“Oh, you grew up together?”
“Sort of.” He wiggles his hand in the air, and the light bounces off his wedding band.
Someone did the right thing, locking him down.
I’ve only just met him, but I can tell he’s a sweetheart.
Maybe a little like Rhett with his quiet words, but strong and steady presence.
“We were roping partners for years, and I’m pretty sure you and I met at his wedding, didn’t we? You seem familiar.”
Pausing with Hunter’s coffee, I tilt my head. That night is a bit foggy. I remember dancing with Levi a lot because I was having some kind of crisis. I remember Gabe telling me about how awesome it was that Hunter’s friends from Ontario made it to the wedding, and then it floods back.
“Oh my god! We totally did! I’m so sorry. I should have recognized you. Those eyes of yours can stop traffic, Sug. You were more than friends with Hunter at one time, if I recall.”
Alec nods and points to the cup I’ve finished for Hunter. “I’ll have whatever he has. He’s always had good taste in coffee.” I nod and continue to make another one for him. “And don’t worry about it. That was a fast evening. My husband and I barely made it with the flight delays.”
“Welcome back to Kissing Ridge properly. It’s definitely not a hardship to have you here for a week.” I wink, and the man just smiles at me, like he appreciates the attention but also isn’t bothered by it.
“I look forward to seeing you while I’m here then. Would you like me to take the mugs with me?”
“Only if you want to. You’ll miss out on my table-side charm if you do.”
He chuckles and nods his head as he reaches for the mugs. “Something tells me you’ll be visiting before we leave. Have a good day, Diamond.”
Alec takes the mugs, and I watch as he follows the path to reach Hunter and sits.
They both place their hats on the seats next to them before they get to whatever it is they came to discuss, and for a moment, I’m stuck in place.
Surveying my little slice of heaven here in The Thirsty Cow and grateful for every friendship I’ve forged through coffee and baking.
I’m not sure why I’m suddenly overly emotional.
Actually, no, that’s a lie. I’ve been on edge waiting to hear from Rhett about the house.
I want so badly to reach out and ask if he has news, but against my usual character…
I held back. Rhett allowed me to see a little more of him that night.
His Italian background and memories of cooking with his grandfather weren’t something I took lightly.
He has memories locked away that I can only hope he shares with me someday.
Rhett said he couldn’t promise me anything beyond casual connections, and it’s difficult for me to accept that a man as gentle as him doesn’t need more of me.
I should be used to it by now. I always fall for the unavailable ones, but dammit…
I asked the universe to deliver my dream man, and it did.
I should have been more specific and asked for the dream man to be in love with me and enjoy a fall wedding.
“Do you need me to cover out here for a while, boss? You said you wanted to get some baking started for tomorrow.”
Morgan stands next to me with a tray loaded with dirty dishes, their eyebrow quirked in question.
“You know what? Yes. I’ll take that.” I motion for them to hand me the tray. “I’m going to try my hand at something new. Call me out if it gets busy.”
“You got it, boss.”
Once in the back kitchen, I load the dishes into the dishwasher and grab my recipe tablet. After scrolling for a bit, I pause over one.
Fuck it.
I’m told Italians love to make food.
Maybe if I make one bad enough, he’ll feel obligated to show me how to do it correctly. We’ll fall in love with icing sugar on our cheeks and have the most romantic kiss in the history of kisses.
Totally possible.