Chapter 4 #3
He nodded. “I’m still waiting on the parts, but I’m going to get it prepped so as soon as they do come in, I can get going right away.
” He took another bite of his dinner before adding, “And I promise you, I’m not moving it from that bay until it’s done.
Even if I can’t work on it, I want you to know that it’s my top priority. ”
It didn’t seem possible for her to feel more relaxed than she already was, but that admission from him certainly made her feel like the last weight was off her shoulders. “You have no idea how much that means to me, Devin. Thanks.”
They ate in companionable silence for several minutes before Devin spoke again. “I think now might be a good time to prepare you for tomorrow.”
“What do you mean? Does something wild usually happen on Tuesdays?” she asked with amusement.
“No, but…” Pausing, he let out a long breath. “Okay, you know how you didn’t want to go grocery shopping with me because you felt like everyone was watching you?”
“Yeah…”
“Let’s just say I have a feeling we’re going to see an increase in calls and walk-ins over the next few days because everyone’s going to want to know who the new girl is and why she’s working and staying with me.”
Nodding, she replied, “Ah…got it. They’re not going to stay on their side of the glass, is that what you’re saying?”
That made him chuckle. “Oh, they’ll stay on their side of the glass, but they’ll be lined up waiting to see you and talk to you, so…”
Just the thought of being the center of attention like this made her a bit uncomfortable. Growing up and moving around so much always made her the new kid in school and–therefore–the center of attention.
And she never liked it.
However…she’d gotten used to it and knew she really wasn’t all that exciting and people would quickly grow bored with her. Besides, she was only going to be here for a week. How bad could it be? She could certainly put up with a few nosey people for a week.
Pfft…easy peasy…
“Look, I’m not going to say that I’m looking forward to it, but it’s certainly not going to break me,” she reasoned with a shrug.
“I’m sure once the first few come in and realize there’s nothing particularly newsworthy about me, they’ll move on.
And with the big reunion this weekend and this whole festival thing coming up, you know there’s so much more to get excited about here. ”
All he did was smile and nod before taking another bite of his dinner, and for some reason, she felt like he didn’t agree with her.
Her gaze narrowed. “I have a feeling you’re trying hard not to say something.”
He took another sip of wine before responding. “All I’m saying is that you should be prepared, that’s all. I can’t say for sure how many people are going to come in–or call–but…”
“I’m not going to need you to stand guard with me at the desk again,” she countered mildly. “I’ve been the new girl at a dozen different schools, and the same with jobs. I greatly doubt there’s anything the people of Sweetbriar Ridge are going to do to traumatize me.”
“Then I guess we don’t have a problem,” he said with a grin, his dimples on full display.
“Exactly.”
They went back to eating, and MacKenzie knew they were going to need a new topic. She was tired of talking about her car–because it was depressing her–and talking more about the people who wanted to gawk at her wasn’t much better.
“Are you going to the reunion this weekend?”
“That’s the plan,” he replied casually. “You’re more than welcome to come with me if you’d like.”
“Um…”
“Friday night there’s rock and roll bowling, which is really just like regular bowling with a lot of loud music,” he went on.
“There’s a big dance in the high school gym with some food and stuff Saturday night, and then Sunday there’s a big pancake breakfast for everyone.
It’s always a lot of fun. I think you’d enjoy it. ”
She was too polite to say that nothing about that sounded overly fun–especially when she didn’t know anyone. Instead, she gave him a small smile and said, “I don’t know. Maybe.”
And luckily, Devin didn’t push.
“And this festival thing,” she began. “Are all the businesses going to have booths at it and close their shops for the day?”
“It’s a five-day festival,” he told her.
“And I don’t think all the businesses are doing booths–it wasn’t really an option–but I know some of the food places are going to have trucks up there.
The resort’s catering staff is doing the bulk of the food, that I do know.
And as for closing, the garage is only going to be open until noon on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday that week, and we’ll close for the whole weekend.
” He shrugged. “I know it must seem silly to think about making all these concessions for a festival, but Joe and Eric both have little kids and they really wanted to have the time to take them.”
“For five days?” she asked with a small laugh. “Don’t get me wrong, I get that it’s a big deal, but what could there possibly be to do that would take five days to see? It’s not like they built Disney World up on the mountain.”
“No, but…the place has been closed and neglected for a long time. I told you about all the activities and the nightly concerts, so…I don’t know, it all sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
MacKenzie finished her dinner before reaching for her wine.
“I guess I don’t see it that way because my dad always worked and we never did things like that.
There were plenty of carnivals and stuff that came around once a year, but I went to those with my friends and only for a single night because we couldn’t afford for me to go more than once.
” She sighed. “I’ve been working since I was fourteen to help out.
My dad worked a lot and it never seemed to be enough.
So maybe…maybe I look at taking five days to hang out at a festival as being frivolous or irresponsible.
” She took a sip of her wine before adding, “God, what a judgy bitch I must sound like.”
But Devin wasn’t looking at her like she was crazy and he wasn’t looking at her with pity.
And that scored major points with her.
Not that he needed them. The man was already the equivalent of seeing Bigfoot and a unicorn at the same time.
“You don’t sound judgy,” he assured her. “That’s what your life was like, and it sounds like your dad did the best he could. And from everything I’ve gotten to know about you in the last twenty-four hours, he did a great job.”
She swallowed the lump of emotion clogging her throat. Her dad had been awesome and she still missed him so much. Hearing Devin’s words made her realize she was still honoring her father by being a good person.
Even if she made horrible choices in her life from time to time.
“Besides,” he went on. “We’re all entitled to our opinions.”
“I’m sure it sounds crazy to you…”
“Not at all,” he quickly interrupted. “But…if you’re still in town and want to check it all out, I’d love to go with you.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask why, but she already knew.
Because he was a good guy.
And maybe if she was legit still here in Sweetbriar for the festival, she’d finally figure out how to handle someone like Devin.
Maybe.