Chapter 27
Chapter twenty-seven
Tabitha
Following a quick lunch from a taco truck in downtown Wenatchee, Tabitha insisted they head to the coffee shop early so she could brush up on her notes and get into interview mode.
This part of her job always felt the most comfortable.
Whether she was working on a story about a pro climber, a business owner, or some lucky soul who’d barely escaped death, the excitement or passion in their eyes always gave her a rush.
It was a sensation she’d known well back when she competed. A zest for achievement. Notoriety. She’d been interviewed a few times in her heyday. Once by Rock ‘n’ Ropes long before she held a permanent residence with the climbing magazine.
Semi-permanent.
Reigniting her spark in the sport was critical to retaining her job. The career she’d fought so hard for. The career she lost so much for.
Because while journalism was a “perfectly fine job,” it wasn’t a future fitting the Handcocks’ only daughter. Not when she had such spectacular promise as a professional climber.
“Why would you waste your talent?” Her father’s words followed her to work every day, even though she hadn’t spoken to them once she’d stepped away from competing. All she had left of her family was Angus, and she was fortunate to always have his unwavering support.
She’d come a long way since cutting ties with her parents and taking a chance on herself. She’d missed their financial support for a bit, but it didn’t take long for her to find the right footing.
“Iced Americano for Tabitha Ba”—the barista tripped up with a smirk—“Tabitha Babitha?”
Tabitha scowled over her shoulder at Zac, who’d insisted he order both of their drinks before he settled at a table across the small café. He wanted to give her space to focus. But eyes crinkling in mirth while trying—and failing—to hold back a smile wasn’t exactly helping her concentrate.
“Is there a Tabitha Babitha here?”
With back straight, Tabitha rose and strode to the counter to accept the tainted peace offering. He wasn’t going to get a rise out of her.
Not today.
Thoughts of the alley interlude they’d shared flitted through her mind and she could practically feel his fingers on her—torturous and teasing.
“Thanks,” she clipped and returned to her table.
The earthy sip of coffee grounded her. Grateful for the promise of caffeine because lately, she’d been oscillating between keyed up and so very, very tired.
Between her career concerns and the reminder that she still had a whole lead climbing excursion with Zac tomorrow, there was a lot battling for space in her mind.
One thing at a time. First, the interview.
Bells jingled over the café door, and a tall man with dark blond hair and tired eyes escorted an extremely pregnant woman inside.
She’d seen the couple’s photos while researching before the trip.
Though he looked like he’d aged ten years and it looked like a slight breeze could send the petite brunette toppling.
That must be the Millers.
Tabitha rose from her table and approached the couple with a pleasant smile. “Mr. and Mrs. Miller? I’m Tabitha from Rock ‘n’ Ropes.”
“Jonathan,” he said, reaching out a large hand, encircling hers for a cordial pump. “This is my wife, Lucy.”
But instead of taking the offered handshake, a beaming Lucy pulled Tabitha in for a bone-crushing hug. Aware of the giant baby between them, Tabitha concaved her middle to accommodate the belly girth and tried to return the embrace casually with a gentle back pat.
“I’m so excited to meet you,” she beamed, leaning back and gazing up at Tabitha, who stood a half foot taller. Lucy loosened her hug but snatched both of her hands and pulled the redhead down so they were eye to eye. “Frankie told me everything, so I already like you.”
The hushed voice and wink gave Tabitha pause.
Exactly how much had Frankie told her?
Before she could agonize too much, Jonathan intervened, “I’m going to grab us a drink. Do you need anything, Tabitha?”
She shook her head, “Thanks. I still have a full Americano.”
“God, I miss caffeine,” Lucy lamented, eyeing Tabitha’s beverage with a lusty gaze.
“Come on, wife,” Jonathan supported a hand under Lucy’s elbow and turned her toward the counter. “Let me buy you a decaf chai and a snack.”
A few minutes later, the Millers sat opposite Tabitha at her table. She wanted to give them a moment before launching into her list of questions. Taking a few bites and sips helped relax an interviewee and allowed Tabitha to get a basic read on their mood.
After demolishing half of her blueberry muffin and flitting a few glances over Tabitha’s shoulder, Lucy asked, “Are you having fun in town so far?”
“Definitely. Leavenworth is beautiful,” Tabitha responded genuinely. “I can’t believe I’ve never been before now.”
“First timer, huh? So, you’re not from Washington, then?” Lucy asked, taking another glance across the cafe.
“I am, but I never thought to come over here.” Knowing now that there was such an incredible gem in the middle of the state, she felt silly not having visited before. “I’m sure I’ll be back again. The climbing’s great, and the vibe is so much more relaxed. The perfect climbing getaway.”
“I’m a transplant, but Jonathan has lived here most of his life. Runs his family’s business now.” She laid a hand on her husband’s exposed forearm and twiddled the dusting of hair.
“And now you both run Off the Beaten Adventures.”
“That’s right. Family business,” Jonathan said warmly. Clasping Lucy’s hand, he brought her fingers to his lips for a whisper of a kiss before returning it to his forearm. Then he settled his palm on her rounded belly. “And soon, it’ll be a third-generation operation.”
So much love radiated off the couple. It would almost be nauseating if Tabitha weren’t already infatuated with the whole family. Even though it wasn’t in the cards for her, Tabitha would have loved having a similar partnership. One where love and support ruled all.
Something she thought possible at one time in her early twenties.
Refocusing on the Millers, she asked, “Boy or girl?”
“One of each!” Lucy chortled with a bit of hysteria. “Can you believe it?”
That made sense. While Jonathan was a large man, it was more plausible that she carried two normal-sized babies rather than a single Thanksgiving turkey-sized one.
“Congratulations,” Tabitha said with a grin.
“If you’re going to stare at the back of her head the whole time you might as well join us,” Lucy heckled past Tabitha, who glanced over her shoulder to spot the mom-to-be’s intended target. “He’s been working at OtB as long as Jonathan. He’s family.”
Zac curled in on himself but failed his attempt at invisibility.
“Nah, you guys do your thing,” he called across the room. “Plus, there’s only three chairs, so . . .”
Lucy shrugged. With a little rocking and a resounding grunt, she pushed to a stand. But before she could waddle for the nearest vacant chair, Jonathan and Zac rushed to her side to stop her.
“Jesus, guys. I’m pregnant, not broken. I can move a damned chair,” she chided the men then tossed a mischievous wink over her shoulder at Tabitha.
Cheeky, meddlesome woman.
But Tabitha already liked her.
Zac pulled over the chair and before sitting asked Tabitha, “Is this all right with you?”
Tabitha nodded, secretly wishing he would sit even closer, then busied herself with a long sip of coffee.
“Zac’s been taking a super hands-on approach recently too.”
Tabitha’s coffee scalded her windpipe as the comment caught her off guard. She covered her mouth with a napkin to keep from coughing all over the table and took comfort in the warm hand gently rubbing circles on her back.
“Wrong tube?” Zac cooed, sending currents of electricity straight to her toes. She nodded, and he leaned in to whisper. “Always trying to make a scene, aren’t you, tabby cat?”
His breath smelled warm and spicy from his drink and tickled at the hairs tucked behind her ears. A sudden shiver rippled through her, making her grateful for having shrugged into her little green cardigan earlier. She fiddled with a button on the front before glancing back at her table guests.
Lucy’s unblinking anime eyes and matching grin were the exact opposite of her husband’s scowly, squinty-eyed stare. Fortunately for Tabitha, the malice on Jonathan’s face was directed at Zac. Tabitha shrugged his hand off her back and scooched her chair to add a little distance.
Returning herself to her notes, she said, “Will you tell me how you two met?”
“I’m much more interested in what’s going on here,” Lucy purred, leaning in on both elbows. She practically wiggled with excitement.
Jonathan sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “So am I.”