Chapter 7 Cullen
CULLEN
We’d dropped Callie off with Ruby over an hour ago, and since then I’d been trying to make small talk with Rose but she’d barely said a word.
I’d had a longer conversation with our server who was interested in applying to be a volunteer firefighter in Mustang Mountain than I’d had with the woman sitting across the table from me.
“How was your drink?” I asked. She’d finished off her huckleberry mule a few minutes ago. I thought the alcohol might help her relax, but she looked just as uptight as she’d been when we left the house.
“Good.” Her hands toyed with the wrapper from her straw, coiling it around and around her pointer finger, then pulling it free before doing it again.
Ruby had been thrilled to keep Callie overnight. It didn’t feel right to leave her with someone besides Rose, but Ruby insisted. She even asked if it would be okay to start calling herself Grandma Ruby since she didn’t have kids of her own. I didn’t have the heart to refuse her.
“You said there was something you wanted to talk to me about.” Rose looked at me over the appetizer she hadn’t touched. “I need to tell you something too. Do you want to go first or should I?”
I wanted to ask her to stay longer than three weeks—call it a job if I had to, but the truth sat lower in my gut.
I didn’t want to lose her. Not just the help.
Her. Usually, I’d insist on ladies first, but I was afraid of what she might say.
If she said she was leaving sooner, I wasn’t sure what I’d do with the hole that thought carved out of me.
“Do you mind if I share first?”
“Go ahead.” Her shoulders dipped, maybe in relief, maybe in disappointment. She was a difficult person to read, and hell, I’d been trying. It didn’t help that I had zero experience trying to decipher the opposite sex. I never stuck around long enough to have to figure things out.
“So, um…”
Our dinner arrived.
“The petite filet for the lady and the ribeye for the gentleman,” our server announced. “Do you need anything else? Steak sauce? Extra butter for your potatoes?”
“No thank you.” Rose gave him a tight-lipped smile.
“I think we’re good,” I said.
“Another huckleberry mule for you?” he asked. “And how are you doing on your beer? Can I bring you another pint?”
Figuring agreeing would be the quickest way to get him to leave, I nodded. “Sure.”
“I’ll be right back with your drinks.” He left, leaving me without the right words to get back to what I’d started to say before.
Rose slid a small bite of steak into her mouth.
She looked stunning tonight in a dress that dipped low in the front and hugged her curves.
She’d worn her hair up, and I had a hard time looking away from the spot where her pulse beat softly along her neck.
Under the table my knee bumped hers. Neither of us moved. The contact felt like a live wire.
“You were right about this place. The steak really does melt in your mouth.” She cut another bite while I glowed under the compliment like I’d grilled her filet myself.
“I’m glad something’s going right tonight,” I said, trying to keep things light.
Her smile landed like heat, anyway. I’d taken her into Silver Creek to get away from the prying eyes of everyone in Mustang Mountain.
I wasn’t sure how much of the gossip had reached her since she rarely left the house, but I’d heard my fill at the fire station.
The guys were teasing me about my ready-made little family.
Even Ruby had said something this morning when she’d taken that picture of us on the couch.
Seemed everyone assumed I’d go from single, to a single dad, to marrying my kid’s nanny.
I wanted to clear things up, even though I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that kiss.
“So… about what I was saying earlier,” I started again.
“Another round of drinks. A huckleberry mule for the lady and a pint of our fall amber for you.” Our server had impeccable timing. In the absolute worst way.
He gathered our empty glasses and the barely touched plate of stuffed mushrooms. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
I gave up. The conversation could wait until we got home.
I didn’t want to start and have to stop again.
Losing her scared me more than keeping her, and admitting that out loud scared me most. We both deserved to enjoy our dinner without having to talk about the hard things.
Instead, I made small talk about the barbecue cookoff that was starting the next day.
Rose said she’d bring Callie, and I was looking forward to seeing how well my great-aunt’s recipe would do.
“How many competitors will be there?” she asked.
“Last year they had about forty show up. One guy even came from Asheville, North Carolina. I heard there are thirty-two signed up for now, but they’ll take entries all the way up until it starts.”
“With all that interest, I’m surprised there’s not a barbecue restaurant in Mustang Mountain.”
Since I’d started making my great-aunt’s recipes again, I’d had the same thought.
I’d even looked into what it might cost to rent one of the old storefronts downtown and set up my own place.
Just hadn’t told anyone about it. Tonight, with the candlelight casting everything in a cozy warm glow, I considered opening up to Rose.
“Your brisket’s good enough. I bet people would be willing to pay for it.” She took another sip of her drink.
I didn’t look at her as I said the words out loud for the very first time.
“I’ve thought about it. It would be a lot of work to run my own place.
I don’t know anything about operating a kitchen or how to manage a restaurant full of staff, though.
And I definitely can’t do it alone,” I said.
I wasn’t just talking about barbecue, but about a life that suddenly looked bigger than one man and a baby.
“But you know barbecue.” She smiled, making me want to forget the only thing that connected us was the fact I’d hired her to take care of Callie. “You can learn the rest. Trust me, I’ve worked in enough restaurants to know you could handle it.”
“When have you worked in restaurants?” I’d been curious about her background since we met, but she hadn’t volunteered any information.
“I used to bus tables at the diner where my mom worked. Before that, I’d sit at a booth in the back and do my homework while she flirted with all the customers.
” Rose shrugged. The candlelight caught a few strands of hair that had worked free from her twist. I had a sudden urge to reach over and tuck them back behind her ear.
“Before I got stuck in Mustang Mountain, I was managing a place on the water in Monterrey.”
“So you’re from California?”
She bit down on her lip like she’d just shared too much. “I spent some time there, yeah.”
“Maybe you can teach me everything I need to know,” I teased.
What I wanted to ask was simpler and harder, like will you stay?
Opening my own restaurant was just a dream.
One that would have to wait even longer now that I had Callie to think about.
There wasn’t enough time in the day as it was.
I’d never be able to start my own business while holding down a job at the firehouse and taking care of her.
“You can probably hire someone for that.” She dabbed at her lip with her napkin.
“Someday, maybe. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do that you haven’t told anyone?” I was taking a risk by asking such a personal question. So I was surprised when she leaned forward and actually answered me.
“I want to see the Atlantic Ocean.” Her eyes took on a glossy shine like she was revisiting a memory and had forgotten I was even there.
“My grandma brought me a snow globe from a visit she made to the Outer Banks when I was a kid. She said the beaches there were different from the ones in California.”
“And you’ve never been?”
“No.”
“Then put it on the list,” I said, softer than I meant to. She looked away like I’d said too much.
She shook her head, then abruptly scooted back from the table. “Do you know where the restrooms are?”
“Back by the front door,” I said.
“Great. I’ll be back in a minute.”
My chest went tight. Don’t run. Not yet. Give me five more minutes to say it right.
My phone pinged with a text.
Miles: Any updates on tracking down Kinley’s asshole ex?
Me: Not that I’ve heard about. If he knows we’re onto him, he’s probably being careful.
Miles: I’ve got an idea on how to flush him out. Can you stop by Ace’s?
Me: Tonight?
Miles: Yeah. A few of us are out. Want your insight.
Me: I’ll try.
Rose came back, smiling and pretending like nothing had happened.
We finished dinner and left the restaurant with a doggy bag for Ozzy.
Rose pulled her sweater over her shoulders and stared out the window while I navigated the roads I’d been driving for as long as I could remember.
The silence between us wasn’t empty. It was loaded, like both of us were holding our breath for the same wrong reason.
I figured I’d drop her off at the house then head back into town and stop by Ace’s to see what Miles had been going on about. But as we entered Mustang Mountain, that felt like a hell of a lot of effort since I had to be up early for the competition.
“Hey, I got a text from Miles while we were at dinner. Do you care if we stop in at Ace’s for a few minutes? Otherwise I can take you home then come back.”
“No, I don’t mind. I can wait in the truck—”
“Not with Kinley’s ex still out there causing trouble. I’d feel safer knowing you’re at home with Ozzy or inside with me.” I might have been acting like an overprotective asshole, but I didn’t care.
Her hand landed on my arm. “That’s a waste of time. I’ll come in with you if it’s that important.”
‘Thanks.” Heat worked its way through the light jacket I’d thrown on over my long-sleeved shirt. I needed to keep my attraction in check. Especially if I wanted her to actually consider the long-term agreement I was ready to suggest.
She drew her hand back as I pulled into the lot.
“It should only take a few minutes.” I parked and hopped out to open her door for her before she had a chance to climb down out of the truck.
We could hear the music before we stepped through the doorway.
A live band played at the back of the bar, and the walls shook from the bass blaring through the speakers.
I didn’t recognize the guy working behind the bar.
Ace had hired more help after he and Everly got together.
Hell, I didn’t blame him for wanting to spend more time at home.
Bodies pressed in on all sides. I reached back and threaded my fingers through Rose’s so the crowd didn’t swallow her up.
With the advantage of standing a few inches above almost everyone else, I spotted Miles at a high-top table against the wall.
He waved when he saw me, and I started weaving my way through the obstacle course of people to reach him.
“You made it.” He held out his hand as we reached the table.
I reluctantly let go of Rose’s to take it. “Yeah. Ruby insisted on watching Callie tonight so I took Rose out to dinner for a break. Figured it would be easier to stop on the way home.”
“What are you drinking?” Priest asked. He was there with a few of the other Mustang Mountain Riders. I recognized Six and Bear, along with the president of the club, Atlas. If Miles had most of the officers gathered, whatever plan he’d come up with was going to be big.
“Nothing for me. I promised Rose we wouldn’t stay long.” I reached back and slipped my arm around her waist to pull her closer to the table. She fit there like she belonged.
“The two of you have big plans for a night without the baby, huh?” Priest didn’t even try to hide his smile.
Rose’s cheeks went from pale to bright pink as I elbowed him in the ribs.
“Sorry, I’m just giving Cullen some shit.” He laughed when he said it, though it cemented my decision to leave him a crappy tip the next time he worked on one of my tats. “Rae and Kinley are up by the stage with a few other of the ladies if you want to join them.”
“Sure. Come find me when you’re ready to go?” She asked before she slipped away.
I nodded, keeping an eye on her as she made her way through the crowd. When she’d reached the other women, I turned my attention back to the guys.
“What’s your big idea?” I asked Miles, eager to get on with it.
There was a time, not so long ago, that I looked forward to Friday nights at Ace’s place.
I’d relax, have a beer or two, and maybe even talk a stranger into letting me take her home.
Right then, all I wanted was to get Rose back to my place where I could finally ask her what I’d been trying to all night.
Miles dropped the smile and leaned forward. I had to bend closer to hear him. “We haven’t had any luck flushing out Doug. The Riders have been keeping an eye on the streets and he hasn’t shown his face between here and Coeur d’Alene over the past couple of weeks.”
“He’s probably keeping a low profile. Be patient. We’ll get him,” I said.
“I’m tired of waiting. Kinley’s going out of her mind. Neither one of us will have any peace until he’s either behind bars or six feet under.” The look in his eyes told me which option he’d prefer.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” I warned.
“There’s only one thing I can do.” He sat back in his chair. “Kinley and I are going to leave Mustang Mountain.”
The words punched through the noise. People left. That’s what they did. I looked toward the stage until I found Rose. Her head tipped forward as she laughed at something Rae said. She was right there, but so far away, like she was already a few steps out of my reach.