Chapter 4 #2
“I had no idea you were back there!” He laid his phone down and turned to her. “Yeah, a lot of them have sounded promising, and they weren’t. I’m not getting my hopes up.”
“Guess there’s only one way to find out,” she said as she toted the basket of towels out of the laundry room.
She was right. There was only one way to find out, and he hoped he got to. Maybe that would be one frog he’d like to kiss.
He looked at his watch. When he’d realized he’d have the day off because it was raining, he’d messaged Gina and asked if they could meet that afternoon.
She’d instantly said yes, and that made him hopeful.
Of course, she was at work at the co-op, so he had to drive there, but he didn’t mind. It wasn’t a bad drive at all.
The place was gorgeous. It was a big pole building with red metal roofing and a porch on the front, and there were potted plants and rocking chairs everywhere.
They had an impressive garden center and plenty of parking.
After a quick peek in the visor mirror to make sure his hair wasn’t sticking up all over the place, Kyle dropped to the ground from the truck’s running board and strolled toward the front door.
The rain had tapered to a light mist by then.
He hated losing a work day, but it had given him an opportunity to meet Gina. That couldn’t be a coincidence.
A bell jingled on the door to announce his entrance, and from somewhere in the back he heard a voice say, “Be right with you.” Everything was neat and tidy.
There were plenty of garden chemicals, brightly-colored ceramic pots, and bags of different kinds of soils and soil additives.
Stepping around the end of an aisle, he found himself right at the counter and there, behind it, was Gina.
“Hey! You’re Gina, right?”
She gave him the side-eye. “Yes.”
“I’m Kyle!” He held out his hand, but she just stood there. “Kyle. You know, Kyle. I said I’d be here today.”
“Okay. Did you have an order to pick up or …”
“No. Kyle. You know, from the site? I’m a farmer? I have a daughter?” Holy shit, did she do this so much that she had him confused with somebody else?
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand. You know my name but—”
“Here. Lunch. Let me go get the drinks and …” The woman who’d just bustled into the space behind the counter looked up and her eyebrows flew upward. “Kyle!”
What the hell is going on here? he wanted to scream. “Yes. I’m Kyle. Do I know you?”
“My name is, uh, I’m Sabrina, and this is my sister, Gina.”
“We’ve met,” the first woman said gruffly.
“Yes. But there seems to be some confusion,” Kyle said.
Sabrina glanced from Kyle to Gina and back to Kyle. “I’m sorry. I thought you’d get here later. I probably should’ve—”
Gina wheeled on her sister. “You didn’t.”
“Look, you really need to—”
Gina’s face was bloodred. “I can’t believe you’ve done this! How dare you! You had no right to—”
“You need to get out and meet people, Gina! Please don’t be mad! I just—”
“You just what? Hijacked my life? What did you do? Put a profile up on one of those dating websites?”
Uh-oh. Fuck me. I need to find a way to get out of this. Kyle couldn’t believe it. How unfuckingbelievably awkward. “I should just—”
Sabrina whined, “No! Please, stay? She’s really not—”
“Not really what? Mad? Sabrina, I swear to god, I should—”
“Um, I think I’ll just be going,” Kyle said in barely more than a whisper as he started backing toward the entrance.
“Gina, don’t do this! He’s a nice guy! You should—”
“I should have a sister who stays out of my business! That’s what I should do! I can’t believe you …”
Kyle didn’t hear the rest. He took off out the door as fast as he could go. I’m done with this. Never again, he told himself as he neared the truck. Just as he opened the door, he heard someone yell, “Kyle!”
I’m going to chew this bitch out for setting me up this way, he told himself as he turned, but he got a big surprise.
It wasn’t Sabrina; it was Gina. “Kyle, please. Hold up.”
He stood there with the door open and his hand on the armrest. “Look, I’m sorry. I had nothing to do with this. I never dreamed your sister—”
“I know, and I’m sorry too. She means well, but she gets a little bossy and nosy sometimes.”
“It’s okay. Perfectly okay. I get it. Nice to meet you. I’ll just—”
“Hey, listen, can I at least buy you a cup of coffee? I feel bad about this. I really do.”
“You’re under no obligation. It’s okay. After some of the dates I’ve been on, this really isn’t so bad. You seem like a nice lady. Please, don’t worry about me. It’s fine.”
“No. It’s not. Please? I’ll feel better if you let me buy you a cup of coffee.
No strings. Just down the street at the bakery.
If you’ll go on down there, I’ll go in and tell Miss Bossybutt where I’m going and I’ll be right there.
Serves her right to have to work by herself for a little while after what she’s done. ”
Kyle looked at the woman standing before him.
She looked tired and a little frazzled, but that kind look he’d noticed in the photo was definitely there.
What did he have to lose? He’d already driven all that way.
A cup of coffee and a little conversation would be nice.
Then he’d get in the truck and go on his merry way, and Gina Pritchard would never have to see him again. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
“I’m positive. It’s the least I can do. I’ll be right there.”
“Well, okay. See you in a few.” Kyle climbed into the truck and wheeled out of the parking lot.
She’d pointed in the opposite direction from the one he’d come, so he drove on down the street.
Sure enough, there was a little bakery with a lighted LED sign that read All homemade, all the time.
That sounded good. Even if she never showed up, he could have a slice of pie. That would make everything better.
He sat down at a table and noticed the clerk behind the counter watching him. “Oh. I suppose I should order up there, huh?” he said with a grin and the girl giggled. “You got a dark roast?”
“Yes, sir. French roast. Is that okay?”
“Perfect. And I’ll have one of those pieces of chess pie there. Oh, and I want to pay for two cups of coffee and two pieces of pie. Someone will be joining me in a minute.” And if she doesn’t, I’ll drink more coffee and eat more pie. It’s a win/win, he assured himself.
“Yes, sir.” In seconds, he had a cup of fragrant coffee and a big slice of chess pie.
Taking a seat in the window, he waited. He’d about decided she wasn’t coming when a big red pickup truck rolled into the parking lot and she dropped down out of the cab on the driver’s side.
The door opened and the girl behind the counter chirped, “Hey, Gina! The usual?”
“Yep. Here’s my—”
“Nope. The gentleman over there has already paid for it,” the girl announced and pointed. When Gina turned, Kyle gave her a nod, and she nodded back.
Kyle jumped up and grabbed her coffee and pie. “Here. Let me carry this.”
“Oh, thank you! A true gentleman!” Gina’s laughter was sweet and warm. “Nice seat. My favorite. I love to sit in this window and look out.”
“Yep, it’s nice, what with the park across the street and everything.” Kyle ran back to grab them some napkins and then sat down. “Look, I really am sorry about—”
“No, no. I’m sorry I reacted that way. It was embarrassing to have my sister do something like that. She means well, but damn, sometimes—”
Kyle grinned into his coffee cup. “Yeah, I’ve got a sister like that. Sometimes I want to just wring her neck.”
“Yep. Exactly.”
“So,” he said and set his cup down, “I’m Kyle Miller. First name’s Emmett, but nobody calls me that, thank god.”
She laughed. “Hello, Kyle Miller! I’m Regina Pritchard, but everybody calls me Gina.”
“Nice to meet you, Gina Pritchard! I have no idea how much of the information your sister put on the website is accurate.”
“I’m pretty sure most of it is, but tell me what she said and I’ll tell you if it’s accurate,” she offered as she picked up her cup to take another sip.
“It said you have a daughter and a son. Fourteen and sixteen respectively, I think?”
“That’s true.”
“And that you work at the co-op, which I know to be true.”
She took another sip of coffee and swallowed, nodding the whole time. “Yep.”
“Also said you’re divorced.”
“Yes. I am.”
“Didn’t say where the ex is.”
She hesitated, and Kyle wondered if he’d messed up. When she finally spoke, she said, “Eddyville state pen.”
“Ouch.”
“Literally. He beat the shit out of me. Almost killed me. And he blames me for being in prison. Says I set him up, whatever the hell that means. Honestly, I had nothing to do with it. While I was in the hospital, the state brought charges against him. I had no say. I couldn’t have stopped them if I’d wanted to. But he’s just sure I did it.”
“He’s your kids’ dad?” She nodded. “How long has he been in?”
“This time? Four years so far. Too many times to count before that.”
“And he’s getting out when?”
“Never, I hope. Almost killed a guard once he got there, so they’re not in a hurry to cut him loose.”
“Good. He needs to stay there.”
She nodded again. “Yes he does.” Kyle watched as she took a bite of pie and wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “I’m at a distinct disadvantage here. I know nothing about you.”
“Oh! I guess that’s true,” Kyle said with a laugh and watched her smile. God, she had a beautiful smile! “So … I’m a farmer. Madisonville.”
There was that laugh again. “I got that part!”
“Yeah. I farm a little over two thousand acres. Our family farm. It’ll be mine when my parents pass, mine and my sister’s and brother’s, and they’ve made it clear they’re not interested.”
“Why not? Farming is an honorable profession.”
He grinned. “He has a good job, and after growing up with a farmer for a dad, she says she’s had enough dirt in the carpet to last her a lifetime.”
Gina let out a loud laugh. “Your sister sounds like a hoot! I’d love to meet her.”