Chapter 48
The Front Porch lives up to its reputation as the nicest restaurant in Green Valley. The restaurant is full of well-dressed diners at elegant tables. A tea light flickers in the middle of ours, and I’ve always found the fire risk of a small candle worries me more than that of a roaring bonfire.
Robin, her mom, Jeremiah, and I sit at a table by the window. The decor might not be my preference, but their high-quality food is. And I feel no guilt about ordering exactly what I want because I already slipped the waiter my credit card to pay for the meal.
My postal job and occasional gig at Farm Mountain Marriages might not afford me enough to eat at this five-star restaurant every night or even every week. But I can cover one meal for my girlfriend and her family.
Not that Robin would call her mom’s new boyfriend family, but she seems to be getting along with the man. Helps that the guy owns a fleet of aircraft, a few of them rare. Also, the man has a straightforward way of answering questions. There’s no pretense or charm with him. But he’s also not curt.
And not grumpy, like I come off most times.
As Jeremiah explains alterations he made to one of his aircraft, Robin tilts her right side toward him, subtly trying to hear the man better over the clatter of the restaurant around us. With the background noise, I bet her hearing aid isn’t providing much help.
I doubt she can pick up on her mother’s voice when Nicole Dunn leans over to whisper, “I might be worried my daughter is trying to steal my man if she wasn’t already so in love with you.”
Luckily, I wasn’t taking a bite because my throat closes at her words. Her inaccurate observation.
Robin might care about me, but she doesn’t love me. Not like that.
Unaware that I’m slowly dying from wanting her daughter, Nicole continues, “Last time we talked on the phone, she couldn’t stop raving about your cooking. I’m so glad she has you to get her away from those horrible frozen pizzas. I swear, I thought she’d—shit.”
That last line surprises me enough that I’m able to swallow and breathe like a normal person again. And then I see the widening of Ms. Dunn’s eyes as she gazes over my shoulder, and I realize the last word was an exclamation and not a discussion of her daughter’s bowel movements.
Turning my head, I follow her gaze. When I discover what surprised her, I bite back my own curse.
Waiting at the hostess stand is Daren.
Of all the fucking nights and all the fucking restaurants.
Briefly, I wonder if he planned this. If he’s here for an ambush.
But then, at his side, I see the happy couple he’s chatting with, and I realize this must be for the family business. Farm Mountain Marriages partners with local businesses all the time, especially for food. I bet those two lovebirds are here to plan their wedding menu.
And my charming cousin had to be the Kraut to accompany them, didn’t he?
Daren idly scans the restaurant, his eyes alighting on our table, moving on, then whipping back. I watch the shock take over his face.
Yeah, this wasn’t a planned run-in. Just the worst timing in the universe.
“Hell, I’d love to see that.” Robin’s voice brings me back to our group. Her back is to the restaurant entrance, and she’s still focused on talking planes with Jeremiah. No idea her ex is here, staring at her with longing.
Get that fucking look off your face, I want to bellow at him. He doesn’t have the right anymore.
I still can’t believe my family didn’t know the truth about his cheating for so long. Work has been too hectic lately for me to find a moment to figure out what to do with the new information or even how to feel about it.
All I know is, I need more time before I talk to Daren again.
The guy isn’t the man I thought he was. This deceptive, lying version of him pisses me off and makes me sad and has me wondering how I could’ve missed him turning into someone I don’t recognize anymore.
I meet Nicole’s eyes and guess we share the same indecision about Daren’s sudden appearance. Do we warn Robin of the potential drama bomb behind her, or let the woman have dinner in peace with the hopes that she never notices the new arrival?
“Come out whenever you’d like. I’ll introduce you to Harvey.” Jeremiah, also unaware of the potentially tense situation, keeps talking. “He’s in charge of keeping them in working order, especially since I lease them to some local clubs. If you’re ever interested in a job, Harvey could use a hand. I don’t think he expected me to acquire as many as I have. Or to keep getting more.” The man wears an easy smile as he talks of his planes.
And I’m hit with a new wave of fucking hell.
He’s offering her a job? In Lexington? Working on a bunch of pilot’s-wet-dream aircraft?
My stomach bottoms out as I watch Robin’s head tilt, expression thoughtful.
She’s considering it. Of course she is. What future is there for her career in Green Valley?
“Nicole.” Daren’s charming voice has me gritting my teeth against a muttered curse. “I had no idea you were in town.”
Robin stiffens at my side, and I’m furious to realize my cousin has not only approached our table, but he also rests his hand on the back of Robin’s chair. A possessive gesture.
The couple he was escorting sit a few tables away, chatting to themselves and a waitress, unconcerned one of their party has wandered off.
Excuse me, could you please come collect your charming asshole?
“Daren,” Ms. Dunn greets her daughter’s ex, her voice cool, eyes hard. She’s not a put on a sweet voice and bless your heart kind of woman.
I guess Robin gave her mom enough of the breakup details that she has no use for my cousin.
But Daren doesn’t let that ruffle his cool demeanor. “And I’m sorry. I don’t believe we’ve met.” He turns to Jeremiah. “I’m Robin’s . . .” He gives a rueful chuckle I bet he’s practiced in the mirror. “Well, we go way back. And Arthur here is my cousin.” He doesn’t meet my eyes, even as he throws me what’s supposed to be a disarming grin but comes with an edge. “I’m Daren Kraut.” He extends his hand toward Jeremiah for a shake.
The man stares up at my cousin, expression blank.
He does not accept the handshake.
Instead, he says, “The eggs.”
The air around our table goes quiet, and I wonder if nearby diners are listening in or if it just feels like everyone is watching this tense exchange.
“And the hose,” Jeremiah adds.
The random comments make sudden sense.
Robin must have told her mom exactly what happened the night she caught Daren. And Nicole shared at least some of the details with her partner.
“Uh, yeah.” Robin nods, wide eyes on Jeremiah. She clears her throat and sits straighter. “That’s him. I egged his truck. And hosed him down.” She waves a limp hand over her shoulder in my cousin’s direction. “That’s Daren.”
Jeremiah makes an affirmative noise in his throat. “I thought those were ingenious ideas. My ex-wife cheated on me, and when I found out, I just froze. I much prefer your reaction. I wish I’d had your quick thinking.” He returns his emotionless stare to a gaping Daren. “Did you need something?”
My cousin’s face goes red as he drops his hand.
He sucks in a bracing breath and grits out a quiet, “No.” Then, he strides back to his table and pastes on a fake smile as he says something to the couple.
Bet his charm won’t come so easy now.
Robin gazes at Jeremiah with awe.
Then, she faces her mom. “I approve.”
And I think I see the no-nonsense man blush.