Chapter Eighteen
Garrett pulled around the back of the old barbecue place. He greeted an old man who sat outside on a stool by the smoker.
“Hey, Ben. How’s it going?” he called.
“Hey, stranger. We almost went broke waiting for you to return. What’s kept you away?” Ben asked, rising to shake Garrett’s hand.
“I work for Haven Ranch now. We’re on our way home after attending the horse sale in Hondo.” He returned to the truck to help Riley out and returned.
Ben beamed at Riley and tipped his hat. “Why didn’t you say so? You finally found yourself a pretty filly of your own.”
“Riley, meet Ben, the best brisket smoker in the country,” Garret said, putting his arm around her. “Riley mentioned she loves brisket. I knew she needed to try yours. Can you keep an eye on the truck?” he asked. “I got two in the back.”
“I’ll be outside all evening. You know I can’t stand getting stuck inside with all those heathens,” Ben joked. “You’ll have to show them to me when you’re finished.”
“Will do,” he said, helping Riley over the raised ledge on the floor.
They took a booth near the back window, where Garrett closely guarded the contents of his trailer.
“If you planned to watch the horses, why did you ask Ben to do it?”
“Because he’s a stubborn old man. His wife has cancer, and they recently got the approval to receive treatment from the hospital.
In the last six months, they’ve barely made ends meet.
If I ask him to watch the trailer, I can tip him, and he won’t think anything of it, and it saves his pride,” he explained, handing her a menu.
“Everything’s good here. We’ll order dessert to go and bring something for Tara. ”
“The brat hasn’t texted me all day. Not even to ask me about the horse sale or anything,” she exclaimed. “What’s the point of getting a new phone if she doesn’t use it. I thought teens stayed glued to those suckers.”
“Relax,” Garrett chuckled. “Julio texted earlier. They all went for a horseback ride at the ranch, and he wanted to know if Tara might spend the night with Kara at their house. Rachel, Matthew, Mac, Delaney, and Kara’s parents gathered there and they’re having a s’mores night.
Delaney brought board games and build-your-own burritos. ”
Riley’s mouth firmed. “We don’t know those people. I know they’re nice, but my dad was once, too.”
“Before I applied for the job, I did some asking around. They’re good people and very protective.
I’m not sure about Julio and Rebecca’s story, but they came home one day with Megan.
The little girl has seen some trauma. They don’t let her out of their sight when they go to town.
They even carry a baby monitor when she naps because of her delicate condition. ”
Riley leaned forward, setting her menu down. “Megan’s not their child?” she asked, surprised. “She looks a lot like Rebecca.”
Garrett shrugged. “I don’t know the story. Tara will want to stay with Kara. They’re very close with her, too. Her dad’s a hard worker and very respectful. When’s the last time you enjoyed a night alone without Tara?”
“I don’t. She’s my responsibility,” Riley said firmly.
“How about we make a deal? If Tara calls you and texts at least once before she goes to bed, will you at least consider it?” he asked. “Besides, you’ll be at the barn, keeping me company while I get the horses settled.”
Riley scrunched her nose and gazed at the menu while she chewed on his compromise. “I guess it’ll do,” she said finally. “We’ll pick her up first thing in the morning.”
“Matthew will bring her down after breakfast. He wants to see the new horses,” he informed her.
“Will you keep your pick and give the ranch the grey?” she asked, as her gaze moved to the trailer.
“These two will be mine,” he told her. “You never know when you’ll need a second one. Plus, I want to keep one on the other side of the property.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because it’s extremely hot and I don’t like to work a horse in the heat. Even with preventative measures, it can ruin a good one. This place has a bunch of acres, and I’m responsible for half of it,” Garrett explained as the waitress came over and greeted them.
“Hey, Garrett. Do you want the usual?” Maggie asked, taking out her pad and pen.
“Hey Maggie. Yeah. Can we place a catering order for Sunday? I have a crew of about twenty men. They deserve a treat,” he said, accepting the water from her.
“I’ll write it up for Ben. He’ll be pleased as punch to have a big order. It’s slow right now. He’s hoping the tourists will discover him by placing an ad in the paper. I keep telling him they don’t read papers anymore,” the waitress told him. “What can I get you, honey?”
“May I have the brisket platter with sweet potato fries and an iced tea?” Riley asked.
“She has good taste,” the waitress said, winking at her. “Did you want a beer?” she asked Garrett.
“No, thank you. I’m driving with a load tonight,” he told her, passing her the menus. The waitress left to fill their orders.
“Maggie’s stayed with them since they opened the joint. She comes in early and makes pies and cobblers. We never know what we’re getting, but no one complains,” he said, taking her hand and checking her fingers. “How do you feel?”
“It’s the best day ever. Thank you for bringing me along,” she said shyly. “Who would’ve thought you hitting me with your truck might lead us here?”
Maggie set the drinks down and walked away.
“Does it sound weird if I say I wish I hit you earlier?” he teased.
Riley barked out a laugh. “It’s a good thing I have a hard head.”
“You’ll get no argument from me,” he said, holding his hands up in the air. “When we return home, do you want to sit on the hay bales while I tend to the horses, or do you want me to drop you off at the cabin?”
“Don’t be silly,” she said, taking a sip of her drink.
Maggie set two plates before them and slapped a dessert menu down on the table. “You’d better hurry if you want a pan of cobbler. I’ve got peach or cherry.”
Garrett glanced at Riley, letting her decide.
“Cherry, please.”
“We’ll take four. I’ll drop the other two off in the morning before I start work for Rachel, Delaney, and Rebecca,” he explained.
“I didn’t expect you to be an ass kisser,” she teased.
“Delaney’s pregnant, and it’ll be a nice treat for her. Rachel doesn’t cook, and Rebecca has to take Megan to Corpus Christi in the morning. I thought they might enjoy it.”
“You’re very thoughtful. In case I forget to tell you, I love my hat. You didn’t have to buy me anything,” she said, touching the rim.
Garrett passed her silverware wrapped up in a napkin. He grabbed the homemade BBQ sauce and added some to his plate. “Do you want to try it?”
“Nope. I’m a simple girl. Sauces don’t interest me,” she said, piercing the meat and putting it in her mouth. “Oh wow. It’s good.”
“Told ya,” he said, grinning and taking a bite of his own food.
“It doesn’t escape my notice how you do things invisibly for people,” Riley said, staring at her food. “You tip the owner, and order cobblers when we can easily make them ourselves. Do you do this all the time or only in special cases?”
Garrett stopped eating and put his fork down. “Do you have something you want to ask me, Riley?”
She played with her food. “I guess I wondered if Tara and I fit in the same category as Ben and Maggie.”
“No,” he assured her. “I’ve enjoyed having you two around, and I don’t like what you’re insinuating. I don’t consider you a charity case.”
Riley bit her bottom lip. “It’s difficult to trust people. Ever since I took off with Tara, I’ve discovered this world has terrible people in it. Sometimes, I feel stupid in naively believing the bikers might let us go if I gave them the money. I felt desperate to get Tara back. She’s all I have.”
Garrett reached across the table and caressed her cheek. “They put you in an impossible situation. Don’t second-guess yourself. You saved Tara.”
“Then you rescued me. If you didn’t come for me, I’d still be there,” she shuddered.
“Instead of running to the police, you ran right into the dumpster fire to protect her. You’re brave and risked your life to save the person most important to you,” he reaffirmed. “You’re feisty.”
Giggling, she wiped her mouth and set down her napkin beside her plate. “I’m stuffed.” She put her hand in her boot and pulled out the money. “I don’t know if I have enough for a tip with the extra cobbler, but I want to pay for dinner. Before you say no, it’s important to me to do this.”
He frowned, not liking this at all, but knew it meant something to her and kept her pride. “How about a compromise? You pay for our meals, and I’ll pitch in for the tip and dessert.”
Riley considered it and nodded. “Thank you for not fighting me.”
“Thank you for going with me today. I enjoyed it,” he said, happy she accepted his offer.
Garrett watched as she blushed and kept her head down.
Her actions seemed humble, drawing him closer to her.
He liked the fact she kept things simple and loved the little things in life.
Garrett knew pride drove Riley to part with her money, even though she measured everything by wants and needs.
Riley Stewart suddenly became both to him, and he hoped she felt the same.