Chapter Nineteen #2
“There’s no need for a long engagement.” Pauline chuckled and a blush filled her cheeks. “Why wait when we both know what we want?”
Why wait, indeed. Kelley nodded, stepped out her own holding pattern.
“I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you first.” Pauline reached across the table and touched Kelley’s arm. “I seem to have ruined our plans to fly the coop.”
Kelley had not been in much of a mood to take off. And she was starting to realize why. What she really wanted she already had right here in Gold Finch. “I’m thinking more of a business proposal kind of offer.”
Frannie’s eyes widened and she pressed her lips together as if to hold back her smile.
“I’m intrigued,” Pauline said and tapped her ear. “And I’m listening. Give it to me.”
“I want to be partners in the Galloping Fork.” And since it was her one shot and her one chance, Kelley went all in. “With full control of the menu and the kitchen.”
“No,” Pauline said, swiftly and succinctly. Her head shook back and forth.
Frannie stiffened beside Kelley and opened her mouth.
Kelley took her sister’s hand under the table and silently encouraged Frannie not to speak. Frannie squeezed Kelley’s hand harder as if shouting at Kelley to say something. Finally, Kelley exhaled around her disappointment and asked, “Why not?”
“Because I want you to buy the Galloping Fork.” Pauline grinned and spread her arms wide. “I want you to own this place. Same as Mama T owned it. If it’s wholly yours, you will love it like Mama T did, and you and the diner both will surely thrive.”
Frannie was nodding vigorously.
Kelley released her sister’s hand and touched her forehead. She said, hesitantly and not without a dose of deep discontent, “Unfortunately, I don’t have the funds.” And she was not certain she could afford a loan of that size, either.
Pauline held up her hand. “Just tell me you want to buy this place. That you want to own the Galloping Fork.”
“I do,” Kelley said. The words settled true and sure inside her. The Galloping Fork Diner in Gold Finch was where she wanted to stake her claim and make her mark.
“Then we can work out the details like how much and when to pay with the rest of the paperwork,” Pauline said, cheerfully. “We can come up with a fair deal. Something that benefits us both.”
Kelley grinned. “Yes, we can. We will.”
Frannie whooped beside Kelley and said, “Best night ever. My big sister is sticking around. Pauline is head over boots in love. There’s so much to be excited about.”
Kelley was getting everything she wanted.
That joy she had been pining for simmered.
Yes, she had everything, but not everyone.
And she sensed she needed someone, if she wanted that joy to overflow.
She reached over and took Pauline’s hand to better see her stunning engagement ring.
“Pauline, what happened? How did you fall in love?”
“Simple.” Pauline squeezed Kelley’s fingers and drew Kelley’s gaze up to her. “I finally let my heart fly free. I realized that was what Mama T really wanted.”
Kelley sat back and touched her chest.
“Mama T wanted us to give our hearts to something—or someone—completely and fully,” Pauline explained. “That’s where the happiness truly lies.”
Frannie bumped her shoulder against Kelley’s. “Kelley already gave her heart to Asher.”
“But he didn’t give me his,” she countered.
“Because you gave him your heart, but held on to the key,” Pauline said and arched her eyebrows at Kelley. “Your cowboy is still locked out.”
Because she didn’t want to fall first. She wanted a guarantee her love would be returned.
That this relationship would not fail. So Kelley protected herself.
But it failed because she refused to try and put herself out there.
Kelley blinked and dropped her forehead against the table.
“I don’t think I’m cut out for this whole love thing. ”
Frannie rubbed Kelley’s back. “At least you are talking about love now.”
“It’s not about being good or bad at it. It’s about being true to yourself,” Pauline said, softly. “It’s about believing you are enough, and your love is everything your cowboy needs. And then making him realize it, too.”
Kelley lifted her head. “I have to tell him how I feel.” How she really felt. She had to open her heart and give him the words. Trust that he felt the same.
Pauline nodded. Frannie hummed her agreement.
“I have to show him,” Kelley said louder and flung her shoulders back. She had to show her cowboy that their love was worth the investment. So worth fighting for.
“Not to point out the obvious,” Frannie started, “but Asher is in New York, and you are here. How exactly are you going to show him?”
“I need to get him here.” Kelley tugged her phone from her pocket. “And I need Big E’s help.”
“Isn’t it late to be texting Big E?” Frannie frowned at her.
“Are the stars out yet?” Kelley asked and tried to peer around her sister to see outside.
Frannie swatted her away. “I can’t tell. And I think you need to do more than wish upon a star.”
Kelley laughed at Frannie’s put-out tone, and said, “Big E told me he stays up every night to count the stars.”
“How many does he count?” Frannie asked, dryly.
“Is that like counting sheep to fall asleep?” Pauline asked and looked as if she was considering it.
“No.” Kelley started typing a text to Big E and glanced up. “Whenever Big E is away from his wife, they both go outside and count the first ten stars they see.”
“Why?” Frannie nudged her elbow in Kelley’s ribs. “Either text or talk, but don’t leave us hanging here.”
“Sorry.” Kelley hit Send on her text message, then smiled and said, “When they count the stars it’s a reminder that even though they are far apart, they are still in the other’s heart ten times over.”
Pauline sighed. “That’s sweet.”
Frannie flopped back on the bench. “I want someone to count stars with one day.”
So did Kelley. Her phone vibrated and she smiled wide. “Big E is awake and ready to help me.”
“Are you going to share the plan?” Pauline asked, her gaze curious.
“Simple.” Kelley stashed her phone in her apron pocket. “Big E is going to tell Asher that there is a serious buyer for Maple Moonlight who wants to speak to him in person about the purchase terms.”
“And you’re that serious buyer?” Frannie asked, sounding giddy.
Kelley nodded. She was serious. Serious about loving a cowboy.