Chapter Seven #2
“Just stopped for dinner,” he said, smiling at her. “I sure didn’t expect to run into you, but it sure is great to see you.”
“Is Wayne with you?” Lainey asked, glancing around the busy restaurant.
“Not today, but ol’ Wayner is doing great. I’ll let him know you asked about him. It will make his day.”
Lainey spoke with Reuben for another minute, asking about his wife and family and his new grandbaby, before Jason looked behind him and saw her talking to Reuben. He stood and walked over to the table.
“Jason, this is Reuben, the truck driver I told you about who came to my rescue,” Lainey said, wrapping her hand around Jason’s arm and taking a step closer to him. “Reuben, I’d like you to meet Jason Price, rodeo pickup man and proud grandpa.”
The two men shook hands, then compared notes on their grandkids. Lainey glanced at the clock on the wall and knew they needed to hurry if they wanted to catch the movie. On top of that, she didn’t want Reuben’s meal to get stone cold, and she’d kept him longer than she’d realized as it was.
“Jase, if we’re going to catch the movie, we should go,” Lainey said, smiling at Reuben, who winked at her.
“Don’t keep a pretty lady waiting. That’s always been my rule, and my wife seems to appreciate it,” Reuben said, shaking Jason’s hand again. “It was great to meet you, man. You take good care of Lainey. She’s one in a million.”
The way Jason looked at Lainey made her feel flushed from her hairline all the way to the tips of her toes. “She definitely is,” Jason said, then looked at Reuben. “I’m glad we got to meet. Thank you for helping Lainey.”
“That was my pleasure.” Reuben nodded at him, and then Jason went to pay their bill.
When he’d walked out of earshot, Reuben looked at Lainey.
“I thought you should know the creep who bothered you got arrested. The last time I was at that truck stop, the manager showed me an article that had been in the local paper. He got arrested for attempted kidnapping and was connected to several other crimes.”
“Wow!” Lainey sent up a silent prayer of thanks that she’d been spared and felt so grateful God had kept her safe. “I’m glad he’s behind bars.”
“For a long time, it sounds like.” Reuben gave her a hug and then took a step back. “You two crazy kids have a great evening.”
“Safe travels to you. I hope you’ll keep in touch,” Lainey said, squeezing Reuben’s hand, then hurrying to the front counter, where she joined Jason as he slipped his credit card back into his wallet, then held an arm out to her.
Together, they made their way to the movie theater, where Lainey bought popcorn and drinks while he paid for the movie tickets.
The action flick wasn’t something she would have necessarily chosen if she’d been by herself, but she liked the actors, and the fast-paced script kept her on the edge of her seat.
When it ended, Jason went to the restroom to wash the popcorn grease off his hands.
Lainey washed her hands, then heard her phone ping with a text. She took it out of her bag and saw it was from Reuben.
Glad I ran into you, Lainey. Jason seems like a great guy. Thanks for buying my dinner. I appreciate it. Safe travels and be happy. You deserve it!
Lainey would have purchased Reuben’s meal if she’d been thinking about it, but clearly Jason had been.
It was so like him to do a kindness like that and not mention it.
He quietly did so many things for people without expecting anything in return, and it was one of the dozens of reasons she loved him.
Jason Price might be a lot of things, but he was a good, kind, wonderful man. A man that any woman with half a brain would pursue until her last breath.
Rather than dwell on what a catch he was and what an idiot she was being, she sent Reuben a text.
You are welcome. I’m so happy we got to see you, and you and Jason got to meet. Be safe out there.
Lainey dropped her phone into her bag and stepped out of the restroom to find Jason waiting for her. His expression lit up when he saw her and held out an arm to her.
She wrapped her hand around his hard bicep, and they meandered through the huge truck stop.
“Want dessert? I saw something on the menu earlier that we could share,” Jason said, apparently not ready for the evening to end.
Lainey was stuffed, but she wanted to spend more time with him. “Sure.”
Jason ordered a caramel banana chimichanga for them to share, along with a cup of tea for her and a glass of water for him. The dessert arrived at the table topped with a tower of whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
“My arteries are clogging just looking at that,” Lainey said, then motioned to Jason. “Hand over that fork.”
He laughed and gave her one of the two forks the server had left on a stack of napkins.
As they enjoyed the indulgent treat, they talked about the movie and what they liked about it.
“We should do this again,” Jason said after leaving money on the table for the dessert along with a nice tip.
“We should, but only if you let me pay for dessert. Maybe even dinner. You know I’m not destitute just because I live in my van.”
He gave her an indulgent look. “I know, but I’ve told you before, and will likely say it again, I’m an old-fashioned guy. So, sue me.”
“If I sued you, does that mean I get your family in the bargain? I love them all, Jason. Did you hear from Pops today?”
He nodded and settled a hand at the small of her back as they went outside and started across the parking lot to her van.
“I did. He had a good day and said Galen and Tyler got the cattle moved to the north pasture with no trouble.”
“That’s great. How is Lisa feeling?”
Jason’s left eyebrow hiked upward. “You tell me. I’m pretty sure the two of you converse on a daily basis.”
Lainey grinned and shrugged. “I can’t help it if your daughter has become my friend.”
“She said she …” Jason stopped and caught a soccer ball that had gotten away from three kids who had been playing nearby while their mom pumped gas into their minivan. He kicked it back to them with a smile, and all three of the kids waved at him and called out their thanks.
Lainey had noticed that children, the elderly, and animals all seemed to take to Jason. “You’re so friendly, you’re lucky a pack of strays doesn’t follow you home every night.”
“They might, but then they’d see Carter and Caitlyn and all the tomfoolery that takes place in our trailer and run the other direction.”
“Maybe so.”
Lainey was suddenly exhausted, so she handed Jason her keys and closed her eyes as he drove them to the rodeo venue.
He parked her van a few spaces away from the Price trailer and next to Cooper James’ trailer.
“Anything you need before I pretend I’m a gentleman and tell you good night?” Jason asked with a suggestive waggle of his eyebrows as he shut off the van, making her laugh.
“No, but thanks for that off-putting offer.”
Jason made a ridiculous, leering face that caused her to laugh aloud as she pulled out the shades that covered the front windshield and the two side windows to give her privacy at night.
After helping slide them into place, Jason opened the side door and stepped out. Lainey moved to stand on the step, which put her almost nose to nose with Jason.
He settled his hands on her waist and gazed at her with a look of such warmth and affection on his face, Lainey hoped she’d always remember it. Remember how a good, incredible man loved her so thoroughly and completely without pushing her for more than she was willing to give.
“Thanks for buying dinner for Reuben. He texted me,” she said, placing her hands on Jason’s shoulders, lightly massaging them.
“My pleasure. I owe him one for coming to your rescue.”
“That wasn’t your problem.”
“Maybe not, but I’m glad he helped you all the same.” Jason pulled her toward him and kissed her softly. “Have sweet dreams, Gypsy.”
“You too, Slim.”
Jason tipped his head to her, then walked toward his trailer.
Lainey remained in the doorway, watching him, wondering how she’d survive when the time came to tell him goodbye.