Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
GRANT
“Where are you guys going?” Luke asks, shoveling a mouthful of fruity cereal into his mouth.
“I’m taking her to the steak restaurant.”
“Is that the only place to take a date in town?”
I shrug a shoulder. “I mean, we’re not going to get pancakes tonight.”
“Good idea, Dad. You want to impress her,” he says.
“Do I need to be worried about impressing her?” I ask.
“I mean, I think so.”
“Why’s that?” I straighten my tie in the bathroom mirror.
“I don’t know a lot about girls, but I think you’d want to go out with her again. And not just for the baby, right?”
“You know.” I shut off the bathroom light and walk into the kitchen. “For being only fourteen, you’re pretty insightful.”
“I try.” He smiles at me. “Which is why you’re taking her to the nicest place in town.”
“Exactly.” I clap him on the shoulder. “There’s some snacks in the fridge if you want anything later. Not sure when I’ll be home, but I’ll have my phone if you need anything.”
“I’m not going to wait up for you, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I think I’m the one that’s supposed to wait up for you,” I say.
“Whatever.” Luke slurps down the milk in his bowl before getting up and setting the empty dish in the sink. “Tell Georgia I said hi.”
“I will. And maybe try not to play video games all night? Maybe read a book or something.”
“Mom is going to call me tonight,” he says.
“Where are they now?” I ask.
My ex might drive me crazy, but I’m always polite for the sake of Luke.
“She’s home. Randy isn’t going to be traveling as much now.”
I pick up my wallet and stuff it into my pocket and grab my keys. “I know school starts soon, so if you want to go visit her, we can make it work.”
He waggles his head back and forth. “I’ll think about it.”
“Does that mean you actually like it here?” I ask.
“It’s not as bad as I thought.”
“Try not to sound too excited.”
Luke rolls his eyes and heads downstairs. “Bye, Dad. Love you.”
“Love you too. Remember what I said. Read a book or something.”
A stupid grin is on my face the entire drive over to Georgia’s. I love hearing Luke say he loves me. It’s so rare nowadays that I’ll take whatever I can get. Ever since he went out to the barn with Georgia, he’s been opening up more. He’ll be going back again next week, and I’m excited for him.
The drive over to Georgia’s is short, and when I pull up, there’s a few extra cars in her driveway.
Well, here goes nothing.
I take a deep breath before hopping out of my truck and heading to the door and ringing the bell.
A woman with long dark hair opens the door. One that I recognize from the ranch.
“You must be Grant,” she says. “I’m Joey.”
“Hi, Joey. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Georgia will be ready in a few minutes.” She sweeps her arm out and welcomes me in.
“Were you the friend that got married?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I wasn’t. I have no plans on getting married.”
A small kid runs up to me.
“I’m Max. Are you taking Aunt Georgia out?”
I kneel down to get on his level. “I am. Is that okay?”
“I guess. Mommy is taking me for pancakes tonight,” he says. “Do you like pancakes?”
“I love pancakes. The banana and Nutella ones are my favorite,” I tell him.
He looks up at Joey. “Mommy, can I get those tonight?”
“Of course, baby.” She pats him on the head. “I’m going to go check on Georgia.”
“Thanks.”
Max goes back to the couch and hops onto it, going back to his cartoon. Before I can ask him what he’s watching, Georgia walks out.
Holy. Shit.
I’ve seen so many versions of Georgia.
In her riding gear.
Casual in a T-shirt and shorts.
Done up for a wedding.
But nothing beats this.
“Wow.”
“Hi,” she says, smiling as she walks up to me.
“You look…wow.”
The dress brings out the color of her eyes, and brushes just above her knees. And those cowboy boots of hers are already driving me wild.
“You don’t look so bad yourself, Grant.”
She smooths a hand down my tie and it makes me want to throw out my plans for the night and stay here with her. But I need to have patience.
I’ve waited a long time for this moment, and I want to savor every second with her.
“You kids have fun now,” one of her friends calls out as I lead Georgia outside.
“Lock up when you leave,” Georgia tells them.
Before I help her into the truck, I spin her and press my lips against hers.
I may have some patience, but I can’t resist this woman all night. I can’t resist that mouth of hers.
“Mmm. Hi,” she purrs.
“You look really fucking sexy, Cowgirl.”
“I’m glad you like this.”
“Get in,” I say. “I’m ready to eat.”
“Someone’s impatient.” Georgia laughs.
“More like I’d take you back to my place before we even make it to dinner if I had a say.”
Her groan fills the cab as I shut the door and run around the front of the truck. Hopping in, I see Georgia waving to everyone standing on the front porch.
“They’re ridiculous.”
“It’s nice they care.”
“Did you see Luke before you left?”
“We had a conversation while he had cereal for dinner.”
“Wow.” Georgia spins in her seat to face me. “That’s impressive.”
“Right? Who knew he could do it?” I reach over and grab her hand and link our fingers together.
“He needed time to adjust,” Georgia says. “It’s natural for a kid when they’re not around anything familiar.”
I glance over at her before turning my eyes back to the road. “I can see why you’re so good with kids.”
“They’re not hard to understand,” she says. “They all want the same thing. We all do. Family. A safe home. People who love us.”
“It seems like you have that.”
“You think so?”
I nod, already pulling into the restaurant parking lot. “Of course you do. Your friends love you. It’s easy to see.”
She gives me a shy smile as I hop out and jog around to open the door for her. I take her hand and lead her inside the restaurant.
Old Edison bulbs hang from the ceiling, casting it in low light. Dark wood-paneled walls give it a warm ambiance.
“Welcome to Land and Sea. Do you have a reservation?” the host greets us.
“Prescott.”
“Ahh, yes.” He grabs two menus. “Right this way.”
Dropping my hand to Georgia’s back, we follow him through the restaurant to a booth in the back. I don’t miss all the eyes that turn to look at us as I trail behind her.
“Here you are.” He places the two leather-bound menus on the table. “Your server will be with you soon. Enjoy.”
“Did it feel like every single person was looking at us?” I ask, sitting across from her.
“You weren’t imagining it. I’m sure it’ll be the talk of the town tomorrow.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been the talk of any town,” I say, picking up the menu and opening it.
“I’ve been there a few times.”
“What’d you do?” I ask.
“Hi there. I’m Elliott and I’ll be your server tonight. Have you dined at Land and Sea before?”
“Neither of us have been here,” Georgia answers.
“Welcome.”
He goes through his spiel of specials, but it’s hard to pay attention because my focus is on Georgia. On how she’s glowing in the light from the candle flickering between us.
I don’t know how I got so lucky for her to yell at me that night about the kids ruining her dress, but I’d relive that moment over and over again if it brings us here.
“Thank you. We’ll need a few minutes,” Georgia says.
“Take your time.”
“Did you catch any of that?” she asks.
“About the specials? Not at all.”
She rolls her eyes at me before grabbing her water glass and taking a sip.
“There’s a chicken, seafood, and steak option for the specials, plus there’s a cocktail tonight, but I didn’t listen to that since I can’t have it.”
“Did any of it sound good?” I ask.
She smiles at me, nodding her head. “I’m starving, so I say yes. But the chicken with the balsamic sauce sounds amazing. And okay for me to eat.”
“The filet sounds good too,” I say.
“Are you even going to look?” Georgia huffs out.
“They could bring me a burnt steak and I’d be fine with it because I’m here with you.”
Even in the low light, I can see her blush. I can’t wait to see it in more places. I have no doubt we’ll end up at one of our houses tonight after dinner.
Our server comes back to take our order and gives us a bread basket. Before he leaves, Georgia is grabbing one of the hot rolls and tearing into it.
“Mmm. So good.”
That sound shouldn’t do it for me, but it does. Hell, anything this woman does turns me on.
“We could have gone somewhere else if you were so hungry that got us in earlier instead of waiting on a reservation here.”
She shakes her head. “No. I’ve never been here and always wanted to try it.”
“You deserve to be spoiled, Georgia.”
“You really have this whole first-date thing down pat, Grant.”
“It’s easy when you like the person.”
“I guess it is.” She returns my smile. “Is it bad to talk about another date when the first is only getting started?”
I shake my head, grabbing a roll and smearing butter on it. “I’ll let you plan our tenth date if it makes you happy.”
Her laugh spreads warmth through my veins. “Let’s not get that far ahead of ourselves. But the end of summer festival is coming up at the ranch, and it would be great if you could come.”
“You want to show me off?” I cock my eyebrow at her.
Her gaze flits around the restaurant. A few eyes are peeking at us, but I don’t care. All I care about is being here with her.
“It’s not like everyone here isn’t already staring at us.” She sips her water. “Besides, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be with you.”
“Then I’ll be there.”
“Bring Luke too. There will be rides going on and I know he’ll love it.”
Reaching across the table, I link her hand in mine. “I know he’s not the easiest kid in the world, and I’m glad he hasn’t scared you off.”
She squeezes my hand. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. He’s a good kid. Moody, but what teenagers aren’t?”
“Considering how he acted when you first met him, I’m glad you think that.”
Our server returns with our meals, and I hate that Georgia pulls her hand back. If only we could eat with one hand.
“It would take a lot more than a moody teenager to scare me away, Grant. It’s nothing compared to what I’ve seen.”
Whether it’s the past she keeps hinting at or her students, I have no doubt that she’s seen a lot. It takes a special kind of person to do what she does, and she’s incredible at it. Hell, she got my kid to open up the most he had since before we left California.
“This is delicious,” she says, breaking me out of my thoughts.
I cut into my steak, popping a bite in my mouth. “Damn, you’re right. This is incredible."
"Maybe we might have to come back here for our third date. And fourth.”
“I’ll bring you here every date if it makes you happy.”
“Hey.” Georgia points a finger at me. “I’m happy with pancakes.”
“You’re an easy date.” I wink at her.
Her tongue darts out to wet her bottom lip. God damn, it is so fucking hot. “Would it be bad form to talk about after the date?”
I drop my fork, not caring about the rest of dinner.
“You want to come back to my place, Cowgirl?”
“Try and stop me, Grant.”