Chapter 29 – Gentry #2
“You wanna take me out on a date? Tonight?” A worried expression marred her features as she looked down at her outfit then back up at me.
“I sure do. You look beautiful just the way you are. So, what do ya say?” I asked with a smirk, the one I knew she could never resist.
I swear I heard her mumble “it’s the dimples” as she nodded and turned to gather her purse from the hook in the entryway.
“Be home at a decent hour,” Brooks joked.
“Yeah, don’t do anything indecent with my sister,” Leo groaned, and I heard him grunt, knowing that one of his brothers hit him in the stomach for his comment.
I flipped him off as I walked to the entryway to follow Ainsleigh.
Our first official date in public. After tonight, the whole town would speculate. Let them. I had my girl back, and nothing or no one would stop me from showing her just how much she meant to me.
We took my truck much to Ainsleigh’s dismay, her feet resting on the dash as we drove to our destination. So many memories flooded my mind as I looked over every so often to find her bopping her head to the beat of the song that played softly on the radio.
We arrived minutes later, and I parked right in front of the restaurant. I put the truck in park, leaving the engine running as I turned toward her.
“I can’t wait to spend this time with you, butterfly,” I said as I took her hand in mine, bringing it to my lips. I softly kissed her knuckles, not missing the shiver that passed through her. I loved that I still affected her the same way she’d always affected me.
“You know once we go in there, the whole town will speculate if we’re back together,” she said softly as she worried her bottom lip with her teeth.
“Let them. I can’t wait for all of Haven Valley to know that my girl is back with me where she belongs,” I replied, meaning every word. I wanted to shout from the rooftops that Ainsleigh Courtright was my girl.
“Whatever you say, cowboy. This town gossips worse than a bunch of teenage girls. But you’re right. Who cares what they think? I’m not ashamed that we’re back together. Let’s go eat some dinner. I’m so hungry I could eat one of everything on the menu,” she said with a laugh.
“Don’t you dare touch that door handle,” I warned as I turned the truck off and got out. I rushed over to the other side before she could defy me and opened her door.
I grabbed her hand and helped her down out of the truck. Once the door was shut, I placed my hand at the small of her back, and another shiver coursed through her as I guided her toward the entrance.
The place was packed to be a weeknight, but we were sat quickly. Ainsleigh chose to sit beside me in the booth, rather than opposite me.
Her leg brushed against mine as she looked over the menu even though she always got the same thing.
We ordered our drinks, both of us choosing water, and she placed the menu down, telling me she was going for the bacon burger and loaded fries, her exact order as I predicted.
“Some things never change,” I joked.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you implying I’m predictable?” she asked as she gasped and touched her chest, feigning hurt.
“Yes, I sure am. You always ponder over the menu, knowing you’re going to order the same thing,” I replied, turning toward her so it was easier to look at her while we talked.
“What’re you thinking about getting?”
“A steak and baked potato,” I said knowing she was going to give me crap because I always order the same thing too.
“And you call me predictable,” she said with a laugh, shaking her head as she stared back at me.
“You look beautiful.” She was always beautiful to me, but I loved that she didn’t feel the need to doll herself up. I loved how she looked no matter what. She didn’t even have to try, and she exuded beauty. The best part was she didn’t know how stunning she really was.
“Thank you.” Her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. She couldn’t ever take a compliment without blushing.
“How was your day?” she asked, taking a sip of water as she waited for my response.
“I got some shocking news today,” I said, nervous to tell her about my promotion. I still couldn’t believe it.
“What’s that?”
“Your dad promoted me today to Operations Foreman,” I revealed.
“Oh my gosh, Gentry. That’s amazing,” she screeched so loud I swear the restaurant grew quiet, but in reality, it was probably in my head.
“Why don’t you look happy?” she asked. She placed her hand on my thigh and gently rubbed her fingers back and forth, attempting to comfort me.
“I am happy. I’m just shocked.”
“Why? From everything I’ve seen in the short time I’ve been home, you do an amazing job, even if I give you crap about being my boss,” she said, as she tried to reassure me.
“I’ve wanted it for so long. I worked myself to the bone to get here.
I guess it’s just hard to accept that something this good could happen to me, especially with you back in my life and us starting over again.
I just feel like all these good things are happening, and I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop,” I confessed.
It was hard for me to accept good things happening, especially with my upbringing, when at the drop of a hat we’d pack up and move, often leaving behind some of my prized possessions.
Another reason why I didn’t have much even now.
Somewhere inside, I was still that scared little boy, afraid of losing everything at a moment’s notice.
“I might be a hypocrite considering how much I still need to heal from the loss of Bella, but you can’t live like that, Gentry.
You aren’t your parents. You’ve put down roots at the ranch.
You’ve gained the respect of every employee who works there, most importantly my parents.
You deserve good things to happen in your life,” she reassured me.
I wanted to believe her, and while I’d enjoy my new position, it’d take some time for me to realize I wouldn’t lose it.
“I’ll try to remember that. I need to tell you something else,” I told her, nervous to even speak out my parents.
“Is everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve gotten a couple of messages recently.
” I took a moment to take a deep breath before I continued.
“From my mom.” It felt good to tell her.
I hated keeping it from her. I didn’t want anymore secrets between us.
I especially didn’t want my mom showing up and spewing her hatred toward Ainsleigh.
“What did she say? How did hearing from her again make you feel?” She put her hand on top of mine to comfort me. The instant she touched me I felt comforted by the warmth.
“She said she’s coming back to town and needs to see me. She didn’t elaborate on the why, and I’ve wracked my mind and can’t come up with a reason on why she’d return now,” I confessed.
“Do you want to see her?”
“Not particularly, but I don’t want her showing up at the ranch and causing a scene.”
“Maybe you should respond and feel her out. See if she’ll reveal why she’s coming and you can better prepare for her return. Or you could just tell her you don’t want to see her and see what she says,” Ainsleigh suggested.
“That makes sense. I’ll think about it, and come up with a plan. She said a few days so I think I have some time. Did you happen to read my note?” I asked, changing the subject.
“I did. Way to be sneaky to get another turn.” She laughed.
Before I could respond, our food arrived. Ainsleigh checked her burger to make sure it was cooked right, and I did the same thing with my steak. The waitress told us to enjoy our food as we both took our first bites.
She moaned as she bit into the burger; juices from the meat dripped down her chin, but she was too consumed in enjoying the taste to notice.
Reaching over, I took the pad of my thumb and wiped it away.
“You had a little something right there,” I said when she finally peered over at me.
“I forgot how good these burgers are,” she said, covering her mouth as she continued to chew her food.
“It’s the bacon jam they use. It’s delicious,” I reminded her of the secret ingredient I’d learned from one of the football players who used to work here after school.
“That’s right. I forgot you found that out.”
“Now about that question,” I reminded her, not wanting to let her off the hook so we could continue our game.
“Something that everyone likes that I don’t,” she repeated the question as she pondered her response.
“I don’t like reality television. I never understood Aspen’s obsession with it, even though I feigned interest when she’d want to binge watch it on the weekends. And you best take that to your grave. She thinks I love it, but it’s cringe,” she admitted, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“My lips are sealed. She’ll never hear it from me. How did you manage to muddle through it?” I couldn’t contain my laughter. Ainsleigh’s face didn’t manage to hide her feelings. She hated that people could always read her so easily. I had no clue how she’d managed to hide her clear disdain.
“I let her do most of the talking and obsessing over who should be with who or whatever. Then I agreed with her. And don’t think I didn’t notice how you managed to slip in a third question,” she joked as she pursed her kissable lips at me.
“I’m sure you won’t let me forget it,” I goaded.
“Never, cowboy,” she said, blowing a kiss at me. I knew she meant every word.
We finished our meal and waited for the waitress to bring the check. We talked about how I’d start the position the next day and how nervous I was to do everything perfect.
She was about to say something when someone’s throat cleared behind us.
I looked up, and my eyes met the two people I could’ve gone the rest of my life without seeing.
My parents stood just behind Ainsleigh who’d now turned around. Ainsleigh looked at me, gauging my reaction. She knew things were rocky between my parents and me when they’d left, but I’d yet to tell her the details.