Chapter 6
When they got home, Lyle transferred Charlotte’s car seat back into his own truck, then helped Heather unload the dogs and crates. Something had shifted between them and he was reluctant to leave, wanted to explore it, bask in her presence a little longer. But he knew he needed to tread carefully.
He hadn’t missed the subtle walls she kept erected, the slight degree of holding back that made him want to know all of her secrets. But like dealing with a frightened or wounded animal, he knew better than to crowd, knew how to ease in slowly.
If he didn’t make a move soon, though, they’d still be dancing around each other this time next year. And he was finding he was a bit impatient.
Charlotte was wide awake after her short nap in the car and was busy letting each of the dogs carefully sniff Pudge. Thankfully the kitten was being a good sport about it.
He turned back to Heather, leaned against the truck’s door.
“How about a date?”
“Lyle—”
“A family date. With me and Charlotte at Cooter’s. Tomorrow is burgers and briskets night and Kenny’s subbing for the guitar player in the band.”
“Kenny’s in a band?” She couldn’t picture the tall, silent cowboy on stage.
“Naw. But he’s decent on the guitar and the band’s lead guy got tangled up in barbed wire and sliced up his fingers.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah, so Kenny’s subbing for him. What do you say? I’m buying.”
“I can buy my own meal.”
“Sure you can. But since Charlotte and I invited you, it would be rude to kick up a fuss over a supper tab.”
“Oh, so Charlotte’s involved in the invite?”
“Of course. We’re a package.”
She smiled and shook her head. “Frank and Lori will have a field day if I show up with you.”
“Embarrassed to be seen with me?”
“Embarrassed over how Frank’s going to poke at us,” she corrected.
He gave a wink. “I think I can handle him.”
Yes, but could Heather handle Lyle? That was the question. Her heart was already making plans that her head cautioned against.
“Come on, Firefly. Let’s be grown-ups together.”
“You mean where you’re not dismissing me like a tag-along pest?”
“Did I do that?” He reached out and ran a finger down her cheek. “Yeah, I probably did.” He answered his own question. “I’m sorry for that. Let me make it up to you.”
“No need to rectify the past. I’m good.”
“Well, then, how about we start a new chapter?”
Oh, that was dangerous indeed. But he was a hard man to resist.
“Pick you up at six? Say yes, Heather.”
She sighed. “Yes. Six is fine.”
Cooter’s Grill was exactly the kind of place that made Bear Valley feel like home.
Nestled on the corner of Main Street, the family-owned diner had been a town staple for as long as Heather could remember.
The wooden sign over the door had been repainted more times than she could count, but the dim lighting, checkered tablecloths, and scent of mesquite-smoked brisket were as familiar as an old pair of boots.
The moment they stepped inside, the hum of conversation, the clatter of silverware, and the rich twang of a country song being warmed up by the band set the tone for the evening.
The place was packed, locals filling every booth and table, a few kids darting between the aisles with the kind of freedom only small-town life allowed.
Charlotte’s hand slid from Lyle’s and wrapped around Heather’s fingers instead. “Miss Heather, look! Emma and Ruby are here!” Her little face beamed up at Heather as she spotted two girls her age near the back.
Heather barely had time to react before Charlotte tugged free and took off.
“She’s making friends,” Heather mused, watching as Charlotte plopped into the tiny circle of girls who were braiding each other’s hair and giggling about something only six-year-olds understood.
Lyle chuckled, shaking his head as they made their way toward an open booth.
“I'm pretty sure those are some of the kids from her Sunday School class at church.
I confess that none of us have had the emotional fortitude to return to church just yet.
Being there without Dad at the pulpit is almost more than I want to face.
But I see now that I'm not being fair to Charlotte.
Jeff and Sherry were just as involved in the church as Dad and Mom.
It was Charlotte's life, and I'm realizing I've been keeping her from it. "
"Baby steps, Lyle."
"Yeah." He watched his Goddaughter across the room. "She’s happier than I’ve seen her in weeks.” His voice dropped just enough for Heather to hear the gratitude behind the words. “I think you’ve got more to do with that than you realize.”
Heather ducked her head, because what was she supposed to say to that? That being around him and Charlotte made parts of her heart wake up that she’d long thought were dead? That as dangerous as this was, she wasn’t sure she wanted to turn back?
Instead, she slid into the booth just as Cooter came striding up, a notepad in hand and a giant grin on his face. “Well, if it isn’t Bear Valley’s most interesting new situation.”
Heather groaned, shooting a glare at Lyle. “You see? This is exactly what I warned you about.”
But Lyle just grinned. “Cooter’s harmless.”
“That’s a matter of debate,” she muttered.
Cooter chuckled, flipping to a clean page in his notepad. “Alright, kids. What’ll it be?”
“Brisket sandwich, extra sauce,” Lyle said.
“Miss Heather?”
She opened her mouth, but Lyle answered for her. “She’ll have the same.”
Heather shot him an amused look. “And since when do you order for me?”
“Since it’s brisket night and there is no wrong answer.”
She huffed a laugh, shaking her head. Cooter scribbled quickly, then leaned his palms on the tabletop and smirked. “And what about little Charlotte?”
“She’s with Emma and Ruby,” Heather said, nodding toward the group of girls now entranced by a stuffed bear one of them had brought.
“I’ll send over a basket of fries to their table,” Cooter said, tucking his notepad away. “You kids enjoy your date.”
“We’re not on a date!”
He gave her a knowing look as he walked away.
She groaned again. “I should’ve made you sign a contract before agreeing to this.”
Lyle leaned back with a lazy smirk. “And miss the fun? Not a chance.”
She kept an eye on Charlotte. The other little girls' parents didn't seem to mind an extra at their table. "Does Charlotte have Grandparents?"
"Just Jeff's mom. She lives over in Johnson County. Jeff was her only son, so the accident was really rough on her."
She wasn't sure how to ask this delicately. "She didn't want to take Charlotte?"
"Oh, I'm sure she would have. She loves Charlotte. But she's in her late seventies and not in the best of health."
"So she doesn’t mind that you have her?"
"Jeff was pretty specific about his wishes.
Dolly respects that. The only thing she asked of me is to keep in contact so that Charlotte will know her.
" And to stay in Texas, but he didn't say that.
If he did decide to go back to Montana, airplanes could easily close the distance of miles so that Charlotte could know her grandmother.
Heather glanced toward the door. "Uh-oh. Incoming."
Lyle followed her gaze, then gave a wave. "Hey, Frank. Over here."
Heather all but groaned. "Now you've done it."
"What? Did you think they wouldn't see us?"
Heather pasted a smile on her face and stood to hug her brother and sister-in-law.
"I'm so happy you're here," Lori said. She was a beautiful woman, petite and fit and bubbly.
She wore a denim mini skirt, a tank top and sparkly cowboy boots.
It was easy to see why her brother was so in love.
They were hoping to have children, had been actively trying for the past two years.
Lori never let on that she might be discouraged and Heather really hoped it would happen for them soon. She wanted to be an auntie.
"Well, a girl's gotta eat," she said, scooting over so Lori and Frank could slide into the booth.
"And drink," Lori agreed. "And dance! This is going to be so much fun! We don't get to see you enough."
Heather wanted to slow down a bit on Lori's agenda. She'd agreed to a meal. Now, not only did she have Lyle to contend with, her sister-in-law was determined to hijack the evening and make it into an outright party.
"Heather's keeping pretty busy these days," Lyle said to Lori in defense of Heather's apparent lack of social engagement.
Frank raised a brow. "You keeping tabs on my sister, Watkins?"
"Hard not to since she lives within spitting distance of me."
"Well, keep it respectful," Frank teased.
They were life-long best friends. Lyle could tell that Frank was protective of his sister, but there was trust between them.
Frank knew Lyle well enough to know he wouldn't deliberately hurt Heather.
And although Lyle appreciated Frank's unspoken approval, he felt the smallest bit of pressure to mind his p's and q's.
Dinner passed in an easy rhythm, filled with laughter, effortless conversation, and a little too much staring on Heather’s part. Somewhere between their meal and Charlotte running back to them with wild stories of her adventures near the ice cream counter, the local band struck up another tune.
Kenny sat toward the back of the stage, his posture relaxed, fingers moving effortlessly over the guitar strings as he played. Heather had to admit she was impressed—he looked like he belonged up there, a solid, steady presence despite the fact he was clearly filling in.
Then the fiddle joined in, slow and sweet.
A country love song.
Lori already had Frank out on the dance floor. Heather’s stomach tightened as Lyle arched a brow, then pushed away from the booth with the smooth confidence of a man with one mission.
“Dance with me, Firefly.”
“Lyle—”
“We made a deal. You agreed to try this grown-up thing.” His hand was already out, palm up, waiting.
Heather glanced around, half-expecting every single set of eyes in the diner to be locked on them. But no one was paying attention, too caught up in their own fried food, conversations, and slow pace of the evening.