Chapter 20 #2
She had all night to figure out where his head was. For now, she rummaged through the doorless cabinets until she found a stack of red plastic cups then unscrewed the cap. She filled both cups then handed one to Reid. “Cheers.”
Reid accepted the cup and tapped it against hers. “Cheers.” He took a small sip then set the drink on the counter. “The plastic cups go perfectly with paper plates. You might want to double them up to make them a little sturdier.”
Taking his advice, she stacked two plates and topped them with a small filet, a potato and salad. “Is there a table on the deck?”
He lifted his hand and tilted it from side to side. “Kind of. I got a little creative, but it should work.”
She waited for him to fill his plate then followed him outside onto a square deck that jutted off the kitchen. Two five-gallon buckets propped up a piece of plywood, and a couple of lawn chairs, offered seating at the makeshift table.
But it was the pristine lake behind the house with the meadow beyond touching the mountains that stole her attention.
“This is gorgeous.” Her voice came out in a whisper as she stood and took in the beauty around her. “I’d love to wake up to this view every single morning.”
“I know the feeling.”
She turned to see him watching her, and something told her that he wasn’t talking about the view.
He dipped his head toward her plate. “You better set that down before you lose your steak.”
“Good call.” She studied the thin plywood. “You sure this thing will hold up?”
“Only one way to find out.” He slid his full plate and cup onto the table then pumped his fist in triumph. “Perfect.”
Laughing, she followed suit—sans fist pumping—and settled into the chair. “You were right. You’re a man with many skills. Let’s just hope grilling is one of them.” Slicing off a piece of meat, she slid it into her mouth and moaned. “Dear God in heaven. I wasted you behind the bar last night.”
He cut off his own chunk and skewered it with his fork, pointing in her direction for a beat before popping it in his mouth. “Told you.”
They ate in silence, attacking their food while enjoying the peacefulness of the green meadow and sightings of furry creatures. Each bite was better than the last, the juices sinking into the tender cut of meat to create an explosion of flavor in her mouth.
With his food almost finished, Reid pushed it away and leaned back in the chair. “So why don’t you have a house like this?”
“One that needs painting, with no cabinet doors?”
“Funny. No, I mean you said you could wake up to this view every morning. Why do you live in town instead of finding a place with some land?”
She took the last bite of her baked potato then sipped her wine. “Land takes time to maintain. It’s hard enough to find time to mow my little yard. Heck, I don’t have time for much of anything beyond keeping Tilly’s afloat.”
“Do you love spending so many hours working at the restaurant? Or is there a part of you that wants something different for your life?”
Thinking over the questions, she took another drink.
“Honestly, I’ve never really thought about doing anything else.
I grew up in Tilly’s. I loved watching my parents feed the town.
They built relationships and provided more than just meals.
I can’t imagine not carrying on the traditions they put so much love into. ”
“Like the line dancing.”
She grinned. “Exactly. Those nights create magic.”
He linked his fingers with hers. “They sure do.”
Warmth spread down to her bare toes. “I love knowing I play a part in working that magic in the lives of others. That I’m feeding a community of hardworking people and maybe giving them something to look forward to. So no, I don’t want something different. I guess what I want is something more.”
“More than owning Tilly’s?” he asked. “I don’t think there’s enough hours in the day.”
“Not that.” She scrunched her nose, preparing to unload the burden she’d trapped inside her heart for so many years. Becca was the only one she’d ever discussed her dreams with, but no man had ever cared enough to ask. “I wish I had more outside of work.”
He frowned. “And you don’t think you can?”
She shrugged. “I haven’t been able to so far. I go in early. I get home late. The men I’ve come across don’t like playing second fiddle to my job.”
“Maybe you just haven’t met the right man. As far as I’m concerned, a hardworking woman is worth her weight in gold.”
As much as she appreciated the sentiment, sweet words were easy to say at the beginning of a relationship. When things were shiny and new. It didn’t take long for the shine to fade and long hours to get old.
A familiar sadness crushed her lungs. “Maybe it’s not finding the right man. Maybe it’s my fault. Either way, as the years tick by, so do my hopes of getting everything I want.”
Reid leaned forward, as if enraptured by her voice. “And what exactly is it you want, besides the house and the land you can’t maintain?”
She may have lived in fear for her life the last few days, but it was a different kind of terror that seized her vocal cords.
But if she wanted Reid to open up to her, she had to do the same.
“A husband. Children. A family. Someone to pass down my legacy to like my parents did to me. I mean, isn’t that what everyone wants? ”