Chapter Fourteen – Lilibeth #2
Dropping my head back against the door, I let out a humorless laugh.
Who was I kidding? I was already head over heels in love with a man who couldn’t feel the same.
And I suddenly felt confused. Had I done the right thing?
He may not have been able to give me his heart, but he clearly wanted to give me his body.
Could that have been enough?
Another round of tears flowed as I sat there on the floor.
“You messed up big time, Lilibeth. Big time.”
“Well?” I asked, as I spun in a circle with my arms open. “What do you think?”
Emeline, Ensley, and Moreen all looked at me with confused expressions.
“Wait—this is where you’re going to live?” Moreen asked, as she turned in a circle as well.
“What’s wrong with it?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Emeline said, as she smacked Moreen’s arm. “It’s charming.”
Ensley huffed. “Is that the word you use for ‘small’?”
“It is small, I agree,” I said, as I walked into my tiny kitchen. “But I prefer the term ‘cozy.’ And I have two bedrooms, so I can make one an office. Plus, it’s free. Yes, I know it’s above my parents’ garage, but…it’s free!”
“It’s better than the room above the shop,” Moreen said with a hesitant smile.
“Yes, it is,” I replied. “And did I mention it’s free?”
Ensley smirked. “A few times now. Listen, it’s clean, it’s cute, and it’s just you, so how much room do you really need, anyway?”
Pointing to her, I replied, “Exactly! I have everything I need right here.”
Moreen walked over and took my hands in hers. “I think we should go out to dinner to celebrate your new place.”
“Dinner sounds amazing,” I replied. “Emeline? Ensley? Can you do dinner?”
Emeline shook her head. “I would, but Rhett has a little class play tonight for the parents, and I don’t want to miss it.”
“I’m free, and I’d love to go.”
I smiled at Ensley, then turned to Emeline. “We’ll miss you, but we totally understand. Call me tomorrow?”
Emeline slipped on her coat and grabbed her bag. “I will. You guys have fun tonight. You should head to Granby and try the new Greek restaurant that just opened. I heard it’s amazing.”
“Oh, my client from this morning mentioned that place,” Ensley said, as she hugged her sister goodbye. “Give Levi and the kids a kiss and hug from me.”
“I will,” Emeline stated, before hugging Moreen and me. “Bye, girls!”
After walking Emeline out, I turned to Ensley and Moreen. “Greek food then?”
“That sounds amazing,” Moreen answered. “I’ve never been to a Greek restaurant before.”
My eyes widened. “You haven’t? Have you, Ensley?”
She nodded as she slipped on her coat, then her hat. “I have. It’s been a while. Josh, my client from this morning, lives in Granby, and he suggested I stop by for lunch, but I had to get back to the ranch for a meeting. It’s crazy that Emeline would mention the same place.”
“Let me go grab my hat and gloves. I can drive if we all want to go together.”
Ensley smirked. “I’ll drive. My truck has four-wheel drive, and I’ve driven with you before, Lilibeth.”
When I came back out into the living room, I frowned. “What’s wrong with my driving?”
Moreen and Ensley exchanged looks before Moreen cleared her throat. “Nothing. But you kind of drive slow. Especially if there’s snow on the road.”
My mouth fell open. “Because there’s snow on the road!”
“I’m driving,” Ensley repeated, opening the door. “We can argue about your skills on the way there. I’m starving, and really craving a chicken gyro.”
The drive into Granby didn’t take long, and thanks to Moreen looking up the menu for The Greek Bar on her phone, we all knew what we were getting before we even got there.
“See, if you’d driven, we would have missed happy hour,” Ensley pointed out, pulling her scarf off her neck and smiling at the handsome guy who greeted us.
“Welcome to The Greek Bar. Do you have reservations?”
“We don’t,” Ensley said, with what could only be described as a pouty smile.
The guy was instantly butter in her hands. Her dirty-blonde hair was in a braided pony, and her blue eyes sparkled as she batted them at the poor guy. He didn’t stand a chance.
“No worries. I can seat you right now. Just the three of you?”
“Just us,” Ensley replied with a brilliant smile. Okay, what was it about the Wildes and their ability to charm anyone?
“I’m Dimitris Karas, one of the owners.”
“Nice to meet you, Dimitris,” Ensley replied, as we followed him into the restaurant.
“Who’s the other owner?” I asked.
“My brother,” he replied, with a smile that made him look even more handsome than before.
Moreen grabbed my arm. “My God, is it just me and my lack of sex, or is this guy the definition of a Greek god?”
I chuckled. “It’s not just you. I’m pretty sure Ensley is about to drag him out back and have her way with him.”
Moreen huffed. “Not if I get to him first.”
Dimitris stopped at a four-top table and motioned for us to sit. After taking off my coat, I hung it off my chair and let Dimitris pull out my seat.
“Thank you.”
“What do you recommend for starters, Dimitris?” Ensley asked, even though we’d all picked out what we wanted to eat on the drive over.
He offered a brilliant smile. “Our spinach and cheese pies, or maybe the Santorini trio and pita.”
“Those both sound amazing,” Moreen replied, as she looked at the menu Dimitris handed her.
Ensley added, “Oh, can we add on some mozzarella sticks?”
When Dimitris glanced at me, I smiled. “Nothing to add for me. Those sound really good.”
We gave him our drink orders before he left to put in our appetizers. Ensley and Moreen both ordered an alcoholic drink, and I went with iced tea.
“This place is cute,” Moreen said, as she glanced around.
Ensley put her menu down and asked, “Okay, what did everyone say they were getting in the truck?”
“I’m getting the lamb gyro,” Moreen said.
My stomach roiled, and I pressed on it with my hand. “Oh man, why does that instantly make me feel like I want to get sick?”
Ensley frowned. “Maybe the idea of lamb?”
I nodded and looked back down at the menu. “Maybe I’ll do the vegetarian plate instead.”
“What? Lilibeth, you cannot order that! We’re at a Greek restaurant. Get something…Greek!”
Laughing, I replied, “Ensley, I am getting something Greek. It’s literally on their menu. I just don’t think I can stomach meat right now. My stomach feels uneasy.”
“I’m sorry I mentioned lamb. I can get the chicken.”
I waved off Moreen’s concern. “No. Don’t do that. Get what you want, please. I’ve had a stomach bug the last few days that I can’t seem to shake.”
Dimitris brought out drinks and took our orders.
Ensley and Moreen quickly fell into a conversation about someone they both knew from high school who’d recently moved back to River Falls.
I sipped my iced tea and glanced around the restaurant—and froze when I saw Caden.
He was with a woman who appeared to be older than him, but not by much, and they were both laughing at something one of them had said.
“Lilibeth? What’s wrong?”
Ensley’s voice pulled my eyes off of Caden and the woman, and I forced a smile. “Nothing. Nothing at all. I was just surprised to see Caden here.”
Whipping her head in the direction where I’d just been staring, Ensley asked, “Caden’s here?”
Moreen turned around, and I wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it. Now they were both staring over at Caden and his date.
His date.
I didn’t want that to bother me as much as it was, and I tried like hell to push the feeling of jealousy away.
“Guys, don’t stare!” I hissed, slapping Moreen on the arm. “He’s on a date!”
Ensley laughed. “He’s not on a date.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Do you know who he’s with?”
“Of course. That’s our aunt!”
“Your aunt?” Moreen and I said at the same time.
She chuckled as she stood. “Our uncle David’s wife, Kendall.”
We watched as she made her way across the restaurant, toward Caden and the woman.
Looking at Moreen, I asked, “Have you met her before?”
She nodded. “I have once. I didn’t recognize her right away. She and David don’t make it back to River Falls often. I think you know he was an NFL player, and now he coaches?”
“Oh, right. I remember Emeline telling me. Why is Caden having dinner with her in Granby, I wonder?”
She shrugged. “Not sure.”
When I looked across the room, Caden was now staring at our table. I smiled, and he lifted his hand in a small wave.
I hadn’t seen him since Christmas night.
After a few more minutes, Ensley made her way back and sat down.
“Kendall’s meeting with Caden to talk about a surprise birthday party for our uncle.
They didn’t want anyone in River Falls to see her and think David’s home.
They also want to surprise my parents. My uncle hasn’t been home since last Easter. ”
“Oh, that’ll be a wonderful surprise for everyone then,” I replied.
Ensley nodded.
“Is David involved with the ranch?” Moreen asked.
With a shake of her head, Ensley replied, “Not at all. Football was always his passion, and from what I’ve always heard, Mike and Jason were the two who always planned on running the ranch.
Then, of course, my father had kids, and early on, it was clear Caden was obsessed with the ranch.
My father had always kept the books and helped with the business side, but as you know, his sporting goods store was always his main focus. ”
I nodded and snuck a peek at Caden once again. He was listening intently to his aunt.
“Will your aunt go visit your parents since she’s in town?” I asked.
“No, she’s only here for tonight, then headed back to Denver in the morning. She wants it to be a total surprise. No one else knows. Well, except us now, so no one let it slip.”
“My lips are sealed,” Moreen declared, as she mimed locking her lips and tossing the pretend key over her shoulder.
Our appetizers were delivered, and we all dug in. As I ate, my stomach calmed, and I began to look forward to dinner. But the moment Moreen’s lamb gyro was placed on the table, and I got one whiff, my stomach revolted.
I put a hand to my mouth and quickly stood.
“Lilibeth?” Ensley asked, standing as well.
I looked around, not sure where the bathroom was. When I couldn’t find any sign of it fast enough, I ran toward the front door so that I wouldn’t throw up in the dining room of the restaurant. I made it out the door and around the corner before I emptied my stomach in some bushes.
“Lili? What’s wrong?”
I tried to answer Caden, embarrassed he’d followed and was seeing me throw up again, but another wave hit me, and I threw up some more.
“Oh my God,” Ensley stood next to me, a hand on my back. “You really don’t like lamb, do you?”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I took the napkins she handed me and wiped my mouth. “I’m so sorry. I’m suddenly not feeling well at all.”
“Do you think you’re coming down with something?” she asked as she rubbed my back.
Standing up, I looked sheepishly at Caden and Ensley. “I’m so sorry about that.”
“Let me have them pack up our stuff to go and we’ll head back to River Falls.”
“No! Ensley…no. Just give me a few minutes and I’m sure I’ll be okay. Please, just go back in and eat.”
Caden looked between the two of us. “I’m about to head back. I just need to drop Kendall off at her hotel. I can give you a ride home.”
“No,” I said, waving off his concern. “I’m fine. My stomach’s been off all day. My father had the stomach flu last week, so maybe that’s what this is. I’m okay now.”
“Are you positive?” Ensley asked, looking worried.
Caden frowned as he studied me. “You’re sure you don’t want me to take you home?”
Nodding, I replied, “I’m sure. Thank you, though.”
The second I stepped into the restaurant and the smells hit me, I turned and walked right back out.
“That’s it,” Caden stated. “I’m taking you home.”
Ensley nodded at Caden. “Aunt Kendall can join us. I’ll take her back to her hotel. Just get Lilibeth home.”
“Honestly,” I started to say—before I turned and ran back to the same bush.
I soon had nothing left to throw up and was just dry heaving.
By the time Caden had gotten me into his truck, I was exhausted.
Thankfully, he didn’t seem to be in much of a talkative mood.
The drive was silent, and before long, I’d closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.