“Did they catch him?”
“The next day but try explaining that one to my parents who had to buy a new set of tires for their broke college student.”
“I’m assuming you never saw her again?” She knew Hunter’s character and knew the obvious answer but asked anyway.
“Are you kidding? I was so mad I couldn’t even drive her home. Not that I had a car that could move.”
“How’d she get home?”
“I called a buddy, not the one who initiated the setup, but another one. He took me home and his girlfriend took the girl home.” He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. “You know what’s strange? I remember that night vividly, but for the life of me, I can’t remember her name. Anyway, that should make you feel better. If you didn’t already know, this date is infinitely better than that one.”
His story calmed her nerves, and she was able to joke. “That bar isn’t set very high.”
“True but believe me when I say I don’t have a single complaint about tonight.”
She smiled when he squeezed her hand. “Me either.”
Their waiter arrived with their salads, and they were quiet while they ate. The main courses came next and Hunter sliced a piece of his prime rib for her to try.
“This is delicious,” she said after subtly wiping the juice from her mouth with a napkin.
“Would you like more?” He began cutting another piece.
She eyed her oversize portion of chicken cordon bleu and a baked potato the size of a softball. “Thanks, but I have all this to eat, too.”
“Have you ever noticed the fancier the restaurant, the smaller the portions? Not here, though. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy coming to Lakeview. Their food is consistently good, their service top-notch, and you won’t leave hungry.”
“I’m not sure I’ll leave at all if I eat all this food.” She ran her knife along the chicken, swirled it in the sauce. “I’ll be too sleepy to move.”
“And you wanted to take a walk afterward?”
“I’ll be sure not to eat it all.”
“Dessert’s off the table then?”
“Until later.” She had a surprise of her own waiting in the refrigerator at the bed and breakfast.
He tilted his head and stared at her with curiosity. “Do I get a hint?”
“No.” She grinned and took another bite.
“You realize patience isn’t one of my virtues.”
“Whatever.” Shaking her head, she laughed lightly. “You have the patience of a saint.”
“I bet you’re the only person in this world to ever say that about me.”
That he didn’t see that in himself saddened her. “My kids are constantly bugging you, but you always indulge them, even when you’re busy. You actively listen when Mr. Lejeune tells you about the birds he saw that day when I know you don’t care what bird has red feathers and a pink beak.”
He held up a finger. “That’s not entirely true. He has shown me a few birds that are cool looking, but I’m not into the details like he is.”
“Which proves my point. He would never know because you give him your full attention.”
“It’s respect.”
She agreed with him on that, but patience played a large role. Rather than push her insistence, she changed topics. “Do you have any speaking engagements coming up?”
He swallowed the bite on his mouth. “Tomorrow night.”
“Where at?”
“At a driving academy in Farthington. The owner wants me to share my story with the soon-to-be drivers in hopes it will prevent them from making the same poor choices.”
“I’m proud of you. A lot of people wouldn’t want to relive that period of your life, but you do it every time you speak.”
“It’s for a purpose. If I can help prevent one person from getting behind the wheel drunk, then I’ve succeeded.”
“Can I come with you one night? I’d like to hear you speak.” She lowered her gaze, worried she’d overstepped her bounds.
“Sure. You can come tomorrow if you’d like.”
Scrunching her face, she shook her head. “As much as I’d like to, I don’t want to leave the kids two nights in a row, even if Lynne could step in for me.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t even think about that.”
“Next time, though.”
He winked. “I’ll hold you to that.”
They finished their meal, keeping companionable conversation going. When the bill came, Beth struggled not to pay her share. She didn’t see the total but had seen the menu prices and knew it wasn’t cheap. While she didn’t know Hunter’s exact salary, she could logically deduce it wasn’t enough to easily afford this dinner out, but to even hint at that would be an insult.
She thanked him and caught a glimpse of the ticket by accident. The total was near what she expected, but his tip surprised her. He’d left an exceedingly generous amount which pleased her. On the very few occasions Kyle had taken her out, his tips had been minimal even when the service was exceptional. She’d wondered why he hadn’t left more but hadn’t wanted to start trouble.
“Did you still want to take that walk,” he asked once they left the restaurant.
“It’s a nice night. Why not take advantage of it?” Thankfully, she’d worn sensible flats instead of the heels she’d debated on.
He slipped his arm through hers, led her to the trail’s entrance behind the restaurant. Evenly spaced lampposts kept the path well lit, even in the moonlight. All was quiet, except the gentle roll of a moving creek.
Several minutes into their stroll, his hand slid down her arm and wrapped around her hand. She glanced at him with a shy smile and intertwined their fingers. He squeezed her hand, and they continued walking with no words needed.
Too soon, they completed the loop.
Standing at the entrance, he looked at her. “Did you want to go again?”
“Yes, but I shouldn’t,” she said, heavy with reluctance. “April and Dex aren’t used to being away from me in the evening. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’ll pick them up and head home.”
“You don’t mind?”
He scoffed. “When I asked you on a date, I considered April and Dex. You’re a mom and that’s part of who you are. I can’t expect you to ignore that, nor would I want you to.”
“Thanks for understanding.” She gave him a quick hug then backed away, surprised to find herself wishing her arms could have lingered around him.
His arm reached out as though he wanted to return the embrace, then he abruptly dropped his arms to his side. “You’re welcome.”
They didn’t speak much on the way home. When they arrived at Trixie’s, both Dex and April had fallen asleep. She carried Dex to the car, and Hunter carried April. The way April wrapped her arms around Hunter’s neck and rested her head against his chest created an ache in Beth’s heart.
The children needed a father. She did the best she could, but they deserved to have two parents. For two years, she’d never thought about giving them a father. After Kyle and all she’d gone through, she’d sworn off relationships and marriage. Maybe she’d been too hasty in that decision.