Page 7 of A Shot at Love on the Mountain

“Seriously, it’s okay. The chef is married to my cousin,” he says with a grin.

“He’s married to one of the triplets?”

“Yes, to Wren.”

Caleb and I head to Omnivore Tavern, and I can’t say I’m mad for the evening not ending just yet. The more time I get to spend with him, the better.

Chapter Four

Caleb

I might have lied to Meredith about being able to foot the bill at this place, but there’s no use in turning back now, is there? I just pray that Wren will be able to coax her husband into giving me a discount. Why did I tell Meredith that it was no problem? I could’ve taken her to the diner instead and gotten us a couple of cheeseburgers. For that matter, I could have fed at her the bar.

“You look awfully worried,” she says, her brow furrowed as she watches me check the menu.

“I take deciding what to eat very seriously,” I lie.

I mean, it’s not really a lie. At fifty dollars a pop, the decision of which bottle of wine to order isn’t an easy one.

In the end, we both decide on the elk tenderloin with a blackberry-bourbon glaze. I ask the waiter to also bring us a bottle of merlot which, judging by its price tag, was probably flown out of France by the President himself. Meredith is worth it, though, and I’ve been here before—when Wren was paying. The food Sebastian Powers serves is worth every single penny. I want to treat Meredith the way she deserves to be treated, even though I realize she’s not mine to spoil. I don’t know why, but there’s this primal need inside of me to make her happy. Seeing her smile is all I care about.

“So, Meredith,” I start as we clink our wine glasses together, “tell me what brings you to town? Did you really move here for Sheriff Thompson?”

She bites her lip. “He was part of the reason, yes. What about you? Did you grow up here? Where do you live now? Apartment or house or…?”

Wow, she’s eager to change the subject. I don’t fight her on it. It’s no use pushing her for information when she doesn’t want to talk about it.

“I did. I’m a Frosty Crest original,” I joke. “I live in a cabin on the mountain, near the valley, although I’d love to get a place higher up. I love the solitude that comes with a location like that. As a bartender, I have so many social interactions that I long to be alone during my time off.”

She nods. “A place in the woods, huh? That sounds nice.”

“It is. Breathtaking views, miles and miles of forest where you can go hunting and hiking, gorgeous sunsets…” I sigh. “What’s not to like?”

“I grew up near a beach, so I’m not familiar with mountain life at all,” she confesses.

“Oh, which beach?”

My question makes her jump in her seat. “A sandy one. So, Caleb, do you think the food will arrive soon?”

I lean my elbows on the table. “Meredith, please, be honest with me. What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” she says. “Nothing at all.”

The air between us is tense all of a sudden, and I hate it. We were getting along so well. I avert my eyes from her gorgeous face and let my gaze wander.

“Oh, look, it’s your boyfriend,” I say, motioning toward the Sheriff who’s eating with a lady his age. My blood boils in my veins. Is he fucking two-timing her? I don’t care if he’s part of the police force; if he’s mistreating Meredith, I’m punching him. I’m sure I could take him.

She spits out her drink. “What?”

“There, but don’t look. He’s…”

“…with another woman,” Meredith says in a deflated tone.

“Did you know about this? Do you want me to go over there and punch him?”

Her hands fly up. “No, please don’t do that. In fact, let’s just ignore him.”

“Ignore him? But he’s your boyfriend and he’s out with another woman. Doesn’t that anger you?”

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