Page 72 of Country Charm

I grab my phone from my clutch and excuse myself from the table. Weaving through the restaurant I make my way to the bar and order myself a fresh glass. The bartender gives me a kind smile and brings forth a much-needed drink. With a new glass in one hand and my phone in the other, I dial him up.

The phone only rings once before he answers. “Hey.”

“Hey there, yourself,” I reply simply. “The girls all had their chances to give their men a call and suggest I do the same.”

“I know y’all are at dinner. I left a voicemail, but all I said was that I was headed over the Jake’s to check in on Sharon. He asked me to come by, said she wasn’t doing too hot. I knew you’d want to know. I’ll text you whatever happens, but most likely I am going to have to take her to a clinic.”

I am a bit shocked that he has almost completely avoided the topics of us or apologies, but at the same time, I am relieved.

What washed the relief away was my immediate worryfor Jake and his mom. I know first-hand how hard it is to be on their own with a sick parent, scared out of your mind.

“Do you guys have a decent place down by you? No offense.” I cut in that last part because I honestly mean no harm.

“After hours? Just a walk-in clinic attached to the pharmacy a few towns over, but I don’t know when they close.”

“If she’s bad, you should just take her to Regional Hospital. It’s a bit of a trek for you, but they are out of the city, so you won’t have city hospital ER waiting times. I’ve driven out there when I knew I wanted to get in quick.”

“What did you go to the ER for? Cat fight? Really nasty paper cut from a bad book?” He tries to gently coax me into a light conversation, and I hate that I want to be in it with him.

I cave. “You should have seen what happened to the other guy.” I joke.

“Wait, really?” I roll my eyes.

“No. I sliced my finger at a cooking class and had to get three stitches. It was no big deal. I did know that if I went to the ER fifteen minutes from me, I would have waited over an hour to be seen. At Regional it was about five or ten minutes.”

“Ah, so that’s why you avoid cooking. You’re clumsy.”

The warm quality of his voice over the line seems to drown out all the noise in the bar and restaurant. All I can hear is him, his light nature, his warmth, and his compassion for Jake. I want to selfishly ask him to read to me later, but I won’t. That’s too far.

“No, smartass. I don’t cook because there are too many good options for food out here to be ready way faster than I can make it. It’s the literal opposite of you.” I hope that Hunter doesn’t find a hidden meaning in mywords. I honestly meant that we just cook in opposite ways, but with the underlying tension, it could spark a new fight.

Hunter doesn’t pay any mind. “Yeah, yeah. I know. Sushi, tacos, burgers—you got it all up there.”

Silence hangs on the line, but I think I hear the crunch of gravel under his truck’s heavy tires.

“Alright, Beautiful. I just got to Jake’s. I’mma run in there and see what’s goin’ on.”

“Let me know if I can do anything, or if you need any other suggestions of a place to go, I’ll try to take a peek at my phone after dinner.”

“Sounds good. Have fun tonight.” He’s sincere, kind, and gentle.

I’m about to end the call when I hear my name through the line.

“Yeah?” I say before he thinks I’m already gone.

“If you don’t mind, will you just shoot me a text when y’all make it back to wherever you’re staying? I just want to know y’all get back safe.”

“Yeah, Hunt. I can do that.” I hear him let out a heavy sigh and I take two long drinks from my glass.

“Thanks, then, enjoy.”

I hang up quickly and swirl the wine in my glass around a little bit, watching the liquid glide around.

Well, that went way better than I had anticipated. Relief mixed with an unsatisfied feeling lingers within me.

Did I want to duke it out a little?

I’m not so sure. I take another healthy swig and walk back over to the girls, thankful I won’t have to lie about our conversation.

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