Page 14 of Rainbows Over Cedarwood

“Most of the time, I do.” He chuckled. “But not every day.” He paid for his dinners. He’d seen Ashley with the others. Maybe Farin would have a different perspective on his situation with Ashley. “Farin.”

“Yes?” Farin put his items on the conveyor belt. “What’s up?”

He held on to his bag and stood at the bagging end of the line. “It’s late, but do you have a couple of minutes?”

“Sure.” Farin paid and grabbed his bags. “Follow me to the car.”

He walked alongside his friend but couldn’t muster the words right away.

“What’s up?” Farin unlocked his vehicle. “Don’t you have time to work on the food for the festival? We’re still planning it out, so if you have to walk away, I understand.”

“Oh, no. I’m still trying to get with Ashley on it, but we’ll come up with something.” He hesitated. “You all paired me with Ashley… What do you think of him?”

“Ashley? Steve knows him better, but I like him.” Farin leaned against the rear fender. “He’s quiet and works hard. Wyatt can be a handful. Ashley’s not got an easy time of it. He does have his mother to help, though. Why? Aren’t you gelling with him?”

“No, we’re good.” They’d be fantastic as friends. Too bad his heart yearned for Ashley.

Farin frowned. “Then what?”

“I came to the store tonight to pick up a couple dinners, but when I rounded the corner, I noticed he was being targeted by a PTO mom. Maybe she was part of the coalition, but I’m not sure. Either way, she was giving him shit and I didn’t like it. I know he was uncomfortable.”

“I wish they’d stop.” Farin snorted. “They don’t.”

“No, and I had to step in.” The bag crinkled in his hands. He glanced around and didn’t see Bella. Good. “Ashley looked rattled.”

“I bet he was. They know how to cut deep and salt the wound,” Farin said. “Ashley’s trying hard. He wants to be liked without seeming fake. He’s a genuine person.”

“I get that.” Ashley struck him as the type to speak his mind but need a few moments to wind himself up to the point he could.

“Maybe he needs another set of hands besides his mom.” Farin grinned. “Ask him out. I’ll bet he’d love that.”

“What if he’s not interested?” Why in the world had he blurted that? He should’ve said no thank you, but he appreciated the suggestion.

“Sure appears you are,” Farin said.

“How I feel isn’t important. He has a kid and I have the diner. I can’t drop the diner and Wyatt comes first,” Colt said. “You know I’m not a kid person.”

“I see.” Farin nodded and said nothing right away. “I get the feeling you’ve thought about this.”

“Stop trying to get us together.” He didn’t have to be so belligerent about the situation. Ashley hadn’t done anything wrong and Farin was just being pushy, but innocent.

“Why? You’re already considering asking Ashley out. That’s why you want to know about him. You’re getting the goods so you can make an informed decision.”

He groaned. Farin didn’t have to be right.

“Okay, so my honest opinion—even if you don’t want it—is to spend time with Ashley. See where things go. Don’t try to shut anything down. Let whatever will happen…happen. If things get exciting, then they do. If not, then you know. He might like you, too.”

Everything Farin had said was the opposite of what Colt had wanted to hear. He’d hoped Farin would talk him out of thinking about Ashley. That he’d point out the age difference and mention Ashley was married to his job, the way Colt was stuck with his at the diner. Then there was the kid aspect. Colt wasn’t comfortable around children.

“You don’t like that?” Farin’s smile widened. “I’ve been in your shoes. I thought Steve wasn’t right for me. I came off like an asshole and almost missed out on the best thing to happen to me. I checked myself and now I’m happy. Tell me you’re so happy you don’t need someone. Do it. I don’t think you can.”

“Okay.” There was no point in arguing. “Thanks.”

“You’re going to fight it, but once you take things to the next step, you’ll be relieved.” Farin shook hands with Colt. “Relax. We’ve all been there and you’re going to be fine.”

“I will.” He sighed. “Thanks.”

“Get some rest and send Ashley a naughty message.” Farin slid behind the wheel of his car. “You won’t regret making the effort.”

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