Page 4 of Rainbows Over Cedarwood

“See, this is the stuff we need worked out.” Farin clutched his water glass and nodded to Colin. “What do you say? Want in?”

Colin dropped his fork onto his plate. “Since we’re the six at the table, why don’t we all serve as the board? It would be something for you to get involved in, Ashley, and will get you out in public more.”

Ashley’s eyes widened. “I-I don’t mind, but…” The way the embarrassment washed over Ashley endeared him to Colt. He liked a guy who wasn’t totally sure of his attractiveness and didn’t seem to flaunt it. Ashley fit that bill as well.

“We can meet here after the diner closes,” Colt offered. That would give him time to chat with Ashley, too. Maybe get to know him and decide if there was a chance they could date.

“Or we can meet in the room upstairs at the bookstore, since the kids will have a safe place to be. Here there’s not much for them to do.” Farin rattled the ice in his now empty glass. “Keeps the prying eyes of the public away until we get the plan figured out and it’s a win for all of us.”

“That’s a good idea,” Ashley said. He shook his head. “I’d rather the kids be somewhere we can keep an eye on them.” He paused. “I know, your kids are old enough to be alone, but Wyatt’s not.”

“Then it’s set,” Colin said. “Where’s the bill?”

“Call it my treat.” Colt waved off the server. “Leave a nice tip, but this one’s on me. When did you want to meet?” He prided himself on not flashing his money, but he seemed to be breaking a lot of his rules all of a sudden.

“I’ll get back to you, and thank you. You didn’t have to do that.” Colin stood and shook hands with Colt. “Thanks a lot.”

He didn’t have to cover their dinner, but what were friends for? Maybe he was crazy for wanting to impress Ashley, but he did.

While the others stood and pushed chairs in, Ashley and Wyatt lingered behind. Wyatt, for all his complaining about wanting to go and being tired, hadn’t finished his dinner.

Colt grabbed a box from the stack and offered it up to Ashley. “You can take the rest home.”

“Throwing us out?” Ashley managed a smile, but the light didn’t quite meet his eyes. “We’ll hurry up.” He fumbled with the box. A couple of the fries plopped onto the table.

“We’ll see you,” Colin said and waved. “And we’ll email with those details.” He and Jordan, along with the others, left the table.

Colt preferred having a moment alone with Ashley and his son. He gathered up the plates into a stack then did the same with the empty cups. “So, Ashley. That’s an interesting name for a boy.”

Ashley shrugged. “My mom liked old movies and she had a thing for Leslie Howard.” He still wasn’t looking at Colt.

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Colt carried the plates to a nearby bus tub. “I have no idea where my folks got my name. I used to think it was a family member’s name, but it wasn’t. Guess I wasn’t that exciting.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Ashley eased the few fries left on his plate and the ones from Wyatt’s into the box then added the remaining part of the hot dog. “I told you there was no way you’d get that whole thing into your mouth.”

Wyatt hunkered down in his seat. “Sorry, Dad.”

“So that’s what you were talking about.” Colt removed the cups then used a napkin to wipe down the water rings on the table. He’d let the waitstaff clean the table better once Ashley and Wyatt were finished. “I wondered.” He wanted to hear something saucy like that from Ashley. He’d love to show a boyfriend—possibly Ashley—what he’d like to stuff in his mouth.

“Sorry about that.” Ashley blushed again. “I forget sometimes that we’re in public.”

“No sweat. I’ve heard lots worse.” Not really, but he understood where Ashley was coming from. Having a kid couldn’t be easy—not that he’d know. Colt had never considered himself a kid kind of person and refused to have one of his own. “If you’re ready to go, let me walk you out. I could use the fresh air.”

God, that sounds lame.Why didn’t I come right out and say I wanted to spend a little more time with Ashley? Jesus.But he preferred to see if the sparks were a one-time occurrence.

“Thanks.” Ashley tossed a ten onto the table and directed Wyatt out of the restaurant. “Come on, you.” He ushered the kid toward a sensible two-door car. Wyatt climbed into the backseat of the vehicle and accepted the tablet Ashley retrieved from the trunk for him.

“So.” Colt stuffed his hands into his pockets and widened his stance. He wasn’t sure what to say. So many things filled his brain. “I’ve seen you here at the diner, haven’t I?”

“Yeah. I bring Wyatt here every so often. Not much because I’m trying to save money for a house rather than the apartment. It’s nice enough, but there’s no room and Wyatt wants a dog. Can’t have a dog in an apartment.” Ashley shrugged. “Not where we live anyway.”

“That’s smart. Where do you work?” Even though he knew Ashley had to get going, he didn’t want the conversation to end. Electricity sizzled around them. He yearned to touch Ashley again but didn’t dare. They weren’t going to end up together, so he didn’t see a need to push his luck.

“I’m a teacher at the elementary school.” Ashley twirled his keys in his hand. “I’ve got to get Wyatt home so he gets in bed at a normal time.” He hesitated. “I’m looking forward to working with you on the committee.”

Ah… He couldn’t fault Ashley for being cautious. “I am, too.” But he really wanted to get to know Ashley outside the group. “I’ll talk to you when we get together.”Unless you’d like me to call.He pulled his hand from his pocket. Hoping Ashley was attracted to him was so crazy. Ashley probably had a hundred hottie guys wanting his attention. Especially a guy who was so handsome and had a steady job? Sure, he had a kid and that was a turnoff to lots of guys, but did that bother him? Was he ready to jump into a relationship with Ashley? Not yet, but he still wanted to see what would happen if they went on a date. He could get lost in those pale eyes and not get tired of hearing Ashley’s baritone voice.

“Sounds good.” Ashley lingered a moment, not touching Colt, but the sizzle was there. He smiled then averted his gaze and rounded the hood of the car. Colt slid his hands back into his pockets and watched Ashley back out of the spot.

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