Page 41 of Giddy-Up
Her question was met with dimples.“You’ll see, petal.Come on.”Wade climbed out of the driver’s seat and rounded the truck.Opening her door, he took her hand and led her toward the ominous red building.
Walking through the thick, panelled door, she certainly wasn’t expecting a restaurant.An empty one at that.
Fairy lights hung from the rafters, while colored uplights shone in each corner.Chunky wood tables and benches were scattered everywhere but it was the one in the centre that caught her eye.Adorned with flickering candles and a vase filled with wildflowers, it was like something out of a movie.
When she turned to look at Wade, he was studying her.
“I called ahead, made sure we wouldn’t be in the middle of a crowded restaurant this time.”
There was no crowd.No other diners.And apparently no staff.They were alone.
Heaven.
She started to wonder how she got so lucky as her hand was being tugged again.This time toward the centre table.
As they took their seat, a waiter pushed through the double doors located at the back of the barn.In mere seconds he was by their side, ready to pass them menus and ask what drinks they would like.Riley let Wade order for them as she perused the menu, where there was another surprise waiting for her.
“It’s farm to table!”she squealed in delight.
“It is.”Wade grinned.“I figured if we’re gonna be doing this at the ranch, then we should probably taste it first.”
“So you’ve decided...you’re definitely going to do it?”
“That’s the plan.”His gaze dipped to the table for a second, when it returned to her, she noticed a gleam in his eyes.“You interested in helping?”
“Yes.Definitely.I’ll try any food you want to feed me.”She giggled.Even though she was deadly serious.
“I’ll keep that in mind, darlin’.But I was actually talking about maybe helping me with things like menu creation and sourcing local produce.It’s pretty damn clear you love this stuff, and you sure as hell know what you’re talking about.”Riley didn’t bother to hide her shock.“You’d be compensated of course...for your time.”
“You want to pay me?”she repeated, at the exact same time the waiter reappeared with their drinks.
Wade cleared his throat, before croaking out a “thanks.”He looked strange.Almost uncomfortable.
Once the waiter disappeared, he leaned forward.His elbows meeting the table, his expression turning serious.“Pay you to consult, petal.Not for anything else.Just so we’re clear.”
Double freaking meanings.
Damnit, she really hated them.Why couldn’t anything just mean one thing?She realized now what that weird look on his face was.Embarrassment.
She attempted to reassure him.“I know you don’t want to pay me for sex.”
The swig of beer Wade had just taken was promptly sprayed across the wood.
He barked out a laugh shortly after.
“That’s good to know, darlin’,” he drawled, moments later, still smiling.“Now we’ve got that cleared up, what do you think about helping me with the restaurant?”
He was being serious.He wanted her help.Her expert opinion.Well, more like non-expert opinion.
“You don’t have to pay me,” she sputtered.“I’ll help for free.I mean, I’m not a chef or a professional or anything.I’m just a maid.”
Wade’s head tilted, his astute blue stare considering her.After a good minute of looking his fill, he spoke again.“You’re more than just a maid, you know that right, Riley?”
Did she know that?No.Probably not.Likely because she’d always been ‘just a maid’.Firstly, at her uncle’s motel and now at the Evans ranch.But that was okay.Wasn’t it?
Undecided, she remained quiet.Prompting Wade to speak again.
“Granted, we’ve not known each other very long, but from the very first conversation we had about food, I could see just how much love you have for it.You light up, Riley.It’s beautiful to watch.”
