Page 36 of Tango
Tucker’s expression darkens. It’s a storm that passes over his face but is gone just as quickly as it came. “He did. What got you into computers?”
Touchy subject. Got it. I file that away for later. “My dad. He loves computers, gaming, and all that. I’d been with them for only six months before they bought me a computer. That’s when I knew it would stick.”
“Computers?”
I shake my head. “The family. I’d stayed with other families over the years, but no matter how well I behaved, I kept getting shuffled back. By the time I met the Sterlings, I was so jaded that I actually ran away once. It was right after that when they bought me the computer.” I smile, the memory a heartwarming one. “They sat me down, and I remember thinking to myself, ‘Well, here we go again. Time to go back,’ but they started going over internet safety with me. I don’t even know if I remember everything they said. I just stared at them, completely shocked they would want me.”
“They seem like great people.”
“They’re the best,” I reply with a smile, as Talia walks up with our food.
“Here we go. A cheeseburger with onion rings and ranch dressing. And a brisket burger with french fries, a side of mayonnaise, and ketchup.”
“Thank you, Talia,” Tucker says.
“You are welcome. Anything I can do for you guys?”
“Nope, we’re good, thanks,” he replies.
“You’re welcome,” she tells us then turns and leaves the table.
“Can I say grace?” Tucker asks.
“Go for it.” I close my eyes, fold my hands, and bow my head.
“Lord, we thank You for this food. Please let it nourish our bodies and grant us the strength we need for the day. Please guide us as we move through the next few hours and lead us to the truth. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Amen,” I reply, then crush an onion ring into an onion oval and dip it into the ranch dressing. I nearly groan with delight as it crunches in my mouth. I am so hungry. It’s been over a week since I had anything that didn’t come in a bag.
Glancing up, I can’t help but stare at Tucker in horror as he mixes the ketchup into the mayonnaise, then adds black pepper to the concoction.
After a few moments, he glances up and sees me staring. “What?”
“What in the world are you doing?”
“Mixing the best dipping sauce in the world.”
“Um. No. That, my dear Tucker, is an abomination.”
“An abomination?” He finishes mixing the concoction with a fry then eats it before retrieving another fry and dipping it into the ketchup and mayonnaise mixture. “Don’t knock it before you try it.” He holds it out to me, and I stare at it.
“I’ve done some questionable things in my life. Trying that will not be one of them.”
He doesn’t sway. “Come on, Wonder, don’t be scared. What, you can jump out of a second-story window, but you draw the line at tasting new food?”
I take a deep breath. “Fine. But you get to apologize if this makes me sick all over this pretty diner.” I pluck the fry and stick it into my mouth without giving myself a second to think about it. The flavor hits my tongue, and I have to genuinely chew slowly because—oh my—how have I been eating french fries without this? “That is—wow. Okay, Tuck, you win.”
His answering grin is so beyond attractive that my heart flips in my chest. Oh, no. No. I can be attracted—I mean, look at him—but I will not be distracted.
“I won’t say I told you so.”
“Humble man,” I reply then steal another fry and more of the sauce.
Tucker laughs, clearly not at all bothered by the fact he barely knows me and I’m already stealing his fries. “So, I know you said you prayed, which is why you’re doing so well now. But I have to say—you’re holding it all together quite impressively for a woman whose life has been turned upside down.”
I take a bite of burger and wash it down with some sweet tea. “I learned a long time ago that life will often kick you when you’re down. More often than not, really. But there’s always a brighter day ahead.”
“That sounds like a story.”
