Page 26 of Rescue
“Wow . . . you look beautiful.” Miles says, seemingly without thinking. I see the moment when he catches himself. He grins ruefully, his face coloring slightly, “I mean, hello.”
“Hi!” I say a little too high pitched, and then giggle. It seems to echo awkwardly in the air for a second, so I rush to fill the silence. “Amy and I were just having a quick glass of wine before you got here. Would you like one?”
“No, thanks, I really shouldn’t since I’m driving,” he says pragmatically.
“Oh, that’s right.” Of course I knew that. Maybe I should just stop talking for a minute.
“I thought a lot about what we should do tonight. I could take you out to dinner at the diner, but I thought it might be nicer for me to grill some steaks for us at my house, if you’re alright with it. What do you think?” He looks at me questioningly.
I normally wouldn’t be comfortable going to a guy’s house on the first date, but since it’s Miles, and I’ve known his family my whole life, I feel more comfortable. “Yeah, sure, that sounds great. Do I need to bring anything? I’ve got a couple bottles of wine in the back if you want me to grab one.”
“No, I’ve got everything covered, but thank you. Are you ready to go?” He asks and offers me his hand. I look at it for a moment and then take it. His firm grip excites me more than I expected. I’m ready to see where this night is going to take us.
“Let's do it,” I say with a smile. We turn and say goodbye to Amy and then we head out to his truck. He comes around with me and opens my door. As he helps me into the truck, I brush by him and feel a current of electricity run through me. I inhale sharply, thrown off by the jolt I just felt, but quickly recover and settle into my seat. He gives me a look I can’t decipher, then shuts the door and moves around to the driver’s side.
The drive to his house is quiet, but companionable. I don’t feel the need to fill the silence and it seems he doesn’t either. I’m thankful for the time to collect my thoughts and get myself together. I’m hoping this night goes well, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on the situation.
As we pull in his driveway, I take in the large modern log cabin with exposed wooden beams and gray accents, perfectly situated on the edge of the mountain. The view takes my breath away even though it’s mostly blocked by the two story house in front of me. I can tell before I even see it that the scene on the other side of this house is going to be spectacular. The sun is starting to set, so the house is surrounded by the golden light, bathed in the last warmth of the day.
Walking in, I’m struck by how open and airy it feels. It’s decorated in masculine colors. There are leather sofas, with hints of natural wood here and there. I’m surprised how rustic it is inside, given how modern the outside looks, but it works in here. Small splashes of warm tones in the autumn woodscape on the wall and a few throw pillows here and there really bring the house together and give a more ‘homey’ atmosphere.
I’m immediately drawn to the large picture windows that run along the back of the house. Getting closer I see that they’re accordion-style sliding glass doors that open into a large stone outdoor patio area. Just past the patio the mountain drops off, giving us a view of several other mountain peaks and valleys, along with hundreds upon thousands of pine trees that go on for miles. Mixed in are a few other varieties whose leaves are just starting to change. In a few weeks, it’s going to be even better.
The backyard is lit up from the setting sun and I’m in awe of the view in front of me. “Wow,” I say, almost whispering, “this view is . . .” I trail off, unable to find the words for how gorgeous it is here.
“Thanks,” he says quietly as he joins me in front of the window. He brings his hand to rest in the small of my back which sends a pleasant zing up my spine. “This place is like a haven for me. I knew I needed to find something close to work and my family, but I wanted the view too, ya know? I really lucked into finding this place, but once I did, I had to have it. It all worked out in the end.” He turns to look me in the eyes and I see a trace of something in them that I can’t quite detect. Sadness? Loneliness? I can’t be sure. It’s gone almost as soon as I see it.
“Let me show you the rest of the place,” he says. As we walk through his house, him pointing out small details and his favorite rooms, he keeps his hand on my back. I’m enjoying his touch, maybe a little too much.
The tour conveniently ends on the back patio next to the grill and fire pit. “I added this area shortly after I moved in. I don’t know how to cook much, but grilling I know. Lucky for you, that’s what I’m doing tonight. Is steak and potatoes alright with you?”
“That sounds delicious.” I give him an encouraging smile and vow to have a fantastic evening.
While Miles runs inside to grab the steaks for the grill, I find a spot next to the firepit and enjoy the peace of a night in the mountains. The woods are alive, the wind winding through the branches causing them to moan and creek while the fire crackles in front of me. It’s early evening and the sun is just setting, but I know the stars will be lighting up the night before long. I missed them when I was in the city. To some, nighttime in the mountains can be pretty terrifying, but to me it just feels like home. Like a song that runs through my veins. I never thought I’d make Piney Grove my home, but now that I’m back, I’m not sure I’ll be able to leave.
I’m roused from my thoughts by Miles coming back out to put the steaks and veggies on the grill. I rise and meet him there. “This looks great. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I think I’ve got all the food covered, but if you’d like to open that bottle of wine and pour us a couple of glasses that would be great.” He gestures to the bottle of wine on the table next to the fire pit.
Once the wine is poured, I hand him his glass and settle into the chair closest to the grill, while still managing to avoid the smoke. “This patio is great. If I lived here, I might never leave.”
He turns to look at me. “You’re welcome to come out and enjoy it any time you like.”
I’m not sure what to say to that. I think I’d like to spend more time here, not just for the view, but for the delicious man in front of me as well. I give him a genuine smile that I hope conveys that I would be open to that, and he takes pity on me and changes the subject.
“So, how’s Ms. Mabel? Will she be back in the cafe soon?” I can tell he’s fishing for more than just information on Nana.
“She’s doing great. She’s been doing a ton of physical therapy on her hip and says she’s almost pain free and moving better than ever. She woke me up this morning to her and Mason banging around on the walls. I barely had time to throw on some clothes and get down there.”
A dark look crosses Miles face and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he looks a little jealous. “What kind of work do you need done?”
“We’ve got a couple projects we want him to work on, but the main one is installing a drive through window behind the counter.”
“Well, if he’s too busy I could come take a look at it for you guys.”
I can see right through him, but I choose instead to smile and let it go. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks, Miles.”
Conversation flows well throughout the evening. The food is delicious and Miles blushes when I tell him as much. We laugh and talk and laugh some more. At some point he reaches over and grabs my hand and lightning shoots through me again. It’s almost enough to distract me from our discussion over our favorite desserts, but I power through, enjoying not just our conversation, but the person I’m having it with more. It's nearly 10 when I remember I have to be up early to open the cafe. I’m having such a good time, but I know I have to get to bed or I’m going to be a zombie tomorrow.
