Page 25 of Snowed In With the Maverick
Andrea gave him a funny look. Was there more to her reaction than just the conversation? Did she see something in him she wasn’t quite ready to confront?
Dale returned with their drinks. “You talking about the election?” he said and shook his head. “I’m not usually one to talk politics with my customers. No use giving someone a reason to find somewhere else to get a drink. But I gotta say, that was a real letdown.”
“Amen to that,” said Seth. He glanced back at Andrea, who flashed him a quick grin and held up her glass. Maybe he’d read her wrong.
Dale returned behind the bar, and Seth folded his hands in front of him on the table. “Forget about Marty for a few minutes, if you will,” he said. “Andrea and I have been working on something together you might be interested in hearing about.”
Andrea and I.He liked how it sounded—natural, as if they were already a team. A couple. The thought warmed him in a way he wasn’t quite ready to unpack. He could feel her presence beside him, steady and reassuring, as he went on to explain the details about the park and his idea for a dig.
“What’re your thoughts on all this?” Brent said to Andrea. “You think people would come all the way out here to visit a park like that?”
“Depends,” said Andrea. “The dino exhibits at the museum were always the most popular. Families swarmed them, and there was a constant influx of school groups. Now, that was in the city, so more accessible, but given the fact that this park would be right on the land where fossils have been discovered, I think that would be a real draw. A day trip, or even an overnight or two, depending on the scale.”
Seth could tell Andrea was excited about the park, much more than she’d seemed to be after he’d floated the idea by her.
“And you think there are more bones to be found?” said Barrett.
Andrea nodded. “I mean, there are no promises. But given where we are and what’s already been discovered—”
“There’s a good chance we’ll find more. But we have to dig,” Seth said.
“And that’s where we come in?” Brent said.
“Something to think about,” said Seth. “We could really use your public support of this. As long as Marty doesn’t get in the way. He might have his own plans for some kind of town project.”
Barrett and Brent looked at one another. “The first thing you’re going to want to do is get the people of Tenacity on your side,” Brent said. “Public opinion matters to him. He’s not going to block something if more than half the town—meaning the very percentage who might elect him again when the time comes—is supportive of it. But you’ve got my support. This sounds promising.”
“Glad to hear it,” said Seth.
They chatted for a few more minutes about other town business, plans for the holidays. After paying their bill, Seth and Andrea returned to his SUV, the back now empty.
“Listen,” Seth said as he slid behind the wheel, glancing over at her. “If you’ve got a few extra minutes, there’s something I’d like to show you.”
Her curious look made him want to explain more, but he held back, letting the mystery linger.
“It’s a bit of a drive,” he added, watching her for a reaction. “If you’re okay with that.”
He hoped she was. There was something about the way she looked at him, something in her easy smile, that made him want to take her places—physically and maybe, in some deeper way, emotionally.
“Why not,” she said. “I’ve had a great time today,” she said, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“Glad to hear it,” said Seth. His phone buzzed in his pocket, a response to a text he’d sent as they were settling up the bill and confirmation he could show Andrea something that he hoped would keep her smiling.
* * *
The sun had just slipped behind the horizon as Seth drove them along the highway toward Bronco. It wouldn’t be long before the clear night sky was inky black, and perfect for where he was taking the stunning woman in his passenger seat.
He switched on the stereo, letting the warm hum of the local radio station fill the car. Their conversation was sparse but easy, punctuated by Seth pointing out familiar landmarks and Andrea’s occasional questions about the area. It was a comfortable quiet.
With the road stretched out before them, Seth couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. He didn’t know exactly what he was hoping for, but something about the night, the company and the destination made it feel like the perfect moment to share with Andrea.
When Seth finally pulled into Wonderstone Ridge, just about half an hour north of Bronco, anticipation stirred in him. The site hosted an aquarium and a science center, but what he wanted to show Andrea was the newest addition they’d recently built. Seth’s sister Charlotte, a marine biologist, worked there, and he’d texted her just before they hit the road, asking if she could pull some strings to get them access.
He knew it would mean explaining to his sister whom he was bringing, but when he looked over at the passenger side to see Andrea, he realized he’d be happy to tell his sister. Proud.
The parking lot was mostly empty by the time they pulled in. It was after operating hours, but Charlotte told him that the manager would be there and could open the building for them.
“An aquaruim?” Andrea said as Seth brought the SUV to a stop in a parking spot. “Is there a dino exhibit here or something?”
