Page 25 of No More Secrets
Summer slid out of the truck. “One thousand words isn’t going to scratch the surface on this,” she whispered to herself.
Peace of Pizza was all that she hoped it would be. They were seated in a cozy booth in the corner under a large poster of Jimi Hendrix. A lava lamp on the table bubbled lazy, orange blobs.
Summer glanced around them. “Why did they put us back here away from everyone else?”
They had walked past several tables full of diners, including a gentleman Carter had addressed as “Big Ben.” But it was just the two of them in the cozy little corner.
The waitress delivered a pair of ice waters and a candle just as the lights in the restaurant dimmed.
“God damn Beautification Committee,” Carter muttered under his breath. Summer bit her lip.
“Want to hear the vegetarian specials, Carter?” The waitress asked pulling a pen out of her apron that was dusty with flour.
“Sure, Maizie. What have you got?”
She rattled off a surprisingly large number of meat-free specials. “And Summer, if you’re a meatatarian, we’ve got a bunch of other options,” she said with a wink.
Summer blinked. Did everyone in town know her name? “Um, thanks, Maizie.”
“Can you handle a cheese pizza and a garden salad?” Carter asked her.
“Perfect.”
They handed over the menus to Maizie and tried to ignore the ambiance. Summer’s cellphone alarm signaled, breaking the awkward silence, and she dug her pills out of her bag.
“Thought you didn’t like taking drugs?” Carter asked, eyeing the tablets and capsules in her hand.
“They’re mostly vitamins. Everyone’s got to stay health conscious these days,” she said, washing the handful down with a big gulp of water.
Carter stared pointedly at Big Ben, who was hoovering his way through a stromboli with a side of gravy fries three tables away. “Not all of us,” he whispered.
Summer laughed. “So I’m curious about the vegetarian thing. Why did you give up meat? Was it a health choice?”
“Back to the interview already? I thought I could buy you off with a pair of shoes.”
“Nice try, Mr. Pierce.”
“Guess we’ll have to try the dress and gold bar store next.”
“Back to why you became vegetarian.” Summer wouldn’t let him push her off center.
“It happened after I came back. I was home for a few months when Joey brings these two pigs to me. They fell off the back of a truck on the highway headed for who knows where. I had empty pastures.”
“So you rescued them.”
He shrugged. “I had the doc come out and look them over. We were standing there talking and they just started running around the paddock. Dancing, playing. I swear I saw Dixie smile. I never touched bacon again. It wasn’t a conscious choice. It just happened.”
Summer propped her chin on her hand. “God, Carter. How is it that you’re not married yet?”
Carter’s eyes widened over his glass. “What?”
“Seriously. You are stunningly gorgeous,” Summer said, laying a hand over his. “You have impeccable taste when it comes to home decor, and the Dixie story just exploded my heart. How are you not married with a dozen babies by now?”
He raised a dark eyebrow and his eyes searched hers. “Are you asking for the article?” He turned her palm up, but continued to hold it toying with her fingers.
“Just me,” Summer said, tilting her head. “For now,” she qualified.
“I wasn’t in a great place when I came home. Relationships were low on my list of priorities.”
