Bea carried an order of Gulf shrimp and green-chili cheddar grits from the bustling kitchen into the dining room of the Cowgirl Café.
The clinking of glasses and silverware reverberated along with the murmur of conversations. And there were lots of satisfied smiles from the customers enjoying their meals.
She caught the eye of the blonde server who’d needed the order on-the-fly. The young woman had accidently keyed in the wrong item for one of her tables.
As the server rushed over to Bea, a look of relief was on her face. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Bea gave her a reassuring smile.
Mistakes were bound to happen. But luckily nothing major, like stolen food, had occurred with tonight’s rescheduled grand opening. The dining room was full, and although they hadn’t experienced a huge rush as anticipated, business had been steady since they’d opened for dinner two hours ago. She was just grateful that so many people had decided to give her a second chance despite the comments online and the question about whether she deserved one.
I’m the newspaper’s anonymous restaurant critic... I’m sorry, Bea. You have every right to be angry with me. But as a restaurant critic, I couldn’t show my bias no matter how I feel about you. This may be hard for you to believe right now, but my interest in you didn’t just start the day of the wedding...
Devin’s admission last week in the parking lot of the Saddle & Spur Roadhouse had floored her. And for some reason the content of the review had struck even harder knowing he was the source. Devin wasn’t an anonymous stranger. He was someone she knew so intimately they were expecting a child together.
She’d received the results of the blood test yesterday from her doctor, confirming the pregnancy tests she’d taken and what she innately knew. But it still felt so surreal, especially since her first prenatal appointment wasn’t for at least another six weeks. The biggest reminder that she was about to be a mom was the prenatal vitamins she’d started taking every day.
A server rushing through the dining room carrying empty plates briefly paused next to her. “Tanya needs you.”
The next couple of hours were almost a blur as Bea moved from task to task, jumping in to expedite meals in the kitchen, clearing dirty dishes from tables in the dining room, and checking in with customers about their meals and the service.
Toward the front of the dining area, a dark-haired woman sitting by herself at a corner table drew her attention. She was trying to take bites from a biscuit in between soothing the fussy infant in her arms. Makeup adorned her face, but it didn’t hide her harried expression. She finally gave up on eating and focused on the baby.
Bea wrestled with the vision of herself being in the same situation. A sense of loneliness weighed down on her, mirroring what she’d felt that day buying the pregnancy test.
A tall, dark-haired guy walked into the restaurant carrying flowers. Spotting the woman with the baby, he hurried over to her.
Relief crossed the woman’s face. He leaned down, and they shared a quick peck on the lips. Moments later, he sat across from her holding the baby. With the flowers lying beside her, the woman smiled as she dug into her salad.
Bea felt happy for her. The young mom wasn’t alone. She had someone to share in the responsibility of caring for the child. And to support her as well. The man sitting with the baby might have been there for prenatal visits. The first ultrasound where they’d heard their child’s heartbeat. Childbirth classes and the moment their child had entered the world.
At least that was what she imagined had happened for the couple. And possibly wanted for herself.
Devin had mentioned not wanting her to be alone or even feeling that she was on her own when it came to the baby—financially, emotionally, or on any other level.
It will be easier if you let me be there for you...
His words floated in her mind along with his apology and explanation for the critical review of her restaurant. He’d been honest with her. Wasn’t that important? And now that the grand opening had occurred, did it even matter? Maybe it was time to set all that aside and focus on what was ahead.
Toward the end of the night, when business had slowed down, she slipped into her office and made a call.
He answered on the second ring. “Hello, Bea.”
“Hi, Devin.” Before she changed her mind, she pushed ahead. “Is there any chance we could talk tonight? I’m still at the restaurant, but I’ll be free in an hour or so.”
“Sure. Do you want me to come to you, or do you want to come here? I’m at home.”
Once the restaurant closed, she wouldn’t want to hang around. But meeting at her house could remind them of the awkwardness they’d experienced right after their perfect night together had gone sideways.
“I’ll come to you.”
Later on as she drove to his house outside Chatelaine, Bea practiced what she wanted to say to Devin.
“I would appreciate your help through the pregnancy. And of course I want you in our baby’s life. But we should discuss the parameters, especially for the future.”
A future that would include co-parenting their child for at least eighteen years.
But even after their child was on their own, she and Devin would be linked forever. Even if they weren’t together.
She was attracted to Devin but rushing things along because of the baby would be a mistake. Sobering reality made Bea swallow hard. She’d pushed full speed ahead in marrying Jeff. Looking back, she’d deluded herself into believing she was taking a leap of faith. She’d convinced herself they were meant to be together while ignoring all the red flags that clearly indicated they shouldn’t have.
After the divorce, she’d promised to never set up herself or anyone else for disappointment in a relationship by not facing facts. It had been easy to keep that promise since she hadn’t found someone who’d piqued her interest in spending time with them. Until Devin. After their one night together, she’d started to think what more time with him might look like. Well, now she’d gotten that and then some—just not in the way she’d envisioned.
Bea parked in front of Devin’s home. The stucco-and-brick ranch-style dwelling with a neatly trimmed lawn was similar to other houses on the street. At close to ten at night, the neighborhood was quiet.
As she stood at the front door, despite the dryness in her throat, she felt ready to embark on one of the most important conversations of her life. However, when the door opened, she couldn’t speak.
Dressed in a burgundy T-shirt that clung to his muscular chest and a pair of black sweatpants, Devin was the perfect advertisement for casual, sexy, and relaxed. But as she looked into his eyes, she could see hints of apprehension.
“Hello.” He stepped back and opened the door wider. “Come in.”
“Thank you.”
Their polite, stilted exchange felt out of place. Especially since the clean, freshly showered scent emanating from him as she walked inside made her want to throw herself into his arms and get up close and personal with him.
But she probably smelled like the café’s entire menu—with an extra helping of Italian dressing courtesy of when a server had lost their grip on a salad they were carrying and accidently dumped most of it on her leg. She’d dabbed the stain, but the smell of vinegar and spices remained.
Devin shut the door behind her. “I was working in the living room. We can talk in there.”
She followed him.
A light fixture with a ceiling fan illuminated the space. Looking around, she noticed a crime drama playing on the television hanging on the wall across from a beige couch with camel-colored pillows that matched the side chairs.
Devin’s laptop sat on the wood coffee table next to a plate with crumbs and a small pile of potato chips.
On the floor near the couch sat a new, plush-looking dog bed filled with packages of toys as well as harnesses and leashes.
“Excuse the mess. I bought a few things for the dog I’m fostering.” He moved the pet supplies to the empty dining area.
“When are you picking him up?”
“This coming Saturday,” he replied.
As she sat in one of the side chairs, the story he’d told her about Chumley came to mind. “Is it another Great Dane?”
“No. It’s a terrier mix this time. His owner is moving to a senior-living apartment and can’t take the dog with him.”
“Oh no! That’s so sad.”
“It is. But the shelter is really successful in finding pets new homes.”
“That’s good.” As Devin stood by the couch, she met his gaze. The speech she’d practiced felt like an awkward lead-in to the next topic of conversation. But what should they talk about?
As the pause stretched on, she looked away from him and her gaze landed on the plate of chips. The Cobb salad she’d nibbled on around noon was a distant memory. She’d tasted a few of the entrées before dinner service, but that had been only a few bites and not a complete meal.
Her stomach gurgled.
If she were sitting on the couch, she might have snagged a few chips to stave off hunger.
Devin picked up the plate. “Can I get you anything?”
Her stomach answered with a full-on growl.
He arched a brow. “When did you last eat?”
The way he pinned her with his dark brown gaze was like a dose of truth serum. “I tasted a few of the entrées with Tanya before dinner.”
“Turkey or ham?”
“We don’t serve turkey on the menu...and that’s not what you’re talking about.”
“No. I’m going to make you a grilled sandwich, and I was wondering which one you wanted. Or you can have both.”
A hint of amusement came into his eyes and a faint smile shadowed his mouth. A recollection of the many kisses they’d shared—luxuriously long, intensely passionate, spicy yet sweet—passed through her mind.
Her mouth started to water. Could she have a sandwich and a smooch on the side? “Turkey would be great.”
“What about cheese? I have cheddar or Swiss.”
“Swiss, please, and a little mustard.” Did that request sound like a demand? He wasn’t running a restaurant. “Actually, I don’t mind doing it. Just point the way.”
She moved to stand, but he waved her off. “No. You’ve been running around all night. Relax... I’ve got this.”
He left, and a short time later, she heard sounds echoing from the kitchen.
It was strange having a guy wait on her like this.
Restlessness almost brought Bea to her feet. She occupied the time by taking advantage of the moment to see what the simple furnished space told her about Devin.
Aside from the laptop and dog paraphernalia, the only other things that gave a peek into his life was a small stack of mail on the coffee table and framed photos of him with Carly at various ages on the media console.
Devin returned carrying a plate with the sandwich cut in half with chips on the side. He was also holding a glass of lemonade. He handed her the food, then snagged a piece of junk mail to put under the glass on the coffee table.
“Thank you. But I don’t think I can eat all of this.” She took a bite of the heated sandwich, and a grateful moan slipped out. “This is so good.”
“You’re welcome. Sit back and enjoy it. Don’t worry about leftovers.” He sat down and started watching television.
Bea took several more bites before remembering why she was there. But fortunately, she didn’t feel self-conscious at all not talking and just eating. The awkwardness she’d felt earlier had transformed into a comfortable silence.
He looked relaxed as well. The space on the couch next to him looked like the perfect spot to be. It was too easy to imagine herself there with her shoes off and her feet curled underneath her as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Suddenly, she felt lonely in the side chair.
After finishing almost three-quarters of the sandwich and all the chips, she put the plate on the table and picked up the glass of lemonade. It was just the right combination of cold, tart, and sweet.
Devin glanced over at her. “Better?”
“Yes. And you don’t have to say it.”
“Say what?” he asked lightly.
“That I have to do a better job of taking care of myself...now that I’m pregnant.”
“You should take care of yourself in general, but yes, now that you’re pregnant, skipping meals isn’t a good idea.”
“I know.” She sighed. “Today was just so busy. Now that the grand opening is over, I can focus on other things.”
“Did everything go well tonight?”
“It did. We had a full house. And everyone seemed pleased with the food.” Curiosity made her ask. “So will my restaurant receive a review?”
“It will. But not by me, of course. I’m more than a little biased about the owner. So aside from a little hungry, how are you feeling?”
“Correction—I was hungry. But honestly, I don’t feel any different than I did a few weeks ago. But that will change.” It was time to stop stalling and get to why she was there. Bea put the glass on the table. “Thank you for giving me time to think about everything. Of course I want you to be in our baby’s life, but like I said before, I don’t want you to feel pressured to be there.”
“I don’t.” Devin rose from the couch. After moving the plate and the glass with the junk mail aside, he sat on the coffee table in front of her. “And like I said before, I don’t want to just know my child. I would like to get to know you as well. I like you a lot, Bea. And I think you like me, too. Or am I wrong...?”
Denying she still wanted to jump him in a very good way wouldn’t get her anywhere. “No, you’re not wrong. But attraction doesn’t make a relationship.”
“But it’s a start. I know you and I had agreed to one night together, but I can’t lie. My plan had been to ask if you would consider going out with me again once things settled down for you. And yes, I would have confessed that I was the restaurant critic.” He took hold of her hand. “All I would have wanted then and still want now is a chance for us to get to know each other.”
The guy she’d been crushing on like a schoolgirl for months wanted a chance with her. It was like a moment out of romance movie. But this wasn’t a scripted scene. This was real life...and there was a baby to think about.
She met his gaze. “We have to take it slow. No rushing into anything. And if it doesn’t work for us to be together, we have to be ready to accept that.”
“I agree with all of that, but I have a question.”
“What?” she asked a bit anxiously.
“Does taking it slow include holding you?”
“Yes.” His huge grin eased her nerves and made her smile. “What are you smiling so big about?”
He tugged her to her feet and led her to the couch. “I’m happy you didn’t hesitate in answering me.”
As soon as they sat down, Bea did what she’d longed to do. She kicked off her shoes and curled up next to him.
His chest rose and fell under her palm with a deep breath. “This is better.”
“It is.” She hadn’t realized how badly she’d needed to be held. Bea laid her head on his shoulder. “So, we’ve agreed to get to know each other. What happens next?”