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I set my alarm for 5:00 AM. Chance wanted to be on the road by 6:00 so we could stop for breakfast and still reach our destination before noon. My date with Tom left me with a lot to think about, and I hadn't slept well. I started the coffee pot and tea kettle before getting in the shower. I was fixing the tea in my thermos, when there was a knock at the door.
"Come on in, Chance. It's open," I said. "I'm almost ready. I've got a thermos of coffee for you and tea for me."
"Is this all your stuff?" he asked, nodding his head in the direction of my suitcase.
"That's it."
I expected Chance to greet me with a hug or a kiss, but he kept his distance. He picked up the box and suitcase. "I'll take this on down. Can you get the rest?"
"Sure. Here," I tossed him the keys. "You can transfer any of your stuff into the SUV. I'll be down in a minute."
I took my purse and the totebag with the thermoses and headed downstairs. Chance was unloading things from his truck. "Here, let me help. I didn't know you had so much stuff."
"Being a vendor means dragging more stuff along, but it should be worth it."
It only took a few minutes to get the truck loaded and get on the road. "Where are we stopping for breakfast?"
"I figured you hadn't been to The Pioneer. We'll stop there for breakfast. It's about forty minutes.”
After driving in silence enjoying my tea for a few minutes, Chance asked, “How'd your date do-over with Tom go last night?"
I glared at him but didn't answer.
"That good huh?"
Maybe it was because I hadn't had enough sleep, or because I had a headache, or because I knew I needed to take control of my own life, but whatever the reason, I'd reached my limit with Chance. It probably wasn't the right time or the right approach, but I tend to act first and think about it later. I saw a sign ahead for a scenic pullout on the side of the road, so I signaled and pulled in. There was no one else around.
"Did you forget something?" Chance asked.
"No. Well not like you mean, but yes, I forgot that the only one in control of my life should be me. Now, what the fudge is going on?"
He laughed and kept on laughing as he opened the door and climbed out.
I got out of the truck and walked around to where he was standing. He really was a mountain of a man, tall, broad, muscular, and sexy as hell, but right now I was on the attack. I pushed the palms of both my hands against his chest. "You can't just kiss me like you did the other night, and then ask me about my date with another guy like you’re by flippin' BFF." I pushed him again. "What is going on with you?" I went to push him again, but he grabbed both my wrists.
He looked over his shoulder. "What is it with you and cliffs? You're a dangerous woman, City Girl."
I tried to pull away, but he didn't let go. Still holding onto my hands, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me tight against him.
"Calm down, City Girl. What do you want from me?"
"I want to have a serious conversation."
"OK. I am concerned about the threat of a nuclear attack but not overly so."
He kept holding me. I tilted my head up and glared at him. "See that's what I mean. It's funny, but what are we doing here, Chance?"
"Best I can tell, you had some thoughts about pushing me off another cliff unless I'll admit that I have feelings for you and want to date you exclusively. Is that what you had in mind?"
"Fudge, you're infuriating."
"And yet, you want me."
I squirmed out of his arms, turned my back to him, and crossed my arms over my chest. I marched around to the driver's side and got back in the truck. "You coming?"
He climbed in, and I pulled back onto the road. By the time I parked in front of The Pioneer, as often happens with me, I'd calmed down. My anger had been replaced by embarrassment. My blow up accomplished nothing. I still didn't know if Chance was interested in dating or not. All I'd accomplished was to make myself look like a fool. Fudge. It was going to be a really long weekend. At least at the convention, I could keep my distance from Chance.
After we ordered, Chance asked, "You OK?"
I just glared at him.
"Fun trip. I've been threatened with violence, and now I'm getting the silent treatment. Remind me why I invited you to come along?"
"Honestly, I have no idea."