Chapter Eleven
I backed the truck up to the side entrance of the pub, the door nearest the storeroom.
Dale met me outside. “I’ve everything ready for ya.”
“Thanks.” I popped the end gate. “We’ll load it up in there.”
The big Thanksgiving bonfire was tonight, the last major one of the season. The weather was promising a great night, minimal clouds, and hardly any breeze. It couldn’t have been more perfect weather wise if we’d begged and danced to the weather Gods, something Cedar joked she was more than ready to do.
At last count, late last night, there were over fifty people in attendance.
I lifted flat after flat of beer into the box. “You think this will be enough?”
Over the past three days, Dale had helped me decide what alcohol to bring. It was a potluck of sorts; everyone chipped in money which went to booze and food. Naturally, I was in charge of the beers and bevvies.
“Ya, and if not, give me a holler. I can bring some over.”
“You’re welcome to attend without being my delivery guy, you know.”
“That’s awfully kinda ya, and I’ll consider it.”
Dale had been a friendly shoulder to lean on especially after he caught me having an outburst in the back room over Antonio. Busted, I’d then spilled how the charming SOB played me and asked him why all guys were jerks. Understandably, he said they weren’t all like that. Knowing I’d offended him, it dug the knife in a little deeper, because he was right – it wasn’t all guys, just the ones I seemed to associate with. Dale probably thought I was a tad crazy for having more emotions over the little bit of time I’d spent with Antonio than there was right to have, but still, he tolerated it, and me, just the same.
“Did ya call him?”
No, I hadn’t. I’d tracked down one of the businesses he ran and had a nastygram ready to fire out to their general email department, but I never hit send. I had to learn it was one night and to let it go. It had been four days already. Besides, if it was real, he would’ve tried to get in contact, since he knew where I worked and lived. It wouldn’t be hard at all to get in touch with me.
Dale grabbed another flat and handed it to me, where I added it on to the small stack I had going. “His mistake.”
I shrugged. That was what Cedar and Mitch had said, and Eric too, who, incidentally, tried his best to get more information as well, and it was all for naught. Their empty plane had sat beside the building for less than twenty-fours when a new crew came in, repaired it priority one, and filed a flight plan to Victoria. There was no passenger manifest for the belly crashed flight.
“That’s kind of you to say.” I positioned the last of the flats. “That should do it.” I hopped out of the bed and slammed the end gate.
Dale picked up a scrap of paper from the ground. “Can I ask ya somethun?”
“Of course.”
“Being that this guy is history, would ya ever think about seeing someone else?” He looked at the ground and brushed his hands down his jeans. “Like say, me?”
Well, that was not quite the question I expected, and I didn’t know how to let the guy down without hurting his feelings. Dale was nice, but I wasn’t attracted to him, and even if I was, I wasn’t ready to move on.
“I know I’m not super educated or anything, but I got me a good paying job at a great local establishment, and I’ve no warrants out for ma arrest or anything.” A small wink came my way, but I wasn’t sure if it was intentional since he rubbed his eye after talking.
“You’re a great guy, Dale, and a fantastic employee.” And that was my in. “But…” I leaned in and whispered. “I can’t date staff. It looks bad, like I’m playing favourites.” I leaked out a half smile.
“Ah, ya, that makes sense.” He tapped his temple. “Don’t tell no one I asked ya out.”
I patted him on the arm. “I promise your secret is safe with me.”
“We good?”
“We’re all good. I think I have enough alcohol to keep everyone well hydrated.” I looked inside the box and did another quick count on the flats in the box. “Yeah, should be enough. Thanks for your help.” I opened the door of my truck and stood on the running board. “Offer still stands if you want to come for the bonfire tonight.”
“Next time.”
# # #
The bonfire was in full swing and people were celebrating all they had to be thankful for. I had to admit, despite all that life had thrown at me, I was pretty lucky, and had plenty to be grateful for.
I owned my own successful business and had a roof over my head.
I had great friends, the best in the world, who loved me with all their hearts and were willing to slap some sense into me when I needed it most.
And aside from having someone I trusted with my heart, I had everything else I needed in life.
I stood on the edge of the beach, arm in arm with Cedar, my tummy full from the platefuls of food I’d consumed. Turkey, salads, mashed potatoes, homemade dessert, the works. If I ate before Christmas, it would be too soon.
“Great party, isn’t it?” Her belly seemed a little bigger than normal. Guess the baby enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner too.
I rested my head against hers. “It really is. No one is severely intoxicated even though we somehow went through all the beer. Guess I misjudged that.”
Which was odd because I’d triple checked the numbers.
“No one’s touching the hard stuff, so that’s probably why. Also, Riley said there were additional people. Something like ten others.”
“That’s why I didn’t recognize them.”
I tended to hang out with those I knew, as I was more comfortable with Eric, Cedar and Mitch – my relatively tight group. I was learning to like Lily the more I got to truly know her – she and I didn’t hang out as teens when she was one of the summer brats visiting for the summer as I was at odds with her personality, but she’d come a long way since then and seemed to be a good fit for Eric. And that made me like her more.
“Willow and Arlo’s kids came, which I guess was a last-minute decision.”
Well, that would add to the numbers since they had three grown children who were each married.
“Oh, yeah, and Trent and Delilah came. Trent works in the tower and was alone for Thanksgiving.” She faced me with seriousness on her face and a finger in the air. “Don’t even think to ask him anything about the flight.” She paused and softened her features. “Eric already has.”
There went that idea.
“I appreciate the effort but I’m trying not to think about him.” Even though he popped up in my dreams nightly.
“Why aren’t you joining in more of the festivities? Come on over. Arlo’s got the guitar and he’s playing a haunting rendition of a Chris Isaak song.”
“Oh yeah, which song?”
“Wicked something or other.”
“Wicked Game?”
She perked up. “Yeah, that one.”
That song. It was one of the songs playing in the distance the night Antonio and I danced under the stars; the speakers of the Cowboy Den sent it straight out to us.
“Thanks, but I’m waiting for an order from Dale. I requested a couple more flats. As the barkeep of this party, I need to fulfill my end.” I winked.
“Always the bartender, never the drinker.”
“Says you who has no drink in hand.” I let my gaze drop to her tummy. “Of which I’m happy to see.”
“Once Dale gets here, you’ll come join us?” There was so much pleading in her features it was hard to turn her down.
“Maybe. Not sure if I’m in a sing-along mood.”
“There’s a group going skinny-dipping at the cliffs.”
I gave her my best not-going-to-happen look. It wasn’t my thing, Cedar’s for sure, and I expected her to partake in that.
“Chicken.” She skipped off over to the bonfire bathing the beach in an ocean of oranges and yellows, with dark shadows.
My phone pinged. Dale had arrived. Finally. Needed to give the guy explicit directions. Turn left here, turn right at the rock, sheesh. He was a great short order cook, but lousy with directions.
I walked between Eric and Lily’s houses, onto the grass and out to where the vehicles filled the driveways and road. Thankfully, they were at the end of the road, so there was ample room to park.
Dale jumped out of his jeep and popped the hatch. With a quick flick, he opened the end gate.
“Thanks for bringing all this. I appreciate it.” I reached into the back as the front passenger side door closed.
“Can I be of assistance?”
No-freaking-way.