(From WIP: in a love song . . . )
Six
When he turned back to the counter, she placed the plate in front of him. “Don’t pay any attention to Keith. Especially when he’s hungover which is usually every Saturday morning for as long as I can remember.” She said it without malice.
“You guys more than friends?”
“A very long time ago. High school. First love and all that jazz. It ended badly. And it wasn’t love at all.”
“I think he’s still hangin’ on to that first love thing.” Dale captured her gaze and spoke straight over some love song.
She surprised him when she laughed. “You see those babes last night?”
“Hard to miss them with the guys gettin’ whiplash lookin’ at them. Why?”
“Keith left with the one showin’ the most skin. That’s his MO. Has been for as long as I’ve known him.” She ragged off the counter next to him, holding Keith’s dirty dishes in her other hand. “I don’t work tonight. Want to take me to dinner?” She grinned at him.
“Yeah. I do.”
“Don’t expect much more than good conversation, and you got yourself a date.”
“Where and when?”
“Pick me up here at around 6 o’clock. Alright?”
“Sure.”
“Let me know if you like your burger.” She walked back into the kitchen.
Dale had no idea where they’d be going to dinner, but he cleaned up the Jeep and put the top on it. He dressed in pressed jeans and a nice shirt, shining his boots again for the occasion. Pet, or Patricia as she must’ve preferred for him to call her, presented an enigma. Having been warned away from her by his coworker, he suspected a little jealousy remained. And perhaps Keith figured Dale wanted or expected what Keith aimed to get on a first date. Not that he’d refuse if it was offered to him, but Patricia made it clear they were going to get to know one another tonight. Sounded better than an empty room at Eva’s Inn to him.
“Mr. Rivers, you clean up well.” Eva smiled at him, genuine instead of mocking.
“Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. I’m taking a nice lady to dinner tonight,” he offered.
“Eva. And who might that nice lady be, if you don’t mind my asking?” Her voice was sweet, and he could tell she just enjoyed talking to him now.
“Patricia Edison. People around here call her ‘Pet’, I guess.” The surprise on her face came in an instant, but she managed to pull up her smile quickly.
“My, my, Mr. Rivers—”
“Dale.”
“Pet don’t go out much. She must’ve seen somethin’ quite special in you.” She was serious.
“Huh. Is there something I should know about her?”
She hesitated before answering. “Pet’ll tell ya what she wants you to know. You have a good time, Mr. Rivers.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Johnson.”
“Eva,” she said as he walked out the door.
He smiled.
He turned into the parking lot behind The Tavern and found a spot at the far end. He quick-checked his appearance in the mirror and got just around the back end of the Wrangler to see her already halfway to him. He checked his watch to make sure he wasn’t late, knowing he was at least five minutes early. He waited at the rear of his rig and admired the view. Something about her jolted his testosterone into overdrive. Already.
“Hi, Dale Rivers.” Her smile was sweet but her voice teasing.
“Hi, yourself, Patricia Edison.” He walked to the passenger side and opened the door. She climbed in like she knew Jeeps.
Once he was inside, she said, “I like a man who drives a rig with character. You’re too fond of this one to get another one. I’ll bet you put the top on for me.”
“You’d win that bet,” he said as he turned the key. “Where we headed?”
She sat sideways and grinned. “Can I drive?”
He opened his door and headed around the back. She jumped out and nearly collided with him. He stepped aside, pressed against the adjacent car.
She turned to him, squarely facing him and looking up. “I don’t bite, Dale.” She studied his face, and he did likewise to hers. Desire crawled all over him.
“Maybe I do,” he offered with a slight smile.
She laughed, pleasure in the tone, and continued around to almost throw herself in the driver’s seat. “Ready, big guy?”
“It’s all yours, lady.”
Father, thank you is never enough for all that you do for me. Never was and never will be. Thank you for every word. May they always be in obedience to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.