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“His work is great.” Nash reached up and touched one of the wings of a massive owl sitting on a pedestal in front of us. “I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve seen the horse he did in the park, and Raffie mentioned he was working on a piece for their house, and I’m guessing Raffie’s husband only buys the best. But still, it’s hard to believe he made this owl out of parts and pieces of old discarded stuff.”
“There’s some new metal in that one, as well,” a deep voice said from just behind us. I turned to smile at Ty.
“How are you doing?” I asked.
“Couldn’t be better. So are y’all here to check out the art walk?”
“We are.” I smiled up at Nash, and he gave my hand a squeeze. “I think it’s a great idea. I hope it becomes a thing.”
“I do, too,” Ty said. “I think it could really draw some people from the surrounding communities into River Gorge and get eyes on our local artists’ work. We have so many talented people with shops here.”
“Well, I don’t know about everyone else’s, but your work is stunning,” Nash said. “I really love the owl.”
“Thanks. Bear says that’s his favorite piece I’ve made so far,” he said, practically beaming at the mention of his partner.
“I should probably get back to work.” Ty motioned his head toward a couple who’d just walked in and looked like maybe they were actually shopping, not just looking.
“We should probably go check out the other booths and studios anyway, but good luck.”
We walked down the steps from Ty’s shop to the park.
“So, where do you want to start?” Nash asked.
“I want to stop in at the knitting shop before we go, but I’m starving, so how about food?”
“Food sounds good to me. Let’s go see what food trucks are here.”
We walked through the arched gate at the back of the park, which led to the place where everyone had their booths set up. The area was an empty parking lot where a row of businesses once stood. Not being from River Gorge, I didn’t know the town’s history, but according to Cody, the Community Trust had purchased those buildings and had them razed over the winter.
They’d gone all out for this event, and it looked really amazing. They’d put up strands of lights, a makeshift stage on the far end, and I counted at least four food trucks.
“Do you like Thai?” Nash pointed over to a truck called Bo Thai that had an enormous elephant painted on the side.
“I love Thai tea, and I can always eat some curry, so that sounds good to me.”
The food truck we’d chosen had the longest of the lines, probably because Thai food was hard to come by in River Gorge.
“So you know what you want?” Nash asked.
“I do. I want the basil chicken. It’s one of my favorites.”
“Well, why don’t you go on over there and grab us a table, and I’ll get our food.”
I glanced over at the tables they’d set up to make a dining area and noticed there were only two empty. “Sure, I can do that.”
He leaned down and brushed a kiss across my lips. “Good boy. I’ll be over there in just a minute.”
My breath caught in my chest for a second. We’d talked about him being a Daddy, but that was the first time he’d called me boy, and I was shocked at how much I liked it. “I’ll, umm, I’ll be right over there.” I was trying to play it cool, but I barely managed to turn to walk away before a giant smile spread across my face. Nash kissed me. In public. And then he called me his boy.
I’d just sat down at the picnic table when Tammy sat down across from me. “So you made it after all. I take it”—she motioned toward Nash standing in line at the food truck—“he was the date you mentioned this morning?”
“He is.”
“And he was willing to change plans to bring you here.” She smiled fondly. “That makes him a winner in my book.”
“Even better”—I paused for dramatic effect—“This was the date he had planned all along because he thought I would enjoy it.”
“Oh my, handsome, and he pays attention. You better hold on to him.”
