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With a smile and nod of her head, Abbie left them to return promptly with their drinks.
Dipping the straw in and out of her cola, Sandra leveled her gaze with his. “I wonder where David gets his sense of humor from?”
The question seemed a little odd to him. Sandra seemed to have a good sense of humor, but she wasn’t a big jokester. “Maybe it’s just a kid thing?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe.”
“I gather neither you nor his father are big on joke telling?”
Sandra shook her head. “I might tell a joke or two every once in a while, but there wasn’t really anything funny about Ed.” A frown took over her face.
Not the reaction he wanted. It was pretty clear that Sandra’s ex-husband was still a sore spot in her life. He didn’t know what had happened, and didn’t want to pry, but despite his curiosity, he opted to change the subject. “Tell me about your afternoon.”
“Anyone would think Polly’s salon had a revolving door. I was busy pretty much all afternoon. But you already know that.”
All he did was smile. He knew how important this job was to her and the few women in the family who he’d managed to get the word out to had been more than happy to pitch in and help Sandra out.
A wistful look crossed her face. “I have to admit, it’s nice to be in a place where I am appreciated.”
Another waitress appeared, set their order in front of them, and Paxton studied Sandra Lynn as she smiled down at her burger. Questions about her life continued to taunt him. He so desperately wanted to wipe away all the painful memories, but last time he looked, no one had died and made him God. Which left him only one choice, help keep that smile on her face.
Drawing the napkin across his lap, he reached for his burger. “Then it sounds like moving home is a good start.”
Swallowing her first bite, she nodded. “When I was a kid, growing up where everyone and their grandmother knew everything about you, and made it a point to share it with your parents, was horribly off-putting. The outside world looked so much more appealing. I thought Ed was my ticket to seeing the world. Enjoying things not available in Tuckers Bluff. By the time we ended the marriage, I felt more isolated than I ever did in a small town. You could say I learned my lesson about what really matters. Now, the idea of going out to dinner where someone shares things your son did, or spreads the word about your new job, all of that is enormously comforting.”
“I think that’s why my brothers and I are all happily settling in here in Tuckers Bluff instead of Oklahoma.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, why did y’all stop coming back to visit?”
Wasn’t that the billion-dollar question? He shrugged. “We don’t know. Mom told us that we weren’t welcome anymore, and we believed her. Turns out, the family here had no idea why we stopped coming.”
“That is odd.” Sandra sat back in the booth, nibbling on the last of her fries. “For a little while there I wondered if it was something I’d done.” She raised her hand before he could speak. “I know that was silly, but so many people were so stunned at your family’s absence. Obviously, I quickly figured out that whatever it was, it was a lot bigger than me or anyone else around here.”
“I loved my time here. And I have so many fond memories of racing horses across the fields, gigging frogs in the creek, hide and seek. And you.”
Now her smile widened enough for her eyes to sparkle. “I missed you.”
“Ditto.” That shouldn’t have made him as happy as it did, but he felt his heart swell and his cheeks tug at his smile and he wanted to crow like a rooster ready to announce the break of day.
As Abbie lifted the empty plates from the table, Sandra Lynn’s phone dinged. “Sorry, I need to check in case it’s about David.”
“Of course.” He drew his napkin across his lap and picked up the fork. Not at all happy to see her smile slip and her brows draw together in a tight V as she tossed her phone back into her purse.
Taking a sip of water, he wondered if she was going to say anything. Silence reigned heavily and he decided enough was enough. Pulling a few bills from his wallet and setting them on the table, he looked at her. “Let’s take a walk?”
Dinner had been as much fun as every time she’d been with Paxton. Just having him near filled her with contentment. Even when her ex sent her cryptic texts, just knowing Paxton was there made things seem more palatable.
Holding the door for her, the second they crossed out of the café, Paxton reached for her hand. “Do you mind?”
Mind? Was he crazy? She suddenly felt fifteen years old when you’d look at the cutest boy in the class, your stomach started doing flip flops, and you spent every night hoping that just once, he’d notice you. “I don’t mind at all.”
“Thought we’d head over to the park. It’s a short walk, but a nice evening.”
She nodded and for the first time in a very long time, just enjoyed the fresh air and company. How long had it been since she’d relished a man’s company? They reached the park and neither had a said a word. The sun was dipping behind the horizon and soon the stars would be shining big and bright, just like the song said.
“Shall we?” Still holding her hand, he gestured to the set of swing benches.
She gave a single nod and they eased onto the seat and Paxton lightly kicked it off so they were in a slow sway.
