She nodded. “It was.”
They both sat, and almost immediately, a waitress approached offering to take their order. “You don’t want to stand in that line,” she offered.
Reva thanked her. She ordered a latte and Kellen asked for another black coffee. They both decided on cinnamon rolls, unable to resist the tantalizing smell wafting from the open display case.
As they waited for their order, Reva found herself admiring Kellen’s straightforward demeanor, a stark contrast to the political world she navigated daily. “I admit, I was both surprised and relieved to see you on the road that day. I mean, with the tire and the bear, and all. I was in a bit of a bind,” she said, a playful smile dancing on her lips.
Kellen chuckled, a deep, resonant sound. “Well, I guess you could say I have good timing. But honestly, I’m just glad I was there to help. It's not every day you get to play the hero.”
Their cinnamon rolls arrived, the sweet, spicy scent of cinnamon making her even more hungry. The rolls were massive, slathered in creamy frosting, still warm from the oven. Reva took a bite, the flavors exploding on her tongue, a perfect blend of sweet and spice.
“This is delicious,” she murmured, savoring the taste.
“Yeah, they make the best cinnamon rolls in town,” Kellen agreed, taking a bite of his own.
“So, what do you do when you’re not saving a damsel in distress?” she asked. “For a living, I mean. Your business card implied you’re in an automotive business?”
Kellen laid his fork on his plate. A glimmer of something passed through his eyes as he answered. “I’m a mechanic,” he told her. “I fix cars mostly.” He shrugged. “That’s my occupation, but what I do?” He smiled at her. “I savor life—enjoying all its opportunities. I’m a simple man. Doesn’t take a lot to make me content. I’m happy living here in the Tetons, hiking the trails, enjoying the scenery with my dog.” He bent and rubbed his golden retriever’s ear.
It was the first time Reva noticed he had Max with him.
“What about you?” Kellen asked.
“Me?” She grinned with a shrug. “Well, most of my friends would tell you I’m the opposite. I’ve been called high maintenance. I love shoes, and purses, and?—”
He glanced at her Tory Burch ballet flats. “I noticed.”
She grinned a second time. “I like nice things. Always have.”
“Yet you are known for your generosity,” he remarked.
Reva’s brows pulled into a puzzled frown. “How do you know that?”
He offered a casual shrug, a straightforward admission on his lips. “I did a little digging online,” he said, without a hint of evasion. “I used your license plate number to find your last name.” He lifted his mug slightly to signal the waitress for another round.
“Excuse me?” Reva blinked, taken aback.
He elaborated with ease. “The day we met on the highway, I noted your license plate. I have a gift for details. I figured I’d like to get to know you a bit more—so I looked you up.”
His admission dissipated her unease, replacing it with a warmth kindled by the realization he was interested in her.
Her curiosity was now piqued. “So, what did you find?”
“You’ve built an impressive career as an attorney—ascending to the role of Thunder Mountain’s mayor, a town you’ve called home since childhood. You were born in Georgia and share ownership of a large pecan farm, which has been in your family for generations.” He glanced at her feet again. “Which I suspect funds your proclivity for nice things.” There was laughter in his eyes as he said this.
“Wow,” she responded. “If you ever want to switch careers, you might lean into being an investigator. You seem to have a knack for sniffing out details that extend far beyond license plate numbers,” she teased.
That made him laugh. “That, I do.”
As they talked, Reva found herself drawn to Kellen’s straightforward honesty and his subtle humor. There was an undeniable attraction between them, a connection that went beyond their chance encounters.
“So, should we make a habit of saving you from wildlife and automotive disasters, or do you think we can find a less dramatic way to spend time together?” Kellen asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Reva laughed, the sound bright and carefree. “I think I’d prefer the less dramatic option. Maybe we can start with something simple, like a hike or another coffee date.”
She pulled out her phone and checked her calendar. “How about next week? Is that time good for you?”
Kellen glanced up into the air as if mentally checking his schedule. “Looks like I’m free.” When their eyes met, his expression was filled with amusement.
