“Honestly, I have no idea. But I’m looking forward to finding out.”
AVA
Itried on every single outfit in my suitcase before settling on a long peach-colored dress that has long sleeves and a V-neck. It says more ‘summer stroll through the market’ than ‘dinner at a roadside bar and grill’, but when a girl is far from home, she doesn’t have a lot of clothing choices.
When I step my sandled feet onto the wooden floor of Valentines, I’m instantly hit with the sound of happy chatter and the scent of meat on the grill and beer on tap. Music floats out of a jukebox sitting at the far end of a tiny dance floor, and the general air of the place is one of fun. Seems this really is the place to be.
“Somethin’ I can help you with, sweetheart?” a giant man with a bushy beard and piercing green eyes asks from behind the bar. He’s drying glasses as I move toward him while taking a quick look around to see if my date is already here. He’s not.
“I’m, um, supposed to be meeting someone for dinner. It’s a date, actually,” I say, keeping my voice down because I have this deep-seeded fear that I’m going to get stood up.It wouldn’t be the first time.
“Good for you. Well, I know just about every man in town—and woman, if that’s your preference—so if you give me their name, I can tell you if I’ve seen them.”
“Oh, I only know his first name. But it’s not too common. Do you know a guy called Duke? He said he runs the garage in town.”
“Duke Fox. Good man. Helped me out when my axle got a crack in it last month. But I haven’t seen him today.”
“Oh, that’s OK. I’m early, anyway,” I say, looking at the wall clock above the bar behind his head. It’s seven-forty-five. I’mwayearly.
“Can I get you a drink while you wait?”
“Um, OK.”
“What’ll it be?”
“What’s the nicest tasting drink you have that isn’t too strong.”
He grins. “You’ll want to talk to my brother, Remy, for that.” He turns his head and lets out a whistle, summoning a darker-haired version of himself to his side. I’m taken aback by how gorgeous these bartenders are. There must be something in the Whisper Valley water supply.
“What’s up?” Remy asks.
“Our guest here would like something sweet but not too strong.”
“Any particular flavor?” He directs that at me.
“Anything fruity.”
“Coming right up,” he says, giving me a dazzling grin before turning and walking to the opposite side of the bar.
“Why don’t you take a seat in that vacant booth over there, and I’ll get someone to bring it over to you?”
“OK. But I haven’t paid.”
“And you’re not going to. Consider this a welcome to Whisper Valley. First drink is on the house.”
“That’s so kind of you. Thanks, er…”
“Kellen.” He smiles and holds out his hand.
“Ava. It’s lovely to meet you.”
“Enjoy your date.”
Giving him a grin, I hold up my hand and show him my crossed fingers before I head toward the booth he indicated.
“One fruity, low-alcohol cocktail for our newest resident of Whisper Valley,” a smiling blonde says as she sets a highball filled with bright orange liquid with a wedge of pineapple on the side. “I’m Jade. Kellen’s wife. Seeing you sitting here waiting for a date has got me all nostalgic for the night I met my man.”
“Oh, hi Jade. I’m Ava, but I’m not a resident. Just visiting.” I take a sip of the drink and nod approvingly. “That’s delicious.”
