Gael predictably thought that was hilarious. But when Ward asked them to stay and share a slice, Gael said they had to go and get ready.
Jenny had done a little homework, and there weren’t that many places to go out for dinner in Trinity Falls. There was a very fancy restaurant in the village, a pizza shop, a diner, a café or two, and beyond that you had to leave the town.
She figured she would take Gael to the diner, since they would have pretty good variety and it wouldn’t be too fancy.
But when she came out of her room in a nice pair of jeans and her favorite sweater, he shook his head.
“Wear the pretty skirt,” he told her. “I know you brought it.”
She did have a long tweed skirt and a soft cream-colored sweater that went with it. She wasn’t exactly sure why she had brought it along, but tonight was as good an occasion as any to look extra nice.
“Okay,” she said. “Why not?”
Gael nodded, his eyes dancing, and she thought again how strange it was that he was this excited about going to dinner. Normally, Gael was most interested in meeting people, seeing animals, and reading. He loved to eat, but she had always thought most of the fun for him was in the cooking.
“Hurry,” he told her, pointing to her bedroom as she stood there studying him.
“You’re hungry again, huh?” she said, amazed, as she went back to grab the outfit from her suitcase.
He was a growing boy though, so she probably shouldn’t really be surprised. She found her things, and a few minutes later she was dressed and ready to go.
“You look great,” Gael said approvingly as he looked her up and down. “Absolutely perfect.”
“Wow, thanks,” she told him. “You look very nice too.”
He had on jeans and a sweater himself, but since his only other nice outfit was for the wedding, she figured that was just fine. He certainly didn’t seem half as worried about himself as he was about her.
“Thank you,” he said, smiling to himself.
Children could certainly be mysterious sometimes. Every time Jenny thought she had her son all figured out, she was humbled all over again by a moment like this one where she truly had no idea whatsoever what was going on in his mind.
They headed down the stairs together in uncharacteristic silence.
“You know what?” Gael piped up as soon as they reached the bottom of the staircase. “I’m tired.”
Jenny turned to him worriedly. This was such a sudden change in spirits. She sure hoped he wasn’t coming down with something.
“You were so excited about this,” she said, touching her hand to his forehead. “Are you feeling okay?”
But the front door opened just then, letting in a puff of cold air, and Gael’s face lit up. Jenny turned to see Erik, gazing at her with a big smile.
“Oh,” she said.
She certainly hadn’t been expecting him, and she had no idea what other business he would have here at the inn, but all her questions froze on the tip of her tongue as she took him in.
His dark hair was combed back, and he wore a crisp white button-down and brown trousers with a sports coat on top. A hint of five o’clock shadow only highlighted the sharp angle of his jaw. Erik was always very handsome, but tonight he looked knee-meltingly gorgeous.
“You look beautiful tonight, Jenny,” he said, his deep voice sending a little shiver through her. “Are you ready?”
“I… I mean we…” she began, turning back to Gael.
“Oh, I’m not going,” Gael said, peeling off his sweater to reveal a pajama top. “I’m going to have a movie night with Miss Trudy and Mr. Ward.Right, Miss Trudy?”
“Gael, is that you?”Trudy’s voice came from the kitchen.“Did you want some popcorn, sweetheart?”
Jenny stared at her son, completely blown away. Hehad planned this whole thing. Suddenly, it all made perfect sense.
“Gael,” she began, her voice firmer than usual.
