“It didn’t feel young. But looking back, eight years later, Iwasyoung, and naïve. But I don’t regret serving my country. Not in the slightest. I’d do it again. In a heartbeat.” His voice rang with pride.
“As a Canadian, I thank you for your service. I’m sorry you were injured.” She reached across the table and rested her hand on top of his. The simple words and gesture couldn’t possibly convey the depth of her gratitude. War was ugly. Political battles were no better. Military service was taxing emotionally and physically. Sadly, it needed to be done. She was grateful for everyone who put themselves on the line for others. Police officers, doctors, medics, firemen, and most of all soldiers.
“Why the military?” she asked.
“I wanted to make a difference. Do something important. Mom was a lawyer, she worked for a company that did a lot of pro bono work with poor people. Custody fights mostly. It was honorable work, but to my mind, dead-ass boring. I knew I couldn’t handle being boxed up indoors all day. The army seemed a reasonable option.” He slid his hand from hers and focused his attention on his menu.
He seemed uncomfortable with their discussion.
“And now, you’re going to work for Robert. That’ll be a change of pace for sure.”
“I think I’ll enjoy it. Physical labor. Necessary work. The outdoors. The Flints have a reputation for honesty and kindness. Robert should be okay to work for. I haven’t met the rest of the family. Just Sue. I’ve talked to Carl at the garage. I guess there’s a bunch more.”
“Eight kids altogether. Five boys. Three girls. All in town, except Beth. She’s away at university studying nursing.”
“Cool. I’m sure I’ll meet them all, in time.”
“This is a small town, I’m sure you will.” Especially since, if she interpreted the overheard discussion correctly, he was Robert’s son. She certainly wasn’t going to mention it. Instead, she glanced at the menu, closed it and declared, “I’m having the vegetarian pasta sampler with a skewer of grilled shrimp.”
“Doesn’t that contradict itself? Vegetarian and seafood?” He lifted one brow.
“Maybe.” She chuckled. “I’m not vegetarian. I don’t eat a lot of meat, but I get enough protein. I’m addicted to shrimp, though. I could eat it every day. I used to follow the Canada Food Guide Pyramid. You know, the government sanctioned eating guidelines. Not so much anymore. Too many carbs can be as bad as too much fat. I think everyone needs to listen to their body and do their own thing. I’m nutritionally balanced, but I’d never pass up a slice of pie. Ever.”
“I like your attitude. And I’m glad you’re not vegetarian. I wouldn’t want to justify my order of the twenty-ounce ribeye steak.”
“I’ll let you order that heart stopper on one condition.” She tried to keep from smirking.
“Why does your grin bother me?” He asked. “What’s the condition?”
“That you give me a bite, of course.”
They were still laughing when the server returned to take their order.
