Page 14 of Dandelion Sighs

Would they be underwhelmed? Rattler’s had a rowdy but family-friendly atmosphere. It had a rustic western aesthetic using timber beams and wooden flooring. We were quiet, and there was a canoe mounted on one wall. My stomach flipped over like it capsized.

Jasper held the door open, and the drone of voices grew louder. My steps faltered as I passed by him. The noise died down. A couple in the corner watched us. Another regular was in his usual booth, having his smothered beef sandwich. The other half of the restaurant was filled with tables pushed together. Mostly adults filled the seats, but there were some kids.

The way their faces lit up when Jasper arrived stabbed me right through my ribs. From the adults to the kids, they were all happy to see him. Smiles surrounded the tables, and there was such a casual and welcoming atmosphere, I was filled with the most amount of envy one person could handle.

Jasper stood from the end. “Here’s the boss.”

I didn’t look like the boss. No one could tell I managed my own makeup routine—I wasn’t wearing more than mascara. So technically, I had that down. One of the part-time staff had taken to calling me boss, thanks to hearing Jasper do it. I didn’t need the moniker, but it was nice to be acknowledged when I’d had people quit or actively disdain me. Someday, I’d feel like I was an authority figure. “Hello, Duke family.”

“One’s a Barron,” Jasper said and pointed to a woman with curly dark hair and bright eyes. She waved, and I smiled back. “That’s Violet. She married Evander Barron.”

Evander was a lot older than me, but the Barrons were a big family.

“And a Knight.” He pointed to a woman who looked vaguely familiar.

“Hey, Sheridan,” she said. “It’s been a while, huh?”

“Lily!” My nerves from earlier decreased. My hands quit trembling. She was a quiet girl back then, so was I, and then her family had moved. “Nice to see you again.”

Jasper went around the table naming everyone. “Lily’s husband is Eliot, and they didn’t bring their whole brood. His family’s in town, so they have a lot of babysitters. Evander’s the pumpkin dealer in the area.”

An idea came to mind. Pumpkins would be a cheap decoration for the fall. “I’ve heard about the pumpkin patch. Is it too late to put an order in?”

Evander shook his head. My first impression of him was a hard man, but he put an arm across the back of Violet’s chair. “Not at all. I usually have trailers of pumpkins that need a home. Jasper can give you my info. Tell me what you need, and I’ll get ’em here.”

Look at me, planning for the future instead of surviving each day. “Thank you.”

Jasper finished introductions. The little girl by Evander and Violet was their daughter. Then Daisy and Alder, a young girl named Laila, and a little boy, Lee. Poppy and Clover were sitting next to each other with their husbands on either side. I remembered Jensen. He’d always been running around with Poppy and some other kids. Clover’s partner, Van, was newer to town and seemed like the quiet type.

Jasper ruffled the hair of the boy next to him. “And this soccer stud is Auggie.”

The kid who belonged to Poppy and Jensen groaned. “Uncle Jasper. Don’t say that.”

Jasper grinned, an unrepentant uncle. “So that’s everyone, but as soon as our parents hear that we’ve done this, they’re going to want to get in on the action.”

“You’re all welcome here,” I assured him. “Anytime.”

“Can we buy you dinner?” Violet asked. “It’s Alder’s treat.”

The offer was tempting. I would love to sit with a big group like this and just be part of it, but I couldn’t impose. What would it look like? I hired Jasper and almost immediately ingratiated myself into his family? “Oh no⁠—”

“Here ya go.” Jasper pulled a chair out on the other side of him. “I heard they have good apps here.”

I looked from him to the chair. I shouldn’t. This big, happy family wasn’t mine. Yet Jasper was inviting me. The temptation was overriding my logical brain. I took a step.

“Hey, Sherry,” Constance called from the doorway. “I’ve got an issue.”

My heart dropped like a stone in a puddle. The tiny splash was my hopes shattering. So much for that.

Jasper aimed a flinty gaze at Constance. “There’s no Sherry here.”

Constance’s cheeks flushed and her laugh came out thready. “Right. Sheridan. A moment? It’s a bridezilla.”

My gut twisted. Did she have to do that in front of everyone? This time, I didn’t think she did it on purpose. It was just Constance. And that was an issue. I gave the big group a wave, hiding my disappointment where relief should’ve been. “Thank you for the offer, but I’d better go handle this.”

“See you tomorrow? Boss?” Jasper asked.

For a heartbeat, I wished I was in another world. One where I hadn’t embarrassed myself as a first impression to this man. One where he was asking me out instead of telling me he’d be showing up for work again. At the moment, not quitting on me was more than enough. “See you tomorrow, Jasper.”