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I clean up my table, then pick up the bouquet and trudge back to my truck, ignoring the looks from other customers as I go.It’s obvious to everyone what happened.But I’m too disappointed to be embarrassed.
On the wayback to my cabin, I spot the light on in the mess hall and stop.Inside, Ava is humming as she bakes.She’s the best cook in all of Texas, and her baking is just as good.
Laughter sounds in the game room, and it’s not hard to guess where most of the ranch hands are.
“Evening.Smells good in here.”After hanging my hat on the hook near the door, I pull a barstool up to the counter, then hold out the flowers.“Want these?”
She cuts into a pecan pie, sets a slice onto a plate, then fills a mug with milk.“They’re beautiful.”After sliding the snack across the counter, she pulls a vase out of a cabinet.“Talk to me, Tyler.What happened?”
I must be easy to read.Not sure whether that’s a good thing or not.
“I helped someone last night, and we agreed to meet tonight.But she didn’t keep our date.”
“The reasons might not be what you’re thinking.”She snips off the ends of the stems and arranges the roses.
“You mean that she woke up and thought better of hanging out with me.”
Ava scrunches her brow.“Of course she doesn’t think that.You’re wonderful.”
“You sound like my mom, back when she talked about stuff like that.”I savor that first bite of pie, letting the sweetness chase away the bitterness of disappointment.
She points the pie server at me.“Well, your mom is right.How is she doing?”
Ava’s question isn’t a surprise.She never brings up my mom, but when I do, there is always a question.
“Good days and bad.My sister moved in with her, which is good.I visit some, but...”
Ava rubs my arm.
“That’s enough about that.”I keep all the emotions about the collapse of my parents’ marriage tucked away inside.Talking about it isn’t helpful right now.Or ever.
“You should call your date and offer to reschedule.”
That would be simple if I had a phone number, but I’m not going to tell Ava the whole complicated story.“I might.”
“Eat your pie.It’ll make you feel better.”She sniffs the flowers.“These are nice.”
“I don’t want to keep you from what you’re doing.”
Shaking her head, she slides another pie into the oven.“You aren’t.My kitchen is always open to you guys.”
I eat the rest of my slice, and another appears in front of me.Ava’s pie doesn’t erase the disappointment, but it helps.“What are all the pies for?”
“Church function tomorrow evening.But I’m making extra to leave some for y’all.I’m surprised the other guys haven’t come begging already.”She opens the second oven and pulls out an apple pie.“Anytime we have an event, the ladies at church ask me to bring pies.”Her eyes twinkle.“It’s flattering.”
“It’s because your pies are amazing.”I stop halfway through the second slice and down the glass of milk.
“Flattery will get you more pie.”She laughs as she rolls out another crust.
I’m not sure she ever sleeps.Even when she isn’t in this kitchen, we can always find snacks in here.No one goes hungry on the ranch.Not with Ava around.
“This is plenty for me.”
“Are you going to call her?”Ava lifts her brow and waits for an answer.
“I don’t have her number, but I’ll give some thought to the idea of contacting her somehow.”Showing up at Bottle Cap’s house tomorrow morning will make me look desperate.Waiting a week might be better.It’s less too-much-too-soon and more definitely interested.
“Don’t wait too long.”
