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“I knew it.” Todd shook his head, caging his anger in the process. “We can stop in the kitchen and see what there is to eat.”
“I’m not even hungry,” she said.
“You could come over to my place later,” he said. “I’ll raid the kitchen at the lodge or my mother’s and haul it all to my cabin.” He looked at her with hope, because he didn’t want this day to be a complete waste of time. To him, it felt like it was, and he had to do something to fix that.
Laura nodded and said, “Okay, Todd. You’ve got yourself a second date.”
“Hallelujah,” he said with some sarcasm. He slowed to make the turn onto the ranch. “Honestly, I should get a medal or something.Terrible first date, and he still gets a second.” He laughed, relieved when she did too.
In front of her cabin, she looked over to him. “Honestly, Todd, I had fun.”
He didn’t see how, but he nodded and said, “Me too.”
“Can I bring a surprise tonight?”
“I wish you would,” he said, and they got out of his truck. He walked with her up to the door, and it felt odd to have so much sunshine flooding his eyes as he dropped off his date. He didn’t draw out the good-bye, because Todd hated awkwardness. He leaned into her and swept his lips along her cheek. “I’ll see you later. Come by anytime. I’m not goin’ back to work today.”
“Okay,” she said, pushing her hair off her face and reaching for the doorknob. She went inside, and Todd turned to get back to his truck. He couldn’t believe things had gone as badly as they had today, and he felt like his momma as he shook his head and mentally recounted all that had gone wrong.
At the same time, a new flutter of excitement stole through him at what Laura’s surprise would be that evening. He couldn’t wait to find out, and he thought he might just stop by the barn office to see how Sierra was getting along. That would pass the time until Laura came over, and he wouldn’t have to stare at the clock and count minutes.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Laura laid on her bed, her ankles crossed, and waited for her mom to answer the phone. A specific type of giddiness ran through her, but she wouldn’t let it go too fast. She’d let out a bit too much on her first date with Todd, namely that she didn’t trust anyone.
She could still hear him telling her she had a place on this ranch if she wanted one, and Laura honestly didn’t know what to do with a statement like that.
“Call me,” she said to her mom’s voicemail, because her phone would alert her with a different type of notification that deafened everyone within a mile.
Laura smiled at the thought and let her phone fall to her chest. She closed her eyes and let herself go backward through the past several hours. No, nothing had really worked out. They’d gone into the botanical gardens, only to learn the tours were sold out. Todd had asked for his money back, and they’d left fifteen minutes later.
They’d sat for at least twenty-five minutes at the second diner before their food had come, and no, it hadn’t been good. She giggled as she remembered the sour look on Todd’s face when he tasted the sweet tea.
“That is not good,” he’d said.
Laura hadn’t cared where they ate or what they did. Just being with him was a big step for her, and she’d enjoyed the day so far.
Her phone rang, and she lifted it to answer her mom. “Momma,” she said. “I went out with Todd today.” She giggled before her mom even said hello.
“My goodness,” her mom said. “Today? I thought you said he was never going to set a date.”
“We’ve been busy,” she said, regretting that she told her mom that. “We just went to brunch and then to some gardens. Well, that didn’t really work out, so we walked around the park a little.”
“Sounds lovely in this weather,” her mom said, and Laura giggled again. It had been hot, but Laura was used to heat. “You sound happy.”
“I am,” Laura said.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“I’m going to come home next weekend,” Laura said.
“Really?” Her mom’s voice held hope, and Laura felt the hot slice of guilt.
“Yes,” she said, committing to it. “I’m sorry I didn’t come for my birthday.”
“Did Todd say something about it?”
“Yes,” Laura said, wondering how her mother had known that. “He couldn’t believe I didn’t say anything to anyone.”
