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“It definitely would be hard to say no.”
“Let me get you home,” Andrew said.
Home? He couldn’t take me home.
“Uh . . . I can make it from here.”
“I raised my boy to see a lady home after a date,” Mr. Dixon chimed in.
I willed my brain to come up with a viable excuse. “While I appreciate it, we’re not in archaic times.”
“I don’t care what time period we’re in,” Mr. Dixon said. “And if Andrew doesn’t see you home, I will.”
“Or me,” Holt said, adjusting the brim of his baseball cap.
“Why don’t we all just take her home?” Sarcasm dripped from Andrew’s voice.
I looked down at my feet.
The comment was innocent, but the memories of being violated by more than one person at a time weakened my knees.
Andrew cupped my elbow. “Trish?”
“I’m good. It’s just been a long day.” The sound of a text chimed from my pocket. Thank God for small miracles. It was Baker. I was just about to embellish what she’d written. I waved my phone in front of Andrew quickly. “Baker needs me to come by Paths of Purpose. Mind escorting me there?”
Andrew lifted a brow. “Sure. Isn’t it a little late for that?”
“The work never stops.” That was true. There was always something to be done. “But it’s crazy right now because we have a fundraiser coming up soon. We’re in the thick of planning.”
“Any chance we could come?” Mr. Dixon angled his head toward me.
I gave him a soft smile. “I’ll see what I can do. Though you might have better luck with a certain director of Paths.”
“Either way, I’d like to come to the fundraiser.”
“Me too,” Holt said, quickly amending, “I mean, if I’m in town.”
“I hope you do.”
Andrew didn’t say anything, and I was vaguely disappointed at his lack of interest. Paths of Purpose was one of the reasons I was standing here. I didn’t expect him to take up the cause, but I’d hoped for a little enthusiasm. I just didn’t realize it until now.
“Ready?” he finally said.
“Sure.”
We weren’t too farfrom Paths, so we strolled back at a casual pace. Andrew slipped his fingers between mine. Initially I tensed, but the contact felt good, and I relaxed.
“What are your goals? Is there more for you beyond the food truck?”
My steps faltered as I considered the questions. I almost told him I wanted to give my daughter the best life possible, but the words got stuck in my throat. Andrew didn’t seem to mind that I didn’t answer quickly.
“That I even have Delores is surreal,” I started. “Sometimes I’m afraid to dream of looking too far beyond today.”
“I know that feeling. When I was in law school, I couldn’t decide what area I wanted to practice in. It was like I had to figure out my whole future when I didn’t have a clue.”
“I’d like to have a restaurant someday. Maybe a bakery too. But I’m not focusing on that right now. I’m doing the best I can in the here and now.”
“That’s all you can do.” He was quiet for a moment. “You should be proud of yourself. It takes courage to start your own business and stick with it.”
