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“No. I had everything that I ever wanted. So there was never really much to wish for. I had my dad and I had you.”
“You just said that you wish you knew more about your mother.”
“Oh.” Sadness welled in her chest. “I guess that’s the beginning of wishing. When you’re missing something that you can’t get back. Because I didn’t wish it before my dad was gone.”
“I guess that’s why I’ve always done a lot of wishing. Wishing my dad would drop dead. Wishing... Because you know my mom loved us. At least the best she could. And once that was gone, and I couldn’t get it back... Yeah, I started wishing a whole lot.”
“What do you wish for now?”
“Cold beer. A body that’s sore and tired from work. Happier days, basically.”
“Oh.” She wondered if they were standing too close to each other, and she didn’t even know what had made that occur to her. Except that her face felt warm, and her lips tingled slightly.
“If you had to make a wish right now, what would it be for?”
She didn’t even think about it. It just came out. “More days like this.”
Then her face really did feel hot, in earnest.
He nodded slowly. “That’s a good wish.”
She got into the truck quickly and he closed the door behind her.
She took his coat off her shoulders, and her stomach swooped.
He got in and started the engine.
“You’re doing great,” she said. “I think... I think you’re going to do just great. You can definitely start dating.”
“Thanks, Doc.”
It had been a wonderful dinner. A great night. She had no idea why she felt sad.
CHAPTER SIX
“I’MGOINGTOinvite you to tea.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
Charity looked over at Lachlan, determined now in her mission. First of all, to find some equal footing after dinner two nights ago, but second of all, to actually do what she’d promised.
“I’m going to have you over to high tea. Because it makes sense. It’s part of the reformation. My father believed in scrupulous table manners, and he put me through the rigors of etiquette.”
“Etti-what?”
She laughed. “Come on. You aren’t that ridiculous.”
“You don’t know that. Maybe I’m every inch this ridiculous.”
“We will sit down and have a very civilized meal. At my house. We’ll go over all the particulars of which fork to use and that kind of thing.”
“I’m not sure if I’m insulted by this or not,” he said.
“There’s no need to be insulted. I’m being helpful.”
“Yes. Very helpful. No alcohol...”
“Tea,” she said, smiling broadly.
