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A server swooped in and delivered their drinks and the appetizer and then rushed away. As per usual, the café was packed for the dinner hour.
“Family support is very important.” Tess sipped her wine. “The girls and I wouldn’t have survived without Aiden, Thatch, and… Silas.” Her heart seemed to sigh. If only she could be sitting across the table from him instead tonight.
She let herself picture it for a few seconds—what it would be like if they could simply go out on a date together, no hiding, no worrying, no baggage between them. It was a nice picture but seemed so far out of reach. Sighing, Tess tuned in to what Brad was saying again.
“I understand why everyone says raising kids takes a village.” He set one of the appetizer plates in front of her. “Oh, by the way, Callie was hoping Morgan could come over and spend the night. I know you’re having that meeting at your house on Sunday. I was thinking the girls could stay over at our house with my parents if you think that would be helpful.”
“That would work out great, actually. The girls would love it.” Brad’s mother had worked at the county library and had always been very sweet to them. “Morgan has been pretty upset about what’s going on with the wild horses, so I’d rather not have her and Willow within earshot when we discuss what to do.” She told him about the gunshots during their ride earlier that week.
Brad shook his head. “Shooting that close to private property is just plain irresponsible. I can’t even fathom being that careless with a gun.”
Tess helped herself to some of the chips and salsa from the appetizer platter. “We’re finally getting that citizen patrol schedule finalized so we can keep a better eye on things.” What choice did they have? Natalie had gone up to the high meadow a few times but still hadn’t seen anything.
“Well, like I said, I’d be happy to help out,” Brad replied. “I’ve got a UTV that I can take up there.”
They talked a little more about the wild horses, with Tess filling him in on some of the history of the herd, and when Minnie came back, they ordered their entrees.
“Would you like more wine?” the woman asked, bouncing her eyebrows a few times.
“I’m good,” Tess told her, trying to send her a look that told her to take her hopes down a few notches. Sheesh. Tess hadn’t even finished her first glass of wine and Minnie was trying to get her all liquored up.
When they were alone again, Brad shot her a smile. “I know we said this was a casual dinner, but I’m really enjoying spending time with you.”
“It’s been nice,” Tess agreed. Only nice though. She enjoyed talking to him, and she could relate to him struggling through the single parenting thing, but both her mind and heart were somewhere else right now.
“Would you want to do it again sometime?” He hesitated before continuing. “And maybe make it a real date?”
The question caught her off guard, but she should’ve seen it coming. Conversation came comfortably between them, and they laughed easily together. But she couldn’t keep hiding from the truth. She had to start speaking up, right now. “Actually… I have to be honest.” She held his gaze. “There is someone in my life right now. Sort of.”Ugh.Why was this so hard for her to say? Why did admitting her feelings out loud make her heart break and beat faster at the same time?
“I mean, I don’t know if anything will come of it, but I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I don’t want to lead you on.” She grasped at courage. “Silas and I have a history together. It’s complicated. But there are definitely feelings there.” Now she knew for sure. “On both sides.”
Brad nodded with a good-natured smile. “I’m pretty sure there’s no such thing as anuncomplicated relationship. People are messy. That’s just part of it.”
She could not have said that better. “I appreciate you being so understanding.” Again, she felt her shoulders relaxing, the tension leaving her neck. Maybe telling the truth really did set a person free.
Brad sipped his beer. “I’m happy to hang out as friends too. Right now I’m mainly interested in friends, in building community for Callie. My ex and I rushed through our relationship and probably got married long before either of us was ready to. I don’t intend to make that mistake again.”
“I’m always looking for friends too.” And she had a feeling Brad would become a good one. “You’re sure it’s okay if the girls come over on Sunday night?”
“More than okay.” Either the man had an incredible poker face or her rejection really hadn’t stung him. “Mom’ll love it. She’ll probably plan all kinds of crafts and activities for them.”
The server arrived, carting along their entrees—the steak for Brad and the trout for her. The rest of the meal passed comfortably while they discussed the girls’ school—with Tess trying to explain how the PTA worked.
“Thanks for solving that mystery for me.” Brad tossed his napkin onto his mostly empty plate. “I didn’t even know what the acronym stood for.”
Tess laughed and put down her fork. She was stuffed. “Call me anytime you have questions about the mysteries of elementary school. I’ve become something of an expert.”
“Thanks. I suppose I should be at the next PTA meeting,” Brad said, a tad unenthusiastically.
“Don’t feel like you have to do everything.” She wished someone would’ve told her that once. “There’s a really great volunteer base at the school. So pitch in where you want to and let other people pick up the slack when you can’t.” That’s how a community was supposed to work.
“Good advice.” The man finished off his beer. “I’ll remember that.”
Right as he set down his empty glass, Minnie appeared. “Can I get you a dessert? Maybe the chocolate cake fortwo?”
“Sorry, no.” Tess almost hated to bust the woman’s romantic bubble. “We were just getting ready to head out.”
“We’re full,” Brad confirmed.
