Nick pointed toward his cabin. “Well, if you two will excuse me, I need to stash this away and wash up. I’m starving.”
She didn’t quite catch the look on Nick’s face, but could his expression be…disappointment?
She watched him walk across the lawn for several seconds before turning to Jason. “Again, I’m sorry I forgot to return your call.”
“No, worries. Let’s get you some ribs.”
With her plate filled, Charlie Grace made her way to Ford. “You outdid yourself tonight,” she told him with great affection.
The older man’s eyes twinkled, showing deep creases at the corners. “There’s few things I enjoy more than serving up a good meal to fine folks.”
Tom and Ava Strobbe, the couple from Hawaii, joined them. “Well, these fine folks certainly enjoyed your meal.” Tom patted his stomach. “I am stuffed.”
“Yes,” Ava said. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”
Ford let his face break into a playful frown. “Not even a little homemade vanilla ice cream with huckleberry sauce…again, homemade?”
Ava groaned. “You’re killing me.”
Ford’s face broke into a wide grin. “You won’t be sorry,” he promised. He placed a hand on Ava’s back and led her to where Aunt Mo was now dishing up scoops into large white bowls. “This lady needs some dessert,” he said, pointing to the large ice cream scoop in the older woman’s hand.
Charlie Grace set her plate down and hurried to her aunt’s side. “I’ll get that, Aunt Mo.”
Her beloved aunt quickly shut down the idea. “Eat! I’ve got this.”
Grateful, Charlie Grace picked up her plate and headed for an empty spot at one of the tables set up in the yard. Jason came over and bid her goodnight. “Sorry to leave early,” he said. “But I promised Mom that I’d bring her some of Ford’s ice cream.” He raised a plastic bowl covered with a lid. “Can’t let it melt.”
“You should have brought Oma with you,” she chastised. “She was more than welcome.”
“I told her that, but she begged off. Her arthritis was flaring up and she thought a good hot bath with some Epsom salts might do the trick.” He leaned and kissed the top of her head. “See you at the oyster fry?”
She nodded. “Of course. Goodnight, Jason.”
He patted her shoulder. “’Night, Charlie Grace.”
She’d barely raised her fork and knife when she saw Nick heading her way. The sight caused her heart to squeeze. “Hey, there you are,” she said, granting him a timid smile. “Sit.” She pointed to the place next to her. “Did you get full?”
He returned the smile. “More than. You serve up amazing meals out here at Teton Trails.”
Jason’s pickup wound down the lane. He honked and stuck his hand out the window, waving back at her.
She waved in return, then turned her attention back to Nick. “Thank you again for today. I loved every minute.”
Without taking his eyes off Jason’s truck, her new friend let out a slight cough. “So, are you and that guy…”
“Friends.”
He slowly nodded. “I see.”
She drew a deep breath, no longer all that hungry. “Do you have a friend?”
“I used to.” Nick turned his attention to the darkening sky, where a few stars were beginning to appear. “It’s difficult to maintain a relationship when you travel as much as I do,” he explained. “She wanted more.”
“I’m sorry,” Charlie Grace offered, strangely relieved.
“Don’t be. I believe that when two people are meant to be together, it all works out. And, when it doesn’t….” He let his voice drift. He breathed in and asked what he seemed to really want to know. “Do you love him?”
The directness of his question shook her to the core. She stammered to respond, hoping to soft coat the sad truth of her relationship with Jason. “No, not really. Don’t get me wrong. Jason is a nice guy. We’ve dated a long time.” She lightly fingered the tines of her fork. “I’m divorced.”
