“Got a new house,” Miss Young corrected him. Then she looked back at Travis. “I wasn’t aiming for a dinner invitation. I only told the children because I wanted to talk to them about stove top safety.” Looking sheepish she added. “I left a kitchen towel on the counter, too close to the stove, and when a gust of wind came through the window, it nudged it even more. Next thing I knew, the towel, the stovetop, a wooden spoon, and a top cabinet were on fire. I got the fires put out, but it reminded me how easy it is to have a kitchen fire.”
“You can still come to dinner,” Scotty said. “My dad got a new grill. He’s gonna cook burgers tonight.”
Mr. Campbell, the principal, said “You ought to join them for dinner.”
Her eyes widened.
Is he serious? The principal is giving me the okay to have dinner tonight with Travis. Should I pinch myself?
It seemed that Mr. Campbell was.
That was all the encouragement she needed.
Wow. I guess I’ll go.
Scotty was looking up at her with hope all over his face.
“Okay, I’ll have dinner with you two,” she said. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“Yippee!” Scotty was now bouncing on his toes.
“What do you say?” Travis prompted his son. There were still times when he needed to remind his son of good manners.
“You’re welcome, Miss Young.” Scotty said.
“What time should I come by?” she asked.
“Six o’clock work for you?” Travis smiled.
“It does,” she smiled back.
“See you then,” he said.
She nodded and waved.
Scotty had gotten in and buckled up ready for the drive home and he waved back.
As Travis pulled away, he said, “You wouldn’t be trying to fix your dad up with a date, would you?”
Scotty just smiled. And then he beamed all the way home.
* * *
Ellen watchedthe pickup trucks drive away. She was finally used to all the trucks, cowboy boots and hats that everyone wore out west. It had begun to feel like home here, and she liked the small-town western friendliness that was everywhere.
Now that all the children were gone, she and Mr. Campbell turned to walk back into the school.
“I’m surprised you encouraged me to go to their house for dinner,” she said.
Mr. Campbell turned, raised one eyebrow, and looked at her. “It’s clear to anyone who sees you two that there are enough sparks between you to light up a rodeo arena.”
Wait. What?She stopped walking in surprise.
He stopped too, mirth in his eyes.
“It’s that noticeable?” she squeaked.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “But let me tell you. There’s a pool. The farmers and ranchers at the morning coffee hour over at the feed and grain store have got bets going on how long it will take him to talk you into going out.” He chuckled.
