“How about tomorrow instead?”
“I’m working until six,” Caleb said. “But am free after that.”
“What about your girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend?” he echoed.
“I heard you were dating Cheyenne Clifton.”
“We’re friends and hang out occasionally, but I wouldn’t necessarily classify her as my girlfriend.”
“I see.”
“So…we’re on for dinner?”
“Sounds like a plan,” Harlow said. “Where do you want to go?”
“Dockside Grill is always good, but I was thinking more along the lines of Wendovers on the Water.”
“Wendovers? I’ve never been there.”
“It’s a nice place with good food.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
“Taking Steady Betty?” he teased.
“Not at night. I’ll give Marty a call to see if he can give me a lift.”
“I can pick you up instead.”
Harlow hesitated.
“Unless you would rather not be seen riding around with me. I’m sure my fire chief’s pickup truck is a lot less fancy than some of the vehicles you’re accustomed to cruising around in.”
“I don’t have fancy vehicles, at least not anymore,” Harlow said. “The only fancy set of wheels I have is my bike. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
Noting the disappointment on Caleb’s face, she threw caution to the wind and accepted his offer. “Sure. Pick me up. Six fifteen on the dot. It’ll give you time to clean up after work.”
“Great.” His smile reappeared. “Six fifteen it is.”
Harlow thanked Caleb again and watched as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. Whistling under his breath, he ambled down the sidewalk and out through the gate, giving her a friendly wave before he disappeared from sight.
The front doorknob rattled. David appeared. “Caleb left already?”
“Yeah.” Harlow slapped her forehead. “Me and my big mouth.”
“What do you mean?”
“Caleb and I were having a casual conversation. Next thing I know, I agreed to have dinner with him at Wendovers tomorrow night.”
David whistled. “A date?”
“No way. It’s definitely not a date,” Harlow insisted. “It’s my way of thanking him for helping us.”
Her father jokingly nudged her arm. “Call it anything you want, but it sure sounds like a date to me.”
