He tips his head. "Yeah?"
"Mm-hmm. I do. So does Wyatt. He can teach you a lot, too. I've already learned a lot from him."
"How does he know how to do stuff around here?"
I palm his shoulder, guiding him away from the wall and out the door. We reach the door at the end of the hall that leads to the outside. "I have absolutely no idea, Trav. He's just a person who knows stuff."
Travis nods, and I watch my words sink in like butter on warm toast. My mom tried to tell me adolescents are difficult, and maybe she's right and the difficulty is on its way, but she failed to mention how rewarding it is to watch them grow.
Travis triesto order a chocolate milkshake to go with his breakfast. It's where I have to draw the line.
"I'm cool, but I'm notthatcool," I say, laughing with our server, Cherilyn, as she gathers our plastic menus.
"I know you don't remember me," Cherilyn says to Travis, "but your big sister used to bring you in here on Fridays after school let out. You ordered a sundae with strawberry topping, and half of it always ended up on your face and your shirt."
Travis smiles shyly. "It's nice to see you again."
Cherilyn gives him a hearty wink before she walks away.
"I definitely don't remember her," Travis murmurs and makes a funny face.
"Don't worry about it," Wyatt says, pulling his straw from his drink and placing it on his napkin. "Wes grew up in this town and when he came back from the Army he didn't remember her either."
I frown playfully at him. "I think it had more to do with him never coming to town after he got back as opposed to a faulty memory."
"Thank God for Dakota," Wyatt says, and adds, "And Tenley, too. Both my brothers are a hell of a lot nicer with those women in their lives." Wyatt discreetly rubs his hand over my thigh. "I'm told I am too."
I lean my shoulder into his. "Is that right?"
"Every cowboy on the ranch has made a comment to me over the past month. And every member of my family, because of course they can't keep their noses out of my business."
"Even your dad?" As soon as I say it I wish I hadn't.
Wyatt's face falls a fraction. "Not my dad. He doesn't count when I say stuff like that."
He changes the subject after that, asking Travis when his birthday is. When Travis answers, Wyatt looks at me with wide eyes. "That's only two months away."
"So?" I ask, uncertain of where Wyatt's going with this.
Wyatt directs his attention across the Formica tabletop at Travis. "Do you have your learner's permit?"
"For driving?" Travis asks.
"No, for walking." Wyatt grins at Travis to let him know he's joking, and Travis laughs. "Yes, for driving."
Travis shakes his head. "My mom never got around to it when the time came a few months ago."
Wyatt smacks his palm on the table, and I jump. "Well, what do you say, Travis? Do you want to learn to drive a car?"
My stomach tenses. Travis… drive a car? Isn't that meant for people older than him? My head is stuck on a different time when he was younger, when every tumble drew tears and required kisses. But of course, he's not a baby anymore. One glance across the table tells me that.
Travis doesn't even look at me before answering excitedly. "Yes. When? Whose car?"
"My truck," Wyatt answers, leaning back against the booth and putting his arm around my shoulders.
"I don't know," I say, biting the side of my lower lip. "Shouldn't he learn on something smaller, like my car?"
"Sure, if you want him to," Wyatt responds, shrugging. He grins at Travis. "Or, you can learn on an HCC truck. Warner has the nicest truck right now, don't even get me started on that, but you can learn on mine."
