Ty chuckled. “It’s my least favorite chore. I can muck stalls all day, but cleaning the house feels tedious. Who wants to spend all day cleaning toilets when you can be outside? With a pole and bait, I can catch a few fishand watch the sunset. My restaurant’s an entirely different entity. I’m responsible for the health of my workers and patrons who visit it. It doesn’t feel like a chore there. I guess when I finally get home, I like to relax.”
“When do you find the time? It seems like you’re always at the restaurant. Which reminds me, how did you know about the fire? And where to find me? I meant to thank you, by the way.”
Ty sighed. “My sous chef broke up with his girlfriend. He messed up orders all night, and I sent him home. I stepped into the fridge, taking inventory for the next day’s deliveries, when I heard Barb. When I went to the front of the restaurant, I saw the smoke and smelled it. I ran to the back, recalling the fire escape. Edie held Beth, and Barb told me you went inside to get the kids.”
“Debbie must’ve climbed back in when Edie got distracted with the baby. I still don’t understand how I didn’t hear her.”
“The adrenaline of the situation played a part. You figured out how to get two scared little boys and a toddler out of danger,” Ty reminded her, walking to the stove to pour the pasta in the pot and prepare the sundried tomatoes, garlic, shrimp, and spinach.
“It smells divine,” Scarlett said, inhaling the aromas.
“It won’t take long for this to finish. Do you want anything else to drink?” Ty asked, working the skillet and checking the pasta.
“I’m fine. How long will it take before you reopen?”
“The inspector has the report. They’re sending someone out to survey the damage at the end of the week. From what I understand, it’ll take some time to receive the check, but I can start the cleanup and reopen the place. I gave my employees two weeks of paid leave. I’m hoping it won’t take any longer,” Ty sighed.
“I’m concerned about the community center. The seniors hung out, but some of them needed the food. We have several families with young children who count on the extra casseroles. They’re going without,” Scarlett said, worried.
“I’m sure Kassie and the Serenity women have already started working on it,” Ty assured her.
“Why does everyone depend on her? Don’t take this the wrong way, but how did this town operate before the Winter Foundation? Jeremy seems angry about them taking over. Yet from an outsider’s view, when things go wrong, they call the Winters family to take care of it.”
Ty grunted. “You may be on to something, Sparky. When I drop you off, I’ll check to see what they have in place. I never gave it any thought, but with the loss of their friend, they may not have considered the people who need them the most.”
“Do you mind if I go with you?”
“We’ll go there after our ride,” Ty said, placing the food on a tray. “How about we eat on the couch? It’ll be more comfortable.”
He took her arm, and Ice followed them into the living room. He showed her to the sofa and sat beside her. Scooping up the pasta, he blew on it. “Open up.”
She leaned in and opened her mouth. “Oh, wow,” she moaned.
“Sledge and you seem close. He went out on a limb to get you here,” Ty said, feeding her another bite before taking some for himself.
“We watched over one another. I brought his SEAL team in. Since then, we’ve remained close. Rocker acts like a big brother to the group. They’re good men,” Scarlett said, waiting for another bite.
Ty fed her another mouthful. She enjoyed the food, and theirconversation flowed.
“Have you given Leo’s offer to come in for a formal interview any consideration?”
“No. He only offered it out of gratitude,” Scarlett said, shaking her head. “Sledge needs a job. He has a wife and a baby. They need a new start. Before the fire, I wondered if he wanted to settle down here. He hasn’t talked about it since.”
“I’ll admit, it doesn’t seem like it now, but this town sticks together. You saw the commitment at the community center. We have great schools and a lovely library. Word on the street says we have an incredible restaurant in town, which they consider a hidden gem.”
“There’s a rumor about the owner. They say he’s one, too. They’re wondering why you’re still single.”
“Ah, it’s the million-dollar question with a cheap answer. I went off to serve my country, and when I returned, I found my fiancé in bed with another man. I’ve dated a few women from Seattle. They didn’t pan out, or they didn’t like the idea of moving out to a ranch in the middle of nowhere,” Ty said, offering her another bite.
“I rather like living in nature. Growing up, my room faced the cornfield my dad plowed. Some nights, I sat in my window and listened to the cicadas sing while I watched the lights of my dad’s tractor. It felt like my little corner of the world always remained safe.”
“And now?” he asked.
“I know more about the world than I ever wanted, and no place can be one hundred percent safe,” she murmured. “In some ways, I feel more vulnerable. I can’t see the danger to assess it.”
“As you mentioned, you’re still getting the hang of things. Your other senses will grow stronger, and you still have your instinct. I’m not saying you have no reason to feel concerned. I watched my aunt do things she never thought possible. I heard you’ve excelled on Serenity Mountain. Idoubt it’ll take you long to succeed in anything you put your mind to.”
“Thank you,” she said, taking the drink he offered. “When I first returned home, I grieved the loss of my sight. It didn’t help that my mom refused to let me do anything on my own. I’m grateful she cares, but it kinda smothered me. I don’t feel it here. The people at the hospital and the Serenity women act like nothing’s wrong with me.”
