“Sometimes there could be big obstacles,” Rance responded, having listened in silence to his brother’s words.
“Do the obstacles outweigh the rewards? I doubt it. Because it is a basic question. Do you love this person with everything you’ve got? Does that person feel the same about you? Then the only obstacle is what you put forth in your brain.”
“I didn’t say that I was in love with anyone.”
“Yes, you did. You asked the question. Which means you know the answer, but you want someone to either talk you out of it or validate it for you. Do you love Erin?” He asked a direct question and waited in silence for the answer.
“I haven’t mentioned anyone.”
Matt shook his head and leaned forward, his arms folded on top of the table. “You did. We who are already targets of Cupid’s bad aim know the signs. And I think the problem with you right now is that you’re afraid of how high that bench might be between you and what you want.
“Bench?”
“If the roles were reversed, and you were a guy in a black robe looking down at Erin…a plain citizen…would you think less of her? Say to yourself, sorry I can’t love her because we aren’t on the same so-called level? Be honest.”
“That’s ridiculous. I wouldn’t see that. But then I wouldn’t also have a major family fortune in my bank account, or…”
“Yep…you are just a snob. And you’re afraid that she is one, too.”
Rance didn’t care for that description. “I’ve never been a snob in my life.”
“She works hard. So do you. You have a tough job. She has a tough job. You catch the bad guys, and she puts them away. Nowhere in those comparisons did a bank account change things. I never figured you to let that shallow a thought enter your head.”
“Well, I didn’t say anything about my loving anyone. You assumed that. But I appreciate your comments. I think you and Ally have a lot going for you, and you guys do love each other—anyone can see that. You’re a lucky man.” He stood and so did Matt. They shook hands and then Matt put his hand on his shoulder.
“You deserve to find what I found, what Tori and Cassie found. Be truthful with yourself first…then ask the lady what she thinks. I have a feeling you might be very surprised. Don’t be a stranger.”
Rance parted from his brother on the sidewalk. One last wave as he pulled out onto the road headed back to the cabin. He had a lot to think about. His brother cracked open the nutshell easy enough, but it unleashed a lot more thoughts for Rance to sort. And he knew he needed more time. They had the weekend and then it would be back to reality. Just what that reality would look like, he had no idea.
Chapter Fourteen
“Dinner is served.”
Erin had showered and changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a sleeveless sapphire-blue top. She piled her hair up on top of her head with a clip and had a pair of soft flats on her feet that she had found in the bottom of the closet in her room. She had taken her time to clean up after the tussle in the river. Rance had left earlier with a terse mention of going into Destiny’s River. And to stay in the cabin while he was gone. He hadn’t waited for a reply.
Now he apparently was back and had dinner ready? She had taken a long soak in the tub but she didn’t think it had been that long…enough time for him to have cooked and all. But stranger things happen. She stepped out into the hall and then moved to the opening between the dining room and kitchen. They had gotten into the habit of just sitting at the bar between the kitchen and dining room for their meals. And she expected that. But she stopped in surprise.
The dining room table had red place mats, silverware on white napkins, and tall glasses with ice and what looked to be iced tea. She stood still, unsure of what was going on.
“Is there something happening that I’m not aware of? Should I have dressed up for dinner?”
Rance stood expectantly at the bar. He shook his head. “Don’t worry about that. And it doesn’t mean we’re having anything over the top for dinner.” He turned and picked up a tray with two regular, not paper, plates on it.
“I am serving cheeseburgers, with a side dish of french fries, and a couple of slices of Tillie’s apple pie for dessert.” He brought the tray to the table and sat it down. Then he placed a plate in front of each of their place settings. He stood and then, as if remembering something, he quickly moved to hold out her chair for her to take her seat.
She moved a bit more slowly and took the chair offered. He saw that she was settled and went around to his own place and sat.
“Did all that water and mud this afternoon possibly get in your brain or something along those lines?”
“Why do you think that? I am always a civilized, well-mannered host.”
That made her wait for him to take the first bite of a french fry. He looked at her with a question in his eyes. “Is something wrong? I know you like cheeseburgers and…”
“Everything looks fine,” she hastened to add, “I just was waiting to see what you thought of the food.”
“I get it. To see if I was trying to get some childish revenge on you by doing something to your food? I would never do something like that.” He smiled and then added, “Unless maybe you were one of my siblings. But you have nothing to fear.”
Erin took him at his word and tested a bite of the burger. It was deemed good, and she settled into the new experience he had had switched to that evening.
