“Which one?”
“Remember telling me about how your dad gave you some land and cattle, and told you to learn to run that much?” Vince asked.
“I do remember that very well,” Henry said with a smile.
“My grandfather kind of said the same thing, only in different words. He asked me if I thought I could eat anelephant. Walk with me to the elevator,” Vince said. “If I’m late, Ava might not wait on me.”
“Can you eat an elephant?” Henry fell into step with him.
“I told him I didn’t think so, and he explained to me that trying to learn to run the company was like trying to eat an elephant. He said anyone can eat one, but it’s one bite at a time, not grabbing a fork and knife and trying to take care of the whole thing in one setting.” Vince chuckled.
“I see where you’re going with this and, son, it’s good to hear you laugh. So, you’re going to start out with a little land and a few cattle to see if you can take care of that much, right?”
“More like a small oil company and a really small house compared to what Ava and I’ve been living in, and it’s not even air-conditioned,” Vince answered.
“Sounds like a smart move to this old man. You go on to the place where you’re supposed to meet Ava, and I’m going on down the hall a little way. You don’t need me to hold your hand for this.”
“I might,” Vince told him. “It was your story about the ranching business that got me to thinking about my idea. Grandfather thought it was great and said he’d like to meet you someday.”
“Tell him to book a cruise.” Henry winked. “Tell him to bring a friend, and then tell him that I know three ladies who can be a lot of fun.”
Vince stopped long enough to extend his hand. “I will do that, and thanks, Henry.”
Henry shook with him and then patted him on the back. “Good luck. A man can’t do no better than havin’ a woman who loves him and who will stand beside him.”
“Amen!” Vince agreed and turned the corner to find Ava sitting on the steps in front of the elevator.
The lights above her created a halo effect above her head where her hair had been pulled up into a bunch of sexy curls. Vince had the sudden impulse to kiss her shoulders, which were left bare by her pale-green sundress, but he just smiled and held out a hand.
“You look amazing,” he said.
“So do you. This feels like one of our dates back at the beginning of our relationship.”
“Yes, it does, and I hope in the future we have a lot more date nights with just me and you.” He kept her hand in his and led her across the hall and pushed the button for the elevator going up. They were the only ones inside it, and he had never wanted to steal a quick kiss as much in his life as he did right then. “I think you were wearing either that dress or one like it the night we met.”
“It was one very similar to this.” There was hope after all, and her heart was lighter than it had been in weeks. “I’m surprised that you remembered. We were at the wedding reception dinner, and you came over to me and shot me a stupid line.”
“Not my best moment.” He liked the feeling of her hand in his, maybe even more so than he had the first time he’d laced her fingers into his.
“No, it was not, but it wasn’t your worst one either.”
The elevator stopped and they stepped off. The restaurant was only a short walk away, and there was not a long wait, so they were seated in a matter of minutes.
“You’re right,” Vince said when the waiter had seated him across from her at a private table for two in a corner. “I’ve had far worse ones in the past five years. Don’t bother disagreeing with me.”
“I wasn’t going to.” Ava picked up the menu, scanned it, and then laid it to the side.
“I talked to Grandfather today.” Vince reached across the table and took her hands in his. “Remember that I told you I was thinking about asking him for a favor? Well, I did last night and it’s set in stone now. I’m miserable without you, Ava, and I want a second chance for a do-over for our marriage. Being an only child, I really felt like I had a family obligation, but I have a greater one to you and our marriage, one that’s based on love and respect and finding happiness, instead of just responsibility. I’m making a mess of this, but I didn’t realize where my priorities had been until you weren’t there anymore.”
Nothing.
No facial expression.
No nod or shake of her head.
Vince gently squeezed her hands. “Are you even listening to me?”
“I’ve heard every word. I’m miserable without you, too, but I haven’t heard anything yet but more of the same words I’ve heard for five years when I begged for just a couple of nights a week of your time.”
