“Well?” Roan asked. “Are you going to tell me I’ve lost my mind?”
She turned slowly to face him. “No, actually. I think it might be the finest idea I’ve ever heard.”
“No way, really?”
“Obviously, you need to think about it a bit more, and we’d have to look into all the legal stuff, but I can’t think of anything that would be better for those boys than to live with you for the next few years.”
He sighed with relief. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”
She reached across the console, cupping his cheeks with one of her cold hands. “Oh, Roan Hayes, what am I going to do with you?”
“I have some ideas.”
She removed her hand from his face and peered at him, her eyes temporarily caught in the beam of a headlight as a car passed them. “What kind of ideas?”
Before he could answer, someone tapped on his car window, startling them both. It was Pastor David. Roan rolled down his window.
“Evening, Pastor,” Roan said.
“Good evening. You guys coming inside?” David asked.
“Yep. Right behind you,” Roan said, trying to hide his impatience.
“Great. See you inside.” David stepped back and then headed toward the front entrance.
“Not the greatest timing,” Reese said. “I felt like you were about to say something important.”
“I think it’s important.”
“Tell me.”
“I’m still in love with you.” Great. Just blurt it right out there, dummy.
Her hand came to her throat, clutching the collar of her jacket. “Well, that’s …I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. But I wanted to tell you how I feel. I never stopped loving you. And I know I don’t deserve it, but I’d like a chance to prove to you who I am now. I’d like to try and win your heart back.”
She nodded, a slight smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “And how would you do that exactly?”
“I’ve no earthly idea.”
She laughed. “Okay, well, you can think about that during dinner and get back to me.”
“Yeah. I can do that.”
“Good. Now let’s get inside, or they’re all going to think we’re making out in here.”
How he wished that was true, but he kept that to himself.
La Danza occupied the historic dance hall on Main Street. Mia Hayes had renovated the space before she opened the restaurant, transforming the worn building into an elegant space while preserving its original charm. High ceilings with exposed beams and original but refinished hardwood floors gave an old world vibe to the place. Large windows overlooked the street and there was a small stage at one end where live music could be played.
Tonight, the restaurant glowed with candlelight and Christmas decorations. Garland wrapped around the railings of the second-floor balcony and small evergreen trees stood in corners, decorated with white lights. The tables were set with cream linens and flickering votives.
Grace waved from a large, round table near the stage. Walter sat next to her, then Pastor David, Mrs. Chen, and Kris Olaffson.
“There they are.” Grace stood to hug them both. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Reese said. “We have a lot to tell you.”
