“I worry about her sometimes,” Spencer admitted after taking a seat. He opened the big menu but lowered it when his tone became more serious. “All of my life she’s been so spry and capable. Don’t get me wrong, Nana Jo is still very capable. But I do get the sense she’s beginning to slow down a little bit.”
“She deserves some downtime. Since Harris passed, she’s been singlehandedly keeping the ranch afloat. That’s no small feat by any means. And I know it’s not fully in your hands now, but I’m glad she has you around to help bear the weight of it.”
“Just doing my part.” He lifted the menu back up to make his selection.
“I’m pretty sure your part didn’t involve teaching a precocious five-year-old about horses. That might have kept you away.”
“Not a chance.” He closed the menu and propped his elbows onto the table, making direct eye contact with Trinity in such a way that she felt herself pull back just a little from the intensity in his gaze. “Mia’s got a lot of spirit, but it’s been a joy to be part of helping her learn more about horses. Besides, it’s given me a chance to get to know you better.”
“Had you wanted to get to know me better?”
She wished for a sudden interruption, their waiter coming by to take their orders or a dish clattering in the back of the diner that would seize everyone’s attention. She hadn’t meant to blurt that out. It had been a question she should have kept within the confines of her mind.
But before embarrassment could fully settle, Spencer answered, “Of course, I had. I’ve seen you come and go from the ranch house. Thought if I got to know you a little better first, then the question I’ve been wanting to ask wouldn’t seem so out of the blue.”
Was he going to ask her out? It felt like their conversation was moving in that direction. How should she answer? Was it too soon to start dating? After all, Calvin hadn’t even been gone a year. What would that look like from the outside? She rarely worried what others thought, but when it came to honoring her late husband’s memory and her commitment to their marriage, she found herself concerned with the possibility of being harshly judged.
“Trinity, I was wondering if?—”
Of course, she hadn’t been saved by the waitress earlier, but now, when shereallywanted to know what Spencer was about to say, they found themselves cut off by a young woman with a half-apron around her middle and a notepad and pen in her hands. “Hey, you two!” she greeted perkily. “Have you had enough time to look at the menu?”
“I have,” Spencer answered. “How ‘bout you, Trinity?”
“I always get the same.” She looked up at the waitress. “I’ll take the turkey club with sweet potato fries and a side of ranch. And I’m good with water.”
The server turned toward Spencer.
“I’ll do the pastrami sandwich, no mayo if it comes on it. Water’s fine for me too.”
“And for your side?”
“Potato salad sounds good.”
The woman clicked the end of her pen and then stretched out a hand to collect their menus before moving on to the table next to them to retrieve their cups for drink refills.
It took a moment to settle back in. Trinity hoped Spencer would pick up right where he’d left off without needing a nudge or a reminder, but two more minutes went by without completing his previous thought.
She swallowed around the lump in her throat. Her curiosity simply would not allow her to continue their meal without answers.
“I think you were about to ask me something,” she finally gained the courage to say.
He’d been fidgeting with the straw in his water glass, but his eyes quickly lifted to hers. “Oh, yeah. That’s right.”
Had he truly forgotten? It seemed that he might not be that interested in her after all if he could so quickly forget their conversation, the one where he was just about to ask her out.
“I was wondering if you might like to?—”
“Sorry!” The waitress had suddenly materialized again at the edge of the table. “We’re actually out of pastrami. Can I interest you in something else instead?”
Spencer’s lips pursed and those dimples came out for a second time today. Trinity had to look away. Since when did she have a thing for dimples?
“Hmm.” He stroked his chin. “I guess I’ll do the turkey club too. That sounds good.”
“Potato salad still okay for your side?”
“Yep.”
“Perfect. I’ll get those out as soon as they’re ready.” The server pivoted on her heel to disappear to the back of the restaurant, and Trinity and Spencer were alone once again.
