“Yeah. Not a bad thing on here. Though I don’t know if I’m up for the game-of-the-week.”
“It’s probably venison or elk. Maybe wild boar,” she said with a shrug. Her dad had been a big hunter in his younger years and growing up, their fridge was often stocked with meats you couldn’t get from the butcher at the local grocery store.
“I think I’m leaning toward the ribeye,” Spencer said in true cattle rancher fashion.
“That does look good.”
“You know they actually source their steaks from my old ranch?” He closed the leatherbound menu and placed it in frontof him. “I was wondering what would happen to that contract after I left. I’m glad to see it’s still in effect.”
“Do you ever miss it?” She’d made her mental selection too—the petite filet mignon—and closed her menu.
“Cattle ranching?”
She gave a small nod.
“I don’t know. Sometimes I miss the work. The guys I used to push cattle with. And as strange as it might sound, I miss calving season. I always have a soft spot for the new mama cows. But if you’re asking if I regret giving that life up for this one, not a chance.”
Something sparked in his gaze, making her wonder if she had anything to do with that.
“I’m happy to be a part of what Nana Jo has going on with the B&B and the trail rides associated with Major Hart Mountain Sports. I think the whole endeavor has a lot of protentional. I’m just not sure how much longer she’ll have the energy for it.”
Just then, their server came by to collect their menus and orders, then said he would be back with two ice waters and a basket of bread. Trinity picked the conversation back up once he was on his way.
“Are you hoping to take it all over one day?”
“I think that’s ultimately the plan. But I don’t know.” His gaze trailed out the huge picture windows that framed in the summit like a mountain-living postcard. “I’d rather run it with someone.”
“It’s a big endeavor,” she agreed.
“It is, but it’s less about sharing the workload for me. It’s more about sharing the memories.”
Twenty minutes later, they were halfway into their meals and deep in a conversation that rolled from one topic to the next. It was effortless, natural. Spencer would refill Trinity’s water glass from the carafe left on the table while she talked, and she wouldtop off his wine when he was mid-conversation. During one point in their meal, he even stretched over the table to swipe his finger across her lip to remove a stray crumb of bread that had collected there. The back and forth was symbiotic in the most comforting way.
“You have room for dessert?” He ran the cloth napkin over his own mouth as he stretched back in his seat, appearing full.
“I canalwaysmake room for dessert,” she teased, and together they settled on the raspberry cheesecake, along with two glasses of Moscato, Trinity’s favorite dessert wine.
“Oh, wow.” Spencer made a face when he took the first sip after their server had returned with their bubbly wine. “Thisissweet.”
“I warned you.” She smiled while he attempted another swig, his face contorting like he’d just sucked on a lemon.
“Spencer?” a woman’s voice suddenly hollered from a few tables over. “Trinity? Is that you?”
Trinity switched her focus from the wine to the woman that was now quickly approaching them with a big grin on her face. It was Molly Jacobs, the journalist from Snowdrift Summit Living.
“Oh, hi, Molly. Nice to see you again.” Their evening had been going so well that Trinity had almost forgotten they were at a restaurant with other patrons, she’d been so wholly focused on Spencer and their conversation. “How’s the article coming along?”
“It’s ready for print, actually. You should be able to find it around town by the end of the week. You’re going to love it!”
Oh, that was so much sooner than Trinity had expected. She wasn’t sure why she had been under the impression that they would be gifted a sneak peek before publication. She supposed that wasn’t really the norm, but things sometimes operated differently with small-town presses.
“I’m telling you, you two have suchchemistryon camera,” Molly emphasized, her hands clasping together excitedly. “But I’m sure you get that all the time.”
No, they hadn’t, considering it was the first time they’d even been on camera together. Trinity felt lost for words, and thankfully, Spencer picked up on that.
“Can’t wait to see it,” he interjected, then added, “Enjoy your meal.” It was an effective period at the end of the increasingly awkward conversation because Molly just gave them one more massive smile before scurrying back to her table to join the man she’d been dining with.
Spencer’s gaze came back around to Trinity.
