“He kills animals. He’s evil.” Candice’s brows furrowed together and her hands trembled.
“Relax,” Honey whispered. “Ignore him. He’s nothing to you.” She suspected her friend was attracted to the handsome guide whose lifestyle was so different from her own. After all, Candice’s brothers were hunters, hunting only what they needed for meat, or to drive away predators.
“He’s just so…”
“Handsome? Strong? Sexy? Enticing?” Honey teased.
“Irritating.”
“I think you protest too much. He’s a very nice, very attractive man. Let’s face it, he’s gorgeous.”
“Aren’t you dating Ira?” Candice spat, confirming Honey’s impression that her friend was indeed attracted to the six foot two, blonde haired, brown eyed man.
“Yes, but irrelevant. I can still admire a buff, attractive man.”
“He’s a hunter. He eats meat.”
“I eat meat. Your family eats meat and hunts. Are you annoyed by them too? Don’t you eat meat at all?”
“Not since I was a kid. I don’t believe in it,” Candice declared piously.
“And you don’t believe others should either?”
“I believe in choice.” It was a grudging statement.
“But not for him?” Honey asked.
“Can we just drop it?”
“Good afternoon, Honey. Nice to see you again, Candice. You look very nice today. Green is a fabulous color on you, Candice,” Garth said as he strolled past their table.
Candice ignored him, except to growl almost inaudibly.
“Have a seat, Garth,” Honey said. “Lacy will be right with you.”
Garth nodded and chose a seat.
“He’s so into you,” Honey whispered. “He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
“If he was into me, he’d stop hunting,” Candice groused.
“Let me see if I understand this. He should give up his lifestyle for yours?”
“Yes. Everyone should.”
Honey could tell her friend was more frustrated than serious and laughed aloud. “Oh girl, you’ve got so much to learn. Life is a compromise. Live and let live. He’s a good man. Kind, understanding. Great with kids, by the way. Give him a chance before you dismiss him out of hand. You might actually find you have something in common with him, like a shared love of the environment.”
The bell chimed again and half a dozen people strolled in. “I guess I better get back to work. Catch you later.” She winked at Candice and stood to greet the newcomers.
