cheek. They both shot up quickly.
“That’s probably Trudy and Rex, texting,” she said, running her fingers through her disheveled hair.
Theo stood, blinking as if to clear his focus, his breathing still deep and relaxed as his body coped with the jolt of waking so quickly. He yawned, stretching his arms, and then straightening his wrinkled shirt before walking over to get his phone. “Yeah, it’s Rex,” he said with a sleepy grin as he returned a text. “He’s excited to go out with us today.”
“I’ll jump in the shower,” she said, glad for the diversion so they wouldn’t have to figure out how to interact with each other in this intimate situation. “Want to run home, and then come back and pick me up when you’re ready?”
“Yes,” he said, pulling the keys out of his pocket. “I’ll bring you a coffee.”
“You will?” she asked, unable to hide her delight over the gesture.
“Yeah.” He grinned. “Back in a bit.”
Lila fluffed the pillows on the sofa, smoothing out the dip in the cushions where she and Theo had awakened this morning, when Theo came in, carrying a to-go cup of coffee in each hand.
“For you,” he said, handing hers over.
Lila took it gratefully. She’d jumped straight into the shower after Theo had left. They’d gotten up so late that now it was after lunchtime, and all she’d had was a couple of pieces of leftover bacon she had in the fridge. She sat down in the chair across from Theo to wait for Trudy and Rex, basking in the slip of time she had to take in the lights of the Christmas tree and drink her coffee. She took a long, slow sip, her gaze landing on Theo.
“Is this… an almond milk latte?” she asked.
Theo laughed. “It came in a selection of milks I ordered,” he said. “I didn’t order it especially.” He’d never admit it; she knew that much.
“Of course,” she said, biting back her happiness.
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock. Lila went to stand up, but Theo motioned for her to stay and relax.
“I’ll get the door,” he told her.
As Theo came in with Trudy and Rex, Lila set her coffee on the side table and stood up to greet them.
“How’s your leg?” Theo asked.
“Good,” Rex answered, giving him a high-five.
“I think it was just a twist,” Trudy said. “He was running around the house this morning—the best sight ever.” She played with the collar on his coat affectionately. “Thank you for taking him out for a bit today.”
“Of course,” Theo replied, and Trudy headed out, giving them a goodbye wave over her shoulder. “It’s after lunchtime already. Wanna get something to eat?”
Rex’s eyes lit up. “Yes, sir! I’m starvin’. Can we go to Arnold’s?”
Lila sent Theo a questioning look.
“Arnold’s is a local hamburger joint in town,” Theo explained.
“You know what it’s famous for?” Rex asked, beginning to bounce with excitement. “Horseshoe throwin’.”
“Horseshoe throwing?” she repeated, to be sure she’d heard him correctly. “A hamburger place with horseshoes?”
“But not just any kind,” Rex said. “They’re real heavy and you’ve gotta throw ’em through this bull’s-eye hole in the wall.”
A tiny smirk formed at the edges of Theo’s mouth. “We should get Lila to throw some of those horseshoes. She loves stuff like that.”
“Really?” Rex assessed Lila, looking her up and down.
“Yeah—horseshoes, mountain climbing… she’s real outdoorsy.”
Lila cut her eyes at Theo playfully. Then she squatted down by Rex. “I’d like to play horseshoes with you,” she said. “Will you show me how?”
“Yes, ma’am!” Rex said with a huge grin.
Arnold’s was nestled into one of the hillsides just above town, jutting out of it like a wild rock. It had a stone front with chocolate brown clapboard sides, and a stout chimney that sat in the center of the old tin roof. An old 1950s neon sign outlined in Christmas greenery flashed its name out front, and an icy river rushed past them to the side of the restaurant. Theo pulled the truck into the gravel parking lot and came to a stop.
“Have you ever been bull ridin’, Miss Lila?” Rex asked. “There’s one at the fair. You oughta do it.” Rex had been talking a mile a minute all the way to the restaurant.
“There’s a bull at the Christmas fair?” Lila asked.
“A mechanical one,” Theo explained, cutting the engine. “They put a Christmas wreath around the horns.” He rolled his eyes for Lila’s benefit, before addressing Rex. “You know, Lila and I are going to the fair tonight.” He