“He swore me to secrecy. He did tell me that his new lady friend had a cute granddaughter and offered to put in a good word for me. Even suggested a double date.” Doc winked.
“I’m not sure I’m ready for that,” she said on a laugh. “I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that my eighty-something grandmother is getting more than I am.”
Doc choked on his drink. “Now, that’s TMI.”
“Sorry.” She wasn’t sorry. “But how do you think I feel? When I pick her up and take her back to my place for tea and bourbon, she’s glowing. I mean, I’m happy for her but a little jealous, too.”
There was that look again. Intensity mixed with hunger, simmering just beneath the surface. As if he was leashing his baser instincts.
The thought thrilled her. Perhaps one of these days, she’d be glowing at teatime too—and not because of the shot of bourbon. Her body heated instantly, totally on board with that plan.
“Anyway,” she said, clearing her throat and pulling her thoughts back to the present, “what do you think about doing it up old school? We could start with good old-fashioned phone calls in the evening?” That way, she might actually be able to concentrate on his words and stop fantasizing about those eyes gazing into hers as he slid into her body ...
“That’ll work.”
By the time they finished dinner, Tina was even more convinced she wanted to know more about the fascinating man sitting across from her. They’d kept the conversation light and not delved into deep details, which was probably good for a first “date.”
Among other things, she’d discovered they shared a mutual love for the outdoors, eating healthy—most of the time—and gripping mystery thrillers. He seemed fascinated by local history too—something which she knew a lot about.
All too soon, her phone vibrated with a message from Lottie. When she saw the time, Tina couldn’t believe the afternoon had gone so quickly and offered her apologies.
“I’m sorry. I’ve got to go pick up my grandmother.”
He helped her with her jacket and then donned a flannel shirt before walking her back to her truck.
“I had a good time today,” she told him as he opened her door.
“I did, too.”
“Same time next week?”
“I’ll be here.”
“And you’ll call?” she asked, hoping she didn’t sound too anxious.
He smiled. “I’ll definitely call. You can always call me, too.”
She could. But since she was the one driving up to see him, she wanted him to take the lead on phone calls. It felt more equitable if each of them was making an effort. She told him as much. Again, he seemed perfectly okay with that.
“Have a safe drive, Tina.”
“I will, thanks.”
As Tina drove away, she looked back in the rearview mirror and caught a glimpse of her face in the process. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear she saw the beginnings of a glow.
Chapter Sixteen
Doc
Once Tina’s vehicle was out of view, Doc went inside the main building to return the takeout containers and hopefully find something to keep him occupied for the next several hours.
The afternoon had gone extremely well, in his opinion. Much better than it had started. Tina was a strong, capable woman as well as smart and funny and down-to-earth. She said what was on her mind, and he found that as attractive as he did refreshing.
They shared similar tastes as well. She liked eating healthy and staying active, which were two things he felt fairly strongly about. In fact, everything about the last several hours had confirmed that his initial interest was warranted and that, extraneous influences aside, there was definite potential for something more. He was already imagining long hikes and summer swims and rediscovering simple pleasures.
Some complicated ones, too. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was as confident and adventurous in all aspects of her life. Just the thought of what they might explore together filled his mind with possibilities.
After returning the containers to the kitchen, he found the women in the decompression chamber. Some of the dogs were there, too, but none of the guys, which was unusual for a Sunday evening. Either couples tended to head back to their cabins or they gathered to watch a movie or play cards or something after dinner.
Kate was the first to spot him. She sat up and muted the TV. “Well? How’d it go? Did you guys talk?”
“It went well,” he answered honestly. “And, yes, we did.”