“Were we featured on the Travel Channel and no one bothered to tell us?” Kristy asked Owen as she emerged from starting the movie for a full theater.
“You know how it is. Last-chance family vacations before the kids start having band, football, and cheerleading practices.” He wiped his brow. “But it has been a madhouse.”
Visitors had been lined up at the door that morning before they even openedâa sure sign of a busy day. Kristy supposed Owen was right. There weren't too many Saturdays left before summer would be over. In fact, Matthew and Mason didn't have much time left until they headed back to college. Seasonals who were in college rarely stayed on until Labor Day due to the start of classes. So before long, Kristy would have the seasonal office all to herself again. But only for a short time, because come Labor Day, she'd be out of a job.
She knew she should start making plans for whatever would come next but was putting it off. Tomorrow she'd make herself get a Sunday paper and begin the tedious task of searching for a job. The problem was, the only thing she'd ever wanted to be was a park ranger. She sighed loudly.
“You sound like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.” Owen's tone was jovial, but his eyes let her know he was concerned.
She shrugged. “Just trying to figure out what to do next.”
He looked at his watch. “My advice would be ... lunch.” He grinned.
“You know what I mean. Next in life.” she cut her eyes at him. “Not in the next fifteen minutes.”
He chuckled. “We're all trying to figure out what to do next in life. My advice is just to keep your focus on the moment you're currently living. We aren't promised anything more than that.”
“In that case, perhaps I will go to lunch. Is that okay?”
“Yep. Me and the twins can hold down the fort. Why don't you take the full hour today? I know you've been cutting them short lately. We'll get along okay until you get back.”
She had been cutting her lunches short but didn't know anyone had noticed. Things had been so hectic lately, and Matthew and Mason sometimes got overloaded with visitors. She knew it was time to let them sink or swim on their own, but she couldn't help feeling responsible for them still.
On the way out the door, she mentally went over the contents of her refrigerator. It didn't take long. Saying she was overdue for a trip to the grocery store would be an understatement. She was so engrossed in her thoughts, she didn't see the blue truck pull up beside her until it honked. She looked up.
Ace smiled at her from the driver's seat. “Hey,” he called. “You headed to lunch?”
She nodded.
“Why don't you hop in and go eat with me?”
She thought for a moment. Sam would be fine. She could always go let him out when she got back. “Sure.”
She climbed up in the truck. “What are you doing at the visitor center on your day off?”
“Actually, I was coming to find you.” He stopped to let a family cross in front of the truck on their way to the park bookstore. “Thought I'd see if you wanted to have lunch with me today.”
“That was nice. I was just thinking that I don't have many groceries in my house.”
“How's Hagy's?” he asked.
“That sounds good.” Okay, it sounded better than good, but she'd contain her excitement. She took her hat off and placed it on the floorboard. “But we've had a ton of visitors today, so it might be really crowded.”
“Let's take our chances,” he said as he turned onto Highway 22, headed toward the restaurant. “They're pretty quick, so even if we have to wait, it shouldn't be long.”
At Hagy's, she cringed at the crowded parking. Ace put their name on the list and guided her to a seat outside on the large deck overlooking the Tennessee River.
They sank into wooden chairs shaped like fish. She sighed contentedly.
Ace looked over at her inquisitively. “Was that good or bad?”
“Definitely good. I love sitting out here looking at the river roll by.” she gazed out at the river. “Isn't it beautiful?” “it sure is.”
“Kennedy, party of two.”
They followed the hostess to their table. Several families that had visited the park earlier in the day called out greetings to Kristy along the way.
“Does that make you feel like a celebrity?” Ace pulled her seat out for her, and she slid into the chair.
“Very funny. If I didn't have on my uniform, they wouldn't even know I was the same person.”
“Do you know what you want, or do you need a minute?” the waitress asked, each word punctuated by the chomp of her gum.
Ace looked at Kristy, and she shook her head.
“I think we're ready,” he said. “You first.” He nodded his head at Kristy.
“I'll have the catfish platter with a baked potato, coleslaw, and sweet tea.” she didn't have to think twice about her order. Some might say she was in a rut, always ordering the same thing. But to Kristy, there was no need to risk ordering something new when she knew she'd be happy with the same thing she always ordered.
“I'll have the same, please.” Ace passed his menu to the waitress.
“So it's been a crazy day?” he asked once they had their drinks.
“Nonstop. It seems that today is a popular day for family reunions and boy scout campouts.”
“I see.” He took a sip of his tea. “Anything else going on?”
“Not really.”
“Anything else happen at your house?” His eyes were filled with concern.
She shook her head. “No. And the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced it was probably just an animal. Possum, raccoon, General Grant, or maybe even a dog or a coyote.” she ticked the potential suspects off on her fingers.
He shook his head. “I'm just not sure an animal could get the lids off your trash cans. I definitely think that would take opposable thumbs.”
She sat back in her seat. “So you're convinced a person did it?” “I'm convinced you need to be careful. And be aware of your surroundings.”
“I'll be fine.”
“And I'll be worried.”
They eyed each other.
The waitress set two steaming plates of fried catfish in front of them.
“Do you mind if I say a prayer before we eat?” he asked.
“Sure.”
Ace bowed his head. “Heavenly Father, thank You for the meal we are about to eat. We are humbled by the many blessings You give us every day. Please help us to be Your hands and feet as we go about our daily lives.” He cleared his throat. “Lord, please be with Kristy. Keep her safe and show her the path You have for her life. In Jesus' name. Amen.”
“Amen,” Kristy said. She was touched, actually. It was rare that she heard anyone pray specifically for her. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time.
“How's your food?” he asked.
“Delicious. This is my favorite place.”
“I know. Why do you think I suggested it?” He smiled. “Haven't you figured out that I try to make you happy?”
For a second her stomach felt fluttery. More and more often lately, a smile from him affected her that way.
“So did you do anything fun last night? On one of your few nights to not be stuck in the truck with me?” he asked, dipping a piece of fish into his tartar sauce.
“I went to a movie with Robert.”
She saw a look flash across his face. Just for a moment. Almost as if she'd slapped him.
“That sounds fun. Did you see anything good?” Ace asked, grabbing a hush puppy from the basket between them.
“Some action movie.” She shrugged. “It was okay. If you like movies about futuristic robots taking over the world.”
Which she didn't. Somehow, each date she went on with Robert seemed more awkward than the last. She couldn't put her finger on it. He was always pleasant and polite. But at the end of the night, she always felt like he still had no idea who she was.
Vickie and Ainsley had both accused her of spending time with Robert because there was no danger of falling for him. Ace, on the other hand ... She glanced across the table. Ace might as well have a Caution: Danger sign flashing on his forehead. Suddenly, looking into the beautiful brown eyes of the man opposite her, she knew what she had to do.
Kristy had always hated breaking things off. She wondered if it made her a masochist that she'd rather be on the receiving end than have to do the actual breaking up. Maybe not quite the way Mark had handled it, but a nice “it's not you; it's me” kind of conversation. That would be much easier than having to actually let a guy down. People talk about letting someone down easily. There's nothing easy about it. Rejection is hard to take. And when you're the kind of girl who always considers the feelings of those around you, it's also almost impossible to dish out.
Kristy couldn't even count the number of guys she'd dated a lot longer than she should have, just because she didn't have the heart to break theirs. In fact, in the past, she'd shamefully done things specifically to get on their nerves in the hopes that they'd instigate the breakup.
But she knew this time that wasn't an option. For one thing, she was too old to keep playing the same old games. For another, she couldn't keep Robert hanging on any longer. She did like him. But as much as her mother tried to make him be, he just wasn't right for her.
He'd seemed surprised when she'd called this afternoon. She never called him while he was at work, but figured it would be okay just this once. Especially since after today she didn't intend to call him again.
So they were going to meet for coffee. She needed to go to Jackson anyway. Her empty pantry cried out for a visit to their supercenter, and her wardrobe called out for a visit to the mall. Or at least Kohl's.
Robert had put up a little bit of a fuss when she'd suggested Starbucks. “Five dollars for a cup of coffee. I can brew several pots for that.”
She'd finally convinced him by saying she had a gift card that desperately needed to be used. It was true. Except for the desperate part. Honestly, she just wanted to meet him in a public place. But not for dinner. Definitely not at his house. And besides, a venti caramel macchiato would do wonders for her nerves.
She rehearsed her little speech all the way to Jackson. Highway 45 had never flown by so fast. By the time she pulled her Jeep into the parking lot, she didn't feel any more prepared for the conversation than when she left the park grounds.
Robert was waiting at one of the outside tables. He waved her over.
“Hi,” she said nervously, hoping he didn't sense the impending conversation. On second thought, maybe it would be best if he did have an idea. She didn't know which way would be worse for him. Either way was bad for her.
“Did you enjoy your day off?” he asked as he held the door open for her.
She inhaled deeply as the sweet smell of coffee filled her senses. If she could bottle up that scent, she would. “I had a nice day. Just kicked around the house. Did laundry. Nothing too exciting.”
He nodded.
Once at the counter, she tried to explain the different coffees to him. Mocha, cappuccino, latte. He treated them all as foreign delicacies, especially when he caught sight of the prices that went along with them. Finally, a venti caramel macchiato for her and a plain black coffee of the day for him were ready. They slid their cups into cardboard sleeves, and she followed him to a table outside.
She took a sip.
Courage. Give me a little courage, please.
He watched her curiously. “Is it good?” he asked.
“The best.” she smiled.
Robert started telling a story about a coworker's vacation to Mexico that was filled with mishaps.
Kristy watched him and made the appropriate interested expressions and nods. But the whole time, she couldn't help but try to figure out what it was that made him so wrong for her. Robert was perfect on paper. He was very cute. He was well dressed in a conservative, preppy way. And he was nice. Just an all-around nice guy. The kind of man who would probably stop on the side of the road to help an old lady change a flat tire. Or who would rescue a kitten from a tree. He was just one of those guys. But despite his good qualities, he wasn't for her.
“Would you like more coffee?” he asked when he was finished with his story.
“What? Oh, no thanks. I'm still working on this one.” she shifted in the wrought iron seat. “Listen, there was actually something I needed to talk to you about.”
He put his cup down on the table, and his green eyes regarded her seriously. “I don't like the sound of that.”
She took a breath. “Yeah. Um. I know we've been spending a pretty good bit of time together over the past couple of months.” she pressed her lips together, trying to figure out which direction to go in. “And it's been great. I have a lot of fun with you. But I'm not really in a place where I can date someone right now.” she took stock of his expression to see if she'd chosen the correct words. Maybe not. But she plunged on. “I'm just kind of all over the place right now, with the recent breakup and the not knowing where I'll be after Labor Day. So I don't think it's fair to you for me to keep seeing you. You're a great guy, and you deserve someone who can give you their full attention.”
She sat back and waited for his response. He'd been totally silent during her little speech.
“Wow. I didn't see that coming,” Robert said. “I thought things were going pretty good, actually. Is there anything I can say to change your mind?”
Oh no. She'd hurt him. She could see it all over his face. Maybe she should've eased into it better. Spent a couple of weeks trying to annoy him or something.
“I don't really think so. I'm so sorry, Robert.”
He was quiet for a moment. Then he nodded. “Okay. But can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” she was so glad to have the bad news off her chest, she'd let him ask her anything at that moment.
“What is it about me? I've heard that same speech over and over again. But no one ever tells me what I've done wrong. They just say things like what you just said. Stuff about needing space or focusing on their career or that they're not in a relationship kind of place right now. What does that mean?”
And she hadn't seen this coming. The easy thing to do here would just be to say he was great and that the right girl would come along and they'd be perfect together. But Kristy wanted to give him more than that. He was a great guy. And with a little help, he would make some woman very happy.
“You really want to know?”
He nodded. “Lay it on me.” He smiled. “I don't want to have to hear the âYou're a nice guy, but...' speech again for a while.”
“Okay. Here goes.” she bit her lip, trying to figure out where to start and hoping she wouldn't end up making him feel worse about himself. “Consider this your tutorial about the female species,” she began.