can’t wait to hold that baby girl.”
“I’ll pass on the message and if you want to come out and visit, I’ll pick you up.”
“Thanks, Trav.” She smiled past him to Jackson. “And you, I will deal with you later.”
Jackson shrugged it off. “You’ll thank me later.”
After they were gone, she moved to the other side of the booth. Sitting next to Slade while her brothers were there was not a conversation starter. If she stayed next to Slade, the whole town would be talking and speculating.
The swinging doors that led to the kitchen opened. Vera walked out, her dark hair pulled back in a tight bun that looked severe but the smile on Vera’s face softened things up.
“Mia Cooper. Honey, I have been praying for you and thinking about you. How’d you like that peanut butter pie I made for you?”
“It was amazing, as always. Mom stayed and had a piece with me.”
Vera sat down next to Slade. “Girl, it is so good to see you back. Did you walk down here?”
“It isn’t far, Vera.”
“Well, no, it isn’t. But when you get ready to leave, you holler and I’ll bet someone will drive you home. Slade can give you a lift if he’s still here.”
“I need the exercise.” Mia avoided looking at Slade. The waitress had reappeared with a salad topped with grilled chicken, peppers, onions and mushrooms. “That looks great.”
“Well, of course it is.” Vera cleared her throat. “Do you need any help?”
Mia looked down at the salad, at the fork, at Vera. “No, I’m good.”
“Well, I’ll let you two catch up and remember to let me know if you need a ride.” Vera scooted out of the booth. “Real good to have you home, honey.”
Mia smiled and Vera left.
“I don’t mind giving you a ride home.” Slade leaned back and watched her. He wore a button-up shirt, short-sleeved and dark red. Obviously he wasn’t on duty. It deepened his tan. It made his gray eyes look silver.
“I know you don’t. I really do enjoy the walk. I think a half a dozen cats followed me to town.”
He smiled, teeth flashing white in his suntanned face. “I heard they discussed the cat issue at a city council meeting.”
“She loves those cats, and if the neighbors aren’t complaining, why should anyone else?”
Slade shrugged. “There are a lot of them.”
“I guess.” She took an awkward bite of salad. “This lefty business isn’t easy.”
No way would she tell him she’d spent the morning loading and unloading her weapon with her left hand. She’d considered taking it out to the ranch for target practice. Just in case.
“Do you need me to cut it up in smaller pieces?”
Her cheeks heated a little and she shook her head. “I’m good.”
* * *
Slade knew when to be quiet. People either needed the silence or they would fill it up because they needed to talk. Mia ate and ignored him. She knew how to use silence, too. As she ate, he glanced at his watch. He had to pick Caleb up at a friend’s house in an hour.
“Go.” Mia put her fork down.
“What?”
“You’ve looked at your watch three times. You’re not my keeper. They told you to drive by my house when you’re on patrol. They didn’t charge you with babysitting.”
“I’m not babysitting.” He leaned forward a little, lowering his voice. “I’m sitting with a friend while she finishes eating.”
“You’re starting rumors by sitting here.” Mia pushed the plate to the side. “Five years, Slade. You haven’t dated in five years. They’re all thinking it’s about time you did.”
“I date. And I don’t care if they talk. It’s Dawson, that’s what we do.”
“Right.” She reached and tugged at the sling that held her right arm, grimacing. “I hate this thing.”
“I know.” He reached for the cowboy hat sitting on the back of the booth. It was time to go. He looked around. The waitress hurried their way, pulling out her order pad.
“You all ready to go?” She smiled at him and Slade ignored the foot that kicked his under the table.
“We’re all ready. And I’m buying Mia’s lunch, too. She’s a great date, don’t you think?”
“It isn’t...”
He stopped Mia’s protest. “It isn’t our first date.”
The waitress turned pink and handed him the two checks. “There you go, Slade. You all need anything else?”
“No, that’s good.” He slid out of the booth and waited for Mia to join him. “I’ll give you a ride home.”
Mia stood. “You’re real funny.”
“You’re the one who said I need to start dating. Now if anyone in town is thinking it’s time, they’ll be satisfied to think that you’re the one I’m dating.” He winked and a streak of red crawled up her neck. Embarrassed or mad? He guessed he’d find out.
When they walked out the door of the Mad Cow, she slugged his arm. “That’s great. I tell you not to start rumors, so you go ahead and start the biggest one you can think of.”
Slade led her to his truck. He opened the passenger-side door and turned to face her. “I date.”
“Fine, you date.” She had that mad look on her face—one brow shot up as her eyes narrowed. “But you don’t date me. That’s not the way it works.”
“She’s been gone five years, Mia.” His heart still ached when he said it. Man, five years. Caleb was in kindergarten. Slade had a few gray hairs. He’d bought new furniture, finally.
They stood behind the open door of the truck. Mia’s eyes watered and she touched his cheek. A snowstorm at that very moment couldn’t have surprised him more. It surprised him for a lot of reasons he didn’t really want to think about.
“I still miss her,” she whispered, leaning close.
“I do, too.”
“She would have wanted you to move on.” Mia’s hand slid off his cheek. “I’m home now, so I can watch Caleb if you want to go out.”
“Thanks.” He cleared his throat and tried not to think about her offer. “We’d better go. I have to pick Caleb up in thirty minutes.”
“Sure,
