“Like I said, it’s about training the people more than dogs.”
Lena had more to say, it was obvious, but Rue didn’t give her the chance. “Can I hire you? I mean, she needs training, and I am so not the man for the job. But you, you obviously have a talent for this and well . . .” Rue was babbling, he didn’t want to mess this up. “I don’t want her to bolt and end up in traffic next time. What do you say? I can pay you well for it and we’d both be forever grateful.”
Rue watched as every denial possible marched across her face. Lena was searching hard for a reason to say no, but it was obvious she couldn’t say no to animals. She had a good heart.
That thought twisted his guts a little, thinking how many people must try to take advantage of her, but he shook it off and plastered his best, non-threatening smile on his face and begged her with his eyes. People had always said they couldn’t resist his melted chocolate eyes and boy-next-door charm. But then it hit him, she couldn’t see any of that clearly. If she said yes, it was all based on his words and whatever he managed to convey with them. It came down to his personality and that was terrifying.
The exact moment Lena decided to say yes was clear in her almost lavender colored, unfocused eye. Something sparked there and her face changed, relaxed maybe? Rue wasn’t sure but he somehow knew he was in trouble. This was a speeding car heading off a cliff but he was helpless to pump the brakes.
She was absolutely nothing like he expected, yet everything he’d subconsciously hoped for. Lena wasn’t some poor helpless woman, as most might think at first glance. No, she was sharp and intelligent and didn’t look like she’d accept pity help from anyone . . . ever.
“I am of a mind to accept your offer, but wish to discuss an alternate form of payment. Is that something you’d like to hear?”
Oh crap. Rue could see the wheels turning in the gleam of her eye. It was as if she’d solved some great mystery of the universe. He thought to win the beautiful lady over and maybe become close friends, if not more, but it seemed she had snared him in a trap she’d set on the fly.
An unexpected gust came from the west and blew her forward and into his arms. Without contemplation, Rue buried his nose in her fiery red hair and inhaled. If peacefulness had a smell, it was Lena. Rue couldn’t identify a single component of the scent individually, but together, it was peace.
Lena in his arms felt right, but before he could think on it too much, she righted herself and thanked him for the save, returning to her business-like persona. “Are you amiable to an alternate form of payment?”
“Depends. Would you like to step into Carol’s for a bite and discuss it?”
She bobbed her head in agreement, bent to feel for the dog’s lead and clicked her tongue. “Come, pretty girl.” Damned if the puppy didn’t trot along beside Lena like they were best friends. Rue stepped up to her other side and looped his arm in Lena’s.
“I appreciate your help, but I’m not completely helpless, I can see with my one eye. Not great, but enough to navigate an area I am familiar with . . . for now.”
The way she said appreciate conveyed anything but appreciation, but in truth, he wanted to touch her. “I had a pretty good idea you could see me with the looks you threw my way. But I’m just being gentlemanly, as I would with anyone. It has zero to do with your sight and everything to do with my mother. She would be mortified if I didn’t escort my lunch companion properly.”
The laugh they shared felt easy and light. A feeling Rue hadn’t experienced since he lost the biggest client his company had. And if he couldn’t snag a new one, the company he built from the ground up would sink like the Titanic.
All those thoughts seemed to melt away with Lena around. Before thinking, he allowed his mouth to move. “Besides, who’s to say I didn’t just want to enter with an exquisite woman on my arm?”
Rue didn’t like the change in her posture. Her entire demeanor morphed as they opened the door to the diner and found a seat. She obviously didn’t take compliments. Rue decided right then to change that.
He was not a love a first sight kind of guy, but he could definitely see himself falling fast and hard for someone like her if they spent time together. Rue figured he could easily be smitten within a week.
Also, this wasn’t exactly his first sight of her. Like some creepy stalker, he saw her the day she arrived in town and once a week since. Accidental at first, on purpose later.
His Tuesday bank run was late one week and that was the first time he saw her leaving Cindy’s with wildflowers. After that, he may have started being late on purpose. And each time he had every intention of approaching her and asking her out, but days came and went but he still hadn’t gotten the nerve.
Rue’s confidence took a serious hit when his ex-girlfriend had targeted his clients. She’d not only devastated him on a professional level, she stripped all traces of manhood from him in a vindictive personal rampage because he dared to break up with her when he realized they were not on the same path.
Rue wanted to be married with kids and a mortgage one day, his ex didn’t want a family at all. She was perfectly happy with their relationship as it was, but Rue wanted so much more out of life.
So instead of speaking to the beautiful new woman in town, he found something else in need of doing instead of approaching her
every single time. He looked down at the relaxed blonde mound of fur lying on the tile by Lena’s seat and said a silent thank you. If not for his dog, he still wouldn’t have talked to her. Someone is getting a new chew toy and wet food for dinner.
The waitress delivered their coffees. Rue was so lost in his own head he didn’t remember ordering a drink. He watched Lena add cream and sugar to hers, then slowly raise the cup. Once she returned it to the table, she spoke.
“Rue,” God, I love the way that sounds falling from her lips. “Would you mind telling me if there are other diners? I don’t hear any and don’t believe I passed any on the way in.”
After a cursory look, he confirmed her suspicions.
“Good, and where are Carol and Don? In the kitchen?”
After leaning forward to peer through the tiny round window on the swinging doors, Rue answered, “Actually, they’re out the back door smoking. It may be a bit before she comes back for our lunch order.” He returned his attention to the coffee and sipped it gingerly.
“Perfect. I would like you to be my boyfriend.”