He wanted to beg for answers, but he’d promised he wouldn’t. How was he going to ever help her heal or discover what was going on when he’d promised not to ask? Dang it. Dealing with issues in his life, especially while on duty, was simple—fix the problem. If only relationships could be so straightforward. He’d try what his mom had tried to teach him, give Esther a hug and just listen, but she didn’t even want him to know the issue. It was tough.
He had no idea what to do for this dream date. He should’ve taken the day off, flown her in a chartered jet to the beach, and spent all his hard-earned savings on the flight, a private beach, and a romantic dinner with an all-star chef.
His phone rang at lunchtime. His mom. She didn’t even start with hello. “Okay, I’ve got the inside scoop on what might be Esther’s dream date.”
“You’re an angel, Mama.” He’d been praying for an answer and here it was.
“I know, love. You tell me that all the time.”
He smiled. He adored his mom and brothers. He even liked his stepdad, though nobody would ever replace his real dad.
“She loves hydrotherapy.”
“Hydrotherapy?” He had a vision of Esther in a swimsuit lying in a pool of water with a massage therapist rubbing her shoulders. Odd.
“On a trip to Cancun with the family a few years ago, the spa at their resort had an incredible hydrotherapy pool section and Esther went there every day, by herself if no one else wanted to go.”
Okay. He couldn’t fly her to Cancun tonight and his mom still hadn’t explained what hydrotherapy was. He pushed out a breath. “So how do I recreate hydrotherapy? Somehow I don’t think the city pool or the Delta’s ice-cold lake is going to cut it.”
She laughed. “I’m all over it. So my favorite author of all time is Kari Strong, who is married to Gavin Strong who owns the ski resort and spa in Lone Peak Valley. Angel Falls Retreat.”
Lone Peak was only an hour and a half away. “They have hydrotherapy?” he guessed. He could call the spa as soon as he hung up with his mom. Hopefully they’d have an opening tonight. He couldn’t risk rescheduling the date and having Esther back out.
“Yes, sir. And the best part is I’ve emailed Kari many times over the years and she’s such a sweetie. She always responds to my gushing emails praising her latest book. When Myrna told me about Esther loving hydrotherapy, I emailed Kari immediately and told her the entire story—”
“Mama,” he interrupted. If Esther didn’t want him knowing her past, she sure wouldn’t want some stranger knowing he was in love with her and trying to break past the three date barrier.
“It’s fine, love. She promised she wouldn’t say anything to anyone, though she said she might use the story in a book.”
Reed laughed at that. He could imagine a romance novelist riding a wave of creativity through life as she constantly drew on ideas and inspiration from everything she heard and saw.
“But because she’s such a romantic, and because it’s a Monday night and a little quieter at their resort …” She paused. “Wait for it. She arranged dinner at their restaurant from six to seven, then booked out from seven to nine p.m. tonight for you and Esther to have a private, exclusive spa experience.”
“That is perfect,” he said.
“Yes, love, it is. It’s also all paid for. You just bring some cash for tips.”
“I can pay for my own dates,” he protested. He wanted to pay and be the man and have Esther think he was the best man she knew.
“Of course you can, you prideful, awesome son of mine, but can you let me do something for you for a change?” Her voice filled with emotion. “All the times you were there for me and your brothers, with no one ever asking you to. You’re the best. Let me do this.”
Reed had tried to explain many times that he’d only changed his dreams and he loved being sheriff and being such a huge part of his community, but more importantly, he would never change the time with his mom and brothers and was only grateful he’d been able to help.
“Thanks, Mama,” he croaked out. “I love you.”
“I love you too. You know how incredible, handsome, smart, and wonderful you are.”
Reed smiled. To his mom he was perfect. No way could he convince her otherwise.
“You woo that beautiful Esther tonight. I’ll be praying for you both.”
His throat got even thicker. “Thanks again.”
“Mwah. Love you, handsome.”
“Love you.”
“Bye.” She hung up.