CHAPTER FIVE - SARAH
It’s just a drink.
I hoped if I kept telling myself that I’d believe it, but truth was I was curious to see what made Hunter Miller tick. He’d been so generous with helping me with my oven door and now the free car part. He seemed too good to be true. I guess a part of me was hoping to uncover the jerk he was hiding inside, so I could prove myself right.
He took me out near the lake area across the dam to a small bar called The Overlook Bar and Grill. “This place has great steaks, so if you’re hungry I’d like to buy you dinner.”
So much for just a drink, but as my stomach growled daring me to refuse I nodded. “Sounds good, but we’re splitting the check.”
We went inside and found a nice quiet table in the back and I realized why The Overlook had its name. The view from the window showed the gorgeous view of the treetops hundreds of feet below on the dry side of the dam.
“It’s beautiful out there.” I glanced around the room and thought that the restaurant was pretty nice for something you’d find in a small lake-area town.
“It’s Tani’s favorite, and the owners are nice people.”
Tani? I should have known the man had someone in his life, and before I could apathetically ask who she was, the waitress came up to take our order.
“Hey there, Hunter. You want your usual?” The waitress, who seemed like a nice enough girl was all smiles for him.
“Yeah, I do.” Hunter turned to me. “This is my friend Sarah. She owns the new bakery up town.” The waitress gave me a polite nod as Hunter asked me how I liked my steak.
“Well done, please.”
I let him rattle off an order and called out my drink request, all the while still wondering who Tani was and if she wore his ring. Surely didn’t give off the married vibe.
The waitress scribbled on her tablet. “So where’s the little one? She’s not still mad at me for running out of whipped cream is she?” Hunter’s whole face lit up as if the thought of this little one made his day brighter.
“She’s with my mom, but I wouldn’t worry. She doesn’t hold a grudge like her Daddy here. I’m still holding out for you to put those fried pies back on the menu.”
The waitress laughed. “I’ll tell Mama that you said so. Good to meet you, Sarah.” She hurried off as I replied in kind.
I sat there a moment trying to sort things out in my brain as I stared into Hunter’s wild eyes. “So Tani’s your daughter?”
“Yeah, she’s six and amazing. Best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“So is there a Mrs. Miller?” I kept my lips tight and held my breath waiting for the answer.
He gave me a side grin. “There’s not. It’s only me and Tani. Though, there is an evil ex-girlfriend who is trying to ruin our lives, but I’m hoping to find a way around that.” He looked at me narrowing his eyes as if a thought were crossing his mind.
“Why did you really turn me down the other day?” He leaned back in his chair as the waitress brought our beers. He took a sip still waiting for my reply.
I lifted a shoulder and eased back in my chair. “No offense, but I’ve sworn off dating guys like you.”
“Like me? You can’t mean the single father thing because you didn’t know about my kid, so what exactly is it?” He probably should have been more offended than he was, and it intrigued me that he didn’t seem fazed at all.
“The bad boy type who rides motorcycles and cares more about their toys than their women type. Your whole persona; I’ve been with your type. I’d like to be loved more than a hunk of metal.” His brows pinched together but he smiled.
“So you have me all figured out then.” He took a sip of his beer and then leaned in closer. “I guess it’s a good thing I know my toys well enough to make a living playing with them. You know, so I could buy your dinner, Sweetcakes.” He turned up his beer and took another hard pull as I realized what I’d done. I’d insulted his livelihood.
I felt the sting of blush on my cheeks and a sinking feeling as he put me in my place. “I’m sorry, that was out of line.”
“We’re all entitled to our opinions, but I don’t make assumptions of people based on what they do for a living, or if they make one at all. I’m more concerned about how they treat me and other people. I do have a daughter to consider.” I didn’t know what to say and then he let out a chuckle. “I suppose I’m guilty same as you. I thought because you made sweets all day. . .well you know what I mean.” He gave a hearty chuckle and I shifted in my chair, leaning closer.
“Okay, you’ve made your point. I’m an ass. I’m sure you’re a nice guy and I’ve already eaten so much of my own foot that I’m not sure I’ll finish this steak, but—I think I should stop talking and eat my damn steak.” I picked up my fork and he chuckled as he went to work on his own.
“It’s okay. At least you’re honest, even if you’re wrong. Besides, I’ve got bigger problems than you not liking me.”
I cut my steak and forked a bite into my mouth. The savory flavor melted on my tongue and I closed my eyes and paused a moment to appreciate it. “I never said I didn’t like you. If I’m being honest, I’m afraid of you.”
He swallowed a bite and washed it down with another swig. “And now we’ve established that you really don’t know me.” He shrugged, again not bothered.
Ugh, he’s such a turn on. Why did I agree to this dinner again?
“You’re right, I don’t. And I have to admit you’re surprising me by the minute.” He was a charmer for sure. No man had ever put me in my place and kept my temper level all at the same time before him. He gave me a smile so warm I felt it’s heat deep in my core. The attraction was there, he wasn’t a crazy person, and after seeing the bikes at his shop, the man was clearly an artist. I could appreciate that and respect the fact that he was raising his daughter on his own.
“So, if I were to take a chance on asking you out again, would you give me a shot?”
The fire aching inside me was screaming ‘YES’, but I couldn’t help but hesitate. “I’d strongly consider it. But. . .” I refused to give him a clear answer, but I decided there was no sense in being bitter. Now that he’d shown me he wasn’t like all the rest, I was willing to learn what kind of man he really was. Part of me felt it was better to find out before I got too deep and ended up with a broken heart, besides my only true love right now would have to be my bakery shop. “My business is my focus. So I’m afraid I’d have to still say no. I’m not ready for anything as serious as dating right now.” I hesitated, but his soft expression that was steeped with concern got the best of me.
“Truth is Hunter, I’m barely making it. This business is my last attempt at making a living and I’ve sank everything I have into it. There have been so many setbacks that if my luck doesn’t change I won’t make it a month. I don’t know what I’m going to do. But I know I can’t drag someone else down with me.”
“I understand.” He looked back down to his steak and cut it up into tiny pieces, which more than represented how I felt. “I suppose I should focus on my daughter anyway. I do hope we can do this again sometime though, even if it’s just as friends.” His tone was gracious and I felt lower than I thought I could.
We finished dinner and he dropped me off at home. For a moment I thought about inviting him in, but I knew that would only lead to one thing and I’d declared too much to go back on it now.