Page 74 of Between Two Shores

“You sure?” He paused, but she wouldn’t give in to answering. “Women.” He huffed, his playful smile growing. “Who understands them?”

“We don’t understand ourselves, Lachlan. So, you have no chance.” She laughed. Flirting with Lachlan was so much fun. And she felt safe to do so. He respected boundaries and respected her.

A waitress in a black Dome apron gracefully placed their half-vegetarian, half-meat-lovers pizza between them.

They agreed on the number of children, but not pizza toppings. No deal breaker.

The lady collected their table number flag and left them to devour the goodness before them.

She held a slice high and let it come into a landing, not allowing any melted mozzarella cheese to drip over her chin. Cooked mushrooms and tangy pineapple ignited her tastebuds. The combination of barbeque sauce, avocado, and oregano added to the decadence.

“Hungry, are you?”

“This is so good.” She covered her mouth as she spoke. “How’s yours?”

“It’s meat-lovers. Can’t go wrong.”

How he liked pepperoni, she didn’t know. “To each their own. Wanna bite of mine and see how it is possible to enjoy a pizza without meat?”

“Absurd.” He mocked her. “But being hand-fed from you somehow sounds delicious.” He gave a cheeky grin.

Her face warmed. Lachlan mastered the flirting game. She stretched across the table and let him take a bite.

He nodded. “Not bad. So-so. Could use some bacon, then it would be perfecto.” He pinched his finger to his thumb.

She dramatically rolled her eyes.

They finished their pizzas in comfortable silence. Lachlan wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. “Chris wants me to work Friday night. Lots of reservations. Can you pick me up for Harbor of Hope on Saturday morning?”

“Sure. It’ll be around seven, as I need to help set up the hall.”

He straightened. “I can help you.”

“That’ll be nice. Thanks.”

Lachlan edged forward. “Are you nervous about facing the team?”

“Word gets out pretty quickly. I’ve had a few sympathy calls. Mrs. Morrison brought over a lasagna. Sweet old lady.”

Lachlan leaned into his palm. “Well, that’s good, isn’t it?”

“Most of them will show understanding. I’m very loved. I’ll get a few strange looks. Ones of pity. Maybe a scolding from Nan Betty. Oh, and Tina—she’s fifty-two—she’ll give her unwelcome opinion. She does that about everything.” She covered her mouth. “Ooh. I shouldn’t say that about our volunteers. But if you stick around long enough, you’ll see what I mean.”

He raised his brows. “Oh, I plan to stick around.”

“So, you keep telling me.” She couldn’t hold back her wide smile.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lachlan

Lachlan filled the water jugs, placed the AA brochures on every third seat, and anything else needed doing.

Soon after, he paced the back of the hall, wearing a path in the old linoleum. Why hadn’t he thought about how it’d look for Beth to come home with a different American sailor? Chris was already teasing him about being smitten with Beth. Apparently, everyone else was picking up on his feelings as well. Here he had plans to defend her against any attacks, but it’d just occurred to him that his presence would cause more angst for her reputation. Would they remember him from two years ago—a navy counselor? He rubbed the side of his face. Her first Saturday wasn’t the day to make his comeback.

They had a guest band this week. A singer holding a mic, stepped too close to the guitarist, and the sound speakers shrieked.

Perhaps Lachlan should hang out with Beth’s brother-in-law. He’d met him briefly while helping set up this morning. Beth would understand it was for the best, or would she? He promised her he’d stick by her. Better not back out now when he needed to gain her trust.

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