Page 41 of No One But You

“Then, I guess we need to get to know each other. What can we do for fun around here?”

I guessed I was getting what I wanted.

It was a perfect May day, pleasantly warm and sunny with a very slight breeze. I stared across the field. “We could go kayaking down the Red River,” I said with excitement. Nothing was better than the relaxing current of the river on a day like today.

“Sounds fun,” he replied and gave me a wicked grin.

That grin. I shook my head. I’d love to show him Orlinda Valley from the river. It was so pretty and peaceful, but being that close and alone . . .

Maybe going into town and spending some time window shopping on Main Street and stopping for a hot dog and shake at Orlinda Valley Pharmacy would be a better choice. Or even a walk in the park. With little league going on, we would be alone, yet not in total privacy. “Or, even better, I could show you around my little town. Let you get to know more than Shear Perfection and Jerry’s Pub. We can save kayaking down the Red River for another time.”

“Whatever you want. I’m game as long as I get to spend time with you.”

I watched him and shook my head. Hot, handsome, and uber sweet. He was the entire package. “First, help me fix the hole in the fence so these goats will stay put, then we’ll go get lunch in town. Orlinda Valley Pharmacy has amazing hot dogs and milkshakes. There are more places in this town to eat outside of Jerry’s Pub. Then we can walk around the square and see what stores are open on Sunday.”

We worked well together, and soon the gate was fixed—again—and we headed for town. Kai parked Matilda in a spot in the lot next to city hall.

As we walked across the square, he held my hand, and our fingers curled together perfectly. When we entered the pharmacy, eyes turned. I knew most people in town, and seeing me with a man was big news, and I’m sure Tonya was going to hear about it soon enough. I nodded and smiled at some of the customers I knew and led Kai to the counter. If we were eating at an old-fashioned soda fountain, we were going to eat at the counter.

“Hi, Ms. Mitchell. What can I get you?” Eileen, the teenage server, turned shyly toward Kai, her brows raised in question.

“Hi, Eileen.” My gaze went from Eileen, who was staring at Kai, to Kai, who was biting the inside of his cheek. “I think I’ll take a sweet tea. Kai, what do you want?”

“Sweet tea sounds good.” When his dimple popped, Eileen blushed and hurried away.

“Seems as if you make all the females blush,” I said, not bothering to hide the amusement in my voice.

“Yes, Ms. Mitchell.” Kai swept my hair from my shoulder. “That was sweet, but she couldn’t have been one of your students. You haven’t been teaching that long.”

Eileen placed our sweet teas in front of us. “My first class was fourth grade, and Eileen was one of my students. You’re finishing up your junior year, aren’t you Eileen?”

“Yes, ma’am,” she answered. “Are you ready to order?”

“You want a hot dog, fries, and a shake? It’s the best ever.” I raised my brow. Nothing judged a person’s character like a hot dog and shake from the pharmacy. If he refused, there was nothing more I could do here.

“So, you say.” Kai turned toward Eileen. “What do you think? Are they the best ever?”

Eileen’s eyes went wide. “Uh, yes, sir?” Her words raised in a question, and she still wouldn’t make eye contact with him.

“Sounds good,” Kai concluded. “I’ll take a hot dog, fries, and chocolate shake.”

“And I’ll take the same. Thank you, Eileen.”

Eileen nodded and walked away.

Kai sipped his iced tea. “So, you’ve been teaching, what? Seven years?”

“Yep,” I answered. “I spent five years in college, got my master’s, and came home to teach. I taught fourth grade my first year before moving to third grade, and I’ve been teaching third grade ever since.”

“Did you ever want to teach anywhere else?” he asked.

I thought about that. Yes, I did consider getting a job in Clarksville, where I went to college, but that was a much bigger town than Orlinda Valley. I loved it here. I stirred my shake. “I thought about it and considered other places, but Darlene got hired to teach fifth grade at OV Elementary and called me about an available position. Working at the school I went to and with my best friend was a dream come true. I applied and was hired.”

Eileen dropped off their food and smiled shyly at Kai before walking away.

We became quiet while we ate.

This was, hands down, the best hot dog ever. They were so good that Jerry’s didn’t bother putting hot dogs on their menu. I wasn’t sure what kind the pharmacy used or how they were cooked, but they were always plump and juicy, and with the fries and a shake, this could easily rank right up there with the best meal ever.

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