Page 33 of Talk About… History

“Okay, fine,” I relented as she parked at the curb.

The store was busy so we had to wait in line for a few minutes before I was able to pick up my package. They weren’t fully stocked here and had to order in the right lenses I wanted.

It was an expense, but one I could write off at least.

By the time we were back in Sidney’s car, I couldn’t keep my excitement under wraps. I was like a kid at Christmas, opening up the box and putting my camera together before safely storing it in my leather storage bag. I’d thought ahead and got a few backup memory cards as well so I was prepared.

“I think you know most of the details about me taking over the social pages for Whitaker Brews, but I put in a proposal with Mayor Adams that I could help boost our tourism for the town,” I explained as I zipped up the case and glanced at Sidney.

She raised her eyebrows, apparently that was news to her. I was a little shocked word hadn’t spread, then again Cohen wasn’t a gossip and Mayor Adams might be trying to not get hopes up around here.

“A boost in tourism could help this town. I miss the way things were,” she admitted. Her family ran a ranch on the edge of town, so the lack of tourism affected them, too.

“I think a lot of people are. It’s not the same. I want to convince the guys to bring the Artisan Fair back to life. I don’t think they all like that idea, though. When it was brought up, Maverick kind of shut it down.”

She frowned but didn’t seem surprised. “You aren’t the first to bring it up. Everyone hates that we lost your dads and we respect it was a family-run thing, but we all miss what Rockwood Valley used to be. Hell, even the summer tourism at the lake took a huge hit.”

“I’m not one to give up easily,” I reassured her. She focused on the road but there was a small smile on her face as she navigated toward the lake.

Seeing her sadness reflected on her face on behalf of the town made me realize just how much things had changed. I had no clue how much the ranch was affected and what she did for them now.

Yeah, this lunch was way overdue.

The bistro on the lake was an adorable converted cabin. They’d extended their balcony that ran alongside the shore so it felt like you were right on the water. Cute wooden tables and chairs were set up and the overhang gave just enough shade so you weren’t eating right in the sunlight.

There were only two other tables seated outside and one more inside, so the hostess didn’t have any issue leading us outside and leaving us with our menus.

“What have you tried here?”

“Pretty much everything. I do a lot of the finances for the ranch so I bring my laptop out here at least twice a week to get some uninterrupted work time in,” she admitted.

“How are things going out there?” I asked gently, unsure if it was a sore subject or not.

“We’re making it. Not thriving like we have in the past but our bills are paid… just not a ton of profit especially after staff is paid. They also insist on paying me for my work,” she said with an eyeroll.

“If I get this job, I’ll make sure to do a good segment on the ranch, too,” I promised. She latched onto the subject change.

“What’s the presentation about?”

I couldn’t answer right away, the waiter interrupted with a friendly smile.

“Welcome to The Landing, I’m Taylor,” he said in a cheerful tone. The omega was adorable with curly, brown hair and bright blue eyes. The combination gave him a youthful look though I could tell he was around our age. “What can I get for you?”

“I haven’t even looked yet,” I admitted as I finally opened my menu. “But I’ll take a sweet tea.”

“Don’t worry, I’m clearly not slammed out here, take your time,” he reassured me before turning to Sidney and offering a smile I could only call flirty. “The usual?”

“You know it,” she said, blushing slightly before he was rushing off. I didn’t start the conversation back up as I looked through my options before settling on pasta. Carbs were always a good choice when you needed a pick-me-up.

Taylor came back with our drinks, Sidney and I cracked up as we ordered the same thing.

“I’ll throw in an order of breadsticks and salad if you want?” he offered.

“Duh,” Sidney teased. He rolled his eyes at her and moved away, her eyes watching him go. When she realized I caught her, she groaned.

“Taylor?” I prompted, wanting to know if it was a crush or more.

“We’re not matches, my scent has always been dulled so I don’t know if I would even know,” she admitted, staring off at the water for a second. Her sadness was etched on her face.

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