Page 35 of Operation: Chosen

“Here?” She refused to feel disappointment. Hadn’t she just been excited about grilled meat? But she’d also been eager to get Eric alone, away from the pull of Wayside Ranch and his ever-present phone. Connor always needed him, which didn’t leave much for her.

“Yeah, I never had a chance to make anything for you back in the day, and I don’t feel like paying to have someone else make food that I can make better is a proper thank-you.”

The sentiment was so sweet and brought back memories from years before. “You forgot?” She grinned, remembering the time he’d tried to bake her a cake for her eighteenth birthday.

“Forgot what?” He tilted his head to the side, showing off his dimple.

Ali threaded her hands together to keep from grabbing his cheeks and kissing his sweet face. “My birthday cake.”

He suddenly let out a guffaw that had her bursting with laughter. “I had totally forgotten. What a mess that was. Mom never thought I would need to learn anything like baking. I tried. If that was the only yardstick you had for my cooking, it’s no wonder why you look so disappointed.”

Ali closed her eyes and focused herself. How could she have let her disappointment show? This man had the use of one arm, and he’d wanted to cook for her. Had her husband ever done anything like that? The closest had been writing out the checks to pay for the remainder of her education, what the GI Bill hadn’t covered. But he’d known she’d married him for his money, so that didn’t really compare.

“I’m not disappointed. I’m sorry my face made you feel that way.”

He brushed off the comment. “It’s not a problem. You haven’t tried my cooking yet, so maybe you’re justified. I hate to ask, but can you grab the plates and silverware?” He nodded toward the cupboard and drawer.

“I didn’t know you would have any of this stuff here. Don’t you usually eat in the cafeteria?” She got right to helping him.

“I do. But sometimes I give Victoria a break and I invite everyone over here to grill. I’ll bring the meat, and all the others bring something to share. It’s fun. It’s relaxing. Victoria loves cooking, but even people who love things need a break from them.”

She nodded and turned back to face him. “Where would you like these?”

He pointed to the dining table. “I think it’s a little windy to eat outside tonight. Getting the grill started took a while. I’ll bring in the steaks.”

Her mouth watered as she set the table. She’d had her share of fillets at restaurants, but this meal smelled amazing. Her heart fluttered as she listened to him hum a song through the open door, gathering the food from the grill.

The situation felt so…right. She didn’t even have to try hard to imagine this every evening. She glanced around the room, confused for a moment about how her cabin, which was exactly like Eric’s, could feel so claustrophobic, but his didn’t. Was the issue not the walls at all, but her?

She waited to take her seat until he came inside since she wanted to avoid accidentally taking his usual spot. He came in holding a plate heaped with two huge steaks and kicked the door closed with his foot. After he set the plate down on the table, he went to the refrigerator and brought out an Italian noodle salad and a fresh romaine salad.

He forked one steak and put it on a plate, then indicated she could sit at that spot. He forked the other onto the other plate, then sat down and stared at it. “I didn’t think this through, apparently.” He laughed. “I’m either going to have to go barbarian or ask for your help.”

She took the fork and spoon stuck in the lettuce and gathered a portion for herself, then got some for Eric. “Hmm, barbarian mode, huh? I might like to see that,” she teased as she dragged his plate over and cut up his steak for him. While he probably could’ve eventually learned to do it one-handed, she didn’t want him to deal with that the day after his injury and not on their only date.

“Thanks.” He looked a little sheepish. “It’s been hard asking for help. I’m usually a pretty self-sufficient guy.”

“I’m the same. Being alone for so long will do that to you.”

She saw the questions in his eyes, but he didn’t give in and ask them. Even married, she’d been on her own in a lot of ways, but he didn’t know that. She served up the noodle salad and then waited for the inevitable. Eric would want to pray over the meal. He always had in the past, and he’d become even more religious since then.

He reached across the table with his right hand, and she slipped her fingers in his, enjoying the sweet, skittery feelings inside her as he prayed. The moment he released her, she jumped at the change.

“Thanks for coming over tonight. I know you were hesitant. I’ve come to the realization that it won’t hurt anyone if I stop looking at the past and just keep focusing on this minute, right now.”

Just like she’d done. But had that really worked for her? Lacy had asked her if she was happy. That question had bounced around in her head ever since. Was there value in looking back? Was there another way? Or could she stay in the moment and find happiness? Maybe even…joy?

“Then let’s agree not to look back. Let’s start from this minute and move on from here. Brand new. What do you think of that?” she asked.

He stuck his fork into a section of steak and lifted it to his mouth, then took a bite, avoiding her question for a minute as he slowly chewed. She poked a few noodles and a black olive, letting him think through his response. Half of being a good attorney was allowing the other person to think—or in the courtroom, overthink—how they were going to reply to a question.

“I like that, but not so sure how it will work in practice. I remember our very first date. We were only fifteen. Too young to be smart. I remember how that first date ended too, with a kiss behind the tree in your front yard.” He chuckled, and the low rumble made her giddy.

“I remember that better than I should. Like it was yesterday.” Even at fifteen, he’d been a good kisser. She’d been terrified her uncle would see them, but at the time had wanted to keep that part of her life a secret. She’d never told Eric about her fears or how her uncle treated her.

“So do I.” He slowly stuck his fork into another portion of steak and brought it to his mouth.

Ali swallowed, her throat feeling too thick to allow food to pass. Emotion had always been easy to shove away, to push down until she couldn’t feel it, until now. With Eric right next to her, just a foot away, she could easily reach over and touch him, and she couldn’t think straight.

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