Page 62 of Building What's Meant to Be

I welcome her arms around me. Her touch is better than pie.

We leave the exterior of Bubba’s BBQ in slightly better shape than when we arrived. Twenty-nine days to transform the place...or less, depending on the extent of the Kraven brothers’ involvement.

After we stop back at the trailer to freshen up, we take the car to dinner at the Starlight followed by two jumbo slices of Derby pie with pecans and chocolate topped with homemade whipped cream. My body wants to curl up on a blanket under the stars with Tinsley. However, my mind volleys between the case and the Kravens. It goes back and forth, left to right, reminding me I’d better check on Twinky and play with her or else she might tear apart my office.

Even so, now would be a good time to pull out my phone and look at cute cats. To summon calm. Or is this when I call upon the lion? I don’t know if I should bring the case to my superiors, or tell them that I’m out. Conflict of interest. The other option is to attempt to bring the Kravens to justice and potentially die trying. They have their hands in more pockets than most and not because they’re a particularly charming pair. No, they have dirt on everyone in politics, finance, media, and the whole shebang. They also have thugs to do their dirty work.

And trust me, all their work and money and intentions are dirty.

What the Kravens want, the Kravens get and it’s all because of me. Granted, they were never on the straight and narrow, to begin with, but after time in jail, they didn’t repent for their sins. No, they went all in and have been tearing people, businesses, and countries apart ever since. Maybe space too if what Bubba said is true.

What would Aslan do?

While Tinsley uses the bathroom, I rest my head in my hands. A shadow falls across the Formica table that’s as old as the diner itself. When I look up, Rhondy smiles. “You’re better together.”

“Did I ask any of the questions rattling around in my head out loud?”

Rhondy laughs. “No, you just look like you have a lot on your mind. As for me, I take stubborn situations to God first then Paul, my friends, and my family. When I take the wordme, and turn it towe, I often find that I was the one being stubborn.”

I tilt my head, thinking. “Thanks for the pie and the advice.”

“I’m always here if you need me, offering up my unsolicited thoughts.” She winks.

Unsolicited maybe, but definitely a welcome reminder.

I can’t do this alone. I need help, but that would mean endangering the people I love. It’s too big a risk.

Tinsley comes back and we chat with Rhondy for a moment before settling the bill.

“You okay?” she asks as we step outside. “When I came back from the ladies’ room you seemed...”

“Preoccupied? Yeah. Before we head back to Toby, do mind if we make a pit stop?”

“Considering you’re the one shuttling me around, it’s your call.”

“Are you allergic to anything, say cats?” I ask.

Tinsley’s brow furrows. “Just tarragon. It gives me hives.”

“That’s very specific.”

“Ruined a trip to France once. They use a lot of that herb in their cooking. Which is something I don’t know how to do.” She eyes the glowing Sweetheart Bakery & Café sign.

I take her hand, offering assurance. In addition to the normal chest rumble at her touch, she anchors me now. I have someone, in addition to my beloved family, who is special to me. Rhondy’s words echo in my mind. “Better together.”

“Hmm?” Tinsley asks.

Suddenly self-conscious because this isn’t my usual approach with women, my ears heat. Thankfully, it’s dark. “Oh, um, I know how to grill. I could teach you and you’ll learn how to bake at Sweethearts. That’s a start.”

“Yeah, it’s just not how I expected my life to go.”

“What did you expect?”

“Earlier, you asked me about my dreams and now my expectations. I guess I thought it would always go up, up, up, or at least stay the same. I didn’t realize I was riding a roller coaster,” she says as if suggesting her life has gone downhill.

The rumble intensifies because with the kiss earlier and our hands clasped now, I feel like this is an adventure, filled with highs and lows, sure, but also thrills and excitement.

Maybe she doesn’t feel the same.

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