Page 25 of The Darkest Knight

Lunch goers were already filling the booths and tables in the diner and he chose a spot in back where they could see out the large window, but still have privacy. He was greeted by several patrons and he gave them a quick dip of his hat in return as he passed. Although he’d never formed bonds with many of the townsfolk, he did have a few good friends he’d met over the years. He wasn’t sure if people were staring more at Reese or her dog. It wasn’t everyday people in these parts saw a stranger or a dog in a restaurant, but thankfully no one voiced any concerns about either. He guessed they knew better. He got along with everyone, but he figured a few were too scared to speak to him.

Once they were settled and had ordered garbage cheeseburgers and chocolate milkshakes for both, he played with the paper from his straw. She was watching him. “Did you get everything you needed?”

“I did. I guess I’m not like most women. I don’t need much to survive.”

The sun shone through the window and he was socked in the stomach at her appearance. Her dark hair, pale blue eyes, and flushed cheeks. She looked delicate and vulnerable. It was amazing to see another side to her, and yet it shocked him to the core that she was relaxed around him. “What were you like as a kid?”

“I loved dolls until I was introduced to toys that were meant for boys.” She chuckled and the lighthearted sound was like a pile-drive into his chest.

“Boy toys?” He relaxed back into the cracked cushion of the seat and crossed his arms.

“Trucks. Power tools. Guns. My poor mom. She came home from town one day with a new frilly doll, and I cried, demanding she go back and buy me the pretty, shiny car I had spotted on the shelf the day before. I realize now it was her attempt to make me girly. What she didn’t understand was that I could be feminine and still like boy toys.”

He smiled. “I bet you were a handful.”

“To say the least.”

“I have to say, those shorts and boots don’t conjure up ideas of a tomboy.” Did her cheeks turn redder?

She leaned her elbows on the table. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were offering me a compliment.”

He lifted a shoulder and let it drop. “A man is allowed to notice a woman, isn’t he?”

Working her bottom lip, the smile that crossed her lips made the hairs on his arms stand to attention, among other parts that were arousing very quickly. “Did you read a lot as a kid?”

“Books by the hundreds. That did please my mom. That’s why she’d stop at every yard sale and buy armfuls of used books. You’re a smart man, aren’t you, Seth?”

“All of the tests tell me so.” He had an urge to play with the paper again, but he resisted.

“I’ve heard of your tactical moves and capabilities. A man doesn’t keep so many of his troops alive without using logic and strategy.”

“It appears I slipped.” The words rolled out on their own and he wanted nothing more than to fish them back in. He wasn’t opening a door to talk about that day.

She sighed. “Seth, I know losing three of your men must have been hard, but it wasn’t your fault.”

He uncrossed his arms and scrubbed his jaw. “They were my responsibility. I sent them into an unsafe zone.”

“Looking back, was there another option?”

She was baiting him and he wasn’t about to stroll down memory lane, not here and not right now. “There’s always another option.”

He was grateful when they were served. Biting into his burger, he watched her over the onion roll, enjoying seeing her take a bite. A drop of ketchup dropped to her chin. He started to reach out to help her, but he caught his hand in mid-air. Instead, he tapped his own chin and she wiped the spot away.

“You are right. These are amazing.” She brought the shake to her mouth and took a long slurp.

“Best ever.” He enjoyed his meal, but he believed he liked watching Reese more as she devoured the burger and fries, yet still managing to keep her face and clothes clean. She wasn’t worried about the calories or the need to nibble delicately. Just have a meal to nourish her body. He was a man that appreciated that.

“So, tomorrow we start on the cabins? Do you have a list?” She drank the last few drops of her shake.

“A list? No. But I know what each cabin needs. It’s all in here.” He tapped his temple.

“Whatever suits you.”

Seth was realizing rather quickly that he found her fascinating and wanted to get to know her better. He wondered if she felt the attraction too? He’d caught her watching him when she didn’t think he was aware, but that didn’t mean anything. It could be that she just found him an enigma. He’d been called that a few times. She hadn’t gone out of her way to be flirtatious or playing with her hair like women do when interested. In fact, he was quite shocked at the pull he felt for her. In his past, he’d gravitated toward women who were more polished. Those who never had a hair out of place, always had make up on, and enjoyed wearing clothes that showed off their attributes.

Reese had made out she was a tomboy, and although she was natural with no makeup and her hair pulled back away from her face, he wouldn’t use ‘tomboy’ to describe her. He’d call her approachable.

Maybe it wasn’t so wrong that he found her interesting and down to earth, but what could lead into a bigger issue was his wandering thoughts. Her messy, flushed appearance took his mind down a path where it had no business. He had a feeling she’d look the same after making love, or waking up in the morning after being held close.

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