Page 25 of More Than a Little Spark

When we step inside, the waitress looks over from across the room.“Y’all can sit anywhere.I’ll be with you in a sec.”

Nodding to a table near the door, I ask, “Want to sit here?”

“Let’s take the corner booth.I can put my foot up.”She leads the way to the table farthest from the door.

After the waitress has taken our order, Daphne and I resume our discussion of music, and we talk about our favorite artists and most listened to songs.From there, the conversation naturally moves on to other topics.

And when the food arrives, I realize that not once since we arrived have I worried about what to say.Talking to Daphne comes easy.I like that.

Chapter10

Daphne

Daphne

I’m sad that we’ve finished dinner because I’m not ready for the date to end.Carson is charming, funny, and I still feel a little zing when he touches me.

After the waitress walks away to settle the check, Carson touches my hand.“If you’re feeling up to it, there is a big light display in Johnson City.It’s about forty-five minutes from here.We took the kids right after Thanksgiving, and I was impressed.It’s really cool.But if you’re hurting or need to get back to Rose’s house?—”

“I’d love that.”There will probably be walking involved, but I’m getting better with my crutches.And I love Christmas.Mostly.

He grazes his rough fingertips across my hand.“Awesome, and we might have to park a couple of blocks away, so if you’re tired, I can—you know—help you get to the lights.”

I flip my hand over and catch his fingers in mine.“Help me?Like you helped me get away from my car?”

“Yeah.Like that.”He gives me a small smile.“I’m not trying to be weird or pushy, but carrying you is an option.”

“We’ll see how I feel, but a break from the crutches might be nice.”I run my finger across his palm, and his smile widens.

The waitress drops off the receipt, and then Carson hands me the crutches and stays close as I walk to the truck.

Conversation flows easily as we drive, and I can’t remember ever enjoying a date this much.As we near the light display, I say, “Did the kids enjoy the lights?What did Fred think about them?”

I notice the muscles in Carson’s jaw tighten momentarily.“He loved it.It was sweet to watch him ooh and ahh, but it was also a bit sad.I overheard him tell Mason that it was the first time ever seeing a Christmas light display.He’s almost twelve.And he was with me last Christmas.We had already moved to the ranch, but I didn’t think to take him out to do that.”

Rubbing his arm, I wait to respond until he’s parked along the side of the road.“You’re doing a good job, Carson.He won’t forget seeing the lights.And that memory will always be tied to you.”

“Thanks.It’s hard because I loved my sister, the one I grew up with.But his mom wasn’t the sister I knew.Addiction turned her into someone else, and I can’t stand that person.Poor Fred had it really hard for many years.”He blows out a breath, then reaches for the door handle.“Sorry about souring the mood.”

“Don’t apologize.This is all part of getting to know each other.And I understand.I love my mom, but grief changed her, and that’s hard to reconcile.”

“Let me come help you out.”

As soon as he opens my door, I lean out and wrap my arms around his neck.“If the offer is still open, I’ll skip the crutches for this stop.”

His arms slip around me, and he lifts me out of the seat.He shuts the door with his hip, and he carries me down the block to the electric cooperative where the trees are all draped with lights.

When the display comes into view, I gasp.“It’s magical.”

“That’s what I thought.It’s pretty with all the trees completely covered in lights.”

“Like a wonderland.”

He finds an empty bench and sits me down.“If you need to elevate your foot, you can use my knee.”

“It’s okay right now.I’d rather snuggle beside you.”

His arm wraps around my shoulders, and he hugs me close.“You warm enough?”

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