Page 83 of The Chances We Take

“There was this place we passed by yesterday. It was next to a gas station?” I remembered the little lodge-looking restaurant with its green roof and planter boxes filled with flowers displayed around the front.

“That sounds good. I’m starving,” Reid said right as his stomach started rumbling, both of us bursting into laughter.

“Let’s get up and get dressed then, lazy bones.” I got out of bed and tried to pull him out with me. Instead of getting up, though, he relaxed his entire body, flopping like a fish. “Reid.”

I pulled his arm again to no avail, and as I started to walk away, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me toward him, lifting me off the ground and causing me to land on top of him, my back flush against his.

I rolled over so we were face to face.

“Hey,” he whispered, leaning forward to kiss me.

“Hi.” I managed to get a word out between kisses. I leaned back, earning a confused look from Reid. But when I leaned forward again, I whispered in his ear, “Get up, lazy ass. I’m hungry too,” then patted him on the chest and got up to get dressed.

About an hour later, we pulled up to the parking lot of the restaurant in West Glacier. When we walked in the doors, the smell of fresh food immediately wafted through the air, filling my senses.

“Welcome in, folks!” the hostess greeted us. “How many for you?”

“Just the two of us,” Reid answered, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and tugging me close.

The hostess smiled as she beheld us then nodded. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to your table. What brings you into town?”

“We’re here visiting for a couple days,” I replied.

“Is it your first time here?” she asked.

“We’ve both been here before separately, but it’s the first time we’ve come here together,” Reid said.

“How sweet! Well, I hope you thoroughly enjoy your stay. We’ve got you right here.” She gestured to a table near a window. “Your server will be right with you.”

“Thank you.” We both expressed our thanks and picked up our menus. We took a moment to scan the options, glancing over the tops every so often.

“Hey, look, they’ve got pancakes named after you,” Reid teased, pointing to the item named Short Stack.

He was across the table, so I couldn’t elbow him in the ribs like I wanted to, so I resorted to lightly tapping his shin with my foot before finding something I could compare him to. “Maybe you should get The Giddy Up. It even says, ‘Save the horse, ride the pony’ under it.” I laughed at the cheesy phrase.

“If it wasn’t a lunch sandwich, you know I’d be all for that.” He winked, and my heart practically melted out of my chest. “Besides, those huckleberry pancakes are calling my name.”

“I think the huckleberries are what I’m going to miss most about being here,” I mused, thinking about the ice cream I had last night.

“Not even me?”

I rolled my eyes. “Food-wise, smart ass. Besides, I’m probably going to miss Ellison, you know, my best friend, more,” I joked.

“You’ve had how many years with Ellison already? Six? Seven?” he teased as he peered over his menu.

“Six years, and I’m not sure where you’re going with this. If anything, me knowing her longer gives me even more reason to miss her.”

“I suppose you’re right, Short Stack. I guess I can play second fiddle to Ellison.”

Our server walked up moments later. “Good morning! Are you two ready to order? Can I get you started with some drinks?” he prompted us.

“I think we’re ready, right?” Reid asked me, to which I nodded. He gestured for me to order first.

“I’ll take the huckleberry french toast. And orange juice, please.” I handed the menu to the server when I was done ordering.

“And for you, sir?”

“I’ll do the huckleberry pancake combo with bacon and scrambled eggs, please. And coffee.” He flashed me a grin after he handed away his menu. “French toast girl, eh?”

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