Page 13 of Fired Up By the Mountain Man
“Wait, you suggested it but you’ve never been?” Cole had assumed she’d been there before since she gave the idea.
“Yeah, silly I know. It just never worked out I guess. I haven’t been one for going out on too many dates these last few years.”
“Well then I think we need to officially call this our second date.”
“Wow we’ve eaten food from each other’s houses and I even spent the night at yours, doesn’t feel like we shouldonlybe on our second date. I definitely think it’s well deserved but I must insist you let me pay; it was my idea to come here after all.”
Hold the phone…that’s where he had to draw the line. No way on this green earth would he ever let a woman pay for adate. Call him old fashioned but it wasn’t right. Besides, he’d be the laughing stock of the whole station.
“Maeve, I can’t let you do that but it’s a nice thought.” When she meant to protest again he cut her off. “Can we just agree to disagree on this particular subject? When we are on a date, I pay. Please? It’s a guy thing okay?”
“Why are men so stubborn…okay fine, since it seems I don’t have any other choice? Thank you.”
Things went smoothly after Maeve’s concession. They both ordered different things so they could try each other’s and got an appetizer to share and even an adult beverage since they were walking home. The rest of dinner went by in a blur as they talked more about themselves and things they liked. Before they knew it, hours had passed and it was time to start back.
Once outside the restaurant, holding hands seemed natural as they started walking in the direction of Maeve’s apartment. Her steps slowed.
“Where are we heading now?”
“Well I thought maybe I’d walk you home then retire myself…gotta work early tomorrow.” He didn’t want her to know what he’d really planned on doing.
“Oh no you don’t mister. I know exactly what you were thinking. I know I’ve only known you for a few days…”
“Three to be exact.”
“Okay fine. I realize I’ve only known you for three days but trust me, it’s plenty long enough to know you’re trying to get me out of your hair so you can go back to The Sand Bucket and do your own poking around. Well hear this Mr. Russell; you aren’t getting away with it. You even said it earlier; we’re partners so now you’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.”
Damn, he really hated when she was right. However, being stuck with Maeve definitely didn’t qualify as a burden.
“Now Maeve, I really only had your best interests at heart. I don’t know what I’ll find there. Actually, I hope I don’t find anything but things just don’t add up and Mr. Howard, well, he’s a bit on the eccentric side if you ask me; done his job for a few too many years now. I’m not saying he’s not accurate but I’d just feel better if I took a look and if I run into any trouble, I don’t want you in the middle of it.”
“Well like you said, you don’t have a choice. I’m going. End of story.”
“Women are impossible” Cole mumbled mostly to himself.
“Excuse me?” He knew if anybody would hear a mumble, it’d be her. Man if this dating thing continued, he’d have to remember he’d never get away with anything.
“Uh, yeah…I just started to say we should probably walk toward The Sand Bucket if you’re ready?” Talk about having to save his ass.
***
Maeve gave him one of those knowing smirks that said you’re so full of shit. She never voiced it but after only a few days of knowing each other, they were both starting to pick up on each other’s nuances. She fell into step beside him as they walked on, thinking that he’d never know how much comfort the feel of her hand in his, gave her.
She didn’t normally go back to the shop after hours, especially in the dark. Walking alone at night wasn’t one of her favorite things anyway but it was weird to see the shop in the dark. It looked hugely out of place with yellow DO NOT CROSS tape roped out in front of her part of the building. Cole didn’tstop at the front door though; he kept walking, giving her a tug with his hand for her to keep up.
“I have keys with me if you want to go in?” Maeve was digging in her pocket for the shop key praying they wouldn’t really need to since there was no electric service.
“No, I don’t want to go in, at least not right now. I’m taking us around the back to check out the alley and the back-door area. Maybe we’ll find something Mr. Personality missed this morning.”
Maeve chuckled at the description Cole gave of the fire inspector but she completely agreed.
They edged around the end of the building beside the little ice cream shop toward the back alley way lit by the street lamp that didn’t always want to work. The closer they got to the back of The Sand Bucket, the darker it got and the more scared Maeve felt. She was now extremely sure in her decision not to be open at night.
“Are you alright” Cole whispered close to Maeve’s ear?
“No, not really; do we have to be back here? It’s really creepy.” She hated the alley. It seemed like a different world at night. It also looked like there was a big shadow beside the dumpster.
“Cole, look over there” she motioned to the mass, not sure if it was moving. “What is that?”
