Page 19 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

Chapter5

Enormous pine trees surrounded the El Rancho Restaurant.The building, made from wood logs, had an old appearance.

They sat in the car for a bit.

“How long has the restaurant been here?”The 1800s?

“I don’t know…ever since I was a kid.My parents brought us here about once a year.It was a huge treat.But they saved for it every year.Now that I can afford it, I bring them at least once a month.It’s their favorite restaurant.Dad proposed here.”

“That’s a lovely story.How long have your parents been married?”

“Forty years on June twenty-ninth.”

Chase came around to her side and opened the car door for her.

Due to the warm weather, she left her sweater in the car.

As they walked toward the building, and even though there were many cars in the parking lot, she couldn’t help but feel he’d brought her to some burger joint like she might see in Yellowstone.She’d never been to Yellowstone, but she’d seen pictures.

The air here was clear and clean.She smelled the pine scent from the trees around the building.And she recognized the slight odor of cooking meat.It smelled wonderful.Her stomach grumbled.

Chase looked down and chuckled.“We better get inside and take care of your stomach.”He held the door for her.

The tables and booths overflowed with customers, despite it being only mid-week.The restaurant was obviously a popular destination.Looking at the crowd, Meri would say that if you expected to get a table, reservations were required.She tucked that tidbit away in her memory for later.She might bring her parents here.

The walls inside were the same wood logs as the outside.She was glad they had resisted putting up wallboard or sheetrock and painting it.The wood logs gave it an old-time charm.

An enormous stone fireplace dominated the dining room.The burning logs emitted an irresistible scent.She sniffed and filled her lungs.“I love the smell of a campfire, and this reminds me of that.”

“It does and I have to admit, burning logs are one of my favorite odors, too.”

To her surprise, the greeter, a black-haired young man in jeans and a t-shirt, showed them to a booth with a view and gave them menus.“Your server will be here shortly.Would you like water?”

“Yes, please, with lemon,” said Meri.

“I’m fine,” said Chase.

The young man returned with a glass of ice water with lemon and set it on the table in front of Meri before returning to seat more people.

The booths were on a platform about six inches above the floor, which made looking out the window easier.The absence of noise from the highway below suggested the pine trees functioned as a privacy fence as well as being pleasing to the eye.

“This is very nice.Thank you for bringing me.Now, tell me if the food is good.”

He smiled and leaned forward, whispering low over the table.“They have the best food.The trout is wonderful, and so fresh, you’d think it was just caught, which I can’t really dispute.”

A brunette, wearing large, red-framed round glasses, came to the table.“Can I get you all something to drink?”Her voice was smokey and sexy.

Chase sat straight and gazed over at Meri.“How about we get a bottle of wine?They have a nice selection.Would a Malbec work for you?”

“Yes, that would be perfect.It’s my favorite red wine.”

He shifted his gaze to the server.“We’ll take a bottle of your best Malbec.”

She smiled.“Very good, sir.”Then she turned and disappeared.She returned a short while later with the wine and two stemmed wine glasses.She opened the bottle, poured a little in Chase’s glass and watched while he swirled the wine, sniffed the bouquet and then took a sip.

“It’s good.”

“Thank you, sir.”She poured a measure into Meri’s glass and then into Chase’s.