Page 68 of Wilde Flame

“What? Lilibeth, you cannot order that! We’re at a Greek restaurant. Get something…Greek!”

Laughing, I replied, “Ensley, I am getting something Greek. It’s literally on their menu. I just don’t think I can stomach meat right now. My stomach feels uneasy.”

“I’m sorry I mentioned lamb. I can get the chicken.”

I waved off Moreen’s concern. “No. Don’t do that. Get what you want, please. I’ve had a stomach bug the last few days that I can’t seem to shake.”

Dimitris brought out drinks and took our orders. Ensley and Moreen quickly fell into a conversation about someone they both knew from high school who’d recently moved back to River Falls. I sipped my iced tea and glanced around the restaurant—and froze when I saw Caden. He was with a woman who appeared to be older than him, but not by much, and they were both laughing at something one of them had said.

“Lilibeth? What’s wrong?”

Ensley’s voice pulled my eyes off of Caden and the woman, and I forced a smile. “Nothing. Nothing at all. I was just surprised to see Caden here.”

Whipping her head in the direction where I’d just been staring, Ensley asked, “Caden’s here?”

Moreen turned around, and I wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it. Now they were both staring over at Caden and his date.

His date.

I didn’t want that to bother me as much as it was, and I tried like hell to push the feeling of jealousy away.

“Guys, don’t stare!” I hissed, slapping Moreen on the arm. “He’s on a date!”

Ensley laughed. “He’s not on a date.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. “Do you know who he’s with?”

“Of course. That’s our aunt!”

“Your aunt?” Moreen and I said at the same time.

She chuckled as she stood. “Our uncle David’s wife, Kendall.”

We watched as she made her way across the restaurant, toward Caden and the woman.

Looking at Moreen, I asked, “Have you met her before?”

She nodded. “I have once. I didn’t recognize her right away. She and David don’t make it back to River Falls often. I think you know he was an NFL player, and now he coaches?”

“Oh, right. I remember Emeline telling me. Why is Caden having dinner with her in Granby, I wonder?”

She shrugged. “Not sure.”

When I looked across the room, Caden was now staring at our table. I smiled, and he lifted his hand in a small wave.

I hadn’t seen him since Christmas night.

After a few more minutes, Ensley made her way back and sat down. “Kendall’s meeting with Caden to talk about a surprise birthday party for our uncle. They didn’t want anyone in River Falls to see her and think David’s home. They also want to surprise my parents. My uncle hasn’t been home since last Easter.”

“Oh, that’ll be a wonderful surprise for everyone then,” I replied.

Ensley nodded.

“Is David involved with the ranch?” Moreen asked.

With a shake of her head, Ensley replied, “Not at all. Football was always his passion, and from what I’ve always heard, Mike and Jason were the two who always planned on running the ranch. Then, of course, my father had kids, and early on, it was clear Caden was obsessed with the ranch. My father had always kept the books and helped with the business side, but as you know, his sporting goods store was always his main focus.”

I nodded and snuck a peek at Caden once again. He was listening intently to his aunt.