Page 42 of One Kind Hand
They each took a bite and let out twin moans.
“I’m going to steal the chef here for Isabel,” Charlie said, “so she can have unbelievable food at her place.”
“She runs cottages you said?”
“Yeah. Pine River Cottages was her grandfather’s place, but Isabel has always dreamed of owning her own resort. She and her grandfather decided to upgrade the existing property, adding more cottages and amenities. It’s going to be epic.”
“You’re proud of her.”
“Absolutely. She’s going after what she wants. I always respect that.”
“And what do you want?” He was truly curious about her hopes and dreams.
“Want?” She shrugged. “I’m happy with flying.” She wiped her hands with a napkin. “I don’t have many more plans than that.” She looked at him. “Does that make me seem non-ambitious?”
Austin shook his head. “It makes you seem content. That’s nice.”
“I am content.” She chewed thoughtfully on a potato wedge. “I mean, there are things I’d like to do, but I don’t have any grand life plans or anything.”
“What kind of things do you want to do?”
“Oh, you know. Travel to spots I haven’t seen yet. Beat my friend, Dakota, on our annual ATV race. He always wins. I’m convinced he has nitrous in his fuel or something.” She hooked her hair behind her ear and Austin liked how the curls bunched together at her smooth cheek. “I’d like to finish knitting a poncho I started for Isabel.”
Austin straightened and set his burger container on the coffee table, turning to face Charlie more fully. “Hold up.” He held up his hand. “You knit?”
“I do. It relaxes me.”
“I did not expect a badass chopper pilot to knit.”
“That’s what you get for having preconceived notions.” She lightly elbowed him. “Maybe I’ll knit you something.”
“I would wear it proudly whatever it was.”
“Whatever it was?” Her smile was devilish and Austin fucking loved it. “Hmm . . . I just got a ton of ideas.”
“Better get those needles moving then. I expect something now.”
Berto, having finished his dinner, jumped onto the couch arm closest to Charlie. Luckily with his small stomach full, he sat politely and didn’t pester Charlie for her food.
“I’d also like to maybe get a dog. I was thinking about that before, but now that I’ve met this guy, it seems like an even better idea.”
“He’s pretty persuasive, isn’t he?”
She reached over and rubbed the white fur at Berto’s neck, causing the dog’s eyes to close. “He is.” Grabbing her phone, she took a picture of Berto. “Isabel will go all swoony over him. She’s got a cool dog too.” Swiping, she angled her phone toward Austin to reveal an auburn-colored dog. “That’s Blaze. He reunited Isabel with her high school sweetheart and now Isabel and Jackson are engaged.”
Austin looked at Berto. “How come you don’t do shit like that for me, dude?”
Berto walked along the back of the couch and put his front two paws on Austin’s shoulder. He licked Austin’s ear, making Charlie giggle.
“I’ll bet he’s raked in some ladies for you.”
Austin plucked Berto from the back of the couch and set him in the space between his thigh and Charlie’s. “Not one and I’ve had him for months.”
“Maybe he doesn’t think you need the help.” She peeked at him. “Ever been engaged?”
Austin shook his head. “You?”
“No.” She looked back at her phone. “Honestly, I think most guys are scared of me.” She tapped her phone to send the picture of Berto.
