Page 78 of First Bride to Fall
The woman had a mind like a steel trap. “I do like to grill out: tofu hot dogs. And other things, like…tofu kabobs. And veggies.” He nodded to himself. That sounded like something a pescatarian would cook. Hopefully.
“Well, okay.” She seemed to be processing all this. “I think that’s great. Save all those cows and pigs.”
“And sheep,” he said. “Mary and her little lambs. You don’t want to forget about those.”
She swallowed hard. “Sure wouldn’t.”
After a pause, he added, “Or the chickens.”
“Absolutely.” She smiled tentatively. “Save them, too.”
He frowned. “There will be no turkey at Thanksgiving, I’m afraid.”
“Maybe we can find you a tofu version?” Her expression shifted from disappointed to hopeful. “Or. Isn’t there another poultry substitute? What’s it called? Seitan?”
“I mean, I can’t—” He balled his fist up to his mouth like he was about to retch. This one was going to have to be good. “Can’t bear the sight of it. Or the smell. Of any poultry, really, real or fake. Reminds me of Robby.”
“Who’s Robby?”
No one he knew. But she didn’t need to know that. “My little red rooster.” He broke down a bit, his voice cracking, and he shielded his face with his hand. He sneakily peeked through his fingers to see if she was buying it.
Nell’s expression was a combo of dumbfounded and horrified. “So, he was…?”
Grant sniffed. “My pet as a kid.”
“Oh no.”
“He used to ride on my shoulder.” Grant gave a wistful look and patted his shoulder. “Right up here.” Judging by the sympathy rolling off of her in waves, he was actually pretty good at this. The more he spun this tale, the more she believed him.
“What happened to Robby? I mean, I understand if it’s too painful to talk about,” she rushed to add, “but I’d like to hear about a pet who obviously meant a lot to you.”
His heart stumbled a bit. Why did she have to be so darn caring? He schooled his emotions and dug back in. “My parents wouldn’t tell me. They said he went to live ‘on a farm.’” He lowered his eyebrows. “I think we both know what that means.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Oh, Grant. I’m so sorry. Not to worry. There won’t be any turkey for our Thanksgivings, tofu or otherwise.”
You’ve got that part right, sweetheart, because you and I are going to be way done by Thanksgiving. Finished before Halloween.
She peered into a grocery bag and pulled out the eggs and cheese. “Guess you’re not a vegan, then.” She somehow looked relieved. Although she did say that thing about the vegan egg substitution, so maybe his feigned dietary restrictions wouldn’t throw her as much as he’d hoped.
Though, from the wide-eyed way she was staring at the tofu hot dogs, they would. He resisted a chuckle and headed for the front door. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”
…
Grant went outside, and Nell returned to unloading the groceries. Wow. Who knew about the rooster thing? Robby, huh. This could pose a problem in the Delaney house. Her dad prided himself on his Thanksgiving turkey and homemade oyster stuffing. Nell generally skipped the stuffing due to the oysters, but the turkey was always divine. Never mind about that. She could worry about Thanksgiving later.
If she and Grant got married, they’d work out a compromise. Her heart sank. She couldn’t imagine skipping the traditional holiday meal with her family, though. Then she told herself not to get carried away. Robby was clearly a traumatic childhood memory for Grant. They’d find a way to make accommodations.
That’s what you did for the person you loved: accommodate!
So, he was a pescatarian who ate a lot of fish. So what?
She liked to knit, and he didn’t.
They had their differences.
She just hadn’t counted on there being so many of them.
Nell dug into another grocery bag, hunting for that “cold stuff” he’d mentioned. While she was trying not to worry, sneaky little doubts began creeping into her mind. Like her not knowing Grant as well as she’d believed yesterday. Then she remembered the cold pack he’d brought her and the coffee. He’d remembered her favorite kind!
