Page 91 of The Meeting
Chase walked back out the barn doors to find Kailynn sitting on the ground, leaning against the barn, still fully in the sun. He dropped in front of her.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded, and he pulled her to her feet. “I think I just need some water and food.”
He walked her to the truck and helped her in before running around and getting into the driver’s side. She was pale and clammy. It struck him how careless he had been by not bringing water bottles for them. Kailynn wasn’t used to this type of exertion. The fact that Chase felt tired meant that Kailynn likely felt it tenfold.
“Babe, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have held you up for so long at my parents’ property. I was so excited I forgot about feeding you.”
She looked over at him as they drove down the street, only a fifteen minute drive from the center of town. “It’s okay.”
He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.
She sighed, and he glanced over at her.
“Does everyone in this town actually think I’m pregnant?” she asked.
He laughed. “God, I hope not, but I wouldn’t put it past them.”
She sank into her seat, and he squeezed her hand again.
“Did my mom upset you with the kid comments?”
“No. Some parents are just that way. I don’t feel pressured or anything, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He laughed. “Good. I’m in absolutely no hurry for kids or marriage.”
“Neither am I.”
But her response was quiet. He wanted to press the matter, but didn’t feel like it was a good time. They had already discussed earlier that morning that talking about things was important, and he didn’t need to press her when she said sometimes she needed to think about things first.
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I’m here if you want to talk about it.”
She smiled. “Thanks.”
They pulled up to the diner only a few minutes later and the relief on her face told him she felt sicker than she let on.
Chase pulled open the door to the diner and let Kailynn walk in first. Cindy, a waitress around his mom’s age, waved at them as she approached.
“Chase, Kailynn, it’s so good to see you,” she said.
She had been at the party the previous night, so Chase had no doubt she knew Kailynn from there. As far as he could tell, just about everyone from town spoke to her. Cindy would have been at the top of that list since she was always in on the town gossip and trying to talk to anyone new she could possibly meet. Visitors were always the talk of the town.
“Hey Cindy. Could we get a booth?” he asked.
“Of course.”
She led them over to the corner booth. The restaurant was quiet, but it wasn’t surprising as it was the middle of the day. Most of their business came at night when the farmers had finished working for the day.
“What can I get you to drink?”
Chase looked at Kailynn. She glanced down at the menu and then back up at Cindy.
“Iced tea?”
“Make that two,” Chase said.
Cindy nodded and walked away. She came back only a minute later carrying their glasses. She set them down and watched the two of them.
