Page 15 of Wild Mistake
“Hey, Mr. Caulfield. Mr. Anderson.” She slides out of the booth. “Back again? I’m starting to think you don’t know how to cook.”
The two older gentlemen laugh.
“Nah, sweetheart. We just love your company. The food is a bonus.”
“Y’all are gonna make me blush.” Sarah grins at them before turning back to me. “Can I get you anything else?”
She means food or drink, but my mind goes somewhere else completely.
A date.
A kiss.
A night together where I can savor her body the way I should’ve when I had the chance.
Instead, I settle on something more practical. “Come to my brother’s party.”
“Oh, um. What?”
“Ryan and Val. They’re hosting a New Year’s get together. Super casual.”If you stay until midnight, I’ll have an excuse to kiss you.
“I’m not sure. The boys will be back from their dad’s.”
“Bring them.” I shrug. “Ryan’s kids will be there. They’ll have fun.”
“I’ll think about it,” she says, but I can tell she’s only saying that to let me down easy.
“Of course.” I don’t know what I was thinking. I’d stop by the diner and we’d pick up where we left off? Stupid. “I should get going.” I stand, holding her gaze.
“Oh.” She shuffles through her front pocket and produces a ticket, setting it on the table. “I’m your cashier whenever you are ready.” She’s all business.
“Right.” I need to leave, but I can’t stand the thought of walking away. The urge to pull her into my arms hits me with such force, I almost take a step forward. Instead, I dig my wallet from my back pocket. “It was really good seeing you again.”
“You, too.” She steps away. “Do you need change?”
“No.” If anything, I wish I had more cash in my wallet. I tuck the dollar bills behind the check and reach for my jacket. I walk to the door, but turn before leaving.
She meets my gaze expectantly from where she’s already taking orders from the older gentlemen.
“I’ll see you around.” It’s a promise. I never expected to have another shot with Sarah. But I’m beginning to think us both being back home, both single, feels less like an accident and a lot like fate.
6
THREE WEEKS INTO BOOT CAMP
Dear Sarah,
I’m sorry I haven’t written you until now. Every night I mean to, but end up falling asleep from pure exhaustion. It’s not a good excuse, but it is the truth.
Everything is harder than I expected. I guess I thought growing up on the ranch and working every day of my life would prepare me physically for these drills. Or that growing up with two older brothers and two younger siblings would give me the mental fortitude to put up with anything! But I underestimated how hard it would be being away from my family, from you, from home.
It was so good to talk to you last night.
I miss you more than words will ever express.
But I don’t want you to stop living your life because I am here. I want you to go to parties and laugh and have fun with friends. It kills me inside thinking I ruined your senior year before it even started. I promise, once I’m through boot camp, things will get easier.
You are what gets me through every single challenge. Every hard moment. Every night. I’m pushing myself harder than I thought possible. I refuse to let you down. I promise I will make you and everyone back home proud.
