“Maybe I should buy myself some proper boots. Did I tell you I’ve decided to take an extended vacation so I can have a good look around the area?”
It was the best news he’d heard in a while.
“That’s great.”
They walked in the café and he picked a table by the window and pulled out a chair for Natalie. He took off his hat and hung it on the peg by the wall before sliding into his seat, accidently bumping her knee as he did so. They looked at one another again in much the same way they had outside. He’d been out of the dating scene for a while, but not so long that he wasn’t able to sense some chemistry going on between them.
“Is there somewhere around here that sells boots?” asked Natalie
“There is but not the type I can imagine you’d like. I tell you what—I’m taking Emily into Missoula tomorrow to buy knitting wool. Why don’t you ride along with us?”
“Who’s going to Missoula?” His mom now stood at the table with two menus in her hand.
“We are,” said Flynn. “Emily wants to try knitting something for the Shane and Lacey’s baby, don’t suppose you’ve got time to teach her?”
“I can do it,” said Natalie.
Wow, a wonderful woman offering to teach a girl with special needs a new skill.
“Thank you. I know she’ll be happy to think someone’s going to teach her. By the way, Mom, this is Natalie Stevens who’s from Florida and in town to look for a vacation home. Natalie, this is my mother, Marie.”
His mom reached across and shook Natalie’s hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Same here,” said Natalie.
“Can I get you some coffee?” she asked.
“That would be great.”
“And you can look over the menu, but I’m guessing my boy here knows what he wants already.” She headed toward the counter
“This is a cozy place. I just love it,” said Natalie.
“Mom bought it about ten years ago after the previous owner passed away. It’s perfect for her because it keeps her out of trouble.”
He raised his voice so she could hear the last few words. She walked back with two mugs of coffee and put them down.
“The only trouble I get into is sometimes not ordering enough eggs or milk.”
Flynn winked at Natalie, and she smiled.
“So what will it be for both of you?”
“My usual,” said Flynn, handing her the menu.
“And for you honey?”
“Eggs, bacon, and toast.”
“And how do you like the eggs cooked?”
“Scrambled.”
“Okay then, I’ll get this order under way.” She walked back to the kitchen.
“Does your mom run this place all by herself?”
“Lacey, my sister-in-law worked her when she first arrived in town and still does now and then. And Emily stops by and helps out Mom which is great for both of them,” said Flynn.
“And I take it she likes it,” said Natalie before taking a sip of her coffee.
“Oh yes she does. She likes talking to the customers and she’s a great sales lady. I know half the people leave here with cakes and cookies they didn’t really want, but she has a way of talking them into those extra calories.”
Natalie laughed and he smiled. She had dimples when she laughed. Emily did too and he hadn’t realized it until he’d seen them on Natalie. How strange was that? This lady was opening his eyes to all sorts of things.
His mother brought over their meal and put the plates down in front of them.
“Oh wow, this is a lot of food. I might not need lunch.”
“Well, you better need dinner because if you’re going to teach my daughter how to knit you’re invited to a meal at my house, and you can meet my older brother Rory too,” said Flynn.
****
Flynn was a sweetheart.
He was also the sexiest man she’d ever seen. A real cowboy with a hat and boots to prove it. And not to mention the tight jeans. She hadn’t thought about the whole men and dating thing for ages, but he’d brought it to the forefront of her mind. She hadn’t been eavesdropping to be nosy, but she hadn’t been able to close her ears to Flynn and his mom talking when he’d gone to pay for their meals.
“Pretty girl and you’re all dressed up. Please tell me you’re going to take her on a date,” said his mom.
“I already did. I bought her breakfast.”
She’d slapped his arm. “On a proper one. Maybe to some nice restaurant. You know I want to see you happy again.”
“I am happy.”
“With a woman sort of happy.”
“I’ve invited her to the house for a meal and I’ll work my way up to the restaurant bit, okay?”