“You want to make Pop’s into a bakery?” he asked.
Kat shook her head. “No, no. But I can see so much potential here. So many people are searching online for little getaways now. Places that are authentic and homey for small vacations. I think Peytonville is a perfect place for a romantic and sweet vacation.” Her animation grew as she talked, her love for her dreams clearly evident.
“Our town has so much great character and history and with a little polishing up, it can be something really special. And I think Pop’s can help lead the way. Food is such a big draw for most people. They love finding those hidden gem restaurants. Uncle Do is a little old fashioned but he’s told me that some day, he’ll leave the place to me. And once he does, I want to really put it on the map.” Kat’s eyes sparkled in the night sky with her excitement.
Jason nodded slowly, as if thinking about all the things that would be needed to accomplish such a task. “People like homey things. I think people like Pop’s because it’s so comfortable. It’d be a shame to change too much of that.”
Kat was surprised he had caught on so quickly to Doughy Pop’s charms. She shook her head. “Doughy Pop’s is an institution around here and I would never want to damage that. But just a few things like sprucing up the interior, adding a few new things to the menu can make a huge difference. People come for the food but I’m sure they’d stay for the town.”
Jason suddenly grinned down at her. The glow of his grin warmed Kat more thoroughly than any cup of coffee could.
“I think you could knock down the walls of Jericho to give your town a fighting chance at the big times,” he said warmly.
His words felt like a vat of warm, gooey caramel had been poured down her back. A beautiful glow overtook her body as she felt his genuine sincerity blanket her. Kat almost felt giddy.
She had always been so busy growing up. She had helped her mom take care of the boys when she had been younger. With no dad around and Uncle Do always working, Kat had always been the de facto caretaker in the house. Then after mom passed, she had not only become caretaker to her brothers but also housekeeper of their home.
And then her youngest brother, Dillon, got sick.
Suddenly, Kat found herself as a nurse as well as caretaker and housekeeper and waitress. College had been unthinkable and had never even been brought up. It was tacitly understood by all that Kat needed to stay. And she didn’t consider it such a terrible burden. She wanted to be there for her brothers and to give back to the uncle who had taken care of her for so many years.
But constantly moving and working, her dreams had only existed in her mind. She never seemed to have a moment or a person she could share these thoughts aloud with. Her brothers probably wouldn’t have had much interest and Uncle Do, although he loved her, wasn’t interested in anything beyond restaurant maintenance and the next day’s food shipments.
But Jason…he seemed different.
He was someone who not only seemed to enjoy talking to her but enjoyed listening to her secret hopes and fantasies. Kat had never realized how simple yet incredibly fulfilling it felt to have someone just simply listen and care.
With his dangerously attractive looks and his open ears that seemed constantly ready to listen, Jason seemed like the absolute perfect package. It was a wonder he wasn’t already snapped up by some girl.
But then again, she realized, so far they had only really been talking about her. She hardly knew anything about him except that he was in the military and from up north with not very good parents. But she had yet to hear him speak about his plans or his dreams. He knew she loved to bake and cook and yet she hardly knew what he did on his off times.
Feeling like she had been monopolizing the conversation, Kat leaned against on side of the truck bed, looking up at Jason.
“So,” she started, “what brings you to Peytonville? It’s quite a far drive from Fayetteville.”
Jason’s eyes, which had been warm and engaged when listening to her plans to polish up Doughy Pop’s, suddenly became hooded and dark. His lips tightened and Kat could see him slightly grind his jaws.
“I didn’t come from Fayetteville,” he said lowly, leaning against the opposite side of the truck bed. “I was coming from Arlington.”
Kat froze. “Oh,” she said.
Arlington, Virginia. There could be many reasons why one could be in Arlington but looking at the soldier in front of her, she knew he had only had one reason.
One very sad and tragic reason.
“Was it someone close?” she asked softly.