My Missing Puzzle Piece (Creekside Falls #1)

by Kristin Hoepfl

  “Whoa, when did that happen and why didn’t I know about this man?” Jake said with a suspicious voice as if he hadn’t texted Trevor asking about it last night.

  “Yesterday when I was out running and ran into her at the park.” Trevor said with a smirk.

  “Well damn dude! Its ‘bout time. Where ya’ takin’ her?” Jake asked.

  “I don’t know yet. Last time we worked together I remember her telling Becky about this Mexican restaurant she really liked, so maybe there. Why?”

  “No reason just asking. If she likes it there then go for it. Can’t go wrong with a place she likes.” Jake said, pouring himself his own cup of coffee.

  “Yeah. So let’s talk about something else besides my date tonight…we’re not women dude. You catch the Phillies game last night?”

  “No I met up with a few Air Force buddies at Pete’s, his cable was out so we weren’t able to watch it. Heard it was a good game, sorry I missed it.”

  “It was a good game for sure. Did you hear about Utley’s catch and the grand slam in the top of the ninth? I hope they play more like that during the season, otherwise they’ll never make the playoffs.”

  fter Jake left around 1:00 Trevor finally was able to get some of the things done he had planned. He had to pass the time and keep his mind busy while waiting for his date with Elle. After he showered and changed, he walked Bruiser. As he was leaving he turned to Bruiser and said, “Wish me luck boy, I like this one.”

  Elle was so nervous she was getting ready and thinking about just how much she liked him and how much she hoped the date went well. It would be so awkward for them at work if it didn’t. She looked in the mirror once she was ready and thought, “I do look good, Taylor was right this is the perfect outfit, let’s do this!”

  Trevor walked up to Elle’s front door a bundle of nerves but the second she opened the door his nerves disappeared and he couldn’t help the huge grin that came across his face at the sight of her.

  Elle felt like the five minutes from when Trevor called to say he was on his way until he rang her doorbell lasted five hours and made her more nervous, if that was possible. But then she opened her front door and there he stood with that amazing smile of his. She couldn’t help the blush that crept up her cheeks because it felt damn good for him to look at her like he was and it was damn good to see his handsome self on her doorstep. She smiled back and said, “Hey how are you?”

  “Hey you, I’m good. You look great by the way.” He couldn’t help but be amazed at how gorgeous she looked in her tight-as-sin jeans, black high-heeled boots and an off-the-shoulder dark gray sweater that was tight enough to show off her curves amazingly!

  She blushed again at his compliment before grabbing her purse, “Thanks. You look pretty good yourself. I’m a little nervous, but excited for tonight.”

  As the words left her mouth she regretted it and covered her mouth only to see his smile widen.

  “I’m glad you’re excited, should we go?” He said opening the front door for her.

  She walked out and turned to lock the door and said, “Just forget I said anything about being nervous. Sometimes I forget to not say everything I’m thinking and end up babbling.” She then turned and started walking towards his truck. A rush of wind came and she smelled Trevor’s cologne. It smelled good, as always! It reminded her of Axe and the way that scent affected her when she was in high school, except Trevor’s cologne, mixed with Trevor, smelled so much better!

  He followed but said, “Don’t apologize, I like it. It’s you being the real you and I think it’s cute.” He held the truck door open for her as she gently shook her head like she couldn’t believe what he said. But he said he liked it and why wouldn’t she believe him?! Once he was in the truck too, he asked, “Is Mexican okay with you? I was thinking Taco Delight.”

  “Definitely. It’s one of my favorites, I love that place!”

  Trevor smiled privately to himself for remembering that she liked that restaurant. They were driving to dinner in a comfortable silence when Elle turned to him and said, “Since you said you don’t mind my whole nonstop babbling thing than I have a confession.”

  He turned his head towards her and gave her a confused look. She continued on and said, “I’m not good at this whole dating thing,” she gestured between the two of them, “I’ve only really had one serious boyfriend and don’t know how to do this because I don’t have a lot of experience. So if you could, uh….”she bit her lip then continued, “let me know if I’m not doing it right that would be helpful.”

  Trevor just blankly looked at her for a few moments then gave her an incredulous look and said, “Doing it right? Is there even a right or wrong way?”

  She gave him a sheepish look but he just continued. “I’m not trying to sound like an ass or make fun of you but there isn’t a way to do this especially, not one that’s right or wrong. Just relax and be yourself and everything will be fine,” her silence continued.

  “Elle look at me.” He said and she turned her head so he went on, “it’s just you and me and our way, tell me you get that.”

  She stayed quiet for a minute than said; “Okay,” he took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

  Elle wrapped her fingers around Trevor’s and they drove like that the rest of the way to the restaurant. She couldn’t believe she said anything about not knowing how to date…that was embarrassing; this night was off to a great start she thought to herself sarcastically. Then something dinged in her head and she realized how amazing Trevor was for making sure she was at ease and for reassuring her. She made it a point right then not to blow this. She was a grown woman with her own business; she could certainly do the relationship thing!

  When they pulled up to the restaurant Trevor got out, went around and opened her door, “You ready?”

  She grabbed his hand and hopped down. “Yep and I’m starving.” At that moment her stomach growled loud enough so they both heard it and laughed.

  “You weren’t kidding were you?” Trevor said as he grabbed her hand and started walking.

  Taco Delight was a locally owned Mexican restaurant, famous for its huge portions; everyone always had leftovers to take home and the drinks were amazing. Their Margarita Grande was a local favorite. It has tons of bright colored tables and chairs with murals painted all over the walls that gave the feel of sitting in South America. The waiters and waitresses wore sombreros and tried to get the diners to practice a little Spanish in the meantime. It’s a small quiet place with South American music always playing in the background. The family had emigrated to the U.S. from Mexico a generation ago and moved to the Philadelphia area about ten years prior. Jose and his wife, Maria, were well known around town and well respected.

  When Trevor and Elle were seated at their table, Trevor said, “Why do you think you’re not good at this whole ‘thing’ anyway?”

  Elle sucked in a deep breath before answering; she was still on cloud nine because he held her hand on the way into the restaurant. “I guess I’ve never really had the best luck with guys in the past and my ex always said that I just never really ‘got it’. So I figured that meant I wasn’t good at the whole dating thing and didn’t know how to do it.” She reached for the water glass the waitress brought with the tortilla chips and salsa, in an effort to occupy her mouth.

  “Seriously? That’s crazy. Some of that could’ve just been bad luck or something on the other guys’ part and as far as your ex; he shouldn’t have ever said that to you. I don’t think it’s true. You are fine with me. Hell you’re driving me crazy,” her eyes widened and a little fear crept in, so he clarified, “and I don’t mean in a bad way either.” He noticed her pupils slightly dilated.

  Trevor mentally cursed Elle’s ex and the other guys who had said any of those things to her to make her feel that way. She was a gorgeous, smart, successful, sweet, loving and amazing woman who should feel as confident in her personal life as she was in her professional life. He wished he co
uld make her see herself like he saw her. He was going to do everything he could to make her feel cherished, cared about and most of all, comfortable with him.

  They ate dinner and both tried some of the others’ meal and they talked comfortably and freely as the night went on. When they were done and the waitress asked if they wanted dessert Elle perked up but Trevor said to her, “I have somewhere else in mind for dessert, is that okay with you?”

  The waitress walked away with their empty glasses and dishes as Elle answered, “Of course.” She couldn’t believe how much thought he put into this date.

  Once back in the truck Trevor started heading towards the park where he asked her out, it was also a place he went to find solitude and quiet to think. He loved it there, plus it seemed like a mini central park to him and that made it even better. It was a refuge from town, even a small town like Creekside needed a sanctuary where people could picnic or run, or just lie on a blanket and look at the stars. Trevor pulled up next to a small family-owned bakery. When they got out of the truck there was a definite chill in the air, Trevor noticed Elle didn’t have a jacket with her and the next part of his plan called for them to be outside and he didn’t want her to be cold. So he went to the backseat of his truck and grabbed two sweatshirts, one for him and one for her. He turned around and said, “Here wear this so you won’t be cold.” She smiled and took it. They put on their sweatshirts and he chuckled when he saw his sweatshirt hanging to her knees and the sleeves flailing past where her hands ended. She looked absolutely adorable to him.

  The bakery had been in Creekside for generations, they made the best of everything. They each got freshly baked Danish, just out of the oven. Trevor grabbed a blanket from his truck bed as they walked towards the park. In the park he laid down the blanket and each of them sat there and ate their Danishes silently. When they were done Elle looked up at all of the stars, “This is beautiful. Thank you for everything tonight Trevor. I’m having a really nice time.”

  He smiled and said, “I’m glad, I’m having a nice time with you too.” He saw her shiver slightly and cursed himself for not grabbing another blanket in case she got too cold. He moved closer to her to snuggle her up against him. He put his arm around her waist to draw her in tighter. “Is that better? Still cold?” he asked.

  “Definitely better and much warmer now,” she said with a big smile on her face.

  After several minutes of looking at the stars in silence she leaned back to the ground to enjoy the setting. They laid in silence cuddled next to each other looking at the stars for a long time before he realized how much colder it had gotten, “As nice as this is and it is nice, with the view and you wrapped in my arms, I’m starting to get kind of numb, would you mind if we left?”

  “You too? I thought you’d never ask I haven’t felt my toes in twenty minutes.” She said as she stood up.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Trevor exclaimed as he grabbed the blanket off the ground.

  “I didn’t want to leave just yet, the stars are amazing and being in your arms snuggling on the blanket wasn’t too bad either.” She said with a wink. “Plus you seemed relaxed and happy, I didn’t want to ruin that moment for you. You’re a good guy Trevor, I feel good when I’m with you.”

  They walked to the truck hand in hand. Trevor thought she had to be the sweetest, most amazing woman he’d ever been around. He couldn’t help but think how different his image of her was now from when they first got to know each other. He wanted her to be comfortable enough to be herself, whatever that was.

  On the way back to Elle’s she was still wearing his sweatshirt and rubbing her hands together. He turned up the heat in the truck, “Better?”

  “A little, but I’m thinking something hot to drink would be good. Maybe some hot chocolate. Would you like some?” she asked him. “Maybe not the typical drink to end a romantic date night, but that’s what I’m in the mood for.”

  He turned to her and said, “I’d love some, nothing like hot chocolate on a cold night. I’m glad you thought it was romantic.” He shot her a megawatt smile at that.

  He drove another mile or so and then groaned out loud, Elle looked at him, “What’s the matter?”

  “I just remembered Bruiser; I should probably let him out before I head back to your house. I don’t want him to go to the bathroom in the house and I don’t want to rush out of your place. He’s usually okay but sometimes he has his moments and he’s been stuck inside for a while now. Would you mind if we swung by my place so I could let him out?”

  “No go ahead, he’s so adorable, I wouldn’t mind seeing him too.”

  “I think you’re the first person to ever call Bruiser adorable.” Trevor said as he turned and headed for his place.

  revor parked the truck and led Elle up the front walk to his condo; it adjoined another condo and the two shared a small but gorgeous front yard with track lighting that lead all the way to the front door. His place seemed perfect for him; it was two-story with a large living room and a wood-burning fireplace. On the far side of the living room were a set of stairs that lead up to all the bedrooms and there was a small dining room attached to the kitchen. French doors led from the kitchen out onto a pretty spacious, fenced-in back yard. It was beautifully landscaped with bushes and flowers she couldn’t identify but she was sure Trevor knew the names and needs of each one. The lawn was perfectly manicured. There was a covered arbor with large light bulbs hung by copper wiring from the beams overhead. It created such a beautiful space and quite a romantic feel. Elle was impressed by his creativity and attention to detail; this space gave her a new insight into this man she was just getting to know.

  The furniture was all very masculine and comfortable looking, it fit Trevor well. The walls were painted neutral colors, it was obvious he’d moved his furniture in and started living there. His focus had been the backyard, which didn’t surprise her. She liked what she saw-she just needed to face the fact that she liked everything about Trevor.

  After a few minutes Bruiser was ready to go back in, he was excited to have company and Elle happily obliged him by petting him while Trevor put out some water and a bone. Bruiser ran off to his bone and Trevor and Elle headed back off to her place.

  In the truck again, she turned to Trevor and said, “I really like your place. It’s definitely you.”

  “Thanks. I’m glad I found something I liked, that was the hardest part for me, I’m not too picky but I wanted something with a cool outdoor space, this was the third place I looked at.”

  “The third one? That’s lucky! Mine was the tenth place I saw. I am pretty picky I guess and I didn’t even realize that until I started looking. I got kind of discouraged and just when I started saying I wasn’t going to find anything, my house went on the market. How long have you had your place?” Elle asked.

  “I bought it a little over three years ago; decided it was time to get out of an apartment.”

  They rode the short drive to Elle’s house in silence; but in a comfortable silence that they seemed to have developed at some point during the evening. Neither one could exactly pinpoint the moment they transitioned from awkward to relaxed but both were grateful for the shift.

  She made the hot chocolate she promised once they got to her house; homemade hot chocolate.

  Trevor was concerned that it was colder out tonight than he had expected it to be, especially for this time of year; that could make his job more difficult if spring kept up this warm-during-the-day-cold-at-night trend. If the ground was still partially frozen he couldn’t start some of the planting his clients wanted done around their houses.

  “Are you still cold?” Elle asked snapping him out of his thoughts; he looked up at her and said, “Definitely getting warmer, why?”

  She handed him a cup of hot chocolate. “Thanks.”

  “I was thinking of putting on the fireplace, it will be good with our hot chocolate.” Elle suggested.

  “We can do that.” Trevor said with another smi
le that made her feel a little weak in the knees.

  Elle smiled back and said, “Okay let’s go,” and put down her cocoa to make them a cozy spot in front of the fire. She laid out a few large blankets and plopped down grabbing the remote to start her fireplace, she insisted on changing it to gas when she moved in so she wouldn’t have to worry about having wood on hand and getting the chimney cleaned. Taking Elle’s lead Trevor sat down next to her; she looked over at him sheepishly and said; “Now this is much better.”

  Trevor agreed, “I think you’re the one being romantic now,” as he nudged Elle’s shoulder playfully making them both almost spill their hot chocolate.

  They laughed at themselves sitting on the floor drinking hot chocolate like kids and goofing around and Elle felt a sense of contentment she had never felt with a man in her life. To cover the feelings of vulnerability that rose up in her, she took sip of her cocoa now that it was less that “center of the sun” hot. Elle noticed Trevor shifting around, trying to get comfortable so she grabbed throw pillows off the couch to use as cushions. She set them down on the blanket and said, “Here, I forgot to grab these before we sat down.”

  Trevor and Elle each set up the pillows so they’d be comfortable and she sat down next to him and shifted closer so she could lean back on him. They sat like that for a while just staring at the fire and enjoying each other’s company. She set her cup on the table near them and settled back into her spot, a second later, Trevor did the same but this time he wrapped her up gently in his arms as they began to cuddle again.

  “This is nice I don’t get to relax very often, being so busy with work. When I do take anytime for myself I usually end up with Taylor or my family.” Elle said after a while.

  “I totally get it, I feel like I haven’t seen anyone but my family, Jake, and the guys who work for me in forever.” He gently squeezed her hand that he was holding as she nestled in his arms.