“I doubt that.”
“Well, I’ve missed you.” Violet stared into her coffee, feeling suddenly shy. She felt the warmth radiating off of his arm only inches from her own. Oh, how she longed to throw her arms around him and never stop kissing him. Maybe even forget to turn on the ‘Open’ sign and just drag him upstairs to her bedroom for the day.
“You’re awfully quiet. Something on your mind?”
“Not really. Just need to get the biscuits started before it gets any later.”
“I’ll let you get to it then. I’m headed to the garage to check my messages and see how backed up I am on jobs. Catch ya later.” With that, he zipped up his parka, grabbed his hat, and headed for the door.
“Thanks for making the coffee.”
“Anytime.” The bell jingled as the door closed behind him.
“Men!” Violet said out loud. She picked up the two cups and headed into the kitchen.
***
Howard turned his key in the garage door. The door stuck and then squeaked as it swung open. It apparently swelled in the few weeks he’d been gone. He grabbed the WD-40. How he loved this beat-up old place he called his own for so many years. The familiar smells of grease and oil greeted his nostrils like an old friend. He walked over to his desk, blowing the dust off of the memo pad and pushed the red blinking light on the phone. There were quite a few messages from people needing repairs to their vehicles, all ending with disclaimers that it wasn’t a rush and to take his time coming back. He appreciated his neighbors’ concern for his well-being, but also recognized that he was the only mechanic in town. What choice did they have but to wait for him? He returned all of the calls, making sure to schedule appointments a little further apart than usual. Melanie’s instructions rang in his head like an alarm. She’d surely come by to make sure he wasn’t overdoing it. He felt fine, but he didn’t want to risk getting sick again. He needed to be back at work.
After making his own pot of coffee and filling his worn, over-sized mug, he sat down and flipped through the bills that came in his absence. He took a swig of the hot, dark liquid, and his mind wandered back to the café next door. Violet sure was a sight for sore eyes. He missed her—terribly. He didn’t quite understand why she hadn’t come out to visit him. It would have made being cooped up so much easier. Maybe she didn’t really care that much about him, or more likely didn’t want to deal with him while he was sick. Still, her face lit up when she saw him this morning. It was unmistakable. He wanted a kiss or at least a hug, but when she failed to initiate it, he hung back. He didn’t want to push her. There was time to rekindle what they’d started a few months ago. At the same time his bout with pneumonia scared him. He didn’t know how much time he had left on this earth. Although not elderly yet, he was no spring chicken, either. The majority of his life was behind him. He refused to let any more time pass him by alone. His thoughts were interrupted as Ted Winters opened the door.
“Mornin’, Ted. That Ford giving you some trouble?”
“Unfortunately, I think it may be the alternator.”
“Well, let’s have a look,” Howard pushed up from his chair and pushed thoughts of Violet to the back of his mind.
***
Howard was back, and Violet found herself humming throughout the morning. When the last of the breakfast crowd left, she decided on beef stew for the lunch special. After all, it was Howard’s favorite. By one o’clock most of the lunch customers left, only Luke Walker remained, finishing off a piece of pie.
“Where’s your dad today?”
“He went down to Denver for some shopping with June. I heard her say something about needing some lighter weight ranch wear now that summer’s coming.” Luke shook his head. “I never imagined I’d use the words “Denver and shopping” in the same sentence with my dad. He hates the city, but he’d endure just about anything for June.”
“Love will do that to a person.” Violet smiled. She’d do almost anything for Howard if he asked. “Any cute young girls in your life?”
“Afraid not. Not much time. Dad keeps me busy at the ranch.”
“Don’t forget to make time for some fun, before you get old and feeble like me.”
“Violet, you’re not old or feeble.”
“Aren’t you sweet. Any girl’d be lucky to have you in her life. I hear you started building your cabin.”
“Working on it. Just starting on the foundation. It’s up on the hill, overlooking the whole valley. It’s time Dad and June get the ranch house to themselves. They don’t need a third wheel like me around all the time.”
Violet’s back was turned when she heard the door creak open.
“Howard, it’s great to see you up and about.” Luke took a swig of coffee to wash down the last bite of pie.
“Thanks, Luke. It’s really great to be back at work. What’s new out at your place?”
Howard removed his coat, hung it on the rack by the door, and took the seat next to Luke. Without asking, she poured him a cup of coffee.
“Would you like the special? Its beef stew?”
“Yes, ma’am. You know it’s my favorite.” He gave her a wink.
Her checks warmed as she turned and entered the kitchen. She busied herself with the lunch plates, hearing the two friends catching up on each other’s lives. When she returned with the steaming bowl of stew, Luke had gone, leaving enough cash on the counter for his meal and a substantial tip.
“Here you go. Enjoy.”
Howard dug right in. Violet’s stew was the best. He wanted to believe she’d made it especially for him. He’d worked up an appetite back at the garage. He paused to butter a fresh biscuit and looked up to see Violet smiling.
“Why don’t you sit down and join me?”
Violet poured herself a cup of coffee and plopped down next to Howard.
“It feels so good to rest my feet,” she kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes.
Damn, she was cute. How had he not noticed all these years while she lived right under his nose?
“So I’ve been thinking,” Howard hesitated searching for the right words. “I’d like to take you out on a proper date. Maybe if you’d close a little early one night, we could check out the Mexican restaurant over in Aspen Ridge. I’ve heard their food isn’t too bad.”
“I’d love to.” Violet reached over and squeezed his hand, causing instant warmth to run up his arm. “When do you want to go?”
“Any night’s fine with me. What works best for closing the café?”
“Saturday’s usually my slowest night until the tourists return. Most everyone’s home with their families.”
“Saturday night it is then. I’ll pick you up around six?”
“Sounds perfect. Are you sure you’re up to a night out so soon? I don’t want to cause you to have a relapse.”
“I’ve never been surer of anything.” He looked into her deep green eyes, and he saw a future of not being alone for the first time in his life. A future of having someone to hold. Howard reached over gently and pulled her toward him. He needed to kiss her now. She shifted closer and he was about to touch her soft red lips with his own, when the door opened and three men walked in.
“Howdy. Are you open? We’ve been fishin’ down on Apple Creek all day and could really use a bite to eat before we head down to Fort Collins.”
Violet jumped up smoothing her apron with her hands and quickly stuffing her feet back into her sturdy shoes.
“You came to the right place. What can I get you gentlemen? The special today is stew.”
“Stew and coffee sounds great.” The first one said and the others agreed.
Howard shot Violet one last, longing look and stood up. “I best be getting back to the garage. Have a nice afternoon.” Turning to the strangers as he donned his jacket he said, “Violet makes the best stew around. Enjoy.”
Howard walked the few hundred feet back to the garage. Darn. He’d gotten so close to touching those inviting lips once again with
his own. It had been far too long. Oh well, Saturday was only two days away, and then he’d get her all to himself.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Violet glanced down at her watch—again. Could this day go by any slower? All she’d thought about since Thursday was tonight’s date with Howard. He’d been by both mornings since and had coffee waiting for her. He came in again for lunch, but they hadn’t gotten any moments alone. She knew that he still had dinner each night with Melanie and Sophie. They kept a close eye on him to make sure there were no relapses.
She wiped the counter again, more to keep her hands busy and calm her nerves than because it needed it. Why was she so nervous? She’d known Howard forever. But this was their first real date, and she wanted it to go well. After closing the café last night, she’d spent more than an hour trying on virtually everything in her closet. She wished she’d had the time to drive down into the city and buy something to wear. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d bought something new. Since Stan died, she just hadn’t felt the need. Now she worried that everything in her closet looked a little frumpy. Oh my, how was she ever going to look sexy at her age?
Her thoughts were interrupted by June Walker. “Hey Violet. What’s new?”
June took a seat at the counter. “Can I get a big glass of iced tea?”
Violet handed her the frosty drink. “I haven’t seen you in a while. Keeping busy out at the ranch?”
“Yes. I love my new home. Spring’s my favorite time of the year so far. You should see all of the wildflowers starting to bloom. So many different kinds and colors. I hope Melanie will stock some books on native flowers when she gets that store of hers open.”
“My understanding is that she’s going to try to stock many books on this part of Colorado—birds, flowers, trees, animals. That kind of thing should be a big seller with the tourists.”
“Or newcomers like myself.” June chuckled. “So how’s things with you and Howard? I hear he’s back at work.”
Violet hesitated. She’d forgotten that June was one of the few people who was aware of how she felt about the local mechanic. “Good, I think. It’s great to have him next door again. As a matter of fact we’re going out to dinner tonight. It’s our first real date.”
“That’s exciting. What are you going to wear?”
“I don’t know.” Violet sighed leaning against the counter. “I looked through my entire wardrobe last night. It all seems boring and outdated. I don’t have time to get something new.”
“I’m sure Howard will love you in whatever you decide. It’s not about what’s on the outside that counts, you know.”
“You’re right. I guess by now he’s seen me enough to know what he’s getting. Still…I’d like to look nice, and um…maybe a little sexy.”
“It doesn’t help with tonight, but we need to plan a girls shopping trip to Denver soon. Jeff—God love him—went shopping with me last week, but he really wasn’t much help. He’d be fine with me in flannel shirts and jeans all of the time. I’d love to take another woman shopping with me.”
“I’d like that. It’s been years since I got any new clothes. Let’s do it.”
June, having finished her tea, got up to leave. “We’ll set a date soon. Have a wonderful time tonight.”
It was finally time to shut down, and Violet climbed the stairs to her rooms. She grabbed a quick shower to wash off the food smells of the day and donned the outfit she finally decided on the night before—her black dress pants and a dark green sweater, which brought out the green of her eyes. She slipped on her black pumps. The outfit was at least slimming. Next she added some curls to her gray hair and even put on a small amount of eye shadow and mascara. She wasn’t one for much makeup. She opened the medicine cabinet and reached for her cologne. It wouldn’t hurt to smell like something other than a café. She reached for the familiar bottle, but stopped short of unscrewing the top.
She met Stan at a Halloween party and it had been love at first sight. Their first Christmas together, he asked what she wanted. She replied that she’d like some nice cologne, and he panicked, saying he had no idea how to pick out women’s fragrances. What if she hated what he bought? He was so nervous and cute about the whole thing that she’d finally given in and gone shopping with him. After the sales lady virtually spritzed small amount of all the scents at her counter up and down Violet’s arms, they settled on one they both liked, Heaven Scent. Although it wasn’t expensive, it was all she had worn since. Each year, along with her other presents under the tree, there was always a Heaven Scent bottle in her stocking. It became a tradition with them, a symbol of their enduring love. She opened the top and put her nose to it. The fragrance reminded her of Stan. She hadn’t worn it since his funeral.
Screwing the cap on tightly, she put it back on the shelf. She was ready to date Howard—ready to move on. Just not wearing “their” scent. Then she remembered that one of her regular customers had given her some cologne at Christmas this year. She searched under the sink and found the bottle still wrapped in a cellophane covered box. She opened it up and took a whiff. It wouldn’t be her favorite, but it didn’t remind her of Stan either, so she dabbed some behind her ears and called it good. Looking in the mirror, she was pleased with the result.
***
Eager for some long awaited alone time with Violet, Howard arrived a few minutes before six. Letting himself in the back door, he climbed the stairs to her apartment. Man, he wasn’t prepared for the Violet who opened the door. She looked wonderful and smelled good, too. He always liked the Violet who dressed casually for the café, but this Violet was exceptional. She took his breath away.
“You look beautiful,” he managed to say giving her a small kiss on the cheek.
“Would you like to come in?”
“I better not. We have a dinner reservation at 6:30, so we better get going.”
He couldn’t care less about the reservation, but he didn’t trust himself alone with her looking like this. He wanted to push her back into the bedroom and rip off her clothes and touch every inch of her sexy, enticing body. He couldn’t remember ever wanting anything as much as he wanted Violet at this moment. He let out a deep breath. Violet grabbed her coat, and he stepped over to help her put it on. Did she have any idea how much she turned him on?
“You clean up nice.” Violet said, hooking her arm with his while they walked down the narrow staircase.
He didn’t own many fancy clothes—just didn’t have much use for them. Most of his time was spent in his work overalls. Mechanics didn’t dress up. And why would he? Until now, there had been no one in Peakview that he was trying to impress. He owned one suit—for the occasional wedding or funeral. That’s it. So tonight he put on his newest pair of wrangler jeans and a soft tan sweater that his sister sent him last Christmas. It still hung in his closet, tags and all, until he pulled it out tonight. He prayed that Violet found it attractive. Dang, he couldn’t get over how nice she looked.
Although already late May, at over 9000 feet, the evening air still held a definite chill to it once the sun went behind the mountains. He had parked his truck close to the back entrance so Violet wouldn’t need to walk far in the cold. They climbed in, and he headed through the quiet town and out the highway toward Aspen Ridge.
The drive passed quickly while Violet chatted away about her day and her customers and filled him in on all the latest Peakview gossip.
Violet hadn’t been to the restaurant, Rosaritos, before and was pleasantly surprised by its quiet, cozy atmosphere. The whole restaurant was one rather small room, and most of the tables were filled. The hostess escorted them to a small table secluded in an alcove. Each table was individually lit by candlelight, casting a romantic glow in the darkness.
“Would you like to get started with a cocktail?”
Violet ordered a glass of white wine, and Howard ordered a Budweiser.
“This is nice. Have you eaten here before?”
“Who me?” Howar
d asked. “Nope, can’t say I’m in the habit of eating out much. That is except for your place, of course. Melanie said that she and Sophie ate here once.”
“Well, thanks for bringing me. It’s nice to let someone wait on me for a change.”
“You work too hard, Violet. You should take some more time for yourself. I’m sure Melanie and Sophie are willing to help you out with the café. If there’s thing I learned from getting sick last month, it’s a new appreciation for how fast my life is passing by. I don’t want to waste any time. I need to enjoy life to the fullest for whatever time I have left on this earth. I’m ready to try more things than just fixing cars. Are you ready to join me?”
Howard was interrupted by the waitress bringing steaming plates of food. “Don’t touch the edge of the plates, they’re hot. Can I bring you anything else?”
Howard ordered her another glass of wine.
“You’re not having another beer?”
“Cant. Driving. Want to keep my favorite lady safe.”
Violet smiled at his thoughtfulness. She wasn’t sure what he meant by joining him on his adventures, but she liked the sound of it. His illness caused her to get retrospective, too. She and Stan put off so many of their dreams—trips they were going to take once they retired from the café. So much got put off until tomorrow…and then there was no tomorrow. She couldn’t let that happen again. No, not this time. She wanted to live life to its fullest with Howard by her side. And maybe in her bed. The thought made her cheeks turn warm.
“You’re awfully quiet. Don’t you like the food?” Howard looked concerned.
“Huh? Oh no, it’s delicious. Just my old mind wandering.”
They made it through the rest of the meal and the melt-in-your-mouth sopapillas for dessert, having an animated conversation about several of Peakview’s other residents. She really enjoyed his company. It was so easy and natural. Old friends who just fit.
Breakfast for Two (Peakview series Book 2) Page 13
