I Don't Want to Fall

Chapter 8: Dinner

***** Carson’s POV

I opened her door for her, and helped her into the truck. She gave me a weird look, but didn’t comment. I started it up, and the radio came back on with Dylan Schneider’s “Wannabe” singing out. I looked over at her with a slight smile.

“Oh don’t worry I won’t be making dogs bark with my singing.” She said with her hands up in innocence.

I laughed hard, “That is the farthest thing your angel voice would do Elle.”

“Flattery gets you nothing Mr. Cunningham.”

“Lord, Mr. Cunningham was my father.” I chuckled, “Just plain old Carson for me ma’am.”

She laughed sweetly which only brightened my spirit as we headed out. Archer began a running his jaws a million miles a minute in my head.

“Carson, that wasn’t medicine. We both know it.” He whined.

“I agree. I think it was some kind of herbal combination with wolfsbane. We need to learn more about this girl. I think she may be in some serious trouble.”

Archer whined again with worry. He was beyond infatuated with Elle already. I wasn’t ready for all that after Claire, but I didn’t want anything bad happening to her.

“She could be a wolf..” Archer whispered.

“You don’t know that.” I argued.

“Why else would they be dosing her with wolfsbane since she was seventeen? Which also means Gavin is either a wolf himself or a human who knows about us.” He theorized.

“Let’s take this slow, and just get to know her first.”

*****

We pulled up to the small Italian restaurant in town, and I found us a place to park this big tow truck. Walking in there were a lot of stares and whispers. I know I didn’t have the best reputation in this town. I hoped it wouldn’t scare her off though.

Looking at her she didn’t seem fazed. That’s if she even noticed the small town behavior. She simply walked up to the host stand carefree.

“Table for two please.” She pleasantly asked when the host didn’t respond to our entrance.

“Oh, yes ma’am. This way please.” She took us to a small table in the back with some privacy which I was thankful.

It wasn’t too long after that the waitress greeted us.

“Hello Ellowyn, how are you doing?” The young waitress said.

Elle smiled back, “Oh, hi Tracey. How’s your mom doing?”

“A lot better thank you. That was such an awful cold she had. She asked me to thank you for that homemade soup. She thinks you’re heaven sent.” Tracey giggled.

“I’m glad she liked it, and that she’s back on her feet.”

“What can I get y’all to drink to start you off this evening?” She asked.

“I’ll take a coke. What about you Carson?”

“Sweet tea, please.” I answered, and Tracey left for the kitchen.

“Well, you seem to have integrated into this town well in just a few months.” I commented.

She shrugged.

“So what’s your story? Who is Elle besides a mom, and without Gavin?”

She thought for a moment. “Huh, honestly I’m not quite sure anymore. It’s been so long since I thought about myself.”

“Okay. What about before you met Gavin?”

“Nothing glamorous. In fact it’s a bit gloomy. My parents died when I was young in a nasty car wreck. I got bumped around in foster care until I left my last placement a few months before I met Gavin. I was living in a van, and working as a waitress. I’ve always been kind of on my own.”

Tracey came back with our drinks and bread. She quickly took our order, and left us again.

“I’m sorry about your childhood. I guess that’s why family is so important to you.” I said as she took a sip of her drink.

“Yeah, but it is what it is. That’s another reason I want the twins to have a normal childhood.” She paused, “If things didn’t turn out they way they did I would have had more children. I just couldn’t have another with Gavin. I do love being a mother though.”

I smiled. “I understand. I don’t think I could make it through life without Cassidy.”

“What about you? I’ve gathered you have an older brother. Seems like your parents have passed on.” She continued, “You spoke about them in past tense.”

“Yes, I have an older brother. Rhett is four years older than me. He’s the more mature brother, and a better people person. He’s married to my sister in law, Melissa. She’s amazing a true mother figure to everyone, kind and patient. I don’t remember much about my mother she died when I was three. My father raised us. He was strict, but fair. He died a few years ago. We spent every summer with our grandparents here. I lost my mamaw when I was sixteen. That was hard for everyone especially my papaw and I.”

“And then you have Cassidy Ann,” she said pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, she’s what keeps me going most days.”

“Can I ask where her mother is?” She became bolder.

“She died, Elle.”

“Oh, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean too,” she fumbled nervously.

“It’s alright. It happened when Cass was born.”

Thankfully, our food came out to change the direction of the moment and topic. It was quiet for a bit as we ate. A comfortable silence as we just enjoyed the company.

Stealing looks at her. Goddess, She was beautiful. The light from the candles flickered making a soft glow on her face and neck. I caught myself staring at her soft lips as she ate. She wasn’t one of those girls afraid to eat in front of a guy which was refreshing. I watched her dip her bread in the sauce and twisting the noodles around her fork. This mate bond was working overtime. I needed to stop before she caught me staring at her like some deranged psychopath. I started in on my calzone.

I kept stealing glances at her throughout the meal. Finally she caught me, and froze which only made her look adorable.

“What?” She asked confused. “Do I have sauce on my face?”

I chuckled. She actually did have a little bit. I reached forward and brushed it off the corner of her mouth. She looked at me for a lingering moment with those beautiful honey golden eyes before her shyness came through, and she turned away.

It became slightly awkward, so I cleared my throat. I needed to do something to smooth over the moment.

“Um… What’s your favorite color?” I fumbled out.

Archer did a facepalm in my head making me smile awkwardly towards her. She giggled slightly.

“My favorite color huh?” I shrugged, and she continued. “I guess I would have to say blue like the sky, but green is a close second. I love the woods, creeks, and mountains. I feel so much at home here.”

“Your turn,” she said taking a sip of her drink. “ What’s your favorite color?”

“Green. I love the trees and greenery of the woods.” I answered simply.

Tracey passed by dropping the check off. Elle tried to grab it, and I took it appalled.

“I’ve got it.” I said opening the book to look at the total.

“I can pay for my half.” She pushed.

“No, I invited you out. It’s my treat.”

“Alright,” she caved. “I’ll get it the next time.”

Though I was happy to hear her say next time I knew she would not be paying then either. I put enough cash in the book for dinner and a decent size tip.

“You ready? It’s starting to get a little late.” I stated looking out towards the windows of the restaurant when it had already gotten dark outside.

“Yes, they are all probably wondering where we are by now.” She said getting up from her seat taking one last sip of coke before we walked out.

There were the stares and whispers as we passed other tables. We’d be the talk of the town by tomorrow morning. Passing the host stand almost out an old man stopped us to talk to Elle.

“Ellowyn, was that your Jeep at seen outside Walker’s Garage?” He asked.

“Oh, Hello Tom. Yes, I ended up getting a flat tire on the way home.”

“Well, that’s no good. Why don’t you take the next couple of days off.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t. Corey said it should be ready by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Oh honey, you know those boys are always loaded down with work, and overly optimistic on deadlines. We’re fine. Everything is caught up at the shop just enjoy a long weekend. You deserve it as hard as you work.” He patted her shoulder. “I’ll see you Monday morning, sweetheart.”

“Okay, if you say so,” she laughed.

“I do. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” He smiled at her.

“Carson,” he nodded to me sharply before grabbing his to go order and heading out himself.

Now I remembered him. He was Old Tom from the hardware store. Is that where she worked? We loaded back up into the truck to head home.

After heading home I turned to her, “So you work at Old Tom’s hardware store?”

She smiled. “Yes, I do all his books and inventory. I did his taxes earlier this year. He’s a sweet man.”

“He seems to like you a lot.”

“What do you do for work?” She asked.

“I guess I’m the local handyman and part time contractor in the town over. I used to be a soldier before Cassidy was born. My family is a bit concerned with the fact that I won’t take my old job back.” Why did I tell her all of that. I guess it just slipped out.

“Well, being a soldier and a full time single father would be hard. You seem to just want to focus on your most important job, being a dad.” She replied so understanding.

“Yes, but they don’t view it that way.”

She nodded, but didn’t say anymore on the subject. We rode in silence with only the radio singing softly. I noticed her getting tired, and it wasn’t too long later her head found my shoulder.

I laid her down. She was so sleepy she didn’t realize what was going on around her. Her head lay in my lap, and her feet curled up on the bench seat. I brushed the strands of her hair behind her ear softly rubbing her cheek with my thumb. She sighed contently in her sleep.

She was so beautiful. Oh lord, I’m done for. How am I going to resist this. If I love her I would be betraying Claire. I am so confused at this point. This mate bond has me all over the place.