Page 11 of Rekindled
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After finishing up a phone call with her boss, Molly returned home to find Rick alone. Her mother was at the grocery store, and her father was helping out at the local Boys and Girls Club.
“Tell me why, again, do we have to go on this double date tomorrow night?” Rick asked with irritation as he sat on one end of the sofa with his cell phone in his hands. “I can barely stand the idea of one night with your old high school friends, let alone two.”
“I know it’s not ideal, but it’s for my job,” Molly stated as she finished typing up her notes on her laptop. She glanced over at Rick and further explained, “Spencer will let his guard down much easier if he thinks he’s casually talking to some friends over dinner rather than a reporter looking into his career as a public defender. If he finds out, he’ll shut down. I won’t be able to get anything out of him.”
“So, where’s this place we’re going to, anyway? Does it at least have good food?” Rick asked as he flicked his finger on the screen of his phone.
“We’re meeting up at Ruby’s Diner. It’s the oldest restaurant in town and the local favorite.”
“Just because it’s the oldest, doesn’t mean it’s the best. Most of the time, newer is better. I mean, I make a living because people believe that.”
Irritated by his dismissal of her town’s history, she stated adamantly, “I was raised to believe there is value in traditions and wisdom came with age.”
He snorted. “That sounds like quotes from the Bible, and you know how I feel about religion.”
“I know, I know; it’s a crutch for the weak-minded,” she said as she crossed her arms in frustration.
Even though Molly hadn’t gone to church since she left Bayfield, she didn’t judge those who found comfort in having faith. She wished her faith could have done that for her after the events that drove her out of town; instead, she was left feeling isolated and alone. She decided, after that, if her faith couldn’t help her in her darkest time, there was no point in going to church anymore.
“Exactly, I don’t want you going and reverting back to your less enlightened ways. I’ve spent two days in this town, and all everyone seems to talk about is church and football. I would swear I was in Texas if I hadn’t driven here myself yesterday.”
“What can I say, Bayfield was settled by Texan transplants back in the mid-1800s.”
“You sure know a lot about this town’s history,” Rick observed.
“That’s because we have a Founder’s Day celebration every year in September. During it, the local children take turns reciting the story of how the town was established. My family went every year while I was growing up.”
“Man, this town is so weird. The more you tell me about it, the more it sounds like a cult.”
“That’s not a very nice thing to say. Why do you have to poke fun at where I grew up? Does it make you feel good; like you’re superior to me because of it?”
“I didn’t mean to upset you. Look, I’m trying. I even agreed to go on this double-date thing you cooked up.”
Reaching out, she patted Rick on the arm. “I promise you won’t regret it. The food is great. Ruby’s is famous for its chicken pot pie. The owner has won over a dozen awards for it.”
“Really? You’re taking me to a place that’s claim to fame is chicken pot pie?” He shook his head as he added, “It’s like you don’t even know me.”
“It’s only one night, and let me tell you, the food is way better at Ruby’s than anywhere else in town.”
Rick scooted closer to her on the couch. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he whispered in her ear, “You’re making it up to me when we get back to Seattle.” His hand started to move along the edge of her arm as his mouth moved closer to hers. “Although, with your parents gone, maybe you can start making it up to me now.”
Molly wasn’t in the mood. She tried to squirm away, but it only made Rick try harder. “Oh no you don’t. You owe me and I want to collect now.”
“I think that’s about enough of that,” she heard her father say from behind them. “I have some boxes in the car, Rick. You should go and grab them while I talk with my daughter.”
Ken waited until Rick was out of the room before he came and sat down next to Molly on the sofa.
He gave her a concerned look as he asked, “How much do you really know about this guy, Molly? I’m worried you’re being taken in by his good looks and money, but I raised you to be smarter than that.”
“We’ve been dating for a couple of months now, Dad. Granted, he’s a little hard to get used to, and he can be obnoxious, but he really likes me. He pursued me for three months before I finally gave him a chance.”
“How did you meet him?”
“I interviewed him for a story about plastic surgery and its effects on women’s self-worth. He asked me out right after we were done, but I told him I don’t date sources. He continued to email and call me, which showed me he was serious.”
“Sounds like he wore you down rather than you decided you wanted to date him. I don’t know if I ever told you this before, but guys like him, more times than not, like the chase more than the relationship.”
