Page 37 of Gideon’s Gratitude (Love in Mission City #5)

Chapter Nineteen

Gideon

“ I ’ll admit I’ve never been here.” I glanced about the restaurant.

Stavros—of Stavros’s Restaurant—had seated us himself. A clearly jovial and jolly man, he was all smiles as he led us to a secluded booth in the back.

I eyed the padding and decided my back would likely be okay.

Archer grinned. “I’ve heard good things.”

I eyed him. “You’re hardly ever in town.”

“Rainbow mentioned it. Well, I asked her for recommendations, and she named several. She said the establishment that best straddled affordable with slightly upscale was Stavros’s.” He scanned the menu. “I would say she’s right. And I love Greek.”

“They have some lean meat cuts.” I scanned the menu as well.

Had I known we would be making our way here, I would’ve definitely checked out the menu online first. Most places posted their nutrition specs there as well.

I still didn’t enjoy spending time on the computer, but for Archer’s health, I’d totally make an exception.

“Yes, I did my research. The chicken kebobs are very healthy. As is the falafel.”

“Oh, good.”

“I love calamari, but they fry it here, and that’s not—”

“No, it’s not.” I gazed at him.

“But if you had it and gave me one piece…”

I narrowed my eyes.

“One piece.”

“You expect me to order squid so you can get one piece ?”

“Well…”

I grinned. “Yeah, I can do that. One isn’t going to cause a crisis, but this isn’t going to become a routine.” I wagged my finger at him.

“How are you doing tonight? My name is Timothea, and I’m your server for this evening.” A lovely woman with bright-blue eyes and long, black hair tied in a ponytail offered us a wide smile.

“We are fantastic.” Archer snagged my hand. “This place is charming.”

She grinned. “My uncle does a good job. We’ve been here thirty years—which is about five years longer than I’ve been around.”

“I’m not certain if I’m to comment about the length of the restaurant being here, since thirty years is impressive, or if I compliment you on…” Archer appeared to consider. “I think twenty-five is a good age. So, congratulations.”

“Well, my birthday was yesterday, so I’ll take those well wishes.”

“Happy belated birthday.” I said the words quietly as I marveled at how right Archer’s hand over mine felt.

She grinned. “Thanks. But that’s not why you’re here.”

“Admittedly not.” Archer offered her a devastating grin .

The one he gave me once in a while and that, I could say honestly, made me weak in the knees. “I’ll have a club soda and the chicken kebob platter.”

“Great.” She pivoted her attention to me.

“A large order of fried calamari and a cola.”

“Perfect. I’ll bring you some pita bread to get you started, and I’ll get this order in. We’re not too busy, so you won’t have to wait long.”

We’d come in late afternoon to avoid a potential rush. My boyfriend understood I was still a little skittish around people I didn’t know. I’d always been shy and wary of strangers while Leo saw every person as an opportunity to connect. He would’ve made a phenomenal salesperson.

Timothea left.

Archer still clung to my hand.

“What are your plans for Christmas?” He glanced out the plate-glass window to First Avenue where several city workers were hanging decorations.

“You’ll need to drive down this strip later on when everything’s lit up. It’s so beautiful.” One of the few pleasures I’d had last year—being without the kids and all. I’d taken a ride down this street to take in the decorative lights.

“We’ll drive together. Do you think they’ll be finished by the time we’re ready to go?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I have your drinks.” Timothea put them down first. “And pita bread with hummus. Anything else before dinner?” Her grin revealed perfect teeth.

“Honestly, I think we’re good.” Archer offered her that charming smile again.

She grinned back, then took off .

“Very friendly.” I picked at my cloth napkin with the hand Archer wasn’t holding.

He cocked his head. “Well, that’s true. I’ve found, generally, people who work in a tip environment tend to be friendlier. Although, working for her uncle…” He frowned. “I’m trying to discern if she would need to be even happier than she felt or if she could work at a normal level of friendliness.”

“Something I’ve honestly never thought about.” Did that make me unobservant? Not curious enough?

Archer caught my gaze. “I’m overly inquisitive. Snooping. My job is to ferret out the truth of people—part of that is reading them. Knowing when their happiness is a ruse. Determining who are good people and who are questionable assholes. Wolves in sheep’s clothing, if you will.”

I scratched my chin. “I guess. I never had to deal with that. My boss was a good woman. I worked with guys who were even rougher than me. I just fit in, you know? Where I faltered was when I accompanied Leo to medical-related events. That stuff was way above me.”

“Surely that’s not true. You’re a smart man, Gideon.”

“But not book smart. And I’d argue with your calling me smart in the first place, but I’m not going to turn down a compliment.

” Except, basically I was. “I just want to be smart enough to help the kids. I know, though, one day they’ll pass me.

I’ll be so fucking proud that day, Archer.

I want them to do better than working the docks. ”

“Honorable work. Don’t ever forget that—or let someone else diminish it.”

“Calamari and kebobs.” Timothea placed our plates before us.

A fragrant aroma wafted from the plates, and I sniffed. “This smells amazing. ”

“Tastes even better. Just wave if you need anything.” With a wave of her own, she headed back toward the front of the restaurant.

I wasn’t a fan of eating super-hot food, but Archer, heedless of temperature, dug in.

He grinned like a loon as he devoured the first kebob. “You okay?”

“Sure.” I poked at the calamari. You’re doing this for him. It’s healthy for you, and there’s nothing wrong with trying something new. Going out to a restaurant was novel in this new phase of my life. Coming into town was sort of new.

Archer was definitely new.

Before I took a bite, though, I put a piece on his plate.

“Oh, I love you. I wasn’t going to ask, but…” He put the piece in his mouth and clearly savored.

I love you .

He hadn’t meant to say that. Well, he loved that I’d ordered his favorite so he could have some. But he didn’t love love me.

Although I might love love him.

Too soon, right? Savior complex? Except I’d saved him.

At least that first night. But he’d been saving me too—continuously.

Driving me to counseling, helping me cope with the grief about the kids.

Except seeing them this week hadn’t brought feelings of helplessness.

Maybe because Trevor had been more engaged.

Or because Melodie had pictures to show me. I shouldn’t have hope…but I did.

“Gideon?”

“Hmm?”

“I asked how your food was. You seem…distracted.”

I gave him my best coy smile. “I want to distract you tonight.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Oh, really? If this was a rom-com, I’d be flagging Timothea and asking for the check—”

“Archer?” A man stood near the table .

I’d been so focused on my companion that I hadn’t even noticed.

Then I looked closely and caught sight of a second man, standing slightly behind. He was a gorgeous guy with blond hair, blue eyes, and an infectious smile.

The first man— I held in the wince. He had a burn scar down the left side of his face. Still, he had been the one to speak, and he offered Archer a broad, if a little lopsided, smile.

“Adam!” Archer rose. “Lovely to see you. I’d comment on the odds, but I’ve discovered Mission City is pretty small.” He turned to the other man. “You must be the infamous Dean.” He held out his hand.

“Right you are, mate. Nice to make your acquaintance.”

Irish? Australian? Scottish? I was super bad with accents.

“We’re taking a break.” Adam clutched Dean’s hand. “We’ve arranged a Christmas wedding at Healing Horses, and we spent part of the afternoon with Rainbow, making plans.”

“Oh, wow.” I blurted that out. I’d never considered the ranch as a wedding venue.

“Shit.” Archer muttered the word. “Dean and Adam? This is Gideon, my—” He swallowed the word.

Gingerly, I rose. “Boyfriend.” I held out my hand. “Gideon Rodgers.”

Adam, who I’d now surmised was one of the recluses Archer had mentioned meeting, flashed clear recognition on the last name. “I was sorry to hear your grandparents passed. I wanted to send a card…” He shrugged. “I only met them twice, but they were very kind to me.”

I blinked. “They were good people. I miss them terribly.”

Dean shook my hand. “Don’t mind me. I’m just with him.” He nudged his fiancé in the biceps.

Adam rolled his eyes.

Despite my nerves, I smiled .

“And Aussie. Getting used to all this cold.” He winked.

“Oh, you’re loving it. He got a real kick out of the first snow.” Adam beamed.

“Came early this year.” I nodded. The weekend before I’d met Archer. It had melted two days later, but early November was unusual for the white stuff.

“We’ve interrupted your dinner.” Dean gestured to the table.

“Not at all.” Archer met my gaze.

“We would love if you’d consider joining us.” See? I can both understand what he’s saying and be gracious . The truth was, the idea of being with other people terrified me. But if Adam coped, then so could I.

“Yeah?” Dean’s eyes lit. “Because Adam and Maddox were explaining about some funky architecture.”

Archer’s gaze cut to mine.

I smiled. “Arthur Erickson inspired. Archer’s got photos on his phone. Or, I’m quite certain if you ask nicely, he’ll give you a tour.” I was damn proud of myself.