Page 49 of The Payback Adventure
As his gaze met Elisabeth’s, he tapped his glass to hers. “Cheers.”
She took a small sip, lowered her glass, and stared at the wine bottle. The label was from a local winery. “Delicious pinot noir.”
“It is.” Gabe studied her. “What’s on your mind?”
Elisabeth looked at him. “What makes you think something’s on my mind?”
He smiled. “I’ve known you since you were in kindergarten.”
Okay, he had her there. In some ways, Gabe reminded her of Henry. Both men were attractive and knew the right things to say. Her farmhand was only there temporarily, and Gabe didn’t want to settle down, no matter how charming he might act. Both men were off-limits. Yet sometimes it was easy to think maybe they didn’t know what they wanted.
Now she was just being silly. “I just wasn’t expecting to go out to a nice place. No offense, but takeout pizza is about as fancy as we get at the farm.”
“None taken, but I meant what I said about all you do. Theresa suggested a few things we could try, but I’ve heard a few clients talk about this place. Figured this was the perfectnight to see if it’s as good as they all say. So you’re helping me out here. Now, if it turns out badly…”
“It won’t. I’m already impressed.”
“Then I have nothing to worry about.” He took another sip of wine. “How’s Henry working out? Any more bee incidents?”
“Luckily, no. But the goats might be out to get him.”
“Poor guy, but he’s right about you needing some time away from the kids and the farm.”
She glanced around at the full tables of adults having soft conversations. “I guess I do.”
“No guess about it. And I have the entire night planned out.”
“You mean there’s more than this place?”
His eyes filled with mischief. “Yes, but it’s a surprise.”
“It’ll still be a surprise if you tell me now.”
“I see where Abby gets her cleverness from.”
Elisabeth’s cheeks heated. Gabe had a reputation of being a ladies’ man, but she’d never seen him in action until tonight. “If you think compliments will get you anywhere—”
“As long as they keep making you blush, I’ll keep saying them. And every word is sincere.”
She had no idea how to respond, so she took a small sip of wine. But she was struck by how much she couldn’t stop thinking about Henry. Something told her he would be very similar to Gabe if they went out on a date. Except that would never happen.
Elisabeth wanted to shake her farmhand out of her head. She smiled at Gabe. “What remodeling projects are you working on right now?”
* **
Babysitting was going well. The tea party had been a success as well as the ice cream sundae experiments. He’d played house with the girls and handled being “Daddy” without suffering an anxiety attack or needing to call a therapist.
Caitlin had fallen asleep on the couch at eight o’clock. Abby at nine. Both were tucked safely in their beds. Henry had checked on them twice. Now, Ruff slept at his feet while Henry sat on the couch. Ritz was curled up on the recliner. All Henry needed now was for Elisabeth to get home.
“Yes.” Sam raised his hands in the air. “I win.”
“Not again.” Henry tossed his controller on the coffee table and glanced at the clock: 10:06 p.m. Only eight minutes had passed since the last time he’d looked.
Why wasn’t Elisabeth home yet? Dinner didn’t take that long. And there wasn’t much nightlife in Berry Patch.
“Why do you keep checking the clock?” Sam asked.
“Wondering when your sister might be home.”
