Page 20 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

Meri took a sip.The smooth and somewhat fruity combination of cherry, blackberry and cocoa.She smiled and set her glass on the table.“Just about perfect.”

He took another sip.“I agree.It’s definitely one of the best I’ve had.”

After perusing the menu for a few minutes, she decided what she wanted and set the menu down.

As though the server had been watching for the signal, she appeared table-side.“Have you made your decisions?”

“Yes,” said Meri.

“Yes,” said Chase at the same time.

They both chuckled.

The woman turned toward Meri.“Ladies first.What would you like, ma’am?”

“I’d like the trout, garlic mashed potatoes and house salad with the house vinaigrette.”Meri rattled off her order.

“And for you, sir?”

“I’ll take the prime rib, as rare as I can get it, baked potato with the works, and a house salad with blue cheese dressing.”

“Got it.I’ll be right back with your salads.”She turned and hurried away.

Meri settled back against the booth.“I like this place.It’s got an old west vibe about it.”

“It does, and wait until you taste the food.You’ll want to come back here often, believe me.”

“I can’t wait.”

The server returned with their salads.Meri ate little as she didn’t want to get full before the entrée arrived.

A short while after delivering their salads, the server returned with their dinners.The meals looked wonderful.The prime rib Chase ordered was unmistakably rare.The chef had split open her fish, laid it flat and removed all the bones, thank goodness.She took a bite of the fish.“Oh, my heavens, this is wonderful.How’s your prime rib?That’s definitely too rare for me.I like mine medium rare.”

“The meat is fantastic.It’s flavorful and so tender it nearly melts in my mouth.”

She took another bite and closed her eyes with a moan.When she opened them, she spotted Chase watching her with a smile.

They continued with dinner, doing almost no talking because the food was so good.Meri wanted to get every bite while the meal was hot.But she asked some questions.

“So, what is your favorite movie?”

Chase thought a moment.“Quigley Down Under.I love westerns.What’s your favorite song?”

“That’s easy.Grace Potter and the Nocturnals,The Lion, the Beast, the Beat.I love the drums.I like to paint while listening to it when I’m doing something really bold.”

“What will you listen to while painting the mural, or do you listen to anything?”

She looked up and pursed her lips.“I will make a list of some of my favorite movie music.Songs from Beauty and the Beast, Terminator, which is one of my favorite movies, Glory, plus works from Adele and John Legend.”

“You really have eclectic tastes.”

“Where music is concerned, yes, books too.I read everything from cozy mysteries and romance novels to science fiction and fantasy.Dune is my all-time favorite science fiction book.What about you?What do you like to read?”

“Mostly non-fiction, biographies and historical fiction likeTake My Hand.Excellent book, by the way.”

His phone rang.He pulled it out and looked at the caller id.“I’m sorry, but I need to take this.I’ll be right back.”He started to slide out of the booth.

She shook her head and motioned down with her hand.“You don’t have to leave on my account.I need to visit the restroom, anyway.Stay seated.”