Chapter -25
The small group remained in the hotel room for an hour before heading out for supper. An awkward wait turned into an awkward car ride as Lucas insisted on riding with Sarah while Ruth and Alan rode in the other car. Now that he had found her he was desperate to keep her and Zoe within sight at all times. At the restaurant Ruth apologized profusely to the hostess as they only had reservations for four and now required six seats.
Gretchen merely smiled recognizing Zoe in an instant and happily rearranged their reservation showing them to a table near the piano. As before, she gushed over the three-year-old. Zoe enjoyed the attention even more
than before.
There was some hesitation as to how they should arrange seating but Lucas insisted on sitting next to Zoe and Sarah. Sarah would have preferred more space from him but gave up relying solely on Zoe who sat between them. Alan and Ruth sat across from the hesitant family watching with eager fascination. For the most part Zoe seemed completely unaware of the tension between her parents focusing on the menu selecting a hamburger and curly fries this time.
“What about fish sticks?” Alan asked noting the options on the children’s menu.
Zoe made a face and stuck out her tongue.
“You don’t like fish?” Lucas asked eager to learn about his little girl.
“No, she doesn’t.” Sarah shook her head.
While Zoe was not particularly picky when it came to food she didn’t like seafood. Shellfish in particular turned her off because it was cooked in the shell and maintained its form, like lobster. She liked the fresh fish fillets Tailor brought them after his fishing trips well enough but in general she shied away from it
otherwise.
Lucas raised a brow wondering why but Sarah focused on the menu options. The conversation fell into an awkward lull as they waited for their food. Lucas’s gaze kept drifting to Sarah wanting to ask her all the questions that plagued him the last few years plus several new ones but she was back to ignoring him. Would they ever be able to have a simple conversation?
Luckily their food came quickly and they settled in to eat. With Sarah still ignoring him Lucas focused on
Zoe.
“So…Zoe you like horses?” Lucas asked.
“Ah-huh. Horses and doggies and goats and chickens,” Zoe said. “Mommy says when I get bigger I can have a
pony!”
Lucas glanced at Sarah but she remained silent and kept her eyes averted from him. What did he have to do to get her to acknowledge him?
“So you want a pony?” Lucas said. “That’s a bit bigger than a puppy.”
“It’s okay. We have a barn and Thistle and Rosy and Posy won’t mind.”
A barn? Lucas raised an eyebrow. Had they been living on a farm? Or was she talking about a local stable? Just how had they been living for three years?
“Thistle, Rosy and Posy?”
“Our donkey and goats! Mommy bought them for me!”
So, a farm.
“So, what is your puppy’s name?”
“Daisy.”
“Daisy?” Alan suddenly piped up. “That’s Rosemary’s daughter.”
Zoe gave him a shrewd look in as much to say, Well, duh! Out loud she said, “I know, silly.”
“Oh,” Alan cleared his throat. “So how long…have you known about your mom?”
“I’ve known forever!” Zoe proudly declared. “Mommy said it was a secret so I can’t tell anyone but I want everyone to know my mommy is the bestest!”
Lucas fought a smile as Zoe gushed about her mother. It was clear she thought the world revolved around Sarah, or at least that it should. He wondered how long it would take for him to earn such loyalty and adoration or if it was even possible.
“I wanted mommy to enter the rodeo with Applejack at the fair but she said she was too old,” Zoe said. “But
she’s not old at all, is she? You think she could do it too, right?”
“I think your mommy can do anything she wants,” Lucas said. “I’d love to see her in the rodeo.”
“Me too!” Zoe practically bounced in her booster seat. “I want to see Applejack run. Mommy says he’s like
lightning! Auntie Ruth, did you see mommy in the rodeo?”
“I did,” Ruth nodded glancing at Sarah. “I was there when she and Jack won at the county fair.”
Lucas’s gaze slid toward Sarah again noticing her cheeks had gone pink. Was she really embarrassed by her
own accomplishments? How much did he not know about her? He hadn’t even known she could ride let alone
competed in a rodeo.
“Auntie Sarah?”
They looked up to see a young teenage girl staring at their table with two little boys in tow.
“Alexis!” Sarah jerked to attention. “You’ve gotten so big!”
