Page 16 of Serious Cowboy
“See, that’s good. This job in Tim’s office is the most fulfilling one I’ve had yet because I know I’m helping to add to the positivity out in the world. Every time I can do something that makes a kid laugh or at least stop crying makes me feel ten feet tall. I’m sure your job does that for you, as well.”
Zeke hadn’t honestly considered his career in that manner, but the more he contemplated it, the more he liked the sound of it. Maybe his impact was more indirect—he wouldn’t see any immediate benefits himself—but it was nice to know he was playing his part to keep the food supply safe.
And it was a fact that wouldn’t have occurred to him at all without Callie. A woman who had snuck under his radar and become his friend.
“I’m taking you to dinner,” he blurted without thinking. Only after he’d spoken the words did he glance down and notice what he’d thrown on. It was nicer than what he wore ninety-nine percent of the time, so it should do. “After I finish showing you the town. You like barbecue or steak better?”
“I like both,” she told him, her icy pale blue eyes twinkling.
“But which is your favorite?”
“How about barbecue?”
“Barbecue, it is.”
He drove her through the part of Rocky Ridge that had Mountaintop Java, Salon 406, and Montana Jewels—it was no surprise to him that she asked to go inside the jewelry store—she peered into the salon’s window. A brunette lady stepped outside as if in a hurry, but upon seeing Callie there spoke up.
“You don’t have to stay outside if you want to take a look. We’re always happy to welcome a new client,” she volunteered, glancing from Callie to Zeke. “We take men, too.”
He straightened. “I have someone for that, thanks.” Salons seemed like a place he’d feel utterly uncomfortable in when he considered it. Didn’t women like to go there for some sort of spa day or something? Wouldn’t him being there for that be weird to them?
Callie snorted under her breath, and he had the distinct impression that it might be at his expense. “Maybe some other time. He’s just showing me around.”
“If you change your mind, let us know. I’m Joy, and the proprietor is Christine.” Then, Joy waved as she jogged away to a pickup with a smiley young man in a cowboy hat.
“Must be Aaron’s lady,” Zeke mumbled to himself, but apparently, Callie overheard.
“Aaron’s lady?”
“I work with Aaron out at the ranch. He’s one of the only supervisors who doesn’t have Duncan for a last name. He’s a nice kid and a solid leader.”
“Wow, I’m impressed.”
“Impressed? Why?”
“Because you legit shared something about who you work with. You don’t talk about yourself much. I don’t know if you’ve ever realized that.”
Why talk about himself? Wasn’t much worth sharing. Time to switch subjects.
“Hungry?”
Her smile spread from ear to ear, and the effect nearly hypnotized him. He didn’t know what it was about Callie Blum that hit him so differently, but she did. “Starving.”
Parking in the gravel lot of Three Sisters Barbecue Excellence, he peeked up at the façade. Normally when he patronized this particular establishment, he did the whole curbside pick-up thing, and it felt strange to head inside. As he escorted Callie in from the early December chill, he noticed that they’d updated the interior since the last time he’d eaten in.
The last time he’d been inside they’d sported a more rustic décor with cement floors and a rather industrial look. This time, they’d softened the overall atmosphere by adding some sort of polish to the floor, as well as a navy runner that welcomed customers in through the entrance.
The windows all had matching draperies pulled back at the sides and the scratched rectangular Formica tables had been replaced with round wooden ones as well as cushioned low-backed wooden chairs.
Posters of famous jazz, rhythm and blues, and early rock and roll musicians papered almost every inch of the walls. No matter where your eyes landed, there was something different or colorful to survey and study. Each table had been kitted out with laminated menus, a roll of paper towels, and a little caddy of sauces.
“Sort of Sweet, Pretty Spicy, Pineapple Tangy, Mustard Hot, and Vinegar Sharp,” Callie read the names aloud. “That’s quite a variety.”
“They’re all great, too.”
“Which one’s your favorite?”
“I toss them all on there. It just depends on the meat.” He liked to do the Pineapple one on his brisket, the Vinegar on his pulled pork, the Sweet on his chicken, the Mustard on his sausages, and the Spicy on the portobello angus burger they specialized in. “Really, you can’t go too wrong.”