The Choice - Nicholas Sparks [52]
“That must be rewarding.”
“Pointless is probably a better word. It’s not very practical, since it has a tendency to break down and genuine parts are almost impossible to find. But isn’t that the price of owning a classic?”
The beer was going down easy, and she took another drink. “I have no idea. I don’t even change my own oil.”
“Have you ever gone riding?”
“No. Too dangerous.”
“Danger depends more on the rider and the conditions than the bike.”
“But yours breaks down.”
“True. But I like to live life on the edge.”
“I’ve noticed that about your personality.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Neither. But it’s definitely unpredictable. Especially when I try to reconcile it with the fact that you’re a veterinarian. It’s such a stable-sounding profession. When I think of veterinarians, I automatically think family man, complete with an apron-wearing wife and kids visiting the orthodontist.”
“In other words, boring. Like the most exciting thing I should do is golf.”
She thought of Kevin. “There are worse things.”
“Just to let you know, I am a family man.” Travis shrugged. “Except for the family part.”
“That’s kind of a prerequisite, don’t you think?”
“I think that being a family man is more about having the proper worldview than the actual condition of having a family.”
“Nice try.” She squinted at him, feeling the effects of the beer. “I’m not sure I could ever imagine you being married. Somehow, it just doesn’t seem to fit you. You seem more like the dating lots of women, perpetual bachelor kind of guy.”
“You’re not the first person to say that to me. In fact, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you spent too much time listening to my friends today.”
“They were very flattering.”
“That’s why I take them on the boat.”
“And Stephanie?”
“She’s an enigma. But she’s also my sister, so what can I do? Like I said, I’m a family-oriented guy.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to impress me?”
“Maybe I am. Tell me about your boyfriend. Is he a family man, too?”
“None of your business,” she said.
“Okay, don’t tell me. At least not yet. Tell me about growing up in Savannah instead.”
“I already told you about my family. What else is there to tell?”
“Tell me anything.”
She hesitated. “It was hot in the summer. Very hot. And humid, too.”
“Are you always this vague?”
“I think a little mystery keeps things interesting.”
“Does your boyfriend think that, too?”
“My boyfriend knows me.”
“Is he tall?”
“What does that matter?”
“It doesn’t. I’m just making conversation.”
“Then let’s talk about something else.”
“All right. Have you ever been surfing?”
“Nope.”
“Scuba diving?”
“Nope.”
“Bummer.”
“Why? Because I don’t know what I’m missing?”
“No,” he said. “Because now that my friends are married with children, I need to find someone who’s up for things like that on a regular basis.”
“As far as I can tell, you seem to find ways to keep yourself entertained. You’re wakeboarding or Jet Skiing as soon as you get off work.”
“There’s more to life than just those two things. Like parasailing.”
She laughed and he joined in, and she realized she liked the sound of it.
“I have a question about vet school,” she said apropos of nothing, but no longer caring about the direction of their conversation. It felt good just to relax, to bask in the pleasure of Travis’s company. It made her feel at ease. “I know it’s dumb, but I’ve always wondered how much anatomy you had to study. As in, how many different kinds of animals?”
“Just the major ones,” he said. “Cow, horse, pig, dog, cat, and chicken.”
“And you had to know pretty much everything about each one?”
“As far as anatomy goes, yes.”
She considered that. “Wow. I thought it was hard just doing people.”
“Yeah, but remember: Most people won’t sue me if their chicken dies. Your responsibility is much greater, especially since you’re dealing with kids.” He paused. “And I’ll bet you’re great with them.”
“Why would you say that?”
“You have an aura of kindness and