The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks [55]
“I think I’m ready for a burger now,” Taylor said. “I take it you already ate.”
Denise checked her watch. “Actually, I haven’t, but we can’t stay. I’ve got to work tonight.”
“You’re leaving already?”
“In a few minutes. It’s almost five, and I’ve still got to feed Kyle and get ready for work.”
“He can eat here—there’s plenty of food.”
“Kyle doesn’t eat hot dogs or chips. He’s kind of a picky eater.”
Taylor nodded. For a long moment he seemed to be lost in thought.
“Can I give you a lift home?” he finally asked.
“We rode our bikes here.”
Taylor nodded. “I know.”
As soon as he said it, she knew it to be a moment of recognition for both of them. She didn’t need the ride, and he knew it; he’d asked despite the fact that friends and food were waiting just a few steps away. It was obvious that he wanted her to say yes; his expression made that clear. Unlike his offer to bring her groceries home, this time, she knew, his offer had less to do with being kind than it did with what might happen between them.
It would have been easy to say no. Her life was complex enough—did she really need to add something more to the mix? Her mind was telling her that she didn’t have the time, that it wouldn’t be a good idea, that she barely knew him. The thoughts registered in quick succession, making perfect sense, but despite them all, she surprised herself by saying, “I’d like that.”
Her answer seemed to surprise him as well. He took another drink of beer, then nodded without a word. It was then that Denise recognized the same shyness in him that she’d seen at Merchants, and she suddenly acknowledged the very thing she’d been denying to herself all along.
She hadn’t come to the festival to visit with Judy, nor had she come to meet new people.
She’d come to see Taylor McAden.
Mitch and Melissa watched as Taylor and Denise departed. Mitch leaned toward his wife’s ear, so that others wouldn’t overhear him.
“So, what did you think of her?”
“She’s nice,” Melissa said honestly. “But it’s not just up to her. You know how Taylor is. Where this all goes from here will really depend on him.”
“Do you think they’ll get together?”
“You know him better than I do. What do you think?”
Mitch shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
“Yes, you are. You know how charming Taylor can be when he sets his sights on someone. I just hope that this time he doesn’t hurt anyone.”
“He’s your friend, Melissa. You don’t even know Denise.”
“I know. And that’s why I’ve always forgiven him.”
Chapter 14
“Monster truck!” Kyle exclaimed. (Monstew twuck!)
A Dodge four-by-four, it was black with oversize wheels. It had two spotlights mounted on a roll bar, a heavy-duty tow cable hooked to the front bumper, a gun rack mounted above the seats in the cab, and a silver toolbox in the bed.
Unlike others she’d seen, however, this one was no showpiece. The paint job had dulled, with deep scratches throughout, and there was a dent in the front side panel, right near the driver’s-side door. One of the rearview mirrors had been torn off, leaving a hole that had rusted around the edges, and the entire lower half of the truck was crusted with a thick layer of mud.
Kyle wrung his hands together, excited. “Monster truck,” he said again.
“Do you like it?” Taylor asked.
“Yes,” he said, nodding enthusiastically.
Taylor loaded the bikes into the bed of the truck, then held the door open for them. Because the truck was high, he had to help Kyle scramble inside. Denise was next, and Taylor accidentally brushed against her as he showed her where to grab to pull herself up.
He started the engine, and they headed toward the outskirts of town with Kyle propped up between them. As if knowing she wanted to be alone with her thoughts, Taylor didn’t say anything, and she was grateful for that. Some people were uncomfortable with silence, considering it a void that needed to be filled, but he