by Unknown
“Lead the way.”
Paige continued to surprise and delight Shane. He’d been concerned about the more adventurous rides, like the Pirate’s Ship that swung like a crazy pendulum hundreds of feet into the air. She’d screamed, clutched his neck, and hidden her face against his shoulder, but when they exited the ride she was smiling.
“What’s next?” she asked.
Next had been the Cyclone, a double-loop roller coaster. He didn’t remember ever having so much fun. He’d forgotten how. Blade worked hard. Subsequently, Shane and Rio did the same. Of the three of them, Shane was the most laid-back—until Blade had married Sierra. Until then none of them had a life outside business. Shane hadn’t thought he wanted one.
Until now. Until Paige.
Together they were both experiencing the same wonderful feelings for the first time, which made the occasion unique and special. It was almost six when Paige and Shane decided to leave.
“Paige, we have one stop to make,” Shane said as they strolled between hawkers trying to get him to stop and play a game of chance and win a prize. He was looking for one thing in particular.
“Are you going to win me a stuffed animal?” she asked, an impish smile on her beautiful face.
“Our day of firsts wouldn’t be complete without it.” He stopped in front of a stand filled with an assortment of stuffed animals. One of them was bigger than Paige. “A giraffe, panda bear, or teddy bear?”
“Panda,” she said, grinning up at him. It was the largest of the three.
“Panda bear it is.” Her hand still in his, he went to the counter. “What are the rules to win the panda?”
The crafty-eyed man grinned at them, revealing two gold front teeth. “Here’s a man who knows how to please a lady.” He stuck out his tattooed hand palm-up. “Five bucks for three darts. If you get them all, you get a pick of the bottom shelf. Five bucks more and all hits gets you the second shelf. Five more with all hits, and the panda on the top shelf is yours.”
Shane reached for his wallet. “You must have had him a long time.”
The man chuckled. “Almost like a family member.”
“Let’s cut to the chase.” Shane placed a twenty on the scarred board. “Nine darts.”
The twenty quickly disappeared into one of the pockets of the man’s dingy apron. “You sure you don’t want me to keep the five to get you started on the next round?”
Paige stuck out her hand for Shane’s change. “Thank you, but he won’t need it.”
“You hear that, folks?” the man called loudly to people passing by. “This little lady thinks her man has what it takes to go the distance the first time.” He placed the five in Paige’s hand, then began motioning people over. “Step up, folks, and see him not disappoint his lady.”
“He won’t.” On tiptoes, she kissed Shane on the cheek. “You just get my panda bear ready.”
“Man, are you in trouble if you don’t come through,” a male bystander said.
“I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes,” another male called out.
“Well, I’d trade places with her,” laughed a woman.
“Thank you, but I’m staying exactly where I am,” Paige told the woman. She playfully winked at Shane, who grinned back. “Now please step back and give him room.”
Shane shook his head. Paige smiled at him, confident that he’d win that panda. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the first dart flying into a balloon. The sound still lingered as he sent another, then another, each finding its target until all nine darts were on the board, the tattered remains of the nine balloons hanging from them.
The crowd erupted into applause. The hawker looked from the board to Shane as if still not believing what he’d just witnessed.
“My panda, please.” Paige handed Shane the five and lifted her arms toward the man.
“How about double or nothing?” the man said, picking up nine darts.
Shane shoved the money into the front pocket of his jeans without taking his eyes from the man. “You wouldn’t be trying to renege on the rules, would you?” Planting his hands firmly on the weathered boards, he leaned forward. “I’d hate to disappoint my lady.”
The man almost fell over his feet scrambling for the stuffed animal. “No. No. Here it is.”
Shane plucked the animal from the man and handed it to Paige. Her arms tried and failed to go around the bear’s fat waist. He chuckled. “I better take him for now.”
She seemed almost reluctant to turn the bear loose. “Thank you.”
He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, curving his free arm around her waist. He wasn’t a demonstrative man, but he found he liked touching Paige, holding her. He wasn’t going to deprive himself of the pleasure. “Thank you for the inspiration and the faith. There was no way I was going to leave without your prize.”
She laughed up at him. “That man found out when you showed your scary face.”
He glanced down at her, her head on his chest as they headed out the exit gate. “I see it doesn’t scare you.”
She looked up at him, her face suddenly solemn. “I think it might have, if I didn’t know the other, gentler side of you.”
Releasing her, he handed her the stuffed animal and deactivated the lock on the car door. “No one has ever called me gentle before.”
“That’s because they don’t know you as well as I do.” She handed him the stuffed animal to put in the backseat. “Which is all right, because no one knows me as well as you do.”
“Paige.” His arms went around her, pulling her to him, taking her lips in a kiss that was both passionate and tender.
“I’ll always be thankful for Mother extending you an invitation to come to Atlanta.”
His expression didn’t waver as he opened the passenger door to seat her. He went around and got into the driver’s seat. He’d almost forgotten that he was on borrowed time—and before the clock ticked down, he’d better find a way to tell Paige what had really brought him there.
Paige was definitely walking on air. She supposed being in love did that to you. She and Shane had a long way to go, but at least they were on the road. It was incredible being with a man who understood you so well.
She suggested they drop the panda off at her house before they went to supper. She couldn’t help the childish delight she experienced on seeing her mother’s face when she’d awkwardly carried the giant panda into the house. “Shane won this for me.”
“I better take it upstairs.” He laughed. “We’re going back out to dinner where Noah and Gayle work. Do you want to join us, Mrs. Albright?”
“No, thank you.” She smiled at Paige, brushed her hand over the head of the panda. “So you finally got one.”
“I sure did.” She handed the stuffed animal to Shane’s waiting hands and explained. “When Mother took me to another amusement park, I used to envy the girls and women walking around with those stuffed animals.”
“No wonder you didn’t want to turn the thing loose.” Shane followed her up the stairs.
“That’s all right,” she said, opening her door. “I found out what those girls and women probably already knew. It’s much nicer holding on to the man who won it for you.”
His eyes darkened. He put the animal in front of her desk, took her hand, and started back downstairs. “Let’s get out of here before you get us into trouble.”
Laughing, she followed him down the stairs and they were off again. Shane gave her confidence she’d never known.
“You think Gayle will be able to seat us in Noah’s section?” Shane asked as he led her across the crowded parking lot of the grill-and-tavern. They had to park in the very back. The lot was full.
“I hope so.” Paige stepped through the door he held open. People edged over to make room. Inside, it was even more crowded and noisy. From the bar area to the left, two wide-screen TVs blared sports programs. “It will be good to see them again.” “
“How many?” the hostess asked, smiling over
the wooden podium.
“Two,” Shane answered. “Is Gayle working tonight?” “Yes,” the friendly young woman answered. “Would you like to be seated in her section?”
“Section?” Paige repeated. “She’s a hostess.”
The young woman suddenly looked uncomfortable, pulled on her ponytail. “She was reassigned yesterday after closing.”
“Is Noah here?” Paige asked, wondering what was going on.
“Yes.” The hostess looked relieved. “He’s training her, so I can seat you in their section.”
“Thank you.” Paige and Shane moved away to wait for their table. The small area was crammed with people waiting as well. “She was so happy to get the position. She had been afraid that she wouldn’t because of her full figure. She confided in me that for one of the few times in her life, her weight didn’t matter,” Page said tightly.
A man in a long-sleeved white shirt passed in front of them, heading in the direction of the bar. Paige went after him, catching the man by the arm. “Ron, why was Gayle reassigned?”
He looked from her arm to her angry face to Shane standing behind her. “Come with me, please.”
Silently they followed him to his office in the back. He didn’t sit or ask them to. Introductions were brief. “To answer your question, Paige, it wasn’t working,” Ron told her.
“What happened?” Paige asked, trying not to let her temper get the best of her.
Ron folded his arms across his barrel chest and leaned back against the desk. “She’s too shy. I need someone bright and bubbly out front. To tell the truth, I’m not sure how she’ll make it as a waitress. My wait staff have fun, sit at the booth, remember the orders instead of writing them down. I put her with Noah, who’s a natural at charming people.” He shook his head. “Hard to believe they’re twins.”
“She needs this job. But more than that, she needs to build her confidence,” Paige told him.
“Paige, everybody here carries their own weight. As the manager, it’s the only way I keep down the BS. I’m sorry.”
“How long does she have?” Shane asked, his hand on Paige’s shoulder.
Ron hesitated. “She’s with Noah tonight. She’s off tomorrow. I’ll know by the end of her shift Wednesday if she’ll make it.”
“That’s not enough time,” Paige protested, anger building within her. “Give her a fair shot.”
“I am,” Ron said, his own irritation building. He raked his hand through his hair. “If she wasn’t one of your kids, and Zach wasn’t a good buddy, I never would have hired her. Paige.” His voice softened. “Some people are cut out for this. She’s not one of them.”
“Thank you. Come on, Paige,” Shane said. “Our table is probably ready.”
“If it isn’t, it will be.” The manager straightened. “I’m sorry, Paige. I know how much this means to you and to them, but I have to think of the other employees and the customers.”
She stopped him with a hand on his arm. “I could pay you—”
“Paige, no,” Shane cut in. “That’s not the way. Gayle has to do this on her own.”
Her hand slipped away. “I know . . . it’s just . . .” So much like when she hadn’t fit in. She knew too intimately what Gayle must be feeling. Paige didn’t want that for a young woman who had already been through so much.
“I understand, Paige,” Shane said. “Come on.”
Silently they followed the manager back into the restaurant and waited while he checked the seating arrangement against the list of customers.
“This way, please.” Ron grabbed two menus and walked to a bustling area of the restaurant, seating them in a section of raised booths. Paige and Shane were barely seated before Noah came back from the kitchen area. An unsmiling Gayle followed behind.
Gone were the white blouse and black skirt she’d worn the other night when Paige and Jackie visited the restaurant. Tonight she wore a tan-colored T-shirt with the restaurant’s name embossed across the front. Paige ached for her. The clinging shirt emphasized her body’s shape, the generous breasts she’d always tried to hide or downplay.
Noah saw them immediately. Instead of the usual smile, he stopped and gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
“Whatever you’re feeling, don’t let it show.” Beneath the table, Shane squeezed her hand. “She has to know you have confidence in her, and that if this doesn’t work, you’ll still be there.”
“Of course I will.”
“For what it’s worth, I’ll be there, too.”
She squeezed his hand back. “It means a lot.”
Noah reached their table, propping his hand on the wooden back of the booth, and faced them. Gayle hung behind him. Paige unfortunately knew why. She thought she had failed.
“Hi, Gayle, Noah. I see I got lucky again to be in your section,” Paige greeted.
“Welcome back, Paige. Shane, glad you came,” Noah greeted.
“Hello, Paige. Shane.” Gayle swallowed, bit her lower lip, then tucked her head.
“Hi, Gayle,” Shane said, glancing briefly at the menu. “What’s good on the menu? I’m in the mood for beef. How about you, Paige?”
“Fish is good,” Paige answered.
Gayle looked at her brother, then edged a bit closer. “The grilled rib eye is a favorite. It’s ten ounces and served with a loaded baked potato. Paige, I think you’d like the grilled seafood platter served on a bed of rice with a side of coleslaw and a creamy Cajun sauce.”
Shane handed Gayle his menu. “Make my steak rare, please.”
Paige folded her menu. “Perfect.”
Gayle clutched the menus to her chest. “What would you like to drink and can I get you an appetizer to start?”
“Sweet iced tea for both of us. Since you’re so good, why don’t you surprise us with an appetizer?” Shane said. “We’ve been out all day, so make it a lot.”
“You can mix or match up to three appetizers,” she said. “You sure you don’t want to look at the menu again?”
“Not me. You, Paige?”
“Nope. We trust you.”
“I’ll go turn this in.” Still clutching the menu, she went to a computer near their table. She didn’t hesitate as her hand moved over the screen.
“She’s good on the computer,” Shane noted.
“She’s spent a lot of time by herself. It became her escape,” Noah said, his voice worried. “I’m concerned about her. Maybe this will let her know she can do this. Thanks.” He moved away to the table behind them.
“You know what I think?” Paige said.
Shane played with a lock of her hair. “Nope, but I can’t wait to hear it.”
Paige turned firmly toward him. “I think Gayle needs to find her center.”
It was difficult for Shane to watch Gayle. He knew it had to be much more difficult for Paige and Noah. Perhaps if she had had the waitress job initially, she might have gotten through her shyness. But being demoted put a big dent in her pride, made her feel as if she’d let Paige and Noah down. Like Paige, Gayle had to learn that her first responsibility was to like herself, regardless of what people said or did.
“Can we have some water?” the man from the table next to them asked.
“Good luck,” called a woman from the booth in front of Shane and Paige’s. “We’ve been waiting for our checks for five minutes. I’ve never had service this bad.”
“No.” Shane didn’t move when Paige pushed him to get out of the booth. “Both of them have to learn to take the good customers with the bad.”
Gayle filled the water glass, set the pitcher on a ledge, then rushed up to the table with the woman complaining about her check. She handed a bill to each of the five women sitting there. “Sorry it took so long. I didn’t know you wanted the meals rung up separately.”
The woman who had spoken grunted and held up her receipt. “This is wrong.”
Shane saw Gayle cringe and look around for Noah. He was taking an order for a large group. Gayle’s help
less gaze went to Paige.
“Can’t you hear?” the woman asked snidely. The other women at the table laughed.
Moistening her lips, swallowing, Gayle turned back to the woman. “How is the bill wrong?”
“My salmon was thirteen ninety-nine. You have another dollar ninety-nine on here and three six ninety-nine and I only had two drinks, not three,” she said.
“Is there a problem?” Ron asked, stopping at the table.
Paige had a death grip on Shane’s arm. Two tables over, Noah straightened from taking an order.
“Your waitress overcharged me,” the woman snapped. “I guess she needs her hair done.” More laughter sounded around the table.
Shane had to make himself stay seated and hold on to Paige. “She’s the one who needs a hairstylist, with a weave from hell—not to mention the nerve to go braless in that ill-fitting halter top.”
“Paige!” Shane shushed.
“Can I see the bill, please?” Ron asked.
“Sure.” The woman flicked it to him. Crossing her legs in her short denim skirt, she explained again about the overcharges.
“Gayle, what are the charges for?” Ron asked.
Gayle swallowed. “She substituted a baked potato for the rice, added a dinner salad after the original order. I know she had three margaritas because Noah said sometimes people forget and to keep a cheat sheet in my pocket when I turn in the order to the bar.” She pulled out the small spiral tablet and handed it to him. “It has the table number, the seat, the time.”
Ron turned to the woman and handed her the bill. “It’s correct. How would you like to pay?”
Paige applauded. The woman jerked her head around. Paige continued, would have stood if there had been room.
The woman slapped her credit card on the table. “I want the carbon copy.”
“Of course.” Ron picked up the credit card. “I’ll personally take care of this for you. Gayle, you can get the other customers, please.”
Gayle picked up the payments from the other women. Passing Paige, she smiled.
“She did it! She did it!”
“Yes, she did,” Shane agreed, but he was unsure if that one episode would give Gayle the confidence she needed. It had been his experience that once wasn’t always enough. It certainly hadn’t been that way with Paige, but she was too happy for him to remind her of that.