Beginnings Read online

  "I'll bet that's lovely."

  "You should come and see it sometimes," he offered, and his eyes grew wide.

  Nichole felt the warmth rise in her cheeks at the invitation.

  "Maybe I'll make up breakfast burritos and bring the kids up for that some morning."

  She watched as the panic on his face settled. "That sounds great."

  Zane ran back toward the table. "Can I have some pizza?"

  "Didn't you already have some?" Nichole asked as she brushed a wayward strand of hair from her son's brow.

  "I'm starving, Mom," he whined, and it amused her.

  "Yes, make sure Ben has enough to eat."

  He held up his hand. "I'm good."

  Zane took a piece and picked off all the pieces of sausage, which had Ben leaning in over the table. "Dude, you're taking all the good stuff off."

  Zane looked up at him and winced. "Nope. Cheese is good."

  Ben reached for the little balls of meat that Zane had discarded and put them on his half-eaten slice. "Now it's perfect."

  Nichole realized that she watched the man sitting with her with great interest. He was still a boy at heart, she thought, as he carefully ate the slice of pizza while balancing the extra sausage on top.

  "I'd be happy to get that haircut done for you when you're done eating," she offered.

  He looked up at her mid-bite. "Are you sure?"

  "The kids are having fun. The day is winding down. I'd be happy to."

  "Thanks."

  Nichole sat back and finished her beer while she watched her children play. It felt good to be happy. With a nonchalant glance toward Ben, she smiled from behind her bottle. What was it about this man in particular that made her happy? She wasn't sure he was interested in her. Well, it was always good to have one more friend in a new city.

  * * *

  Ben followed Nichole to the salon after they had finished their pizza. She'd tried to offer him the leftovers, but he'd seen the look in Wyatt's eyes that said he was looking forward to a slice later. They'd agreed she would take it and store it in the refrigerator at the shop.

  Outside, the vendors and stores began to pick up their wares, and the kids settled into the waiting area of the salon as the other stylists tidied up and headed home.

  Nichole escorted him to the shampoo sink, and he leaned back, careful not to make eye contact. She started the water and waited until it was just the right temperature before he felt the spray over his scalp. Then she massaged shampoo into his hair, and it took everything inside of him not to moan. Wouldn't that be embarrassing?

  As she worked the lather through his hair, Ben felt every muscle in his body relax. He didn't remember that last time he'd felt nearly entranced. She massaged the tops of his ears, and down his neck. Seriously, she was going to expect him to stand after all of this?

  She turned the water back on and gently rinsed the soap out of his hair, her fingers tunneling through the strands.

  When the water turned off, he realized he'd closed his eyes. Crap! Had he moaned? It was completely possible since he didn't even know he'd closed his eyes.

  Nichole ran the towel over his head pressing the water from his hair and then stepped back from the sink.

  "Ready?" She smiled down at him waiting for him to follow.

  Words eluded him now.

  He followed her to her station and watched as she prepared for his haircut. Unfolding her cape, she pulled it up around his neck and fastened it. Her delicate fingers were grazing his skin.

  It was then that words came to him, though he hadn't anticipated them until they'd been spoken.

  "Would you like to have dinner with me next weekend?"

  She had just taken the comb to his hair when she stopped and looked at him in the mirror.

  There was a smile on her lips, and she didn't look too put out by the question that had blurted from his mouth.

  "I would love to. I work on Saturday until four. I can have Katie watch the kids."

  "Great. I'll come by then," he offered, and Nichole went on with her work.

  Well, now he had a date. That hadn't been in his expectations when he'd headed into town that morning. He noticed the kids behind him, and suddenly his stomach clenched. What right did he have asking out their mother? She had enough on her plate. The last thing she needed to worry about was him.

  Maybe in the next seven days he could come up with an excuse not to go through with the date. Yeah, maybe that's just what he'd do.

  12

  When the last client of the day walked out of the salon, Nichole felt her stomach begin to flutter. It had been a long week waiting for Saturday to arrive, but it was here. Ben had asked her out to dinner, but she hadn't heard from him all week. Still, with a little bit of hope left in her, she'd called Katie and asked her to watch the kids.

  Now she stood alone in the salon wondering if she'd been foolish to think he would show up. After all, if he'd been looking forward to the date, wouldn't he have called and finalized it?

  She turned the sign in the window to read closed. Looking down the street, she didn't see his truck parked anywhere. Well, she'd close up, turn off the lights, and sit in the back room and have a glass of wine. Her kids were taken care of, so she might as well take a moment for herself. Maybe the wine would soften the blow when Ben didn't show.

  Nichole pulled down a glass from the cupboard, took the bottle of wine from the refrigerator, and poured herself a generous glass. There was a bag of potato chips on the shelf. She'd consider it dinner out.

  Sitting down at the table with her glass in one hand, and the bag of chips in the other, she took a long sip of wine and let it warm her as she reclined in the chair and propped her feet up on another. It had been stupid to get worked up over an offer for dinner. Ben Walker was a nice guy, but he was a bit of a loner. Nichole knew that, and Audrey had even backed up her thought of him. He liked his little house out on the ranch and away from town and people. That wasn't the kind of man Nichole could get involved with. She was a people person. She liked the bustle of town, and well, she had her kids to think about, too. When it came to them, there was no place for romance.

  She took another long sip of wine, then pulled a few chips from the bag when she heard a tapping at the door. Standing, she looked around the wall, and she saw Ben standing at the front door of the salon, his hands cupped around his eyes looking in.

  "Well, I'll be damned," she said to herself as she walked toward the door. Still, with her wine in one hand, she unlocked the lock and pulled open the door. "You came."

  The expression on his face was one of pure shock. "We had a date, didn't we?"

  Nichole smiled and nodded her head. "We sure did. Let me get my stuff. Would you like a glass of wine or a bottle of beer before we go? Lydia brought more of those microbrews you like."

  Ben closed the door behind him. "No, I'm good."

  "Okay, then let me get my purse, and I'm ready to go." Nichole took one last long sip of her wine before pouring out the last few sips and rinsing the glass. When she returned, she found Ben fixing his hair in the mirror. Oh, he was nervous, and it made him even cuter. "I'm ready," she said, and Ben's head shot up.

  "Great. I'm sorry I'm later than we'd agreed on. I got a flat on the way here."

  "It's no problem. That kind of stuff happens."

  "Right. Well, I should have called, but I'm not used to calling people. I mean, it didn't cross my mind until I saw the lights off."

  It would be a fun evening, no matter what, Nichole thought. Some adult conversation and a meal with a nice-looking man. But seriously, a man who didn't even consider calling his date to tell her he was going to be late? That was just self-centered.

  They walked out of the salon and Nichole locked the door behind them. "Where are we going?"

  "Do you like Mexican food? Juan's Cantina is not too far. We could even walk if you'd like."

  A nice walk on a spring evening sounded delightful. "I'd like that," she said
tucking her keys into her purse. "Do they have margaritas?"

  "Of course," he offered, tucking his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. "They have regular ones, and then a big grand-daddy strawberry one rimmed with sugar."

  The way he described it, Nichole found her mouth watering. "I think that's what I'm going to have. I could use it."

  "Tough day?" Ben asked as they walked down the street past businesses she knew Lydia had her hand in.

  "Not too bad. I just don't get out too often. But Katie has the kids, and I get to be free for a few hours."

  "I guess it takes a lot of planning to have a night out. I didn't think too much about that. I'd be happy to pay for Katie's babysitting fees."

  Now that was a gem of a man. "We're trading babysitting for hair services. For both of us, it's a win."

  "That's good."

  They walked in silence the rest of the way to Juan's. Nichole had never been there, but from the looks of the patio and the music coming from inside, it appeared to be quite popular. Ben walked straight to the hostess and then gave Nichole a nod to follow. They were seated out on the patio with a view of the river.

  "There was a line at the door. Who do you know, to walk straight in?"

  Only a beat later, Nichole's question was answered when Lydia hurried to the table and pulled Nichole up into a hug. "Oh, I'm so glad you guys got here. I was worried."

  Ben stood and kissed Lydia on the cheek. "I got a flat."

  "I thought Jake just got you new tires."

  Ben laughed. "Yeah, they're still at his shop. Guess I'll be heading over there tomorrow to get them."

  "I'm giving out samples of our newest beer. They're going to start carrying it on their menu. I'll bring you guys out some sample trays. Oh, and some chips and guac on the house. I've brought in enough business tonight by word of mouth they're giving my friends some perks," Lydia said with a wink as she hurried off.

  Nichole laughed as she picked up a menu. "Where does she get the energy to do all of this stuff? How many businesses does she own? And how does she get involved in all of this?"

  Ben's eyes went wide. "You've never met her mother, have you?"

  "No."

  "You'd understand then. She has the entrepreneurial blood running through her. Her grandfather owns the ranch adjacent from ours. We've been family rivals for longer than I've been alive."

  "Your family and Lydia's family? Rivals? But your cousin is married to her brother."

  Ben eased back in his chair. "That rivalry is what TV movies are made of. Our families never got along. Then a few years ago, about the time Eric and Susan got together, it came out that Eric's late mother was actually Tyson's mother too."

  Nichole lifted her eyes from the menu to stare at him. "Your brother Eric is Tyson Morgan's brother?"

  "Like a soap opera, right?"

  "I'd say. And feuding families are now intertwined and married?"

  "Yep."

  "And Lydia is in business with a Walker, or many Walkers, actually."

  "You got it."

  "That's a lot to take in. I don't know if I'd ever have put all the pieces together. Does she have anything to do with her grandfather?"

  Ben eased his arms to the table and leaned in. "He raised her. She doesn't see eye to eye with him, but she still talks to him."

  She could feel the unease of it.

  A moment later Lydia came back with a tray. She set down six small glasses of beer and a basket with the chips and a bowl of guacamole. "Here is a map of what beer is what. I'll come back by, and you tell me which one you like the best." She handed them the small printed menu of the beers. "Word of mouth got around quite well, I guess. Smythe just walked in with a date. I can't even believe it," she growled as she walked away.

  Nichole watched Lydia move through the crowd. "Now that's a relationship I don't understand."

  "No one does."

  "Why does she hate Phillip so much? He's nothing but nice."

  Ben shrugged his shoulder. "Eh, he wasn't always a fan of the Walkers, so I suppose maybe he wasn't a fan of the Morgans either. I'm not sure what happened there. I just know he's over the moon about her and she couldn't care if he’s alive."

  "He doesn't feel that way about the Walkers anymore, does he?"

  Shaking his head and reaching for a chip, Ben lifted it to his lips. "Nah. Superficial dislike. I have to agree he's a great guy."

  Nichole picked up the beer glass closest to her and took a sip. "Oh, this one is nice. It has some citrus to it."

  She handed it across the table to Ben, who took it, but studied it long and hard before took a sip. The commitment would be hard for this man she thought watching him process what could have been construed as an intimate gesture.

  "I do like that." He handed the glass back to her, and she moved right in to take a long sip from it. His eyes widened, and it humored her. Perhaps she could have a little fun seeing what pushed his buttons. After all, she might as well enjoy her night alone with a man. It was probably going to be a very long time before she got the opportunity again.

  13

  Upon recommendation from Lydia, Nichole had enjoyed the enchilada platter. After sampling the beers Lydia had brought to the table, Nichole decided against the margarita, but she thought she'd go back to Juan's again someday and have one. She'd seen the size of them when they'd been delivered to other tables. Surely it would give her a mini vacation just to drink one.

  The sun was making its descent in the western sky as she and Ben began to walk back toward the salon.

  "Thank you for a nice evening. That was a lot of fun," Nichole said as she let her arms swing freely at her sides.

  "Lydia called me this morning to tell me about the gig she was working. I also think she wanted to make sure I didn't forget."

  Nichole was going to have to thank Lydia for the push.

  "Had you forgotten?"

  Ben's pace slowed. "No. Of course not. Did you think I forgot?"

  Easily, Nichole shrugged. "Oh, I just hadn't heard from you. I guess it crossed my mind. But I didn't mention it to anyone," she defended. "I was very happy that you showed. I've been looking forward to tonight all week."

  His shoulders softened as he continued to walk by her side. "Admittedly, I'm not very good at this. Taking out women, that is. I tend to freeze up." Tucking his hands into his pockets, he bit down on his bottom lip.

  "Well, I think you did a great job. I haven't been out with a man in quite some time. It was nice. Don't get me wrong. I like my girls' nights out, and with your cousins, I get a lot of those. They are sweet to include me. But just some one on one conversation with a handsome man, that was nice."

  She caught the glance he'd shifted toward her. Turning her head, she saw that what she'd said seemed to have stunned him in some way. Seriously, she was worrying that she might in fact be the first woman he'd ever gone out with. Was that even possible?

  The only thing she could do was to keep the conversation going.

  "So, Ben Walker, what do you like to do for fun?"

  He was silent long enough.This was the last outing she might have with the man. How could anyone be so timid?

  Just as she was about to repeat the question, he raked his hand through his hair and blew out a breath. "I play guitar."

  "No kidding?" The answer had honestly surprised her. "I didn't know that about you."

  Ben shrugged it off. "It's no big thing."

  "How long have you done that?"

  "Since I was ten. I wanted to be the next Johnny Cash."

  A bubble of amusement wanted to break through with a laugh, but Nichole stifled it. She gave him a playful nudge. "I'd like to hear you play sometime."

  With that, his eyes opened wide. "Really?"

  "Of course. You know my boys can strum a few songs, too."

  "No kidding? Where'd they learn that?"

  The happiness of the moment abruptly stalled. "Their father."

  "We have something in common the
n. My dad taught me too."

  The smile on his lips cured the momentary loss of enjoyment in her heart. "They'll love to know that."

  "Do you like ice cream?"

  The question humored her. "Who doesn't like ice cream?"

  "Carla Burnston."

  The answer came so quickly, Nichole burst out with a laugh. "Who is Carla Burnston?"

  "Ex-girlfriend. Seriously, she hated ice cream. I mean I'm not some ice cream snob, but once in a while on a hot summer evening, ice cream is nice. She wouldn't have it. Obviously, it was a deal breaker."

  The humor calmed her. "I agree. I don't think Carla Burnston and I can be friends either."

  "C'mon, let's get some," he said reaching for her hand and tugging her along to the ice cream parlor at the end of the street from the salon.

  * * *

  Ben watched Nichole study the menu. She was beautiful. Her dark hair lazily brushed her shoulders as she shook her head back and forth trying to decide on a flavor. And when she pushed up her glasses, it kicked him in the gut a little.

  "I think I'm going to go with a bowl of that brownie fudge with sprinkle toppings."

  When she turned to look at him, his stomach tightened. He'd been gazing. Not just looking—gazing. Christ, she must have thought he was demented the way he was studying her.

  "That sounds sweet."

  "The more sugar, the better. I'm not with my kids. I don't have to be the voice of reason," she said smiling. "What are you having?"

  "Gotta go with a waffle cone if there is no voice of reason. I'll see your brownie and add a scoop of mint to that."

  When her smile widened, he knew this wasn't the last time they'd share a moment. Now he wished his truck got better gas mileage because he was sure he'd be making more trips into town than usual.

  They sat on a bench outside the ice cream parlor and watched the people pass by as they ate their decadent, sweet treats.

  "I love to people watch," Nichole said as she lifted a spoonful of brownie ice cream to her mouth.

  "Why?"

  "It's fascinating. Don't you think?"