Off the Beaten Path Read Online Free PDF Page A

Eight

     
    When the three of them walked into the Ruby’s cafe there were a handful of people at the tables and a couple of men sitting at the counter. Jack knew everyone in the place and they all knew him. Most of the patrons were older and they took turns saying hello and making Kristin feel as welcome as an old friend. The women had a quiet reassuring look about them and all of the men had the same genuine feel that you saw in people that weren't always trying to impress somebody. The ladies patted her hand when they shook it with both of their hands and refereed to her as, Sweetie, and Honey. The men all stood and shook her hand warmly and tried their best to embarrass Jack. A couple of them succeeded.
    Jack and Kristin sat down across from each other at a corner table and Sam flopped down at Kristin’s feet.
    Ruby asked from behind the counter, “Jack, do you need a couple of menus?”
    “Nope, just coffee thanks.” He answered.
    Ruby asked, “Cream and sugar,”
    They both answered at the same time, “Black.”
    They laughed at the coincidence, and a couple of the regulars smiled at each other. One older gentleman squeezed his wife's hand and winked.
    They sat and talked for almost two hours before Kristin glanced at her watch. The sun had set and it was time to for her to start thinking about heading back down the canyon. Most of the regulars had left the restaurant, but not before they stopped by their table shook Kristin’s hand again and told her what a pleasure it was to meet her.
    When Jack asked Ruby for the bill she smiled and told them it was on the house tonight. Ruby came over and gave Kristin a big hug and said it was her pleasure not to have to look at the same bunch of ugly mugs she had to look at every other night.
    The three of them walked outside in to the cool night air. Jack tried to hide his concern as he repeated his earlier offer of following her down the canyon. Kristin starred down the old highway into the darkness for a full minute. Jack waited patiently while it appeared that she was reconsidering his offer, and then he noticed a curious look flash across her face. It was a look of both decisiveness and certainty.
    Kristin said very slowly and deliberately, “Jack, I trust you.”
    Jack looked puzzled as he responded. “Thank you.”
    “I have an idea that will put us both at ease.” She offered.
    In an instant Kristin's body became rigid and her voice became very businesslike as she asked, “Do you have a guest bedroom”
    Yes, answered Jack with a sense of relieve in his voice. He could see where this was going. Kristin continued,
    “If I can stay with you and Sam tonight, you can follow me down the canyon tomorrow. I can get my tire fixed and be on my way.”
    “Sam and I would be honored if you would be our guest tonight. I might even be persuaded to whip up some of my world famous pancakes for breakfast.”
    Kristin stuck out her hand like she had just closed a million dollar transaction and said, “Deal.”
    Jack gave her hand one good strong single pump, “Deal.” He responded.
    Jack suggested that she put the top up on her car. Kristin reached in and pushed the button that activated the power top. As they snapped the safety latches Jack said “Red is going to get awful dusty on the way back to the house.”
    Kristin reached into her pocket and threw him her keys across the car, “Trade you”
    “You drive my car and I will follow in the pickup.” She suggested.
    Jack handed her his keys like he was handing her a wilted corsage.
    Trying to regain a little composure, Jack offered, “She pulls to the right.”
    As Kristin opened the door to the old pickup Sam jumped up in the front seat.
    Jack laughed “Great, I’ve lost both my truck and my dog in the same night this has the making of a really bad country song.” They both laughed and Sam barked her approval from the front seat of the pickup.
     

Chapter Nine

     
    Fifteen minutes later they were turning off the