“So what’s this place like?” Marissa finally asked. “Traditional, contemporary, uptown?”
Trace smiled. “In Tipton?” he asked with a grin. “It’s just a steak house. Pretty basic and decorated in a western theme.” He raised his hands indicating the surrounding area before opening the passenger door to let Marissa get in.
Marissa shook her head at the quaint manners but stepped up into the old truck. It was surprisingly clean for something a ranch hand would drive, and she was pleased that she didn’t have to kick old salve bottles, broken bits of tack, or sandwich wrappers under the seat.
Trace walked around to the other side of the truck, climbed in, and started the engine. He felt comfortable with Marissa after they had tag-teamed Megan the night before and hoped that they could continue to get along.
It was only a matter of minutes until they reached the restaurant, and Trace noticed how quiet Marissa was. Tonight he wanted to take her away from her worries and have a normal dinner. He had prayed before ever leaving his house that she would see him as a friend and someone she could depend on.
Ever since meeting her that morning near the fence, he couldn’t shake the connection he felt with her. It was obvious she was troubled by her current condition, but the fact that she hadn’t made a decision gave him hope.
Tonight, he wanted her to have a good time, to unwind and enjoy some time out on the town.
Parking the truck, Trace hopped out and walked around to Marissa’s side, but she was already getting out by the time he reached the door.
“Do you do that for everyone?” Marissa asked her boots hitting the hard pavement with a gentle click.
“It’s how I was raised,” Trace admitted.
“You know women can open doors for themselves right?” Marissa teased. Trace’s antiquated manners were out of date, but still sweet.
“Women can do almost anything they want,” Trace agreed, “that just means I should treat them with respect.”
“You mean that don’t you?” Marissa asked.
“I do,” Trace said, hurrying to the door of the restaurant and opening it. “Doesn’t matter what others think of it. I live by what I believe.”
Marissa shook her head but didn’t say anything as she stepped into a dim dining room on a wave of country music.
“Something smells good,” Marissa finally said as they followed a young hostess to a table and placed drink orders.
“The food is pretty good,” Trace said. “I brought my sister here a few weeks ago for her birthday,” he added smiling at the memory.
“Is she your only family?” Marissa asked, surprising herself.
“She is,” Trace assured. “Our father passed a few years ago, and we have no idea where our mother is.”
Marissa wondered for a moment what it would be like not to know one of your parents. She had plenty of students with only one parent in the mix but had always been thankful that she had both of her parents. Somehow, they always seemed to balance each other when she was growing up. It was one of the reasons she was struggling so with the decision she had to make.
Pushing the thoughts away, Marissa decided to focus on a night out. It felt so normal sitting across the table with the cowboy. She knew so little about him but felt calm when she looked up into his face.
“What would you like to eat?” Trace said handing Marissa a menu. “I’ve only been here a couple of times but everything was good.”
“Steak?” Marissa asked still studying the menu.
“You’re in Wyoming. You’re in a steakhouse. You’re with a real-life cowboy. I’d say odds are good that the steak is delicious,” Trace said with a chuckle his eyes sparkling when Marissa rewarded him with a smile.
“Okay, steak it is.”
By the time the waiter arrived with their drinks, they were both ready to order, and Trace had found that he could make Marissa laugh.
Marissa settled back into her big booth bench and sipped her iced tea, imagining that this was a first date with Trace. It wasn’t that she wanted a new man in her life yet, but it felt nice to have someone pay attention to her. He hadn’t even once checked his phone since picking her up.
For the first time in as long as she could remember Marissa felt like someone was giving her their full attention.
“What are you smiling about?” Trace asked as their salads arrived.
“Sorry, I was just thinking about attention,” Marissa said.
“Attention?” Trace asked confused.
“Yes,” Marissa shook her hair off of her shoulder with a sigh. “It’s nice just sitting here feeling like you’re interested in me. You’ve been paying attention. As a teacher, there is always a struggle between students wanting your attention, and you trying to get them to pay attention.”
Trace smiled. “So sometimes it leaves you feeling like no one sees you.”
Marissa nodded, surprised that he got it.
“My sister Daisy used to get mad because everyone saw her only as her handicap instead of as a regular person,” Trace said. “Sometimes as a kid, she would pick a fight with me just because she knew I’d fight back.”
The rest of their meal was served and Marissa busied herself with the tender steak and perfectly baked potato. She was hungry and comfortable and determined to enjoy the night.
“So where are you from anyway?” Trace asked. “Did you move for your teaching job?”
“My whole family is from the Chicago area,” Marissa said. “I’ve been working in a small city in Illinois for the past two years.”
“You like it?”
“I love it. Some days it drives me completely crazy, but when the students are learning. Really learning. It gives my heart wings.”
“I bet you’re their favorite teacher,” Trace said.
“Not usually,” Marissa said cutting another small piece of steak. “I’m pretty strict about the classroom rules, so some times students feel they have to push back.
