Chapter 9 Sunday at Lavon's

"Well thank you Doc. That was quite the examination."

"I have been awake since seven. Can we go to Lavon's now? I need pastries."

"You go on over, I will be up in a minute"

She bolted out the door. Damn that girl does love her pastries. I love how she went in her pajamas. I stood at the door watching her walk. She basically speed walks. I guess she has always done it in order to keep up. I walked home and put on some fresh clothes. Grabbed my laundry and went to the big house.

Lavon was slumped over the bar. Zoe was rubbing his back. Damn it, we have been so caught up in our own happiness, we forgot what Lavon was going through with Ruby.

I poured a glass of orange juice, made a plate of waffles, strawberries and blueberries, poured the syrup and powdered sugar over the top. I decided that I didn't want to interrupt their conversation.

Zoe said. "Lavon, we will get through this. Wade and I are here for you."

"What am I going to do?"

"Go to her, ask her to move here."

"Big Z, she was pretty clear"

So I asked "Lavon, is she having the baby?"

Lavon nodded. "She wants me to move to Houston and she doesn't want to get back together."

"Lavon, what you need is a grand gesture. Buy her a plane ticket home. Send her the plane ticket. Call her and ask her to get on the flight. You'll have dinner, talk and work towards figuring it out."

"Oh wow, you and AB, I forgot about Friday night. Did you all get together? Does she know about Ruby?" Zoe said.

Zoe really did not have a filter. Even though I know this about her, I shot her a look and did the whole hand across the throat thing. She ignored me. She did that a lot prior to a week ago.

"No, No Z. We kissed and had a great time. She is really funny."

"Zoe, he needs to focus on Ruby and his baby. Call her Lavon, right now"

"Ruby, I would like for you to fly home so we can talk. I have made flight arrangements and I will pick you up at the airport. Let me know when you get this. I emailed you flight details."

R- In a meeting, I will be there

L- great pick you up at 6.

"Wow, I am taking advice from Wade Kinsella. There is a first time for everything."

"Okay what can Wade and I do? Wade you could make that risotto you made for me. That was delicious and sure to make her want to stay and hang out with us."

"Hang on Z, Wade if you would cook us a dinner that would be great. But I think the dinner just needs to be me and Ruby. Maybe you guys could do drinks with us before and then leave. Say you have to go to Earls or something."

"You got it. I will head to the grocery. "

'Lavon, let's go to Mobile and pick up some wine and sparkling cider."

I went to the grocery and to work at the Rammer Jammer and back to Lavon's to cook, back to my house to shower. I decided to surprise Zoe by wearing black pants and a gray button down, tucked in. I think it will drive her crazy, show her that I can look like one of her city boys.

I walked into Lavon's and Zoe was standing there in a very form fitting blue dress. I licked my lips. She was biting hers as well.

"Wow, Wade you look so freakin' sexy. I love how that button down is so tailored. I love that when I go to unbutton it tonight, there is no t-shirt to deal with. I can get straight to the admiring those pecs and abs"

"My, my Dr. Hart, I do appreciate the compliment, but you are being mighty presumptuous."

"Aren't we using big words today?"

"Did you get the wine? Alright let's go on and get this party started, while I finish off the risotto." I opened the wine, put a splash in the risotto. We sat at the bar kissing and drinking.

"Doc, you make me happy. "

"Well, I tried my best this morning."

"Thank you. You made me feel fantastic, but I am not talking about the sexual part. I am talking about not being able to get you out of my mind. The part where I smile when I hear your voice."

"I know. Like last night when you were going to go home. I really just wanted you with me. I never cared about that kind of stuff with Zach"

We were standing by the stove kissing when Lavon and Ruby arrived.

"Wade, Zoe, I see things have changed since I have been home."

I thought to myself, she just called Bluebell her home, that has to be a good sign.

'Ruby, it is so good to see you." Zoe hugged her "I have so much to tell you."

"I guess you do. Wade you look great."

"New shirt. Hey Ruby, we have wine. I am not sure where you fall on the topic. If not, I have made some pomegranate sparkling cider."

"Zoe, what do you think about alcohol while pregnant?" Ruby asked

"My personal opinion is that an occasional glass is fine after you get past the first trimester. How far along are you?"

"Fourteen weeks. The pomegranate cider will be great. Thanks Wade."

Zoe and Ruby walked over to the den. Lavon and I could hear most of the conversation. At first it consisted of mainly pregnancy talk. I heard Zoe say "Ruby, I would really love to be your obstetrician." Ruby nodded. Lavon perked up when he saw that. At least she didn't shut Zoe down. Then Ruby asked about us. I tried to act like I was just stirring the risotto, which in all honesty does require a lot of stirring. Zoe said, "I never thought I would be with someone like Wade, I am really happy."

"What happened with George, anything? When we last had a heart to heart you seemed to be crushing on him and Wade was more of a sexual tension thing."

Well, this is definitely an answer I would like to hear. However, Lavon asked me if everything was ready, so I was left hanging.

"Ruby, Lavon, your dinner is served."

"Wade, this looks like a four star restaurant kind of food. You have surprised me. I don't remember you taking 'home ec' in high school."

"Thanks, I kind of was living down to the lowest common denominator."

"It certainly doesn't seem that way now."

"Thanks Ruby. Doc, we need to get out of here. "

"Oh yeah, let us know if you two need anything."

We walked hand in hand out the side door.

"Are we going back to my place or yours?" asked Zoe

"I have reservations at Fancie's"

"What? Really?"

"I didn't get dressed up for nothing woman"

I slipped back into thinking about what I had overheard. Unsure if I should approach the subject. I held my girl. I held the small of her back as we were walking up to Fancie's. It felt like I had done it a thousand times, but I had never, walked her into a fine dining restaurant. However, the nervous feeling was still inside me. What did she mean?

I had been in Fancie's a couple of times for receptions, but I had never been there to eat. The tables were covered in white linen, fresh flowers, sparkling silverware and classical music lightly playing in the background.

"Thanks for bringing me here. I have never been."

"This where you stood up Judson, right?"

"Yeah, at least you got me here," as she burst out laughing which wasn't entirely appropriate, but I loved her for it.

"Doc, I need to ask you about something I overheard you say to Ruby." I paused. "You said you never thought you would be with someone like me. What did you mean? It has me torn up inside."

"Why? I meant for 30 years of my life, all I knew were city boys. Men that don't know how to treat a lady, men that don't know how to do anything or fix anything, men that are self centered, men that don't"

"Oh, well then I took that statement totally wrong. I thought maybe you meant an uneducated, lowly bartender."

"Wade, of course that is what you would think. I didn't see you at first because I was still adjusting to everything. I was attracted to what was comfortable for me. Let's do the list:

George Tucker- Taken yet flirted with me

Judson – Slept with my best friend

What's his name the dentist - arrogant ass

That whole time I was attracted to you from the very first day or I wouldn't have mad out with you in your car. I didn't know there were guys out there that were like you. Let's be honest Wade, you hid the parts I am seeing now, pretty well. I am so glad you brought Rose's sweater back."

"I feel like an ass. I never considered that point of view existed. I guess I need to work on my self esteem."

"It's funny because I always thought you were the most confident guy in the world, to a fault at times."

"Well, I know what my strengths are for sure. Thanks for clearing that up. Anyway, what do you think is going to happen with Lavon and Ruby?"

"I know they are getting as good of a dinner as we are. You should open your own restaurant one day. You could be known for your Italian recipes and have a few homestyle items like fried chicken and add the biscuits and chocolate gravy. We could call it, 'Zade's Diner'. Get it Zoe and Wade, Zade. It is much better than Woe's Diner."

She was really starting to be her true self with me now. I don't think she has been her true self for probably a decade. I couldn't help but think how I liked the thought of opening up a restaurant with a bar of course. The thought of it being "our" restaurant made it even better.

"You ready?" I asked.

"Yes, you want to stop by the Lavon's?"

"I think we should give them time. Hopefully Ruby is still there. Let's go to my place and watch a movie. Or do you want to go to your house?"

"Your house, I love the sunrise through your windows."

"My place it is."