The Café
"Mama - look at that fluffy dog"
"Oh, little Jack isn't he cute?" Elizabeth turned to look from her spot in the coffee order line.
"Can I go pat him?"
"Well, I'm just getting your milkshake and my coffee, but you can go say hi. Just remember to ask first ok my boy?"
"Yay! Thanks Mama" and he skipped over towards the dog and owner.
Elizabeth could just make out Little Jack's request. The dog's owner begun turning around searching. She saw Little Jack point towards her. He spun more, following Jacks pointed finger. Elizabeth's breath caught as he caught her eye. He was so good looking. His head tilted slightly as he raised an eyebrow, clearly asking if it was ok. She nodded her permission and felt the launch of butterflies in her stomach as he smiled at her.
She felt a tap on her shoulder then "They called next" the person behind her in the queue alerting her back to her mission.
"Oh, sorry" apologising as she stepped to the counter. She had been distracted by the dark-haired stranger.
"Almond flat white please, and a kid's strawberry milkshake"
"Anything else?"
"Slice of toasted banana bread please" She glanced back to make sure Little Jack was ok, noticing the owner had turned his seat more to keep watch on the interaction between his dog and the little boy. Jack was grinning delightedly as he rubbed the dog's head.
"$12.50 thanks. Table 10 outside is free". She absent-mindedly tapped her card and made her way outside, looking for table 10 as she walked out the door towards her son.
"Mama look he's so cute"
"Yes, he is" the owner too she thought to herself. "Thanks for letting him pat your dog" she smiled towards said owner.
"No problem. Scout loves attention" he grinned again. Elizabeth was taken with his slightly shy, lop-sided smile, and his striking glacier blue eyes.
"Little Jack, what do you say to the man?"
"Thank you, Mr Man."
The owner chuckled "You're welcome Little man."
"Ok Jack, let's look for table 10, ok?"
"Oh, it's right here" the owner pointed to the table next to him.
"Right. Thanks Mr Man" she grinned widely in response.
He chuckled as he reached his hand out to introduce himself "Nathan."
"Elizabeth" she responded as she shook his hand. The touch of their hands bringing the butterflies back to life in her stomach. Nathan took a moment to admire her. From afar he'd noticed she was pretty with her chestnut hair and bright smile, but this close he realised how beautiful she was. He took a deeper breath to calm the nerves that had suddenly appeared.
"Your, ah, son is very sweet Elizabeth, we've been having a great chat"
"Oh boy, I hope he didn't talk your ear off?"
"I didn't mind. He reminded me of my niece Allie at that age - she kept me on my toes that's for sure" he smiled reminiscing of Allie being little. Time went far too quickly.
"Nathan, here's your coffee and banana bread" the waitress said as she placed the plate and coffee on the table, stretching across him, smiling brightly down at him. Goodness! Could she be any more obvious? Elizabeth thought to herself.
"Thanks Mei, I've been looking forward to this all morning" he chuckled, seemingly oblivious to her flirting, as he popped a piece of banana bread into his mouth, closing his eyes briefly, savouring the flavour. "Delicious" he sighed. Opening his eyes, Elizabeth quickly looked away, realising she had very much been using the opportunity to check him out. Laughing at himself, he offered an explanation "I love banana bread, and I worked the night shift last night. Sometimes the thought of this breakfast is the only thing that keeps me awake" he grinned delightedly at her.
At that moment Mei arrived at Elizabeth's table "Here's your milkshake little buddy" she smiled down at Jack "and your almond flat white and banana bread" she continued although her smile wasn't quite so friendly as she looked at Elizabeth, then at Nathan and back to Elizabeth, her meaning not so subtle. Elizabeth was amused by the message Mei was sending but not surprised. A man who looked like Nathan likely had a bevy of beautiful women vying for his attention.
Slipping a piece of banana bread into her mouth she smiled at Nathan "Their banana bread is my favourite"
"A connoisseur of banana bread then Elizabeth?" He teased, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Hahahaha, not quite, I've sampled several, and I make my own, but theirs is the best".
"Mhmm. I come a few times a week. I'm surprised I haven't seen you around before".
"Little Jack and I only moved here a couple of weeks ago from Hamilton".
"That explains it then. Hamilton? That's a big change." He was looking straight into her blue eyes.
She faltered under his gaze, looking down to her coffee. "Yes. It is".
"Little Jack, come drink your milkshake please" Elizabeth called him from his position next to Scout, trying to regroup herself after her thinking had returned to Hamilton.
"Aw, ok Mama. Bye Scout" he gave Scout one last pat as he took his seat.
Not offering more on Hamilton, Nathan didn't press further, content to keep it to small talk whilst sipping his coffee and eating his breakfast, stealing glances at her more often than he intended while they chatted. She was glad he'd steered the conversation to safer topics, grateful for his perception to her level of comfort. The conversation flowed easily enough, with Jack adding his anecdotes at times. Elizabeth noted how patient Nathan was with Little Jack. It was obvious to her he'd had some experience with a young child.
As Nathan stood to leave, Little Jack turned to his mother, expectation on his face. "Mama, can we see Scout again?"
Oh goodness. How do I get out of this one? Elizabeth nervously glanced at Nathan.
"Um, well, Little Jack, I think...I mean..."
"Maybe we will see each other here again someday Jack and if we do, you're welcome to pat Scout ok?" Nathan rescued Elizabeth.
She mouthed "Thank you" to him.
"I guess so" Little Jack pouted.
"Well, Hope Valley is nowhere near the size of Hamilton, hopefully we'll bump into each other" he answered LJ, whilst looking intently at Elizabeth.
She felt her cheeks begin to pink under his sustained gaze.
As he bent to grab Scouts lead, he whispered towards Elizabeth "I'll be here same time Thursday morning". Surprised, she looked quickly at him "You know, so Jack can pat Scout?" he finished.
She nodded slightly, embarrassed she hadn't immediately thought that's what the invitation was for.
"Bye Elizabeth. Bye Little Jack. It was nice to meet you both".
"Yes, you too. Bye Nathan"
"Bye Scout" Jack called out, as he took another slurp of his milkshake.
Elizabeth watched as man and dog walked away, admiring his stately walk, surprising herself as she noticed he was clearly in good shape with his broad shoulders and the way his pants fit. Blushing again, she turned her attention back to her son, missing Nathan turning to look back at her, a small smile resting on his lips.