Caitlin touched his cheek as tears rimmed her almond-shaped eyes. His loving voice had touched her heart and mixed with the fatigue that had overtaken her body. Tears fell as she sank to the ground and bent her head until the tears stopped. "Sorry," she said, accepting his handkerchief and using it to dry her eyes.
"Don't ever apologize for revealing your true feelings." He knelt in front of her and cupped her chin in his hand. "Do you think Emmaline ever apologized for her feelings?" He let Caitlin dwell on that for a minute. "She was a rare breed with her kindness and generosity to all people. She was the most beautiful woman, next to my mother, I have ever known." He paused for a moment to take a deep breath. "You, Caitlin, are a rare breed too. Give yourself another day or two and you'll be back to brand new. Until then, please let me help."
All she could do was nod. He placed her in the same line-up with his mother and Grandma Emmaline. This filled her heart with unexplainable emotions. This did not happen to just anyone and she could not believe he was one step closer to expressing his true feelings.
Minutes passed with neither moving. A stronger connection had formed, but would either decide to take that next step? She waited, hoping, praying for a word, one word to let her know they had a future. Instead he held out his hand to offer help in getting up. Despite the dull ache in her heart, she accepted the offer with a smile. As the men loaded their tools for the day Caitlin thanked them and headed towards the house. Garrett grabbed her arm. Chills immediately raced through her body and she had to look away, lest he could read her thoughts. "His touch is different today, as if we connected on a new, deeper level," she said to herself.
"We're going to Jake's," he said, still holding her arm.
"Have fun." Caitlin tried to turn, but Garrett held tight to her.
"Come with us," he said, in an interested voice and eyes that sent a secret message. Where were the clues to decipher it?
"Okay," Caitlin said with no hesitation. The silence in the truck was peaceful and comfortable. This was the only man she knew who did not have to talk just to talk and she appreciated his quiet side.
They arrived at Jakes' Tavern, a two-story whitewashed house with upstairs balcony, on the other side of town. One step across the threshold took you to a place where friends gathered to eat, laugh, and sometimes cry. This establishment was like no other Caitlin had ever seen. Fistfights never happened; drunks stayed away; and people truly enjoyed themselves.