Not only was the restaurant doing well, but it was becoming part of the town. No one had questioned having the celebration here. If anything, it had just been assumed.
Then there was Jason. He hadn't pushed. He hadn't asked her out again. He hadn't shown up with any more unexpected presents. Yet he was always there.
On the trail, she found herself working with him more often than not. He always had a pleasant little story to share, or, more often, a question about her day or how her life was going. Then he'd share a little piece of his past, or a single fact about himself.
When there was woodscraft to teach, he'd show her, always asking if she was interested first.
He was, in every way, being the perfect gentleman.
It was driving Kyara crazy. You don't want a relationship, she'd remind herself. You need to keep him at a distance. But then he'd pause in a pale autumn sunbeam to stretch, or he'd absentmindedly run his hands through his tousled hair, and she'd want him. As much as she tried, he kept intruding on her thoughts. She pictured him pushing her up against a tree and kissing her, or leaning down to cup her cheek, or, on a few occasions, to run his hands along the length of her aching, eager body.
But he never did, and she never encouraged him.
It's better this way.
Tonight will be too busy for any of that nonsense anyway, Kyara told herself. Before long, the rush proved her right. Even with everything possible made up ahead of time, Kyara was still pushed to her limit rushing from pan to pan, oven to oven. The crush of voices reached even into the kitchen, adding to the frantic energy of the evening.
Kyara was so caught up in her work that she jumped when someone tapped her on a shoulder, letting out a little squeak.
It was Jason, looking somewhat startled himself.
"Jason Nicole Hardison, don't you ever scare a woman while she's cooking," scolded Kyara.
Jason blinked at her.
"My middle name isn't Nicole," he said.
"That's what you get for surprising me in my own kitchen," Kyara responded tartly. "Crystal, you hear me?"
"Mr. Hardison's middle name is Nicole now. I'll make sure people know," responded Crystal from the stove, not bothering to look up.
"You've... been spending too much time with my grandmother," said Jason.
"That one was K's idea, actually, but it serves you right. Now what makes you think you can come into my kitchen while I'm this busy?" demanded Kyara.
"Crystal said she could handle it long enough for you to come out and celebrate. The rest of the trail crew is here."
"Crystal?" Kyara asked, eyes not leaving Jason.
"I got it, Ms. B. It's easier when it's all one type of food for the group, and you got the barbecue sauce all made up ahead of time. If I can't plate pork by now, I probably shouldn't be allowed back here at all." Crystal's voice even picked up the same cadence as Kyara's own, much to Jason's apparent amusement.
"Alright, I'll be back as soon as I can," allowed Kyara, untying her apron.
Jason took her by the hand, gently tugging her toward the door to the dining area. It was the first time they'd touched in months, and it spread a teasing warmth through her, traveling from his touch up along her arms and down, tightening and tingling along her entire body.
The dining area was filled with happy, chatting customers. Even with the extra banquet tables she'd rented, it looked like people were barely fitting in.
Kyara leaned in to Jason, standing on her tip-toes to get her mouth close to his ear. Even so, she wondered if he could hear her over the din.
"OK, I'm here. What did you want to show me?" Kyara asked.
Jason turned to her with a smile, his face not just inches from hers.
"You're looking at it," he said back. "You helped make all this. Not just by working on the trail, or by providing all this food. You've given this town a place to gather, as much as the church or the store. I just thought you should know."
Kyara smiled up at him, allowing herself, for this moment, to just enjoy being close to him.
"That's very sweet," she said. "But I knew."