Picture Perfect by Cindy Caldwell & River's End Ranch

Author:Cindy Caldwell & River's End Ranch [Caldwell, Cindy & Ranch, River's End]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-02-25T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Thursday nights for trivia were always packed at the main house at River’s End Ranch. Bernard had learned that as soon as he arrived, and he’d quickly learned that it was the perfect night to get a take-out burger or something—anything rather than brave the crowds. He really didn’t understand the game anyway, and as Brandon had gotten involved with Lin and the restaurant so early, he really didn’t have anyone to go with anyway.

Tonight, for some reason, with Opal on his arm, he wanted to go. He usually stuck to himself, but this past week with her—even while he’d avoided her questions about his childhood—awakened something in him he hadn’t known before.

Just hanging out with her father, watching the Olympics and having popcorn with Opal and ice cream after all felt—comfortable?

It was something he’d never experienced before. Not ever. Even the summers he spent with his grandparents in France, as warm as they were and comforting, he hadn’t been around other people his own age. His grandparents still ran the cheese shop and worked every day, and he spent most of his days alone, roaming the small town and walking miles over the countryside, taking pictures with his grandfather’s old camera.

So this was new and—he liked it. He liked Opal, and looked forward to their outings. She had an incredible eye for color and scenery, one of the best he’d ever seen, and he’d actually learned quite a bit from her about nature scenery, although he wasn’t quite ready to admit it.

He’d really enjoyed getting to know Allen, and loved watching the Olympics with him. They always rooted for the US athletes in any event, but they had learned to appreciate excellence, in any athlete from any country.

When they’d watched the beautiful ice skating performance, he was actually moved by the grace and skill that the athletes showed, and he even had reached for Opal’s hand—and when he’d realized he’d done it, he glanced at her and she seemed as surprised as he was. He’d pulled his hand back quickly, but when he went to bed that night, he wondered how that had happened without him knowing.

And he realized it was because he felt comfortable—safe and comfortable, just for who he was. He speculated that that was what it felt like to be in a family, but he really didn’t know.

As he and Opal walked into the restaurant at the main house and a bunch of people at a table that he presumed were her family waved them over, he felt a tug at his heart that he’d never felt before. Like a warm blanket.

He gestured for Opal to go ahead of him and he followed her to the table.

“Welcome to the clan,” Allen said as he shook hands with Bernard and gestured to the seat next to him. “Meet my brother, Aaron, his beautiful wife Gillian, Opal’s sister Olivia—who you already met—and her husband Fred. Glad you could join us.” He clapped Bernard on the shoulder before he sat back down and reached for his beer mug.

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