First (and last) Date

Well, March is here, and the first day of the month came in as a lamb, but today and tomorrow are pretty lioney. I wonder what that means for the end of the month? I'm really hoping for the weather to start getting better, because I can't wait to get started on my garden again. I'm having a hard time keeping myself from starting seeds already, because I got some pretty neat ones to try this year. And I just love growing things, especially with all the uncertainty in the world right now. I'm also looking forward to going to the beach again.

Until then, I'll keep writing away and dreaming about the warm spring days ahead. Here's another sneak peek at Rescue.

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Paige waited nervously outside The Truffle restaurant that night, fiddling with the hem of her shirt and feeling awkward. Even though Austin had asked her to meet him at the same fancy restaurant she'd gone to with Nick the night before, she'd opted to wear a much more casual outfit tonight. She'd found her favorite indigo jeans and a cute white halter top. Her makeup and hair looked about the same, since she hadn't had time to buy any new items. But she'd cashed her paycheck and took cash out to pay Austin for Copper.

She wondered briefly if she should just default and make Austin take the grumpy mare back. But then she felt bad- Copper didn't deserve a trip to the slaughterhouse. She was sure the mare just needed more time and attention, and Paige hoped she'd be able to give her some this weekend.

Paige watched couples strolling into the restaurant hand-in-hand, whispering and flirting and batting eyelashes at each other. She watched for Austin's jacked-up pickup, but didn't see any sign of it. She glanced at her phone. He was almost half an hour late.

He's got fifteen minutes, then I'm gone.

Paige started back to her car to wait there, so she didn't have to stand around feeling like a weirdo as happy couples filed into the restaurant. Austin suddenly appeared at her side, puffing, his face red.

"Don't go," he said.

"Oh, hi. I didn't think you were coming," Paige replied, more sharply than she meant to.

"I almost didn't make it," he said, shaking his head. "Man, this truck ran me off the road on my way here. I had to get a tow truck and everything." He smiled weakly at her, but it turned to a frown when he noticed her still-swollen nose. "Oh, shit, what happened to you?"

"I fell and almost broke my nose."

"Almost? Jeez, it looks pretty bad," he said, leaning in to take a closer look. "I know a guy who could straighten that right out for you if you wanted. Then you'd look just like a supermodel." "My nose always looked like that, thanks," Paige snapped.

"I'm just sayin'."

Paige rummaged through her purse to find her wallet, and pulled out the money. "Here. Let's just skip the dinner part, if you're so worried about how bad my face looks," she said, handing him the bills.

Austin folded his arms across his chest, looking down at Paige's handful of cash. "It's five hundred if you don't have dinner with me, remember?"

Paige glared at him and dug out the other $250.

Austin sighed, his arms still folded. "Aw, come on, Paige. I'm not tryin' to be a jerk. I'm just not all charming like Stephen is..."

"I wouldn't recommend taking any pointers from him," Paige said.

"Put that away and come in here. I'm sorry if you thought I was making fun of you. I think you're beautiful, even with a busted nose."

He looked her over appreciatively, and Paige thought she might be able to forget about her nose. She followed him to the restaurant, avoiding his hand when it reached for hers. They passed Austin's pickup, and Paige noticed the scratches and dents along the driver's side. She stopped dead and looked at him.

"Jesus, Austin, are you all right?"

He shrugged. "I'll probably be a little sore tomorrow. I called the police and reported it. Hopefully they'll find the asshole who did it."

"Hopefully."

They went into the restaurant, and the hostess led them to a table near the back. Austin quickly pulled Paige's chair out for her and helped her settle in. Paige looked up at him, surprised, and he winked at her.

"I know, I actually sorta have manners," he said.

She smiled at him as he sat across from her. He leaned in and whispered, "I don't know much about wine, though, so I'll leave that to you."

She laughed. "Your guess is as good as mine. I drink rum."

"My kinda girl," he said. "We could skip the wine and order fruity rum drinks instead."