Chapter Twelve
Dawson
Without thinking, I caught Evie’s hand in mine as I led her into the back of the restaurant. Once I had her hand in mine, I didn’t want to let go. Pushing through the swinging door into the kitchen, I called, “Hey, Red!”
“Dawson, get back here and give me a hug, boy,” he called in return.
Red, the closest man I had to a father in spirit, came out from behind the counter. He had a round, sturdy build with twinkling brown eyes and mostly gray hair. He pulled me into a back-slapping hug, forcing me to let go of Evie’s hand.
When he drew back, his eyes went right to Evie. “Well, hello there. Candy told me Dawson brought a date today.”
Evie smiled politely, and the lines of tension bracketing her mouth and eyes eased. Red’s warm and easygoing demeanor had that effect
