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outside and down the steps.
    Dale gestured toward the highway. “How about Dee’s Grill? It’s right up the road. That is if you have the time.”
    “Fine,” she said, her bewilderment growing. She pulled her car keys from her handbag. “Is this about your mother?”
    “In part. But I also need a favor.” He gave her a wave and headed for his car.
    In part? A favor? His response unsettled her worse than not knowing at all. Bev climbed into her car, rolled onto the highway and, in moments, aimed her car into the small parking lot of the grill. Dale pulled in beside her. She exited the car and followed him to the entrance.
    Inside they found a booth and ordered coffee. Bev felt puzzled and worried that he’d learned bad news about his mother.
    In a moment the waitress returned with their drinks and a carafe. Dale thanked her, then settled back. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice. I should have called you.” He gazed at his coffee cup, and for the first time, Bev noticed his nervousness.
    “You’re welcome, but what’s this about? Is your mother—” She paused, realizing she was moving into a sensitive area.
    Her comment seemed to catch his attention, and his gaze settled on hers. “Mom’s the same. What I really need is your help.”
    She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity soaring. “Help with what?”
    “My mother’s care.”
    “You want me to take care of your mother?”
    He shook his head. “No. Not you. How about your mother? You know Dad isn’t willing to admit Mom into a facility.”
    “Yes,” she said, only imagining how she might feel in his shoes. “It would be a difficult decision.”
    Dale’s downcast head bobbed with agreement. “I don’t want that either.” He raised his eyes and gave her a direct look. “But he doesn’t want to hire anyone either because he doesn’t want to hire a stranger.” He released a ragged sigh. “So I’ve been thinking about your mother.”
    “I noticed your look the other night. I had the same thought, but I don’t know about that, Dale.”
    His hopeful look faded. “She’s a nurse and has spare time. Mom mentioned she’s been dropping by for visits. Do you think she might be willing to help my dad?”
    “That’s up to my mom. When she came to Loving, she stressed that now she had time to enjoy her retirement and renew old friendships. I’m not sure she’d want to give up that freedom.”
    Her expression must have jarred him. Dale’s look sank to discouragement. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but they seem like such good friends. Your mother wouldn’t be a stranger in my dad’s eyes.”
    Bev’s heart ached for him and the sad situation. Dale’s ill-humored behavior softened in her thoughts as she listened to his concern and love for his family. Underneath his gruffness was a soft-hearted man. He needed to open up and let it out.
    “When my mom said those things, she didn’t know about your mother, and she hadn’t run into your dad yet.That might make a difference. I could suggest it to her. Would that help?”
    A look of relief spread across Dale’s face. “If you would, I’d be eternally grateful.” He leaned across the tabletop, slid his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze.
    The warmth rushed up her arm and prickled down her back. She searched his eyes, amazed at the depth of emotion she saw. He was bound so tightly with restrictive behaviors Bev wasn’t sure Dale even knew the feelings were there.
    A thought traveled through her. She wanted to know this man, to see his potential as a loving person, to know why he held himself aloof from showing his feelings. More than once, she’d observed his compassion and his fear. He tried to conceal them even from himself, but he couldn’t hide them from Bev. She’d spent years obscuring her own secret hurts. She was a master.
    His hand remained on hers, and Bev didn’t move. How long had it been since a man had touched her hand in such an intimate way? She couldn’t remember.