“Earlier, when you said that Cedar Falls is a great place to grow up. When you think about your own future, do you still want to do that? To raise a family one day?” The question was a bit forward, but she wanted to know.
Danny took a beat before answering. “It was always my dream. I knew I was never going to go pro, but playing football helped me get a degree. And I knew if I had that, then I could be the dad I didn’t have. I always dreamed about a house filled with love and traditions. For the mother of my children not to have to worry about working double shifts to make ends meet to feed a hungry kid. I wanted a chance to do better as a man. To be more like Joe Taylor, to be honest.”
“Joe and Grace Taylor would make anyone want to be better people. They’re a lovely couple.”
“I owe them a lot,” he said. Catching himself letting the dinner date slip into melancholy, he shook himself and sat up straight. “But hey, enough about all that.”
He took the credit card receipt out of the small holder and Dot noticed he was a generous tipper.
“It’s getting late.” He checked his watch. “And I know we both have work tomorrow. Shall we get you home?”
“Of course! I’m all yours.” Then catching herself, she said, “I mean, I’m all here. I’m all fine. I’m... oh, let’s just go.”
Danny laughed and reached for her hand.
Chapter 47
As Dot and Danny were leaving the restaurant, a group of four women studying the menu suddenly looked up.
“Danny! Hi!” A young woman, around thirty with skin like porcelain, looked surprised to see him. Her light brown hair was cut into a French bob, and she wore a flowered linen sundress and a delicate gold chain around her neck.
Danny let go of Dot’s hand.
“Oh hey, Maddy. How are you?” Danny seemed uncomfortable and stiff after being so at ease over dinner. “Hi, Lauren, Zoe, Marissa. This is Dot.”
They all nodded hello with what Dot thought was a friendly-enough greeting.
“She’s a friend from NYC working here for a year,” he explained.
“Oh, where do you work?” the one he’d called Lauren asked.
“I’m just here for the election.” Dot braced herself. This could go either way in a state like this, but most young women she met were Democrats.
“The election? Which side?”
“Oh, ummm... for the Democrats.” Dot tried to soft-pedal it.
Zoe wrinkled her nose. “Are you the one sending all the texts for donations? Because it’s annoying and I’m never giving them a dime.”
Dot winced.
“Zoe! Let’s not ruin our night with politics,” Maddy said. Dot assumed she was the ringleader of the group. “Where are our manners? Let’s start over. Welcome to Wisconsin. I see you’ve met a good friend of ours.” She nodded to Danny.
“Yes, I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of great people. And it’s a pleasure to meet you, too.” Dot poured on a little extra charm. “I love your outfits.”
“That’s kind of you to say,” Maddy said, glancing down at her dress. “Of course, we don’t have Saks Fifth Avenue. We’re more like Kohl’s, right?” There was a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
“Oh, I love Kohl’s. Marshalls too...” Dot cheerfully said, trying to salvage the moment. Where was the Wisconsin nice?
Danny stepped in. “Well, we better get going.” He put his hand on the small of Dot’s back and pushed her toward the door. “See you around.”
“Bye, Danny. I’ll call you.” Maddy staked her claim right there in front of Dot.
Dot felt him tense. Did those two have a history?
“Sorry about that,” he said as they walked outside into the warm summer night.
“No need to be sorry. They seem... great.”