The pick up truck rumbled onto the stoney drive way a bit out of town. I sat up and looked through the window to see the restaurant. It was moderately full. There were a few RVs likely from families or couples taking a summer road trip and were either coming home or just passing through.

I got out of the truck, "This place looks so adorable!", I said excitedly. The last time I ate out was at the donuts shop. Now a day later I was here.

Chris smiled, "Just wait till you try the food", said Chris.

"You sound like a regular", I said.

Chris linked his hand in mine now with a cowboy hat on. He was trying to score some points.

"I've been here since I was a kid", he replied smiling and shoved his other hand in his pocket after locking the car.

We walked inside through the open barn doors greeted by a casually dressed waitress. "Hi, oh hey Chris!", said the woman smiling.

"Hey Daniel", replied Chris smiling.

"Oh! Hi! I'm Daniel, nice to meet you", said the waitress to me.

I smiled shaking her hand, "Likewise, Kathy Klein", I replied.

"Chris... you didn't tell me you had a girlfriend!", said Daniel excitedly.

I raised my eyebrows....I guess you could say now I was his girl friend. Chris laughed, "Well....this was recent", he said.

"I don't care if it was like yesterday or three months ago! You got to let people know!", said Daniel.

He chuckled, "I didn't know that was the thing to do", he confessed. Chris took it smoothly.

"So can I finally seat a table for two?", asked Daniel.

"Yes for two", said Chris.

"Outside or in-", "Outside please", said Chris.

"Oh well isn't someone in a hurry, I get it I get! She has a curfew, gotcha!", said Daniel smiling and gathered the menus before leading us out to the back.

After a bit more of a bubbled conversation Chris looked a bit relieved to be left alone. He shook his head.

"I'm sorry, she's always like that. Now more than ever", he sighed.

"I don't mind", I replied.

"Really? You aren't annoyed yet?", he asked.

"I just got here Chris! You don't have to be so worried about making an impression. You already did that part well enough", I said.

He smiled, "Now that makes me feel better, so you wouldn't be embarrassed by me in public too easily", he said.

"Why would I be embarrassed?", I asked.

"Because I'm me, I'm not all perfect", he said.

I smiled shaking my head, "And I don't expect you to be. Now stop worrying about impressing me. You're a cop, a police officer, a cute guy, your friendly, outgoing, there's nothing more you have to do to impress me", I said.

He smiled glancing up, "Cute huh?", he asked.

"Don't go fishing to deep for compliments", I warned.

"But I like it when you say it", he said.

I smiled, he really was cute. A good looking man too.

I looked around at the scenery, "You sad you've been here since you were a kid right?", I asked.

He chuckled, "Yeah, my father used to take me out here with my grandparents every weekend", said Chris.

I nodded, "Must be that good", I said.

He laughed, "I'll admit my father said that he was only taking us here because it was cheaper than any other options. Plus he liked the river", said Chris looking out against it.

He sighed, "My mother left us when I was six. She was a city girl. From New York. Don't know where she is now. But....my father never blamed her for leaving. City folk will be city folk....country folk will be country folk", he said.

I looked at Chris my eye softened, "My father grew up here....as a rancher. Same as my grandparents and their parents before him. But he sold the cattle to another now I lease the land out to him. I don't have much time to take care of the cattle and livestock anyway like when I was a boy growing up", said Chris.

I looked at him in a pause of silence processing what he had told me, "I never knew", I said quietly.

He smiled, "I never told you", he replied.

I nodded that was true, "But since you told me you were from Europe I thought that should only do the same", he replied.

"Well....I didn't exactly give you my whole childhood", I said.

Chris set down the beer bottle, "I wanted to tell you anyway", he replied.

"Ah", I said understanding.

I knew that this meant he had a lot more trust in me than I had actually anticipated. It was clear to see that he had been in a few more past relationships than I. I've had three or four. Not sure if you count fifth grade. But he clearly had a bit more experience. That he was telling me this really meant that he was comfortable around me and it relieved me. Then again we've worked in the same office department for four years now.

He leaned forward on his elbows, "So, what part of Europe are you from?", he asked.

"Paris, France", I replied.

"France?", he asked with raised eyebrows.

"My parents, were originally from Ukraine but my grandparents on my father's side are from Germany. My mother's were from Sweden. I was born in France, lived there for seven years and then moved over here to the US. Down to Texas, first up north and then I moved down here seven years ago", I replied.

Chris nodded, "I never knew I was dating and working with a French lady! You don't have an accent!", he said.

I laughed, "I think if I went back it would come back to me", I said.

"Man, I only took spanish in high school", said Chris.

"I haven't spoken French in years", I said.

"And your parents?", asked Chris.

"They are in Alaska at the moment", I replied.

He laughed, "At the moment?", he asked.

"Retired elderly, taking a road trip around the United States. They have utterly confessed that they are not leaving to go back to Europe", I said.

"What brought you over here...I mean in the US and then here to Texas, there are fifty other states to choose from", said Chris.

"Well....I would say work related reasons. My father worked for a commercial industry and since Dallas was becoming such a hub, I presume his company wanted him there since he spoke English, and Spanish, and Ukrainian fluently", I said.

"Wow....versatile", he said taking a drink.

"I have the Texan Mighty Pork here for two to share, is there anything else I can get you both?", asked Daniel.

"I didn't order-", Chris shook his head interrupting me. "No, all good thanks Daniel", he said

Chris looked at me, I stared at the basket of the foot long pulled pork sandwich.

He smiled, "What afraid you can't finish it?", he asked.

I nodded slowly shocked by the size of that thing. He laughed, "Relax, we're sharing it", he said.

"That's still six inches", I said. Plus that thing had butt load of pulled pork pouring out.

"Do you want four inches instead?", he asked taking a knife.

"Four sounds good", I said nodding.

Chris smiled, "More for me", he said.

I took the flimsy thing as best I could. The pork looked good. And it tasted like it was home made as well. But the problem was, it was messy.

"Wow, this is good!", I said.

I motioned, "Can you hand me a few napkins?", I asked.

Just after one bite the stuff was already halfway out of the sandwich and in the basket. Chris reached over to the other table grabbing a stack.

"Thank you", I said about to take it but he pulled it back.

"No, no, come here", he objected.

I rolled my eyes leaning forward though and he wiped away the sauce with the napkin softly.

Back at the truck I was rather full. I had no clue how he managed to eat eight inches of that pulled pork sandwich. He held my hand and turned, "So? Wasn't bad was it?", he asked.

I smiled looking up at him, "No, no it wasn't bad at all....but I think the milk is spoiled by now", I said.

"Woops, I forgot about that", he said looking at the truck a bit embarrassed.

"Hey", I said.

He looked down, "Hm?",

I stared up at Chris, I bit my lip, "Can I kiss you?", I asked quietly.

Chris laughed wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Are you asking for permission because I'm a cop?", he asked.

I smiled, "I wouldn't want to get sued in court now would I?", I said softly.

"If anything I think a kiss will be the perfect ticket price for jaywalking this morning", he said.

I smiled standing up, "You know I don't jaywalk", I whispered kissing him.

He was just the friendliest man I've ever met. So far he was the best one yet. Even though it had only been two days now, I was happy to confess and say. It's official.