Chapter 11: Micah

I follow through on my promise to make popcorn while we watch Robyn’s show. I bring a huge bowl full of the stuff to the sofa, along with two cold bottles of Coke, and plop down on the sofa beside her.

Since I haven’t seen season one of Bridgerton , Robyn decides it would be best if we started over from the beginning, so I can get up to speed. She starts the first episode, and then she grabs a handful of popcorn and pops it into her mouth. “Mm. Butter and salt.”

“Of course.”

The show begins with all the pomp and pageantry of the Regency period—fancy dresses, top hats, and horse-drawn carriages. “Is this like a Jane Austen movie?”

Robyn smiles as she reaches for more popcorn. “Just watch.”

A voiceover narrator starts speaking. “Isn’t that Julie Andrews?”

“Shh.” She elbows me lightly. “All will be explained.”

Then we see the inside of a house with a lot of kids. “My God, how big is that house? I can’t imagine what it cost to heat. Imagine the electric bill.”

“Shh. I don’t think they had electricity yet.”

“I know, but if they did—”

Robyn turns to me, looking very put out as she presses the pause button on the remote. “I’m sorry, is this boring you?”

“No, not at all.” I manage to keep a straight face, but it’s hard because she looks adorable when she’s annoyed. “Please resume.”

The show continues, with lots of dressed-up characters arriving at a huge building. The narrator starts up again.

“I’m sure that’s Julie Andrews!”

“Stop talking.”

“Wait! The queen is Black? Since when?”

I receive another elbow in my side, but her lips are curving so she can’t be that mad. “Please, Micah, just watch.”

“So, she falls in love? Daphne?”

“Yes.”

“With whom? With that guy?”

“No, just watch.”

“Surely not with him ? Give me a break.”

“No! I said watch.”

The show continues, and eventually we meet the hero. “With that guy?” I ask.

Robyn smiles. “Yes, that’s the duke.”

The show is good, no doubt, but I’m much more entertained by watching Robyn. By the time the first episode has ended, the popcorn bowl is empty, so I get up to make more.

When the opening credits for the next episode start to roll, she asks, “Do you want to keep watching?”

“Sure.”

“Does this mean you like it?”

“Yeah. It’s interesting.”

The episode continues, and I’m too wrapped up in the storyline to bother Robyn with more questions. Toward the end of the show, I notice her starting to lean in my direction. I glance at her in my peripheral and notice she’s falling asleep. It is late, and she had a busy day. By the time the episode ends, her head is resting fully on my shoulder. She’s out like a light, and I don’t want to move a muscle.

I set the empty popcorn bowl on the end table and grab the remote so I can turn off the TV. I switch off the lamp on the end table and sit in the semi-darkness for a while. Robyn really should go to bed, but I hate waking her.

Eventually, I shift her so that she’s sitting upright, so I can stand. Then I lift her into my arms and carry her to the bed, lay her down, and cover her up.

Of course, she stirs, gazing up sleepily. “It’s over?”

“Yes, for tonight.”

She yawns. “Thanks for watching it with me. I’d forgotten how much I liked the first season.” She forces herself to sit up. “I need to get ready for bed.”

Just before she slips into the bathroom, she turns back and says, “Thanks for everything, Micah. For the popcorn. Even the gun lesson. I appreciate what you’re trying to do for me, and honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I expected.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I’ll turn you into Annie Oakley in no time.” And when I wink at her, she smiles.

* * *

The next morning, after dropping Robyn off at the diner, I return to the shop to work. My productivity this week has been crap. I manage to keep myself focused on work for most of the day, pausing at noon to grab a quick bite to eat in my cabin. Around two, I head back to town, planning to stop in at the tavern to say hi to my sister before I pick up Robyn. The bar doesn’t open until three, but I know Ruth and Jack will be there getting the place ready for business.

Jack is standing behind the bar drying beer mugs when I walk in the front door.

“Hey, Micah!” Jack calls. “What brings you in?”

“Just thought I’d stop in and say hi. I’m picking up Robyn in a few minutes.”

Jack sets a mug on a shelf overhead. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Just a Coke.” I take a seat on one of the barstools.

Jack grabs a glass, fills it with ice, then pours my drink.

Ruth comes around the corner carrying a box of fresh limes. “What are you doing here?” she asks when she spots me.

“Gee, thanks. I’m glad to see you, too.”

“He’s here to pick up his girlfriend,” Jack says, grabbing another mug to dry.

I sigh. “She’s not my—”

Ruth sets the box of limes on the bar. “Speaking of Robyn, I find it interesting that Jenny just happened to have a server position open up right when Robyn needed a job.”

“So?”

“So? Did you have anything to do with that?”

“What does it matter? Robyn needs a job. She’s broke, and she wants to earn money to pay for her transmission.”

“So Jenny’s footing the bill? You know she can’t afford to hire an extra server when she doesn’t need one.”

“Don’t worry. Jenny and I worked it out. I’m covering the cost.”

My sister frowns. “Micah, we’re talking at least a couple thousand dollars here.”

“Yes, and you’re not going to say a word to anyone, all right?” I toss a glare at Jack, who’s listening intently to our conversation. I point a finger in his direction. “That goes for you, too, pal.”

Jack mimes zipping his mouth shut. “Not a word.”

I stay a while longer to shoot the breeze with my sister and her boyfriend. When it’s nearly three, I leave them to head next door.

“Bring Robyn tomorrow night,” Ruth calls. “She’s always welcome.”