Chapter 22

22

E merson bustled around the kitchen, washing and drying the last of the equipment she had used this morning. Ry wanted her to accompany him into San Antonio in order to purchase the food truck. They were leaving at nine this morning, and so she had gone into the winery extra early, keeping more to her former baker's hours. She had baked the cakes for Saturday's wedding, and while they baked and cooled, she had iced and decorated the cakes for tomorrow night's wedding. The bride was a second-timer, a widow who had two young children. She had not wanted the fuss of a wedding, but her groom had talked her into holding one at the event center. He had also insisted on both children having a part in the ceremony, making Emerson like him quite a bit as she watched him interact with his soon-to-be stepchildren. The groom had even asked that she bake two small cakes, one for each child, and he'd encouraged them to tell Emerson how they wanted them decorated.

Drying the last of the bowls, she put them aside, returning to her new car. She had finally purchased a new vehicle in Boerne last week at Ry's suggestion, buying a small SUV. Emerson really liked how she sat up a little higher in it and could see everything better, plus it had plenty of space in the rear if she needed to transport anything.

She drove home now, eager to time spend with Ry. He was so excited about his new business venture, as well as the support from his friends in helping to get it off the ground, but Emerson was still concerned about the rift between him and his father.

Shelly Blackwood had come undone upon hearing what had gone down between her husband and son. She had begged Ry to mend the fences between them, but he had told his mother he had nothing to apologize for. That he would continue to see her away from the house but that he couldn't in good conscience give into his father. Shelly had even contacted Emerson regarding the issue, hoping she could somehow bring the two men together. Emerson had said the issue was between Ry and Shy, and they would have to work it out themselves. Still, if she could think of a way to facilitate a reunion between the pair, she would do so.

When she arrived home, Ry's truck already sat in front of her house. He got out of it as she pulled into the driveway, coming to greet her with a kiss.

"How did everything go at the bank?" she asked. "Did the funds transfer and get credited into your business account?"

Once dinner ended last night, their friends had generously used technology to transfer money from themselves to Ry. He had wanted something in writing about these loans, but Braden had insisted that a handshake between friends was good enough.

"All done," he assured her. "I asked to meet with Jay Warner, so he could verify the transfers. Since all but Wolf had an account at the bank, the money from everyone else was already credited to me this morning from their Lost Creek accounts.

"Because I really want to buy the food truck today and pay cash, I called Dax. He came over right away and also gave me the amount Wolf was in for. I texted Wolf to cancel his transaction if he could from his end. He can settle up with Dax later. That way, I will now have the full amount available to me ASAP. So, we're set to go."

In the car, he asked, "Do you have time for us to grab lunch or do a little sightseeing after we buy the truck?"

"I'd like that. I've never been to San Antonio," she admitted.

"It's only an hour or less from Lost Creek. I can't believe you haven't been. It's got some of the best food in Texas." Then he paused. "I'm sorry, Emerson. I know you haven't had much free time, working two jobs while you've been living in Lost Creek."

"I finished the cakes for tomorrow's wedding, and I baked the two for Saturday's wedding," she told him. "That means I have the rest of today free. We can do whatever you want in San Antonio."

"I'm happy to play tour guide for you."

On the way, they talked about the food he would offer the food truck's clients.

"I don't want to overextend myself," he said. "I think limiting the menu to a few items will not only streamline things for me, but it'll be less confusing for people when they step up to order. And again, I have to thank you for letting me keep my new smoker in your back yard."

With Ry living above Java Junction, he had nowhere to put his smoker and nurse his meats. Harper had said he could keep it at the winery, especially since Shy had already removed the Blackwood BBQ smoker Ry had used for catering receptions. He was still considering Harper's offer, but for now, the smoker would remain at Emerson's house. She was only a few blocks off the square, and having a central location such as that would really benefit him, especially since he planned to take the food truck out every weekday.

They reached the San Antonio city limits and pulled up to their destination fifteen minutes later. Ry had made an appointment and was greeted by name by a salesman. He introduced Emerson, and the three of them went to look at the exact food truck Ry was interested in purchasing.

The salesman gave them all the specifications regarding the truck, and she and Ry climbed into it, looking over the interior and dashboard and what it had to offer. Then the salesman took them inside the food truck and pointed out the various features the kitchen had to offer.

"It's a little crowded with three of us in here, but it easily fits two workers. I'll give you some time to explore it." He gave Ry the key fob. "Take it out and see what you think. I'll be in office when you finish."

The salesman left, and they spent the next quarter-hour going over the kitchen with a fine-toothed comb. Ry pointed out several things to Emerson and explained why he liked them or where they were located. He walked her through how he would put together the limited dishes they had discussed. While he could cook in the kitchen, most of his menu offerings would already be barbequed for hours on the smoker and would simply be kept warm for the time being. Down the road, he would hire help and begin utilizing the kitchen's features more, considering making some things fresh, such as frying up French fries.

"I think it's the perfect layout," she said encouragingly. "If you're happy, I'm happy."

He slipped his arms around her, drawing her in for a lingering kiss. "I thought that was my line," he said huskily, gazing deeply into her eyes. "I'm doing this for us. I want to make a success of this, Emerson, and I want you to be proud of me."

"I am proud of you. I'll always be proud of you, Ry."

"I love you," he said, kissing her again. "Let's take it for a quick test drive and then go talk numbers."

She knew what was coming because Ry had done the same thing when she'd bought her new car. Emerson had sat back and let him iron out the details with the salesman, helping her walk away with a final price below what she had anticipated paying for the SUV.

Now, the process was repeated again with the food truck's negotiations. It took a good hour to come to an agreement, with Ry insisting he should receive a better deal because he was offering cash for the food truck.

Twice, the salesman checked with his boss, returning with the general manager the second time. The three men sealed the deal, and they spoke to the bank in Lost Creek. Jay Warner assured the general manager that Ry had the necessary funds to make the full payment for the truck, and Ry would be allowed to take the truck with him in a couple of hours after he signed a ream of papers.

"We'll go grab some lunch," he told the pair. "We'll be back around three-thirty."

"Your food truck will be waiting for you, all detailed and ready to roll, including the deed, Mr. Blackwood," the manager assured them.

As they went to his truck, he said, "I hope you don't mind driving my truck back to Lost Creek for me."

"Where are you going to keep the food truck?" Emerson asked. "Is there room in the alley behind Java Junction? I know you park your personal truck there."

Ry cursed under his breath. "I hadn't even thought about that."

"It can stay at my place with the smoker," she told him. "I don't mind. Especially if I can collect any leftovers at the end of the day."

"That would be wonderful. You're wonderful." He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Let's go down to the River Walk," he said, helping her into the passenger seat. "It's not far from here."

She had heard of the famed River Walk running through downtown, and as they strolled alongside the river, she felt the serenity of the place.

They stopped at a Mexican food restaurant, which Ry claimed was his favorite on the river, ordering a plate of brisket nachos as an appetizer and then chicken enchiladas for their main course.

When the server asked if they wished to see the dessert menu, Emerson shook her head.

"I can't put another bite in my mouth, but everything was delicious."

They paid the check and Ry said, "We still have a little time to kill. I'd like to take you to El Mercado. We'll save the Alamo for another time when we can stay longer."

They went to the marketplace, moving leisurely by its many booths. He bought her a handmade leather purse she admired and then said they had to stop in Mi Tierra before they left.

"It's a café, but it's also a bakery. I thought you'd enjoy seeing it and sampling some of its goods."

They entered Mi Tierra, and her eyes widened at the incredibly long glass display case.

"This is a baker's paradise!" Emerson exclaimed.

"Let's get a little of a lot of different things," he suggested. "I'll text everyone and see if we can meet at Harper's tonight. I want them to see the food truck in person, and we can celebrate with baked goods."

While she went through the line, picking out everything from fruit turnovers and scones to pecan pralines, sweetbreads, and empanadas, Ry texted Harper first, asking if they could invite everyone to her house to stop by to see the food truck and chow down on things from Mi Tierra. Harper replied immediately, saying they were welcomed to come. She then she sent out a group text to everyone, inviting them to come over at five to see the food truck.

Ry responded first, telling everyone he would not only have the food truck but would be bringing boxes of sweets from Mi Tierra, which was met with enthusiasm. Dax offered to bring the coffee, and Ivy said she would be coming from Lost Creek Winery and would bring a few bottles of wine, as well.

They carried three large bags of bakery goods back to the truck and then returned to the dealership, where the food truck awaited them.

"I'm going to drive straight to Harper and Braden's," Ry said. "I'll have to go a little more slowly than you. I'll meet you there."

"I am truly proud of you, Ry," Emerson said. "I think you'll be very successful as a small business owner. People will line up to eat your barbeque."

He captured her hands in his. "I wouldn't be who I am today without you, Emerson. I want you in every tomorrow of mine."

Her heart began racing. "I feel the same, Ry," she said, feeling lightheaded.

He brought their joined hands up, kissing her knuckles tenderly. "I want to make it official. I hope you're ready to hear this and give me an answer. I want to marry you, Emerson Frost. I want us to spend forever together. Will you marry me?"

Joy rippled through her. She had never been happier than in this moment.

"Yes!" she exclaimed. "Yes, a thousand times."

Ry embraced her, giving her a deep, beautiful kiss.

"Then not only will we be showing off our food truck, we'll also share with the gang that we're engaged. If that's okay with you."

"It's more than okay," she assured him. "I want to shout it from every rooftop."

"Maybe you could settle for standing in the middle of the town square and hollering the news from the gazebo," he teased.

Laughing, he kissed her again.

Emerson couldn't believe she had found someone she loved. Someone who loved her in return. That lost, lonely foster kid was now a business owner and soon-to-be wife.

She knew life would get better every single day with Ry Blackwood as her husband.