The snow was much heavier than it’d been even ten minutes ago.
“Do we need to be worried about the snow?” she asked warily. She’d never seen snow come down the way it did here.
“Nah. No biggie.”
“To you, maybe.”
“When you grow up with it, you get used to it.”
“I’d never get used to this kind of snow. It’s as high as my boobs on my sidewalk!”
Noah sputtered with laughter. “Is that an official measurement?”
“In this case, yes.”
“Well, you’re not exactly… How should I put this?”
“Shut up. I know I’m short. I don’t need you to tell me that.”
“I never said you were short. I was going to say you aren’t exactly tall.”
She hoped the withering look told him what she thought of that. But he didn’t see her withering look because he was so intent on keeping the truck on the increasingly snowy road. “Maybe we should turn back.”
“And have to tell Mrs. H that we wimped out? Not happening.”
“It’s not wimping out if we’re concerned for our safety.”
“No self-respecting Vermonter would be afraid to drive in this.”
“You people are certifiable.”
“We hear that a lot.”
They inched along until a neon sign with the outline of a pig appeared in the gloom. The official name of the place was Pig’s Belly Tavern and Publick House. Delightful.
Brianna expelled a deep breath full of relief. “If the snow is this bad now, what’ll it be like after dinner?”
“Don’t worry. I won’t drive you off the side of the mountain or anything.”
“Thank you. That sets my mind at ease.”
Noah parked the truck and turned off the engine. “Wait for me to come get you so you don’t fall.”
Brianna wanted to tell him she didn’t need his help but wasn’t sure if that was true, so she waited for him to walk around the truck and open the passenger door. When he offered her a hand, she reluctantly took it so she wouldn’t fall face-first into a snowdrift. “Are you sure we shouldn’t just go home now before it gets worse?”
“I’m sure. Hold on to me so you don’t slip.”
She didn’t want to be holding on to him for dear life, but she also didn’t want to fall. They trudged through shin-high snow to the front door, which Noah held for her.
The man had manners. She had to give him that much. After pounding the snow off their boots, they proceeded inside, where a gold statue of a huge pig greeted them. The restaurant was crowded and noisy, the atmosphere nonexistent. Music that might’ve been live was coming from the back, and the smell of barbecue had her mouth watering and her stomach growling.
“Two, please,” Noah told the hostess.
Judging by the crowd, Brianna was the only one concerned about the snowstorm happening outside. If they weren’t worried, maybe she shouldn’t be either. Noah grew up in these hills and knew how to get around in the snow. She needed to chill and try to relax.
The hostess handed them menus and a list of specials.
“What can I get you to drink?”
Noah asked what they had on tap and settled on a Sam Adams Winter.
Brianna ordered Grey Goose and soda with a lime. Vodka was the only alcohol she ever drank because it had no taste. She hated the taste of everything else and barely drank anything except for at times like this when it paid to be sociable. And when her nerves were shot by having to dine with the cranky contractor during a snowstorm.
The menu consisted of every form of rib, pork, pig’s feet and even pig’s knuckles. No part of the pig went to waste in this place. “What do you usually get here?”
“I’m particular to the pork jambalaya myself, but it’s all good. My cousin Hunter had his rehearsal dinner here, and I had the ribs that night. They were so good.”
“He had his rehearsal dinner here?”
Noah laughed at the face she made. “The scene of his first date with his now-wife, Megan.”
“Is she the same Megan who runs the diner?”
“One and the same.”
“She’s very nice—and very pregnant.”
“She’s both those things. She’s made my cousin very happy.”
“When is she due?”
“Soon. I’m not sure of the exact date.”
“Is it me, or are you related in some way to just about everyone in Butler?”
“Not everyone, but when you’re one of eighteen cousins, many of whom still live in town, there’re very few degrees of separation.”
“You guys must’ve been something when you were kids.”
“We had a lot of fun, got into a lot of trouble—the good kind—and had all the laughs together.”
“That must’ve been nice.”
“Do you have siblings?”
“A much older brother who left for college when I was seven and never lived at home again. I think I was an ‘oops,’ not that my parents ever admitted to that.”
“No cousins?”
“One that I’m very close to. Dominique is my third cousin. We went all through school together and have always been the best of friends. Her mom and my mom are first cousins.”
“Wouldn’t that make her your second cousin?”
“Nope, her mom is my second cousin.”
“I’m gonna need a minute to wrap my head around that.”
Brianna laughed. “It’s simple. Her mom is my second cousin, and Dom is my third cousin.”
“If you say so.”
“You were lucky to grow up in a pack.”
“I’ve always known that even if it could be crowded and loud. I feel like I should add that it wasn’t always great. My dad left when we were kids.”
“I might’ve heard something about that in town.”
His mouth set in an expression that conveyed his displeasure. “People still can’t believe a man could leave his wife and eight children.”
“That must’ve been rough.”
“It was.”
“How old were you?”
“Fourteen. I was the second oldest, so a lot fell to me and my older brother, Grayson.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you.”
He shrugged. “It was more than twenty years ago now.”
“Some things don’t get better with time.” She knew that all too well.
The waitress came to the table. “Sorry to keep you waiting. What can I get you?”
Noah gestured for Brianna to go first.
“I’m going to do some sides—the baked beans, coleslaw and cornbread.”
“That’s it for you?” the waitress asked.
“That’ll do it.”
“And for you, sir?”
“I’ll do the full rack of ribs with fries and slaw.”
“I’ll put that right in for you.”
After she walked away, Noah said, “No pig for you?”
Brianna gave him a sheepish grin. “I’m a vegetarian.”
He stared at her, stunned. “Why didn’t you say something?”