A/N: Hello everyone! How is your week? 

So here is another weekend of updates. Sorry it took time to up this up. I went to the doctor today for antibodies shot - I think that's what it called. And my left arm really hurt and feels heavy at the moment. So I need to rest before doing any handiworks. hehe.

On the picture about is what my depiction of the cute Gavin. This kid is from the movie 'The Switch'. It's a really funny chick-flick movie. 

Anyways, until tomorrow's update. Enjoy and Happy reading!

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I stopped in front of the door, taking a cautionary breathes before entering. As I was about to head inside, Carol opened the door. Her eyes grew wide in surprise for a second and then composed herself with a warm smile.

"Kyle, welcome. Having dinner with us for a change?" she asked while gesturing her hand inside the diner.

"Ah yeah..." I replied hesitantly whilst I entered the store.

I tried to keep myself ignorant of the eyes I knew was staring in my direction. From my oblivious mind, I hadn't heard what Carol had said. She waved her hand in front of my face to get back my attention.

"Are you okay, Kyle?" she asked in worry.

I blinked in surprise, trying to compose myself. From my lack of control, my eyes trailed towards the direction Lenna and her company sat. There was no need to refine innocence. The blinding smile she had on when our eyes met was all it took to push aside my nerves.

"Kyle!" My ears singled out the sound of her voice from the mumbling chatter of the other customers.

I raised my hand in response and waved. And unexpectedly, her hand gestured for me to go to her. My eyebrow scrunched in confusion until Carol spoke up.

"I think Lenna wants you to join their booth," she whispered beside me.

I glanced at Carol beside me, who was already looking at me with wonder. When I hadn't hinted on accepting the offer, she wrapped her hand around my arm and pulled me along. "Come on." She stated with slight frustration.

Once we reached where Lenna sat, others in her booth looked up at our arrival. Sitting beside her was none other than her son, Gavin, and opposite from her was the man she referred as Gabe. The older man ogled at me in confusion and familiarity.

"Gabe, this is Kyle. He's Luke's cousin. The one I told you about..." Lenna spoke up, grabbing the man's attention.

"Oh, okay." He nodded briefly before returning his scrutinizing gaze at me. "Hi. I'm Gabe, Gavin's Uncle. Welcome to Montana. I hope the cold suits your taste." His deep monotonous voice gave me an eerie chill at the back of my neck. It felt like there was an undertone to his seemingly light greeting.

"Nice to meet you, sir. The weather is lovely, but not like Chicago." I remarked with friendly smile. My hand flexed, readying to offer it for a quick handshake after the greeting. But the man turned away when the little boy across from him called his attention.

"Gabe, you don't mind Kyle join us for diner, right?" Lenna asked, breaking the awkward exchange.

"Sure," Gabe replied and glanced back at me and nodded on the empty cushion beside him. "Take your seat, boy."

"Ah... Thank you..." I stuttered in reply while I slide down beside him.

Carol kept quiet throughout the exchange with an amused smile. Once I was settled, she handed me the menu with a quick 'I will be back.' Not sure how to break the ice, I stared at the menu and absentmindedly choose something eat. To loosen my nerves, a small quivering voice called me.

"Mister. Do you like milk chocolate?" Gavin's sweet tiny voice perked up the edge of my lips.

"Yes. But I don't just like it. It's my favorite drink," I answered with a smile.

"Really? I like milk chocolate too!" He cheered in delight. And then his small hand grabbed the tall glass in front of him. With little effort, he pushed the glass in my direction. "Would you like to share?" he asked with a toothy grin.

"Honey. I don't think Kyle would drink anything sweet since he hadn't eaten anything yet," Lenna warned him before I could reply.

"I don't think your mother would let me drink your favorite drink, kid." She peered towards me when I interjected.

"My name is not kid. It's Gavin..." the little boy grumbled at me, snapping us both from out quick eye contact. "What is your name mister?" he asked in interest.

"It's Kyle. And I'm sorry for last time." I ruefully said.

His head bobbed at my apology before another thing caught his attention. I smiled while I watched him pull out a plastic toy action figure – Wolverine from the X-men Marvel franchise – and started playing. Lenna sighed in frustration and turned towards her barely touched meal.

"So Lenna says you are staying at the Wilde's old place?" It was Gabe who opened the conversation next.

"Ah, yes..." I replied nervously. Stunned at his sudden interrogation.

"Why are you here in Montana? From what I heard, you were working with Luke in Chicago?" he probed. His question had started to make my armpit sweat.

As I was about to formulate another lie in my head, Lenna spoke up. "I don't think it's nice to probe someone you just met, Gabe. It's not our business why he's here."

"Are you running from any criminal case?" he continued, disregarding Lenna's words.

I wanted to laugh at his question. Did I look like a convicted felon? It was the second time some accused me of being a criminal.

"Gabe. Please. Not here with Gavin." Lenna snapped, though her voice was calm and low.

The old man looked up from his meal and peered at Lenna. But he didn't say anything to her. He turned in my direction with a poker face. "Which is it, kid?" he asked, trying to look intimidating.

"Gabe!" Lenna warned again.

"No. I'm not a murderer, sir. I'm just here on a vacation that was overdue. Luke talked me out on taking a few days off. But working in a growing business industry, I couldn't find a time. And now that I did, here I am." I informed vaguely, which wasn't completely away from the truth. From the conversation I had with my Aunt a few days ago, it was true.

Gabe regarded my steadfast expression for a second before a friendly smile tugged on the edge of his lips. He patted my arm with familiarity, loosening up my stiff shoulder. "A young man who easily crumbled in front of authority is uncommon. A man shouldn't always pretend he is strong. But one shouldn't also give up completely."

I smiled at his statement, trying to understand what he had said and done. Across from me, Lenna was shaking her head in disbelief. The amused look on her face came back.

"I apologize for his behavior. He used to be a Ranger Officer in this county. Plus he liked to intimidate people when he was still in service." Lenna sheepishly explained.

"Don't worry. I'm used to being intimidated. My Aunt is a lawyer. Imagine being raised by a women who prosecutes high profile criminal case daily," I tactlessly informed. The natural smile lingering on my face wavered from sharing about my identity.

"A man raised to abide the law. I think we're going to be on good terms," Gabe interrupted and offered his hand for me to shake.

I took his hand and briefly shook it. After we let go, Carol came back to get my order while placing two slices of pie on the table. Gabe took one of the plates while Lenna placed the other between Gavin and her. The kid smiled happily before tugging Lenna's shirt and asked for a spoonful.

I tore away my eye from them and gave my meal order to Carol. I also asked for some glass of water while I waited. With a smile, she hurriedly took away the menu from me and returned with the glass I asked. After I gulped it down to subside my feeling of hunger, Gabe excused myself.

"I'm going to head out and meet with Norman while we're here. Just call me when you're done with your meal." Gabe said while I stood up to give way for him.

"Okay. See you when we are done." Lenna nodded in reply.

"Uncle Gabe! I want to go with you!" Gavin suddenly interrupted while he struggled to stand up on his seat.

"No, Gavin. Gabe is going to meet with a friend. He wouldn't want to be disturbed..." she trailed off as her son started to reach out towards the old man.

"Uncle Gabe! Can I please to go with you?" His high-pitched voice grew louder at his mother's protest.

In defeat, Gabe leaned towards the kid and picked him up as his little arms reached towards him. Lenna leaned back from her seat to give Gabe leverage to balance the boy in his arms.

"It's okay, Lenna. I could take him so that you two can talk," Gabe offered after he settled the little boy on his right hip while Gavin held a tight grip around his neck.

Lenna was quiet for a moment. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Gabe replied with conviction. "I will be back once you call that you are done." He stated before turning towards me.

"It was nice to meet you, Kyle. Let's talk again sometime," he stated before headed out of the diner.

Lenna and I both watched as Gabe and Gavin passed by in front of us in the diner's window. The little boy excitedly waved his hands as Lenna mirrored him. Once they were gone, there was another silence in our booth. We both slumped in relief when Carol rejoined us with my meal in hand. She lingered as she placed my meal in front of me before excusing herself to attend another customer. Her action was suspicious given the place only consisted of five customers, where both Lenna and I were the only one sharing a booth.

"So! Had you finally done some sightseeing?" She clapped her hand and broke the silence.

"It hasn't been that long since you've asked me the same question," I pointed evasively.

"And you said you were here on vacation," she repeated what I had said to Gabe.

"It's not much as a vacation as a time-off to relax and do nothing for the next few weeks," I answered and chuckled dryly.

"If you want, I could give you a tour around the place tomorrow," she offered, looking ambiguous. I watched her cheeks slightly flushed. "We are heading out at the hiking trail for some fresh air. If you want to go with us, we would love for you to join." She added when I kept quiet.

I blinked in surprise. "I don't want to impose."

"No. I think it would be fun. The more the merrier. I would love to know more about Luke," she stated, smiling in relief.

"If you want the whole story, a few hours hiking wouldn't be enough."

She snorted dismissively. "So, are you free tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'm free. I think..."

"Okay. That's good. Do you know where the hiking trail is?" she asked, excitement was evident in her voice.

"No. But I think I could manage," I smiled in response.

"Oh, okay. Well, if you'd somehow get lost..." she paused while patting around her pocket. She then pulled out her phone and tinkered with it for a moment. Once she was done, she placed it on the table between us.

"Here is my number if you couldn't find the place," she said pointing at her phone.

"You have your number on your phone?" I asked rather than pointed out.

"Yes. Don't ask. Just copy it on your contacts." She quickly brushed it off a light flush on her face came back.

I smiled at her blushed and pulled out my phone from the front pocket of my jeans. Once in hand, I grabbed her phone and copied the number on my contacts. When I finished, I offered the phone back to her. Our hands quickly brushed in contact. I watched her face flushed another shade of red while quickly retreating her hand back on her side of the booth.

She cleared her throat before speaking. "Call me if you get lost tomorrow, okay?"

Before I replied, her eyes darted at her phone, which had vibrated from an incoming call. She looked up at me in amusement and answered the call. I placed my phone in my ear at the same time she had.

"I will. And thank you for willingly giving me your number." I said towards the phone.

"Don't carelessly give it away now that you have it," she instructed. The sound of her voice doubled from the phone on my ear.

"Who said I would?" I challenged cheekily.

She laughed while pulling the phone away from her ear and ending the call. "That was childish, Kyle."

"And I'm glad you're as playful, Lenna," I countered with a grin.

She looked embarrassed on my behalf but her smile remained mischievous. She shook her head and hastily changed the topic by pointing at my meal, which was slowly growing cold. While I ate, Lenna's voice filled our booth as she told me about her hometown. What she loved about the place and the people in it.

"There aren't much words to describe the view I see every morning driving to work. You've seen it yourself. It's a blessing to find a place as beautiful as this. And I'm glad my parent's decided to brought me up here. Even though they moved, I couldn't find myself to leave." Her voiced slowly fade while stating the last sentence. It sounded like there was a deeper reason why she couldn't leave.

I hadn't press on the subject when she jolted at her vibrating phone placed on the table. When I understood why she kept it on the table, I felt a bit insulted. Since it wasn't an actual date, I let it slide. But I hoped she had caught on after Gabe left us – which my hopeful mind interpreted.

She hastily skimmed the messaged while I watched her face turned grim. Her eyebrow creased in concentration while she continued reading. Once she was done, she glanced up with a defeated look.

"Kyle... I..." she started by trailed off as her phone vibrated again. But this time she placed it on her right ear after clicking the answer button.

"Yes?" she answered and paused for a moment to listen on the other end. "I will be there. Please look out for Gavin before I get there." She paused again, quickly gazing up at me before looking out the window. "He won't mind. I will see you."

After her phone conversation ended, I watched her fidget for a second before sighing heavily. "That was my cousin. He and Gabe met at his friend's shop a few blocks from here." She explained vaguely without getting straight to the point.

"And you needed to go?" I inquired to make it easier for her.

"I'm sorry for leaving you like this..." she nodded stiffly.

"No worries, Lenna. I did intrude your dinner. I hadn't expected for you to stay long when they went away," I gave a white lie. I hoped for her to stay.

"From how our conversation is leading, I didn't want to leave this early. I would admit that so your ego won't be dented,'" she remarked with a smile.

"Thank you for nursing back the ego I thought I never had," I humored.

She arched her eyebrow in amusement. "Based from your relation with Luke, I'm sure anyone who's related to him had an ego the size of a baseball field." She said and bit back a grin.

The edge of my lips twitched into a smug smile. "If you keep this up, I'm sure you'll get another call from your cousin." I pointed playfully, though there was no humor in my words.

She blinked back from my words like she was snapped out from some fantasy. "Ah right," she nodded with a forced smile. "Are you sure you'll be fine here?"

"Yes. I'm good."

"Good." She bobbed her head animatedly. From her expression, she was trying to convince herself to leave. She then slides out of the booth with a stiff wave. "I would see you tomorrow, then?"

"I would be there."

She gave me one last hesitant wave before calling out to Carol. I turned away from her and ogling at my barely touched meal. My shoulder slumped as I grabbed my spoon and dug in. The food tasted bland for the first time. Once I'm on my third portion, my phone vibrated on my pocket. I pulled it out and eyed with a growing grin at the caller I.D. I glanced out of the store and found the caller standing outside across from me.

I quickly placed the phone in my ear without greeting. Her voiced echoed on the phone's receiver. "Thank you for coming to dinner. I know you were hesitant whether to join us or not. That window isn't tinted you know."

"I know." I whispered in agreement.

"Enjoy your meal, Kyle." She ended the call and waved in goodbye before walking away.

I watched until her silhouette was gone in the distance. As I continued eating my dinner, the meal tasted better every bite. It didn't take long before I was done with my meal. Even though I wasn't in a hurry, it felt like I had to get away from the sift gaze of other customers. Twenty minutes since Lenna left, I called for Carol to pay the bill. From the smile on her face, I knew Lenna had done something before she left.

"She took care of it, Kyle. You don't have to worry," Carol said while carrying a jar of cold water. "Would you like another glass?" she continued as her eyes darted towards my almost empty glass.

"Ah... Uhm... please," I mumbled in reply. Not sure what to say.

"I didn't know Lenna and you were acquaintances. Well since you're Luke's cousin, you would know her from him. Have you heard any news about her legal battle? I don't want to pry. But I think it's time for her to take it into consideration if she wanted to get away from him. I'm not saying she isn't welcome here. Lenna's a bright girl. She could do much better if she took up that scholarship in Illinois and make a life for her and little Gavin."

I kept my facial expression blank while I processed the information she had given me. "What legal battle?"

"Oh. Didn't you know about the child custody case she failed to file many times? I though that was common knowledge if you knew her that well..." she trailed off like she realized she had given too much away.

"No I didn't know..." I admitted in a whisper.

"Please don't tell her I blabbered about it. I assumed that you knew."

"I won't. And thank you for telling me, Ms. Carol."

"No problem, dear."