When she said California, he smiled. He'd been in California for a bit himself. He wasn't from there, but he'd been living with his brother there for several years. "Where in California? I lived in Los Angeles, for a little bit," he said giving her a winning smile.
Over her choulder he saw a young woman with a baby, who practically snarled at him. He winked at her, as he watched her sip her tea, and turned his attention back to Trista.
"So, what brings me here?" he asked repeating her question and trying to think up a good answer on the spot. "I passed through here once driving to shoot and I liked it. So I thought it might be a good place to set down roots, find some peace and quiet," he said his hand still clasped with hers.