“Alright,” Carla agreed wondering what the “business” was all about.
Once inside her room, Carla settled in and informed Estelle she would be fine by herself. She changed into work clothes. Then armed with a notebook and a pen, she set about inspecting the house that was to be her home for the next couple of months.
***
Dinner was arranged by Estelle outside under the stars. She asked some of the men to setup a canopy near the trees.
“It’s such a beautiful night. The stars always appear larger here in Riquewihr,” Estelle informed her.
Carla wondered if Estelle had any reservations about her and Falcon. She just had to prove to the woman she was here to do a job and nothing more.
A log fire was burning brightly as Carla made her way along a footpath. Falcon was silhouetted against the glow of the fire holding a wine glass. Carla didn’t hear him come in earlier. She was so engrossed exploring and writing down notes about the house. She noticed he had managed to change into more comfortable clothes.
“Hi,” she greeted placing a notebook on the table. She planned to discuss with him tonight the procedures for the construction.
Falcon offered her a glass of wine which she accepted. She decided then the business meeting could come after dinner.
Estelle reappeared followed by a retinue of servers. Dinner started with bouillabaisse which tasted perfect. Then it was followed with salmon baked in foil partnered with Pinot Noir that countered the salmon’s strong flavor. Estelle returned with an Alsatian dish which she said was locally called “choucroute” a recipe that included sausages, bacon, ham, and smoked meats prepared with potatoes and pickled sour cabbage. A cheese board with an assortment of local cheeses arrived together with baguette, fruits and nuts. Dessert was local ice cream that Carla thought was to-die for.
The dinner plates were cleared away just as Falcon opened another bottle of wine. Carla recognized the label on the bottle and blushed. Falcon may have forgotten all about it but she hadn’t. It was the same variety they consumed excessively on that particular night.
Carla decided now was a good time to discuss the details of the construction. She reached for her notebook.
“I made some notes while I was inspecting the house earlier,” she started.
Falcon smiled and took the notebook away. “I don’t think so. Not tonight. I think we deserve a night like this just enjoying it without thinking about work.”
Carla glanced up to the skies. Estelle was right. The stars did look like sparkling diamonds. The wind was a gentle breeze, and the sound from the cicadas was like a concerto coming from the woods.
“Come seat with me by the fire,” Falcon invited her as he slouched down on a wooden bench and stretched his arm across the backseat.
Carla sat down beside him. All that wine made her mellow that when Falcon tilted her head to rest on his shoulders, she offered no resistance.
“Tell me how you got into designing homes. Were you always certain what you wanted to be? Tell me who you were before I met you.” Falcon said.
By this time, the wine had done its magic. Carla was emboldened to share her life story, her struggles growing up, the triumph of getting a scholarship program, her early days at Brighton and Young, and her dream of setting up her own firm. It didn’t feel right talking about her and Lindsay’s friendship, so she skipped that part.
Falcon was equally open about his life. In some ways they even shared similar traits where their dreams were concerned.
The night had gone chillier and the cicadas have stopped their serenade before they both realized it. Falcon rose and offered her a hand. As they entered his house and ascended the stairs, Carla remembered that his bedroom was right beside hers. An expectant feeling crept in. He stopped outside her bedroom door and gave her a gentle peck.
“Goodnight Carla. Thanks for sharing your story with me,” he said.
Carla smiled and entered her room alone. She didn’t feel disappointed, only a conviction that they both knew it would have been offensive if he did. It wasn’t the right time yet.
