“They didn’t charge anything?” Dalton asked, amazed.
“Well, Andy was part of the volunteer youth brigade with the fire department,” Ella said. “I think they gave him a pass since he gave them so much of his time.”
“He was a prince,” Dalton said, shaking his head.
Geno arrived with a tray of delicious, steaming plates and they turned their attention to their beautiful meal.
For all Dalton had been nervous about this date, he’d honestly never felt more at home around anyone than he did around Ella.
14
ELLA
Ella took one last bite of the crisp and tender sweet potato dish before pushing her plate away slightly.
“You’re full?” Dalton asked, a little hope sparking in his bright blue eyes.
“Sure,” she said, smiling. “Have at it.”
He had already put away his steak and salad, and it did her heart good to see the healthy young man enjoying a good meal after a hard day’s work.
Everything about tonight had done her good, really. They had traded half a dozen funny Andy stories, and eaten well while they were at it. She felt more relaxed than she had in a long time.
“Why are you smiling?” Dalton asked, pulling her plate closer.
“This has been really nice,” she heard herself admit.
“I think so too,” he told her with a warm smile. “I hope you don’t think we talked about your brother too much.”
“Not at all,” she said with a smile. “You know, it’s funny. He was always the one who made me laugh. I’ve missed that. I feel almost like we brought him back for an hour or two.”
“We did,” Dalton said, his voice slightly deeper with emotion.
“He was family to you,” she realized out loud.
He nodded, and she suddenly had a lump in her throat.
“Well, he would have loved to know how much the rest of us like having you around,” she told him, willing herself not to cry.
“May I interest you in dessert?” Geno asked, approaching the table with dessert menus.
“Oh, I couldn’t,” Ella said, placing a hand over her belly.
Dalton smiled at her and shook his head to the waiter.
“I’ll just bring the check then, sir,” Geno said.
Ella grabbed for her bag.
“No,” Dalton said firmly. “You agreed that I could take you to dinner.”
“Thank you,” she said, turning back to him. “That’s very kind.”
“It’s not kind at all,” he said, giving her one of his funny half-smiles. “I’m just an old-fashioned guy.”
She nodded, pressing her lips together, and didn’t argue when Geno came back and presented Dalton with the bill.
She had been telling herself all night that it was okayto relax and have fun, okay to smile at Dalton and enjoy his company, because really they were just friends.
