“So, what do we do now?What do you think?”Dana asked.
He turned to look at her.She was clearly worried—a frown marred her forehead; her hands were clutched together tightly.
He touched her hands and smiled.“I think I have a beautiful woman with me and that it’s time for lunch.”He smiled, trying to lighten the mood.He looked at her before he turned onto the highway.“And I know just the place.”
“You know what I mean.What do you think about what Toby said?About the money laundering, about my dad being silenced?Do you think he made it up?Is it all linked?”
David took her hand.“I don’t know what to think.But I still have my contacts and will ask around.We can see what else is available from old online newspaper articles, but that we can do tonight.Let’s have lunch.I think much better on a full stomach.”
“You don’t have to buy me lunch,” she said crossly.
“I know,” he agreed.“But I want to.There is this excellent restaurant in the Hemel and Aarde Valley.The food is divine—even my mother likes it.I also like their wine.”
He held his breath.He wanted her to forget about all the bad stuff for at least a few hours, but would she be able to relax?
She sighed and stared out the window.“Heaven and earth—such a beautiful name for the valley despite its sad history.Did you know they kept lepers in this valley two centuries ago?”
“I read about that when I was doing a story on the original landowner who, incidentally, also had leprosy.”
“I didn’t know that,” she said with interest and he began telling her everything he knew on the topic.It wasn’t a very happy topic but would get her mind off all the bad things she was worrying about, even if only for a few hours.
By the time they took the turnoff into the valley, he could feel her relaxing for the first time since that morning.It pleased him enormously to know, despite everything that was going on in her life, she could unwind around him.
As they drove on, she pointed toward the various wine farms along the way, and they discussed wine.He was happy, he realized after a while.And although he was mostly happy with life, this feeling was something more.But what?Contentment?No, not quite.Completion?
Wow—that was an unexpected word.But then, what he was feeling around this woman was unexpected.
They reached the turnoff for the restaurant and turned onto the road.He glanced in Dana’s direction.She was looking at him.
He stopped the car, leaned over, and kissed her.
“Wh—” she began when he lifted his head.
“Just because.”He smiled, put the car back in gear, and drove up to the parking bay.
*
It was abeautiful day.Dana’s shoulders relaxed, and she smiled at David as they walked toward the restaurant.
He opened the door for her and took her elbow.While he was talking to reception, she moved closer to the big windows overlooking the valley.
From here, she could even get a glimpse of the sea.
“Come on,” he said behind her and took her hand.“We have a table by the window.You can enjoy the view all through lunch.”
When they were seated, he looked at the wine list.“What kind of wine would you like?”
They decided on a white pinot grigio and looked over the menu.While David was placing their order, she had to force herself to look away from him.His smile.The poor waitress was just about falling over her feet.
When the waitress left, David took her hand.“So, you’re a teacher.Tell me about your class.”
“Surely you’re not interested in—”
“I’m interested in everything you do,” he said without taking his eyes off of her.
*
It was earlyevening when they stopped in front of her little house.Surprised, Dana looked up.She and David had been talking nonstop since they left the restaurant, so she hadn’t even realized they were back in Hermanus.
