She fingered the collar of his crisp suit coat. “And look at you. This must be some restaurant you’re taking me to.”
“We’re celebrating, after all.”
She smoothed her hands over her hips. “Thank you for the dress.”
“You look perfect. Are you ready to go?” He waved gallantly toward the parking lot. “Your chariot awaits.”
Her eyes fixed on the car, gleaming in the last light of the day.
Allie sucked in a breath, her gaze darting back to Luke’s. “I can’t believe they trusted us with it again.”
“I promised I’d keep the keys on my person at all times,” he said wryly.
Allie chuckled. “There’s not a storm on the horizon, is there?”
“The weather is clear—I checked.”
“Let’s go, then.” Allie grabbed her purse and wrap off the table. “Be good, Mary,” she called, but the cat was already sauntering away.
Allie locked up and drew her wrap around her against the cool evening air. She followed Luke to the car where he assisted her into the passenger seat.
“I have got to learn to drive a stick shift,” she muttered as he walked around the car.
Once Luke was behind the wheel, he started the engine and off they went. They chatted as he drove, about family and his business and her job. Conversation always flowed easily between them. Soon they were passing through downtown. Evergreen garlands spiraled up light poles, ornate wreaths adorned shop doors, and twinkle lights shimmered against picture windows. Good ol’ Copper Creek.
She thought he was perhaps heading toward the Blue Moon Grill, the town’s fanciest restaurant. But he passed the pull-in and continued, turning instead onto a road that led to the small town of Chatsworth. What in the world?
“You’ve really got me stumped now.” Allie shifted toward him. “Where on earth are we going?”
A smile played around his mouth. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Or you could just tell me...”
“That wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.”
Allie huffed. “But the suspense is killing me.”
“Patience, sweetheart. We’re almost there.”
Almostwhere? Only the endearment and, okay, the adoring look in his eyes kept her from pressing him. That look had earned him more than compliance over the past several months.
He slowed the car and turned into a parking lot.
Allie frowned. “This is my school.”
“Indeed it is.”
“We’re... eating at the school?” The parking lot lights were already beating back the encroaching darkness. As could be expected this time of night, there wasn’t a single vehicle in the lot. “I don’t understand.”
“You will shortly.” He pulled the car into a slot and shut off the engine.
“But what are we doing here?”
Luke said nothing as he exited the car and came around to help her out, an enigmatic smile on his face.
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
He took her hand, placing a quick kiss on her lips. “For the love of Pete, you are the most impatient woman I’ve ever known. Come along.”
