“We could talk about the expansion some more.I have some new ideas.”
“We could,” she said, not feeling particularly committed to talking at all.
“Or we can just watch TV and chill.”
“That sounds good.”She smiled.“I’ll see you in—what?About an hour or so?”
“Yes.I’ll see you in an hour.”
Raven settled back into her chair and scanned the room.It could do with a tidy before she had company.She rushed around the living room and kitchen, cleared off counters, dusted, then went into her bedroom to change her shirt and at least make the bed.
And tidy.
The phone rang.
She went into the kitchen to grab her cell from the counter and answer it, but it stopped, just as she heard tires on the gravel outside.If it was important, they’d call back, she decided.She smoothed down her slacks, paused at the mirror, and ran her fingers through her thick, dark hair.Not bad for a woman in her fifties.
No, that’s wrong, she corrected herself.
Not bad.
Period.
In fact, looking at her reflection again, she noted the muscles in her arms from spending hours caring for animals and keeping her large garden.Even her skin had a healthy glow.
Yes, she was doing okay in the health department.
And, she thought, as she opened the door to Lance, who held up a bag holding their dinner, she wasn’t doing too badly in the relationship department either.She hugged him and accepted his kiss.
Yes, she had little to complain about.If her daughter would only call and tell her where she was and what she was doing, her life would be perfect.
“That was wonderful,” said Raven a few minutes later, reaching across the table to squeeze Lance’s hand.“Thank you for taking the time to bring it.”
“Any excuse for Indian food.”He squeezed her hand back and gazed at her.“How are you doing, now that the launch is done?”
“You know.Always something to do.This week I’ll be weeding the garden.It’s been a couple of weeks since I spent much time outside.”
“Maybe I can come out and help one evening,” he said.“I miss my garden more than I thought I would.”
“I’ll take any help I can get.”She swallowed as she noticed the passion in his eye.It still took her by surprise, though it wasn’t the first time he’d looked at her like that.She pulled her hand away so he wouldn’t see she had begun to shake.Not in fear of him.No.In fear of what would come next.Because once she crossed that line—that line she longed to cross—going back was impossible.
“What would you like to do now?”she asked, finding her words.“A game of crib or a movie?”But tonight was not going to be about cards or television.It was, finally, going to be about something else.
She stood, and he did too, not taking his eyes from her.“I think I can find something else to do,” he said, his voice rough with emotion.
She didn’t answer, just walked toward him and into his arms, pleased she had taken the time to tidy her bedroom before he arrived.
ChapterTen
Simon, Sally, and Dot pulled up in front of Sarah’s place just as the lasagna was browning in the oven, and Sarah finished tossing the salad.
“Get the door,” she said to Riley, who carried a sleeping Dash in her arms.But when the door opened and he heard Dot’s cry, Dash woke and wriggled until Riley set him down.He and Dot ran to each other as though their separation had been weeks rather than a mere ninety minutes.
They all stood around watching the reunion and laughing at the pair, then Sarah took the chocolates Simon handed her.“You didn’t have to bring anything,” she said.It had been a long time since a man had brought her chocolate, and she was pleased despite the fact that he was only a dinner guest.A dinner guest who was still standing next to her and holding the other side of the box, looking like he wanted to say something… or maybe do something.She swallowed hard, and he seemed to come back to himself.
“I picked them up a few days ago from that little chocolate shop downtown,” he said, letting go of his side of the box.“Thought we might have some for dessert.”
She glanced down at the box and back up to him, not able to keep a smile from her lips.“These will be a treat.I’ve looked in the window of the HeArt of Chocolate.The chocolates are almost too beautiful to eat.”
