“Hello, Lewis. It’s so nice to see you again. Won’t you come in?”
His blue-eyed gaze landed on me, and when he smiled, I realized I’d missed him more than I thought. It had been a month in 1927, but to me, it had felt twice as long because of my time in my other life.
“If it’s okay with Caroline,” he said, “I’d like to head to the conservatory before it gets too late.”
“Of course.” Mother put her hand on my back and gave me a gentle push. “Go. Have fun. Don’t stay out too late.”
“Goodbye,” I told her as she closed the door behind me. I stood on the porch, a little closer to Lewis than I intended, and said, “Hello.”
“Hi, Carrie.” His appreciative gaze slipped over my appearance. “You look nice.”
My cheeks warmed under his praise, and I smiled. “I think I like it more when you tease me instead of compliment me.”
“Why?” he asked as he got a little closer. “Does it make you uncomfortable?”
I laughed, knowing hewasteasing me now.
He grinned. “If you told me I looked nice, I’d be very pleased.”
“Is that another new suit?”
He tugged at his lapels and affected an air of sophistication, then he tapped his straw boater and said, “Why yes, it is.”
“I liked your old one better.”
His mouth slipped open, and I laughed again, but he knew I was teasing him.
“You look very handsome, Lewis Cager.”
“Thanks.” He motioned to his Chevy with the tip of his head. “Ready?”
I nodded and accepted his arm as he led me down the porch steps toward his waiting vehicle.
It was less than ten miles to the Como Park Conservatory in Saint Paul. I’d been there a few times before, but it had been a while, and I was eager to see the sunken garden. The nearby zoo was just as entertaining.
As the vehicle made its way east toward Saint Paul, the lighthearted banter faded and neither of us spoke. The awkwardness was mounting, so I said the first thing that came to mind.
“Is this supposed to be a date, Lewis?” I blurted.
There was a heavy pause before his laughter filled the vehicle.
I crossed my arms. “Why is my question so funny?”
“It’s not your question,” he said as he brought his laughter under control. “It’s your delivery.”
“My delivery?”
“Some people beat around the bush, but not you. That’s one of the things I’ve always liked about you.” He shrugged as he turned onto Lyndale Avenue. “There are no pretenses with you, Carrie.”
We continued down Lyndale toward Hennepin Avenue, and I said, “Why didn’t you answer my question?”
He looked out the side window and sighed. “I guess it’s because I was hoping that the question would answer itself by the end of the evening.”
Mother’s request returned to me. She’d asked me to open my heart to Lewis and give him a chance to prove himself.
So when he looked at me, I smiled.
His grin lit up his face. “It takes the pressure off things, doesn’t it?”
