Possibilities: A Contemporary Retelling of Persuasion by Debra White Smith

Author:Debra White Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance;FIC042040;FIC027020;FIC042000
ISBN: 9781493413904
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2018-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

Nineteen

The day couldn’t have been longer for Frederick. He watched Brent compete with Jim for Allie’s attention all during lunch at the steakhouse while Louise monopolized him. The only person happy about the Louise business was Craig Hayden, who finally decided Frederick might be a potential friend, rather than a rival for Helena’s attention.

The good thing that came of lunch was Frederick’s learning more about Craig, including that he was a senior who played basketball at the University of Georgia. The guy seemed every bit as stable as Helena was flighty. And Frederick hoped the young woman had the good sense to marry the guy. The best Frederick could tell, he was everything she needed, and he desperately loved her.

After lunch Brent Everson assumed the group was breaking up. No one bothered to tell him differently. While he drove off to wherever he was staying, the rest of the group gravitated back to Grove Acres. They spent the afternoon playing pool and card games. Mrs. Grove asked their cook to prepare sandwiches for the evening meal. Frederick couldn’t recall what he ate or who won the games. He was too exhausted trying to keep from being mauled by Louise while doing his best to eavesdrop on Allie and Jim’s conversation. The two had remained apart from the group all day. Now they were taking a moonlit stroll along the landscaped creek that also ran near Allie’s guesthouse.

Frederick stood on the mansion’s deck, rested his hands on the railing, and strained for any signs of Jim and Allie. Decorative street lamps lined a path that looked like a romantic rendezvous from Southern Living. The sound of the creek played the accompaniment for a hoot owl’s lullaby. Frederick felt like a victim of his own schemes. The moon had never been fuller or brighter; the balmy evening, laced with the scent of magnolias, never more perfect for lovers.

Frederick revisited his resolution from this morning. He had decided to make his move. Tonight would be the night, even if he had to lock Jim in the bathroom and beg Allie for a few minutes of her time.

Frederick rested his elbows on the railing and leaned forward. His back threatened to tighten into a kink, and he jerked upward. He’d learned to heed those little warnings. Frederick had spent too many days in bed because of foolishly ignoring the threat of a kink or two. A chilling breeze stirred the trees into a whispering frenzy, and Frederick rolled down the sleeves on his shirt and buttoned the cuffs.

Just about the time he’d relaxed again, the patio door opened. He swiveled toward the house as Louise erupted onto the deck.

“There you are!” she purred. “I wondered what happened to you.”

His shoulders tensing, Frederick stopped himself from jumping over the rail and decided this was the perfect opportunity to have their little talk. The time had come for some unquestionable boundaries.

But Louise stopped halfway across the deck and gazed at the stars and golden moon. “Is this perfect or what?” she oozed and lifted her hands skyward.

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