After the Loving by Gwynne Forster

Author:Gwynne Forster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kimani Press
Published: 2011-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

At dinner that evening, she listened, fascinated, as he told her about his inheritance and the plan for its use that had begun to unfold in his thoughts.

“Uncle Fentress wanted me to build a monument to my father, because he felt responsible for dad’s failure and his early death. But as I see it, my father was responsible for his own mistakes, for being too trusting and not watching his back. Still, I was closer to my father than to anyone else and his passing broke me up, so I’m happy to erect a lasting monument to him.”

“Do you have anything in mind?”

“You gave me an idea as we drove through Dolphin Street. A couple of blocks from there, we saw a row of abandoned but sturdy houses of similar architecture. I’m going to try to buy those buildings, renovate them and make them into apartments for homeless people. Uncle Fentress left me far more than enough for that.”

“Russ, that’s a wonderful idea. If I can help, will you let me?”

“Of course I will. I’m pleased that you want to help. I’ll show you the plans, but first I have to buy the property.”

After a meal of the crab soup, veal marsala, fluted mushroom, tiny parsleyed potatoes, broccoli raab, green salad and gorgonzola cheese, she didn’t want dessert. However, she didn’t want to cast a pall over their first real date, and a loving one at that, so she ate the pere e cioccolata or pears with chocolate and raspberry sauce.

“This taxes you a bit,” he said, savoring the dessert, “but you’re a good sport. Besides—” his eyes twinkled with mischief “—you loved it, didn’t you?”

“I did. It’s really special.” And you’ll pay for it, her conscience nagged.

“One of my favorites. This stuff kicks serious butt. A smart woman would learn how to make this.”

She couldn’t help grinning. An opportunity to top Russ came rarely. “This smart woman already knows how to make it.”

He leaned back in his chair and looked at her, his face the picture of delight. “Touché. Keep it up—you won’t be able to get rid of me.”

“I’m asking myself why I would want to, but nothing comes to mind right now. Of course, you never can tell.”

His evident love of a challenge seemed to trigger his entire demeanor, as he sat forward, strummed his long, lean fingers on the white tablecloth, and exposed his teeth in a grin that held less mirth than she would have expected.

“Think hard.”

“Say, I was teasing.”

He sat back, relaxed. “Good you told me. If you’re teasing, at least smile. What I see makes as much of an impression as what I hear. Want to dance after we leave here?”

She had to remember the advice that Drake, Henry and Alexis gave her about Russ, and his own words: “I’m serious even when I tease.”

“I love to dance, and I can’t think of a better way to end this wonderful evening.”

He stood, signed the check, put a bill on the table and took her hand.

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