Caramel Kisses by Cecelia Dowdy

Author:Cecelia Dowdy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: African-American, African-American romance, senior citizen, senior citizen romance, contemporary romance, contemporary christian romance, Christian fiction, Christian romance, Sweet Romance, beach, beach romance, food romance, foodie romance
Publisher: Cecelia Dowdy
Published: 2018-11-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

MICHAEL STUDIED DARA ACROSS THE dinner table. They’d shared a bottle of sparkling cider and had feasted on some of the best spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread that he’d ever eaten. No wonder this was considered a five-star restaurant. After their server presented them with two slices of cheesecake drizzled with fresh raspberry sauce, Michael leaned toward Dara after their server had left the table.

“After Mimi died I’d hit rock bottom. I need to let you know that I’m an alcoholic. I’d been sober for years.” He paused. “I broke my sobriety when Mimi died.”

She took his hand. “I’m sorry Michael. I know it must’ve been rough for you.”

He nodded. “Very rough. I just wish I’d had some children and grandchildren to help keep me centered. Yeah, my church family was there for me but I regret that Mimi and I didn’t have kids.” He sipped from his water glass. “Thank goodness I’m sober again. The urge to drink is there but I’m used to resisting. My life is back on track and I know I need to lean on Jesus for comfort.”

She nodded and released his hand. “Amen to that.”

He took a deep breath. “So, earlier you told me all about your two daughters and your son.” He’d discovered that all of her children and grandchildren lived out of the state except for Lyle. Lyle was her son’s only child and out of all of her grandchildren she was closest to him. All of her children and grandkids called her regularly and from what he could gather she seemed to have a healthy relationship with them. “You’ve showed me your kids and grandkids’ pictures, told me about their occupations.”

He took a bite of cheesecake. The sweet creamy confection blended well with the raspberry sauce. Pure heaven. Delicious. Dara also enjoyed a bite of cheesecake. A crumb from the crust clung to the corner of her mouth. He just couldn’t resist. He took his finger and swiped the crumb away. She raised her eyebrows, obviously surprised at the intimate gesture.

He sliced his fork through the cheesecake. But, before he enjoyed another bite, he had to say what was on his mind. “But, I want to hear more about you, Dara. Why did you wait until your husband passed before you opened your business?”

Over the next hour, he enjoyed the soft lilt of her voice as she told of her loving yet domineering husband. He inwardly cringed when she told him how her husband often referenced her lack of knowledge concerning money and finances. “I can barely balance my own checkbook, Michael. That’s why Susan handles the money and I handle making the candy.” She put her fork aside. “I have to be honest with you. I’m scared to death.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about the contest. I struggled with entering. I need the money but, I’m not good in front of crowds. It goes back to when I was a child. I’ve always had a hard time being in front of a big group of people, being the main focus.

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