“You’ll look like one of the ladies from the quilting circle.” Georgie laughed again. “Did you miss the word ‘sexy’ in my description of what you need? C’mon we’re going shopping.”
“I can’t, I have Yummy.” I smiled smugly and walked away.
Georgie picked him up and placed him in his carrier. “Inga took Yummy everywhere, so will we. Let’s go. He’s ready.”
I turned and looked at Georgie standing there holding Yummy’s carrier. His traitorous little face looked happy to be going somewhere with her.
“Goodness gracious, Georgie. Fine, I’ll go,” I said. I grabbed my purse, and we headed out the back door to shop.
#######
I found a pretty blue silk blouse that would look great with a new pair of jeans, but Georgie yanked it out of my hands and hung it back on the rack. When she dragged me to the dress department, I knew I was doomed. A couple of hours later I was dressed in a silky burgundy colored dress that showed way too much cleavage. Georgie thought it should show more. That girl is crazy. The dress is above my knees and thank goodness I still have passable looking legs. Georgie said they are great legs, but I have my doubts. Here I am staring at myself in my bedroom mirror wondering what made me let Georgie convince me to buy this dress.
Don’t blame her Annie, You know darn well you like this dress. Your light brown curls bounce just above your shoulders and look good with the dress color. Goodness gracious, am I trying to convince myself or do I look good. I think I look good.
I leaned closer to look at my face. Georgie insisted on putting on my makeup before she declared I looked perfect and ran off for home. She left before I could get a good look at myself. I think I am wearing too much makeup, but I don’t know how to fix it without messing it up. Ugh! Well, maybe the makeup makes my brown eyes look bigger. I sat on the bed and stared at my image in the mirror.
Too late now, Annie. Let’s hope Clark doesn’t think you’re easy. Can you still be easy at forty- two or is it called something else. No, easy is easy. Goodness gracious. I should call and cancel. Darn, the doorbell.
I opened the door and smiled at Clark standing there in a dark blue suit. His smile let me know he liked what he saw.
Slow down heart, it’s just a date with an old friend. Oh no, a date. Does he think I look easy? Is that why he’s smiling. I’m going to strangle Georgie.
I opened the door wide and invited him in.
Clark walked in and smiled at me again. My mind raced trying to think of something to say. Thankfully, Clark spoke first.
“You look lovely tonight, Annie.” He interlaced his fingers in front of him.
My mind went blank again. Speak, Annie, speak.
“You do, too” Brilliant Annie, you sound like an idiot.
“I mean you look very nice in a suit.” Like that was better, Annie. He’s going to turn around and leave.
I swallowed, took a breath, and tried again. “Would you like to sit and can I get you something?”
“I made a reservation at Dunber’s Steak House and it’s in a little over twenty minutes. I think we have enough time to get there if we leave now.” He smiled again.
Why does he keep smiling? Is he as nervous as I am? He can’t be; he must have dated other women. Date…there is that word again. Is this a date? Oh goodness, Annie, get a grip.
“Sounds wonderful,” I said grabbing my purse and a black wrap because April evenings can get a bit chilly.
Clark was a gentleman and opened the car door for me. While he walked around the car to get into the driver’s seat, I had enough time for a couple of deep breaths to get my hands to stop shaking. I felt like I was in high school again.
Clark and I discussed my bookstore and his parent’s hardware store on the way to Dunber’s. It helped me relax and by the time Clark parked the car we were laughing and I felt relaxed. He placed his hand on the small of my back as he guided me through the door opened by a young man dressed in black slacks and a white shirt. I haven’t been to Dunber’s in years. It was nice to know it was still a nice place for dinner.
Clark spoke to the hostess, and she asked us to follow her when I stopped and felt the wind knocked out of me. It was her. Here of all places and tonight. Why? I hurried to catch up to Clark, but I felt Claudine’s eyes burning into my back. Thankfully, we were seated across the restaurant, and my back was to the section where Claudine sat.
Clark knitted his brows and asked, “Is everything all right?”
“What? Yes, of course.” I tried to smile my best smile.
“Annie? What’s up? I can tell. You’re pale and look as if someone is after you.” He reached across the table and took my hand. “You can tell me if there’s a problem.”
Tell him, Annie. It’ll be all over town, and he’ll figure it out anyway. No sense in starting a friendship on a lie.
I whispered. “It’s her. She’s here.”
“Who?” Clark glanced around the restaurant.
“Claudine, Steve’s sister. She became my arch nemesis when I began to date Steve and after he died she tried to shove her nose into every aspect of my life. She even tried to convince child services that Laci would be better off with her and her husband after Steve died. It was awful. The case never went anywhere, but I was terrified. I
