“I had a wonderful evening, Sandra. In fact, the entire day was memorable on every level.”
“For me too,” Sandra said.
“I won’t attempt to kiss you, although I’m dying too,” admitted Robert. “Don’t want to jinx what we’ve started here.”
Sandra bit her lip. She’d never kissed a man other than Braxton, had never wanted to, until now. With all the boldness she could muster, she leaned in and kissed him lightly on the cheek – just to let him know that she was on board with the direction their relationship appeared to be heading.
“Goodnight Robert. See you in the morning. Lots of work left to get Trevor and Angie married off in style.”
*****
Back in his room, Robert dropped into a cozy armchair. He loosened his tie, laid his head back and closed his eyes. Sandra was everything and more than his wish list asked for in a woman and an unexpected hit on his bachelorhood. It had been five years since death took Mildred from her sickbed. Her last year, suffering with incurable cancer had also been a strain on his physical and mental health; caregiving for his beloved patient a slow death for his heart. But he’d survived the comeback and was ready to love again.
He felt his cheek where Sandra had kissed him. Was it a signal that she was ready as well? It had only been a year of mourning for her, but he sensed she possessed a great need for family. People healed at different rates of speed. He could only hope two weeks would be long enough for them to decide if they had a future together worth considering. He chuckled aloud. Who was he kidding? One day at the Heritage Inn had done it for him. He already dreaded the day this job would end, and he’d be forced to leave Sandra behind.
A shadow crossed his face as thoughts of his daughters, Cynthia and Franny, plagued his mind. Not a day went by that they didn’t mention their mother. Their grief dragged on and he was uncertain how they would take the news of him entertaining thoughts of another woman – let alone a possible wife. He chuckled – how crazy was that scenario – two days into a relationship and he had them married off? The longing of his heart cast off the doubts in his mind, allowing him freedom to further speculate the future.
He and any woman would have a big job winning the girls over. He wondered how other men tackled similar family adjustments. Most widowers remarried at some point. Forty-nine was not old, and he was not willing to live alone until the Good Lord decided his time on earth was up. Not when a woman like Sandra was available.
He yawned and reclined the lazy-boy chair. Within minutes he fell fast asleep, his heart content for the first time in years.
The next day, Robert and Sandra settled on loungers at the beach. The sandy carpet transformed into a chapel within their minds as the wedding planner designed their detailed vision into his program online. Plans for the ceremony site, the dining and dancing tents took form and Sandra watched in amazement as the scene unfolded.
For the event, they’d chosen a large section of higher ground that fronted the breath-taking view of the lake, with Chasler Mountain putting the final touches on the distant spectacle. Angie’s color choices of blue, green, and red interchanged on bows strung around all the white chairs down the main aisle. Tall vases of flowers in vivid Christmas colors speckled the red-carpeted beach area that would serve as the chapel where they’d exchange vows of love. The wide archway with its vines of multicolored blossoms took center stage where the couple would usher in their happy-ever-after.
“It’s amazing. I wish I’d have known about this program when I designed a new space for our fixer-uppers.”
“My daughter downloaded it for me a couple years back. It’s a great tool to show the bride how the area will look as a finished product.” He grinned. “And much easier to change at this point in the design.”
“When will we show the kids?”
“I was hoping to meet up with them at lunch.”
Sandra grabbed the phone from her pocket. “Let me text them. Meet you both at twelve-thirty in the dining hall,” she mumbled as she wrote the message. “Be there. We have great news. There,” she said to Robert as she pocketed her phone. “That should put the fear of God in them.”
Robert chuckled. “Aren’t you afraid they will think we want to make it a double wedding – so soon on the heels of our great evening together?”
Sandra roared then sobered when she noted his serious expression. “That would indeed put the fear of God in them – and me. Really Robert; Why would you say such a thing? You barely know me.”
His brows lifted in fun. “I told you about the three-month courtship the first time around, didn’t I? Time is not on my side, Sandra, and I don’t plan on wasting it with formalities when my heart gives the go-ahead.” He grinned when she’d gone silent. “Or if it makes you feel better, maybe I just enjoy getting a rise from you.”
She exhaled. “You had me going there for a minute. It’s hard to tell when you’re serious or joking.”
“I’m not such a complicated fella. You’ll figure me out soon enough.”
“Right. So, back to the wedding. I see you’ve
