CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
Lori closed her eyes, concentrating on the music as Guy swung her around. When she opened them, she faced Cynthia, whose glare sent goosebumps down Lori’s back.
Guy felt Lori tense and said, “What’s wrong?”
Lori shook her head. “Nothing. As you said, let’s enjoy the dance. Thankfully, the group is playing slow music.”
They moved together easily, and when the band started playing another song, Guy led her off the floor.
Guy helped Lori into her chair, and still standing, he asked Susannah if she wanted to dance. He turned to Lori and said quietly, “I promised Josh that I would ask her. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. This will give me a chance to go freshen up in time for dessert,” Lori said.
While Guy and Susannah headed to the dance floor, Lori grabbed her purse and made her way to the ladies’ room.
There, as she was washing her hands, Cynthia sidled up next to her. “I see how you’re looking at Guy like a starstruck teenager, but it won’t work. He and I are part of the same social group, and I intend to take advantage of that.”
Lori studied Cynthia in the mirror and said nothing.
As Cynthia left the room, Lori stared at her, wondering why she acted that way. But there’d been a ring of truth in what Cynthia had said. Telling herself to be cautious about forming a relationship with Guy, she finished wiping her hands and headed back to the table.
She was surprised to see Guy and Cynthia standing by her empty seat, talking. Cynthia was beaming, and Guy looked irritated by her presence.
As Lori approached, Guy smiled at her. “I’ve been saving this dance for you.”
“See you tomorrow,” Cynthia said to him and then gave Lori a little wave.
“Ah, another slow number,” said Guy. He held out his hand, and she took it, wondering why he was meeting up with Cynthia, then reminded herself he owed her nothing.
Following him onto the dance floor, she noticed several women turn to look at him and realized he was considered the most eligible bachelor in town. Her earlier self-confidence weakened. She’d have to remember he could choose to be with anyone.
The music was easy to dance to, and Lori relaxed as they swayed to its soft sounds.
Once again, her thoughts returned to Griff, and she wondered how things were going for him.
The couple of days they’d done things together had reminded her to find a man who gave her the same feelings of desire as she’d known with her husband.
The thought was unsettling. Confused, she nodded when Guy asked her if she’d had enough dancing.
The dessert was Baked Alaska, served with a warm chocolate sauce, if one chose to add it. Lori and Guy both broke through the meringue topping to the chocolate ice cream and orange cake below.
Lori closed her eyes with pure pleasure. Living alone, she didn’t fuss with most of her meals. They’d become a task to get through. Now, Lori enjoyed the pleasure of eating this luscious dessert.
She turned to Guy, who was lapping up his Baked Alaska with obvious pleasure. The thought of cooking for a man again was both intriguing and worrisome. She wasn’t ready for all that it entailed.
Susannah said to Guy. “Ready for another dance? Josh says he wants the chance to get to spend more time with Lori.”
“Sure.” Guy turned to her. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Go, and have fun,” Lori said. She liked Susannah and trusted her to be kind. Josh had seemed like a likable man, and she wanted to know him better.
Josh moved into a chair next to Lori. “I understand you and Susannah have already met, but I haven’t had the chance to talk to you.
Susannah told me she has already requested you to teach our daughter at Bright Beginnings.
That says a lot about you. Susie and I both pamper our daughter, Elle.
How long have you been teaching there? Do you intend to stay? ”
Lori laughed. “Am I being interviewed for the job?”
Josh joined her laughter. “God! I didn’t mean to sound like a lawyer. Just curious.”
“Well, in that case,” she teased, “I’ve been working there for eight years and love what I do. Other jobs may pay better, but the reward of seeing children get off to a healthy start is worth a lot more.”
His smile lit his eyes. “I think so too. My wife is smart to request you. Elle will start with you in the fall.”
“I look forward to having her,” said Lori as Guy and Susannah joined them.
Guy sat beside Lori, and Susannah sat down next to her husband. They made a congenial group.
“The auction is about to begin,” said Susannah. “This benefit for the town’s charities is important. Get out your wallets.”
A man stood behind a small lectern on the stage where the musicians had performed.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Al Simon. I’ll be running the auction tonight.
It’s for outstanding causes, benefiting several local charities.
Before we begin bidding on special items, we have a couple of raffle prizes to offer to everyone.
Ben Smith will be going from table to table, selling tickets.
They’re twenty dollars each, six for one hundred dollars.
In the meantime, you may want to review the bidding offerings.
If you haven’t already checked them out, they’re on the table set up at the end of this room. ”
“What are the raffle prizes?” someone asked.
“There are two,” Al said. “One is a one-week trip to a winery in California, all expenses paid. The other is a five-day stay for two at The Sanderling Cove Inn in Florida, plus airfare. Details for both places will be forthcoming at the drawing.”
“I never have luck in things like this,” said Lori. “But I’ll pay for one ticket.”
“No worries. I’ll buy some too,” said Guy. He pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and paid while Lori discreetly bought one ticket with her twenty.
Guy stood. “Want to take a look at what they’re offering?”
“Sure,” said Lori. “It’ll be fun to see.” She wouldn’t be bidding on anything, though she saw a crowd around the table and realized most people in the audience would participate.
The long table featured a number of wonderful prizes—jewelry, services, decorative pieces, artwork, and other items that were sure to bring in a substantial amount of money.
While people were milling about, Al talked about the five charities that would benefit from the auction. Lori liked the idea that a Valentine's Day event was more than just a party.
“Is there anything you want me to bid on?” Guy asked her.
Lori grinned and shook her head. “Only what you want for yourself. Thanks.”
“What do you think of this painting for my office?” Guy asked, indicating a watercolor of a nearby lake.
“It’s pretty,” Lori said. “I know the local artist’s work, and I’ve always liked her paintings.”
“Okay, we’ll see how I do,” said Guy.
Lori loved seeing the excitement on his face and hoped he’d win it.