Chapter 2 #3
He was really looking forward to the evening.
Suzanna had become a good friend, and he enjoyed spending time with her.
He had to admit that there were times when he wanted to reach out and touch her shiny hair, when he wondered what her slightly plump lips would taste like and how she would feel wrapped up in his arms.
There was no question that he was physically drawn to her. Hell, what man wouldn’t be—she was absolutely beautiful with her soft blond hair and beautiful long-lashed blue eyes.
Before the tutoring sessions had begun, Seth realized he’d been lonely. With only conversations with an eight-year-old to pass the evenings, he now recognized that he’d been hungry for real adult conversation.
He had a feeling Suzanna had been lonely, too.
She had told him about her husband’s sudden death two years before and how she had thrown herself into her teaching.
But school certainly didn’t fill up the long hours of the evening.
Still, all he knew was he looked forward to having her undivided time and attention this evening.
Within minutes he pulled up into her circular driveway and parked behind her car.
Her house was an attractive ranch style painted a light gray with black trim.
A wraparound porch held two wicker chairs with bright red cushions that invited a person to sit and visit.
Farmland was on either side of the house, and a beautiful big oak tree stood in front of it.
He knew from previous conversations that she had a lot of cropland that several of her neighbors now leased from her.
The land had all been too much for her to handle when her husband had died so unexpectedly.
He’d been the farmer in the family, and with him gone, she’d had no desire to work the land or learn how to run a farm.
He parked his car and got out. It was a cold night, but as he walked to her front door, he couldn’t help the rush of pleasure that swept through him as he thought about spending the evening with her. It warmed him despite the chill of the evening air.
She answered on his first knock. She was clad in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved red blouse that looked absolutely gorgeous with her light hair and blue eyes. “Hi, Seth. Just let me grab my coat and I’m ready to go.”
A few minutes later he opened his passenger door to usher her into the car. “No Sammy tonight?” she asked in obvious surprise.
“No Sammy. I figured it would be nice to have an adult night for a change,” he replied and then closed the door and walked around the car to the driver side.
He got in and immediately started the engine to get the heat going. “It’s a cold one tonight,” he said.
“Yes, it is,” she agreed. “I wonder if we’ll have a white Christmas?”
“The Farmers’ Almanac is saying there’s going to be a lot of snow this winter,” he replied.
“That will make the kids happy,” she replied.
“And the adults all grumpy,” he said.
She laughed, that pleasant sound that he enjoyed hearing so much. “Actually, I’m one person who loves the snow. Let me make a snowman or a snow angel, and I’m a happy camper.”
“I really don’t mind it, either, but I’m not that big on making snow angels,” he said with a grin. He turned onto the main road that would take them into town. “Are you hungry?”
“I am. The cafeteria served their version of a tuna casserole today. It’s one of my least favorite lunches, and so I just picked at it. What about you? Are you hungry?”
“I’m always hungry at this time of day.”
“Have you had a chance to eat at the café before?”
“No, I haven’t. Tonight will be my first time.” He shot her a quick glance. “Should I be afraid?”
She laughed once again. “Definitely not. The food is great there,” she said. “I think you’ll enjoy it.”
“I’m definitely not a picky eater.” He shot her another quick look. Damn, but she looked so pretty. He was finding it difficult not to look at her.
They small-talked about food until they arrived at the café. He found a parking space in the near-full lot, and together they got out and walked toward the front door.
When they entered the place, he looked around with interest. Golden bales of hay and a couple of red roosters were painted on one wall.
A green cornfield with three silos was on another wall, and the final one held farmland in patterns of browns, greens and gold.
He recognized they were all depictions of life here in Millsville.
Mouthwatering scents filled the air. They were of frying onions and other vegetables, simmering meats, and yeasty rolls and desserts. If the food was as good as the smells, then he was in for a real treat.
There was a quiet hum as silverware clinked and people visited and laughed. Despite the din, Seth’s stomach growled loudly enough that Suzanna heard it. She laughed. “Your tummy definitely knows it’s dinnertime,” she said.
He grinned at her. “My stomach is definitely ready for a meal.”
At that moment a waitress greeted them with a friendly smile. “Hi, Suzanna.”
“How’s it going, Regina?” Suzanna replied.
“Good, although it looks like it’s going to be a busy night again. It seems like the more expensive groceries get, the more people are choosing just to eat out.”
“More tips for you, right?” Suzanna replied lightly. “This is my friend, Seth Daniels. Seth, this is Regina Waltz, waitress extraordinaire. Seth is relatively new in town, and this is his first time eating here at the café.”
“Well then, we’ll have to see that he has a great meal with great service,” Regina said with another smile. “Follow me, I have a booth open in my section.”
They followed the young, dark-haired waitress down the aisle toward an empty booth in the back. As they walked, Suzanna was greeted by most of the people they passed. It was obvious that she was liked and well respected in the small town.
They settled into the booth facing each other, and Regina took their drink orders, then left them. He plucked out the two menus that were propped between the salt and pepper shakers and a sugar dispenser.
He handed her one and then opened one to peruse for himself. “Do you have any recommendations?” he asked as he gazed at her.
She tucked a strand of her shiny hair behind her ear. “Not really. Like I said before, as far as I’m concerned everything they serve here is good.”
He looked back down at the offerings. He finally made his decision and then closed the menu. At that moment Regina delivered their drinks and stood ready for their food orders.
“I’ll have the meatloaf special,” Suzanna said.
“And I’d like the chicken-fried steak meal,” Seth said.
“Ah, a great choice for a hungry man,” Regina said. “I’ll get those out to you as soon as they are ready.” With that, she once again left their booth.
“So, how was your day?” he asked.
“It was good,” she replied with one of her beautiful smiles. “Sammy was really good for me today.”
“Yeah, he was quite proud that he got the necklace again.”
“He’s also doing very well with the tutoring sessions. I hope you realize that he’s very bright. It won’t be long and he’ll be all caught up with his classmates.”
“That’s good to hear,” Seth replied. While he was grateful for his son’s progress, he hated to see the end of the tutoring sessions because it would mean the end of his coffee times with Suzanna.
“Why don’t you date? I’m sure there are plenty of men in town who would like to ask you out,” he asked, knowing the question had come out of left field.
“Why would I date? I don’t intend to ever marry again. I had my one great love in life, and memories of my Davy will keep me for the rest of my life,” she replied.
“You’re pretty young to make that decision. Don’t you ever want to have children? I’m sure you would be a terrific mother.”
“Thanks.” Her eyes sparkled brightly. “In a perfect world I would have loved to have a couple of kids. But since I don’t intend to ever marry again, kids are out of the question for me. I have my students, and that’s more than enough.”
Her gaze turned curious. “Besides, I could say the same about you. You’re pretty young to make the decision you’ll never marry again. You never thought about giving Sammy a stepmother or a little sister or brother?”
“Never,” he replied firmly. “I’m satisfied with it just being the two of us.”
She released a small burst of laughter. “Look at us…just two love-soured people sharing a meal.”
“For sure we’re a mess.” He grinned at her, and for a long moment their gazes remained locked on each other.
“Hey, Suzanna.” Two men approached the side of their booth. One of them was fairly thin with receding light brown hair and the other one was a bit stockier with black hair.
“Hey, you two,” she greeted them with a smile. “Seth, this is Boone Wilder and Ray Stedman, fellow teachers and friends of mine. And this is Seth Daniels.”
Seth stood and the men all shook hands. “I hear that you’ve been monopolizing most of Suzanna’s free time,” Ray said to him.
“It’s not me, it’s my son,” Seth replied. “Suzanna has been kind enough to spend some of her free time tutoring him.”
“This certainly doesn’t look like tutoring your son to me,” Ray said a bit snidely.
“We’re just enjoying a peaceful meal together,” Suzanna replied lightly. “And it looks like our food is coming right now.”
Sure enough, Regina was coming toward them carrying a large tray of food on her shoulder. “It was nice meeting you two,” Seth said.
“Good meeting you, too,” Boone replied faintly, and then the men left their booth and walked across the aisle to a two-top table.
“Here you go,” Regina said as she placed their plates in front of them. There was also a basket of rolls with shiny buttery tops. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Thanks, this all looks great,” Seth replied.
“Enjoy.” Regina then left their booth.
Seth looked down at his plate. The chicken-fried steak was large and half covered with mashed potatoes and gravy. There was also a serving of corn.