Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
She returns about thirty minutes later, wearing a knee-length blue dress under a soft white sweater. She’s wearing heels and is still close to a foot shorter than me. Her hair is pulled up in a loose bun with ringlet curls framing her face.
If anything, Lori’s beauty demands appreciation.
“You look amazing, baby girl.”
“Thank you,” she replies and spins in a circle. “I didn’t think I’d ever have a reason to dress up again.”
Spencer and his wife arrive, and after Lori reviews Nana’s schedule with the nurse, we depart for an intimate dinner at Lou’s Italian Bistro.
Lou’s is a quaint little place in town known for its romantic atmosphere and delicious cuisine. I’ve only been there once, but I think Lori will like it. I take her arm and lead her out to my truck. She’s so tiny that I have to hoist her into the passenger seat of the lifted pickup.
Lou’s is a short drive from her house, and we arrive before the red sun sets in the evening sky. I help Lori out of the truck and watch as she surveys the town square.
“So much has changed since I left here. Or maybe I’m just not remembering it right.”
“It’s probably a little of both. Your perspective has changed a lot since you were here.”
The hostess greets us at the door and leads us to a small round table in the back corner of the dining room. There are only three other occupied tables. I supposed Wednesday isn’t a popular date night in this one-horse town.
“Would you like to start with drinks?” the hostess asks and Lori sinks in her chair.
“Sure. I’ll have an iced tea. What about you, sweetheart?”
Her face lights up once I’ve taken the pressure off. We haven’t discussed it, but I’m not much of a drinker. I’m too much of a control freak to let something like alcohol impair my judgment.
“What do you like to eat?” I ask as I observe her scanning the menu over and over.
“I’m not sure. Everything looks so good.”
“Would you have any objection to me ordering for both of us? I think I can find something that’s to your liking.”
“No, I don’t mind. I was afraid to make the wrong choice, anyway.”
“Good evening, Sheriff.” Lou, the owner, has come out to our table. I met Lou last year after a bar fight broke out here.
“Nice to see you, Lou.”
“Who’s your lovely companion?”
“This is Lori Delaney. Lori grew up here and has recently come back to town.”
“I remember you. Your grandmother used to bring you shopping on Sundays. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman, Lori. Your grandmother must be very happy to have you back with her.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry I don’t remember you.”
“That’s alright. I’ve gotten older, too.” Lou smiles. “Enjoy your evening.”
When Lou leaves, Lori says, “I’m glad he has good memories of me. I’m always worried people will think of me as that poor little girl who had Todd and Jenny Delaney as parents.”
“That’s all in the past now, sweetheart. Nobody is going to feel sorry for the girl that you are now. I told you. You’re perfect.”
I take her hand and hold it in her lap. As we wait for our dinner to arrive, I can't help but move my hand up her thigh, remembering the sweet taste of her.
She rests her hand on mine as I inch it further up her leg and gently stroke the crotch of her panties. Her face turns pink, and she bats her eyes at me. I don’t think I can wait much longer to be inside her.
She nearly jumps out of her skin when the waitress arrives with our entrees. I can’t help but laugh. Her innocence is absolutely endearing to me.
“She doesn’t have x-ray vision, baby girl. Nobody knows what’s happening under the table. You can relax.”
As we eat our dinner, I look around at the other diners. The young woman at the table closest to us smacks her date on the arm when she catches him staring at Lori. He catches my stare and begins fumbling with his napkin.
I look back at Lori and see that she’s completely oblivious to all of the attention she’s receiving. I lean in and tell her, “Every man in this restaurant wants you.”
She looks up from her plate and scrunches her nose. “Don’t say that. That’s not true.”
“Oh yes, it is, but they’ll have to get through me first.”
“Lori Delaney, is that you? My father said it was you,” a young man who has come out of the kitchen asks as he approaches our table.
“Yes, I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
“You probably don’t remember. I’m Michael. You and I used to play in the park together when your grandmother brought you. We went to kindergarten together, too. Lou is my dad. I work here now.”