FOR the first time in her life, Claire spent considerable time getting dressed for Friday night. She knew that appearances were

important to Austin, and she decided she would do her part to look as good as possible for the dinner and dance. She decided to wear a hunter green long sleeve dress with a heart shaped neckline. It would show a slight amount of cleavage but there was little she

could do to help that since she couldn‟t change her bust size. She wore the diamond necklace and earrings that Austin had given her and slipped on her hunter green high heeled shoes. She brushed her hair so that it fell in soft curls around her shoulders. She

finally decided to pull the sides of it back with a hunter green barrette so that her earrings would show. She examined her

reflection. Maybe I am as pretty as Austin claims.

When she was ready, she went to the den since he spent most of his free time sitting at his desk. He was doing more paperwork. He spends so much time working. When does he take time off to have fun? “Is that more work for the bank?”He glanced up. “Yes. I already have some accounts to

open.” He wrote something else on his paper and paused. He looked up again.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked as she inspected her dress.

“No. You did everything right,” he whispered.

She blushed. “I wanted to make you proud to have me as your companion tonight. I know you care about what I look like

in public.”

“I don‟t know. I may have gotten myself into trouble.

Now you look too good to take anywhere.”

She smiled. “I‟ll take that as a compliment.”

He put his pen down. “I‟m not going to get any more work done tonight with you looking like that. Are you ready to eat?” He stood up.

“Yes. Do you feel alright?”

“I was fine last night. I just wanted to go to bed early.”

She sighed as she followed him out of the den and into the entry way of the house. “I know my food made you nauseous.

My brothers got sick after they ate it one time. I should have warned you not to eat it all. I thought you might take a couple of

bites and be done with it.”

“It wasn‟t that bad.”

“Well, I would still rather not cook anymore. Thankfully,

Am Sure he missed out on having to eat it all.”

“That‟s not the only thing he missed.”

“Oh, right. Your business meeting.”

“Something like that. At any rate, he‟s now in the past.

May I put your coat on?” he asked once they reached the closet.

She was pleased. “Alright. I must admit I‟m still nervous

about being in a fancy restaurant.”

“Why?” He slipped the coat over her shoulders and handed her the hat to go with it.“It‟s hard to remember all the rules about which fork or spoon to use. I feel like I‟m taking an exam I didn‟t have time to

study for.”

He grinned at her analogy. “I‟ll give you a hint. Start from the outside and work your way in.”

“Oh. Well, that‟s simple enough.”

“Are you sure you want to return to Luigi‟s? There are other places to eat in town.”

“I wanted to try the lasagna last time but got sidetracked by the ravioli. I suppose all their food is delicious.”

He slipped on his coat and hat and walked her.

“Good evening, Mrs. Hansworth, Mr hansworth,” he greeted.

“Good evening, Mr. Williams.” She stopped before getting in. “I saw your wife and children at the library today.

They said you write children‟s poetry.”

His face turned red. “It‟s just a hobby.”

“According to your wife and children, you‟re pretty good.

My brother writes short stories and plays. I can understand a writer‟s modesty, but I would love to read one of your poems

sometime, if that would be acceptable to you.”

“They are biased in their opinion of my work.”

“There‟s no pressure. I didn‟t mean to put you on the spot.” She sat in her seat.

Austin raised an eyebrow at him. “I didn‟t know you wrote poetry. If you‟re any good, I can talk to a publisher I know.”

“We shall see, sir.”

“Understood.” He sat across from her. As soon as Williams moved the horses forward, he said, “You have a way with people,

Mrs. Hansworths.”

She thought it was odd he called her that but decided not to comment on it. “Perhaps I am nosey.”“No. His family revealed that information to you. You didn‟t eavesdrop to find out. You may not have noticed but he

was pleased you mentioned it.”

She shrugged. “It wasn‟t a big deal. I enjoy reading so it naturally grabbed my attention.”

“You found something that he was interested in and mentioned it. That is a business tactic I use to build rapport with

a customer.”

“Is your mind always on work?”

“Not always.” He grinned. “I consider other things.”

“Like what?”

“I‟ll tell you over dinner.”

She decided she could wait. She was looking forward to eating at Luís‟s again. After years of eating oatmeal, bean soups,

and other mediocre meals, the flavors and cooking and the chefs‟ cooking at the restauran was a treat. When they got to the

restaurant, she was surprised to see paul and Beatrice eating a meal there. She had told Beatrice that she and Austin had plans to go to Luís‟s when Beatrice stopped by the library with her children, but Claire didn‟t imagine for a minute that they would

show up. She knew it was wrong to dislike her friend‟s husband, but she couldn‟t manage to be social to him. He disliked her as much as she disliked him. Most likely, we don‟t get along since we are both strong-willed. Then she considered that Austin was strong-willed as well and she got along fine with him. Perhaps it was what they were all strong-willed about that made the difference. She was ready to ask Austin if he would mind going somewhere else or back home when the host came to show them to their seat. She breathed a sigh of relief when they went in the opposite direction from where paul and Beatrice sat, for she didn‟t wish to have to greet him.

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Much love

V.A 💙