Sarah's Prayer: A Sunset Single (Sunset Series 1.1) by J. Brent Eaton Page B
Authors: J. Brent Eaton
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waiting for her to sit. "Oh, thank you." She sat down, not wanting to spoil the gesture. "Always the gentleman, aren't you."
"I just can't avoid it. It's part of my upbringing and it was pounded into me in the Corps."
"Oh, an Aggie, huh?"
"Yup. A&M Corps of Cadets. Boots and all." Michael sat down in his chair.
"Wow. That takes a lot of commitment."
"It did, but it was worth every minute of it for me."
"Well, Michael. I know you are the consummate gentleman, but since I'm going to be serving this evening, I don't want you to jump up every time I get a plate. Let's just say that you've fulfilled your chair duties for the evening, shall we?"
Michael smiled. "Deal."
"Good. Then, one more gentlemanly duty at the dinner table. Would you mind saying the prayer before we eat?" For Sarah, this was a test. If Michael felt uncomfortable praying it would tell her a lot about him and his spiritual life. What she didn't plan on was instinctually extending her hand to him. Her family always held hands when they prayed at dinner.
"I would be happy to Sarah." Michael reached up and held Sarah's hand with only a slight hesitation, not wanting to do anything to violate his boundaries with her. He bowed his head. "Our Lord and our God, thank you for giving us this time together and thank you for your amazing care and grace that you show us in so many ways. Thank you for the food that you have given to us and especially for this beautiful lady who lovingly prepared it tonight. Let this be a wonderful time for us this evening that honors you. We pray these things in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen."
"Thank you, Michael. That was lovely." Especially the 'beautiful lady' part. "Well, let's eat. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."
"Me too."
The next hour filled Sarah's life with the joy seeing Michael's first taste of fresh fennel in a salad and his amazement as she raked strands of spaghetti squash onto a plate. He was like a little boy experiencing exotic candy for the first time. Their conversation picked up from the coffee shop, focusing on where they grew up, college, Michael's experience as a cadet. Sarah got the impression that Michael had a lot more to talk about, but didn't want to let it out over dinner.
"That was absolutely amazing, Sarah. I never knew a vegetable could make spaghetti. The meatballs and sauce were way better than Antonio's."
"Thank you. I actually learned the secret from Antonio himself. A teaspoon of balsamic vinegar in the sauce."
"Well, I couldn't do anything close to it."
"I'm glad you liked it. I'll clear the table and get the dessert ready..."
"Not so fast, m'lady. The gentlemanly urge is kicking in again. I insist on helping with the dishes and I promise not to break anything."
"Well, I won't argue with help." Not that Sarah had anything on the table of real value.
After cleaning and straightening, they settled on the couch each with a bowl of sorbet and whipped cream. Michael's mood seemed to change the second he sat down. He became very quiet.
"Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no. This is so amazing. Being with you and having such a great time talking and laughing about things. I haven't had this kind of an experience with someone in a long time, Sarah. It's wonderful."
I hear a 'but' coming. "But there's something bothering you?" I might as well take the offensive.
"That's what I like about you. You're easy to talk to and we're on the same wavelength. I need to be honest with you about some things Sarah."
I knew it. He doesn't want to be with me. "Okay, Michael. I hope you can be honest with me."
"I would like to think that you and I can see each other again. Not to put any pressure on you or ask for any commitments this soon, but I like being with you and, well, I'm not used to starting a relationship with a woman that I like. This is sort of new for me, but I have to tell you some things about me before we get too far down that road, so you'll know what you're getting
"I just can't avoid it. It's part of my upbringing and it was pounded into me in the Corps."
"Oh, an Aggie, huh?"
"Yup. A&M Corps of Cadets. Boots and all." Michael sat down in his chair.
"Wow. That takes a lot of commitment."
"It did, but it was worth every minute of it for me."
"Well, Michael. I know you are the consummate gentleman, but since I'm going to be serving this evening, I don't want you to jump up every time I get a plate. Let's just say that you've fulfilled your chair duties for the evening, shall we?"
Michael smiled. "Deal."
"Good. Then, one more gentlemanly duty at the dinner table. Would you mind saying the prayer before we eat?" For Sarah, this was a test. If Michael felt uncomfortable praying it would tell her a lot about him and his spiritual life. What she didn't plan on was instinctually extending her hand to him. Her family always held hands when they prayed at dinner.
"I would be happy to Sarah." Michael reached up and held Sarah's hand with only a slight hesitation, not wanting to do anything to violate his boundaries with her. He bowed his head. "Our Lord and our God, thank you for giving us this time together and thank you for your amazing care and grace that you show us in so many ways. Thank you for the food that you have given to us and especially for this beautiful lady who lovingly prepared it tonight. Let this be a wonderful time for us this evening that honors you. We pray these things in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen."
"Thank you, Michael. That was lovely." Especially the 'beautiful lady' part. "Well, let's eat. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."
"Me too."
The next hour filled Sarah's life with the joy seeing Michael's first taste of fresh fennel in a salad and his amazement as she raked strands of spaghetti squash onto a plate. He was like a little boy experiencing exotic candy for the first time. Their conversation picked up from the coffee shop, focusing on where they grew up, college, Michael's experience as a cadet. Sarah got the impression that Michael had a lot more to talk about, but didn't want to let it out over dinner.
"That was absolutely amazing, Sarah. I never knew a vegetable could make spaghetti. The meatballs and sauce were way better than Antonio's."
"Thank you. I actually learned the secret from Antonio himself. A teaspoon of balsamic vinegar in the sauce."
"Well, I couldn't do anything close to it."
"I'm glad you liked it. I'll clear the table and get the dessert ready..."
"Not so fast, m'lady. The gentlemanly urge is kicking in again. I insist on helping with the dishes and I promise not to break anything."
"Well, I won't argue with help." Not that Sarah had anything on the table of real value.
After cleaning and straightening, they settled on the couch each with a bowl of sorbet and whipped cream. Michael's mood seemed to change the second he sat down. He became very quiet.
"Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no. This is so amazing. Being with you and having such a great time talking and laughing about things. I haven't had this kind of an experience with someone in a long time, Sarah. It's wonderful."
I hear a 'but' coming. "But there's something bothering you?" I might as well take the offensive.
"That's what I like about you. You're easy to talk to and we're on the same wavelength. I need to be honest with you about some things Sarah."
I knew it. He doesn't want to be with me. "Okay, Michael. I hope you can be honest with me."
"I would like to think that you and I can see each other again. Not to put any pressure on you or ask for any commitments this soon, but I like being with you and, well, I'm not used to starting a relationship with a woman that I like. This is sort of new for me, but I have to tell you some things about me before we get too far down that road, so you'll know what you're getting
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