mind had been far away from dancing. The way he gazed at her now almost made the question disappear.
“You’re easy to follow, but I don’t think that’s what you were so deep in thought over.”
“Maybe not, but it’s true.”
Beth nodded toward the windows. “Did you notice it started snowing?”
“The flakes are coming down fast. The riverbank is already covered.”
“I hope it doesn’t get too slick outside. It could be a messy drive home.”
“The forecast only called for a dusting.” He paused. “Of course, that probably means we’ll get six inches and my morning flight will be canceled.”
An unexpected disappointment ran through her as she thought about Nick leaving town. She knew her feelings were unreasonable. She’d barely let herself accept this date. Plus, Jenny had told her his business was expanding into new states. Travel would be unavoidable. Then she reflected on her own schedule, working sixty hours a week. That wasn’t going to change anytime soon.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Pennsylvania. I’ll only be gone a couple of days. Brandon and I are meeting with a new client to finalize next year’s schedule.”
The dance ended too soon. She didn’t want to part from the feel of his body that softly grazed hers with every step they took. They stood still, caught in the moment, until she forced her eyes away, sensing couples moving around them to leave the dance floor. She’d give anything to know what he was thinking.
They had just sat down when their waitress brought their meal. Beth had ordered a cheese tortellini with grilled chicken in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. The heavenly aroma was an instant reminder of her empty stomach. Scattered nerves had kept her from eating anything since breakfast.
“So, what do you do in your spare time?” Beth took a bite and almost groaned at the robust combination of flavors infusing her mouth.
“I hike, and I love to travel. I haven’t done either in a long time. We’ve been working on a couple of large projects since March and we’re finally moving into new markets after months of feasibility studies and contract bidding.”
“Jenny and I went hiking over at Natchez Trace State Park this summer for the first time. We normally just go to Long Hunter or Dunbar Creek. Who do you go with?”
“By myself or sometimes Brandon goes. He got me into hiking back in high school. We used to go over to Bledsoe Creek or down to Cumberland Trails.”
“Have you been to Black Rock Mountain in Georgia?”
“No.”
“It takes about three hours to get there, but it’s worth the drive. The park’s right next to a little town with an old-fashioned square. The kind full of antique shops and local diners. Jenny’s taken me a few times. There’s a little art gallery she just loves.”
“We’ll have to go down there one weekend when the weather warms up.”
She tried not to take his words too seriously. A casual statement, that didn’t mean anything. Regardless, a flutter went through her stomach.
“We should.” She concentrated on cutting an already tiny piece of chicken in half.
Conversation continued as they finished their amazing entrees. Beth tried not to stare at him. She was drawn to his eyes when he spoke. And his voice, so deep and rich, warmed her.
The waitress returned, taking their plates and brought them each coffee. As she sat back in her chair, Beth willed her heartbeat to slow. He had that thoughtful air again.
“You look so serious.”
He came back to the present. “Sorry. I was just thinking.” He sat down his coffee cup and rose from his seat, extending his hand. “One more dance before we leave?”
Beth rose, took his hand, and followed him to the dance floor. She’d been so focused on their conversation during dinner she hadn’t realized how much snow had fallen. Now that they were closer to the glass wall, she caught a glimpse of the riverbank. A light dusting had been a drastic
“You’re easy to follow, but I don’t think that’s what you were so deep in thought over.”
“Maybe not, but it’s true.”
Beth nodded toward the windows. “Did you notice it started snowing?”
“The flakes are coming down fast. The riverbank is already covered.”
“I hope it doesn’t get too slick outside. It could be a messy drive home.”
“The forecast only called for a dusting.” He paused. “Of course, that probably means we’ll get six inches and my morning flight will be canceled.”
An unexpected disappointment ran through her as she thought about Nick leaving town. She knew her feelings were unreasonable. She’d barely let herself accept this date. Plus, Jenny had told her his business was expanding into new states. Travel would be unavoidable. Then she reflected on her own schedule, working sixty hours a week. That wasn’t going to change anytime soon.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Pennsylvania. I’ll only be gone a couple of days. Brandon and I are meeting with a new client to finalize next year’s schedule.”
The dance ended too soon. She didn’t want to part from the feel of his body that softly grazed hers with every step they took. They stood still, caught in the moment, until she forced her eyes away, sensing couples moving around them to leave the dance floor. She’d give anything to know what he was thinking.
They had just sat down when their waitress brought their meal. Beth had ordered a cheese tortellini with grilled chicken in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. The heavenly aroma was an instant reminder of her empty stomach. Scattered nerves had kept her from eating anything since breakfast.
“So, what do you do in your spare time?” Beth took a bite and almost groaned at the robust combination of flavors infusing her mouth.
“I hike, and I love to travel. I haven’t done either in a long time. We’ve been working on a couple of large projects since March and we’re finally moving into new markets after months of feasibility studies and contract bidding.”
“Jenny and I went hiking over at Natchez Trace State Park this summer for the first time. We normally just go to Long Hunter or Dunbar Creek. Who do you go with?”
“By myself or sometimes Brandon goes. He got me into hiking back in high school. We used to go over to Bledsoe Creek or down to Cumberland Trails.”
“Have you been to Black Rock Mountain in Georgia?”
“No.”
“It takes about three hours to get there, but it’s worth the drive. The park’s right next to a little town with an old-fashioned square. The kind full of antique shops and local diners. Jenny’s taken me a few times. There’s a little art gallery she just loves.”
“We’ll have to go down there one weekend when the weather warms up.”
She tried not to take his words too seriously. A casual statement, that didn’t mean anything. Regardless, a flutter went through her stomach.
“We should.” She concentrated on cutting an already tiny piece of chicken in half.
Conversation continued as they finished their amazing entrees. Beth tried not to stare at him. She was drawn to his eyes when he spoke. And his voice, so deep and rich, warmed her.
The waitress returned, taking their plates and brought them each coffee. As she sat back in her chair, Beth willed her heartbeat to slow. He had that thoughtful air again.
“You look so serious.”
He came back to the present. “Sorry. I was just thinking.” He sat down his coffee cup and rose from his seat, extending his hand. “One more dance before we leave?”
Beth rose, took his hand, and followed him to the dance floor. She’d been so focused on their conversation during dinner she hadn’t realized how much snow had fallen. Now that they were closer to the glass wall, she caught a glimpse of the riverbank. A light dusting had been a drastic
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