Page 16 of Savage Peril

Lori lived in Santa Monica, not far from the clinic. Gunner had no trouble finding the place; it was a two-story home on a large lot. It looked like a mansion to him. It was in an upscale neighborhood, and the exterior was white and pristine, like photos he’d seen of shining white buildings on the hillsides of Greece.

Gunner hoped that she didn’t have servants. Maybe he should have worn a tie. He strolled up the long walkway then rang the bell. He was relieved that Lori came to the door, not a stodgy butler. “Hi, Gunner, come in.”

Lori wore a blue velvet skirt with a cream-colored blouse and was taller in her spikey heels. “You look nice,” he said. That didn’t begin to describe it. Lori’s hair was pulled back on one side in a sparkly clip, and all dressed up, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

“Thank you,” Lori said. “I wasn’t sure how much to dress up.” She put a sweater over her arm and picked her purse up from the table.

“You’re perfect,” Gunner said, noting Lori’s blush. He didn’t see much of the house, but from what he could tell, the interior was as impressive as the outside. There were dark hardwood floors, pure white walls, and a stone fireplace. The curtains were open and there was a wooded area out back.

Lori noticed him looking. “This was my father’s home. He and my mother bought this place after my brother and I moved out. After he died, I couldn’t bear to sell it.”

“I wouldn’t sell,” Gunner said. “It’s quite a place.”

Lori took Gunner’s arm, and he escorted her to the car. On the way to the restaurant, they chatted, and it was good to see Lori relaxed. The brick restaurant building came into view, and from the looks of it, Gunner had chosen well.

The inside was brick and dark wood, with polished tile floors. The lighting was dim, and a candle adorned each linen-covered table. As Gunner expected, it was romantic. He glanced at Lori, hoping he hadn’t overdone it.

Once seated, they studied the menu, and Lori looked around. “I’ve heard of Pace but haven’t tried it before. It’s very nice.”

Lori preferred to drink wine, so Gunner had the waiter suggest a bottle. It seemed to please her, so he was glad. She didn’t smile enough to suit him, and he wanted to change that. Lori didn’t seem sad like before, but appeared thoughtful.

Over salad and spaghetti Bolognese, they got to know each other better. Gunner learned more about her younger brother, and that she had an uncle who was her father’s half-brother. And he listened while Lori talked about the clinic.

Gunner was intrigued. He wanted to know everything about Lori, and she seemed comfortable sharing. She didn’t bring up her recent engagement, and Gunner didn’t ask about Matt. He’d met the guy, so he could figure the rest out from there.

The evening went by faster than Gunner preferred, so he was pleased when Lori agreed to share the chocolate cake for dessert. It was a warm cake with whipped cream, and while they waited for the dessert to be heated, Lori sipped her creamed coffee.

Lori held the cup and looked at Gunner. “I’ve been doing all the talking,” she said. “What about you…have you ever been married?”

It figured that Lori would eventually ask that. Gunner just didn’t enjoy talking about it. “No, is the short answer.”

“I’d like to hear more.”

The cake arrived, buying Gunner time. He never knew quite how to explain his relationship or lack of one. He watched the whipped cream start to melt over the cake before answering.

“I have a son,” Gunner said, realizing he should have started at the beginning.

Lori waited, but he didn’t continue. “What is your son’s name?”

“Daniel, and he’s grown now,” Gunner said. “I guess you could say that I don’t have a relationship with him.”

“Why not?”

“His mother, Rebecca, wouldn’t accept my offer of marriage…way back then.” Gunner looked away, wondering why he continued to agonize over this. “She says that I’m insensitive. When we met, she seemed to like tough guys, because that was certainly how I was. She is the mother of my child, but she refused to marry me.”

It was over now. The evening had been going so well, but Gunner had revealed his past and shown his true nature. It had been nice to dream that he could get something going with Lori, but it wasn’t going to happen.

“When Daniel’s mother rejected my offer of marriage,” Gunner said, “I was crushed. But I’m over it. I only wish that I had a relationship with my son.”

Gunner had only told Lori part of the story. He tended to be reserved about private matters, and it was all too painful anyway. He didn’t expect Lori to understand; he didn’t really either. It was a depressing way to end an otherwise wonderful evening.

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