Page 45 of Love's Cure

“Oh, yes. And Lilac Lake is very pleasant.” She turned to Crystal. “Wouldn’t you say so?”

“Yes. It will always be my home. At least in my heart.”

“I know you’re busy with the Café, so I’m offering my services in helping Dr. Chambers, I mean Emmett, get settled.” She turned to Crystal once more. “I heard about the incident at Jake’s.”

“Do you mean with his mother?” Crystal asked, doing her best to remain polite even as she glanced at Emmett for help.

“A total misunderstanding,” said Emmett, winking at Crystal. “Here’s our food now. We have other plans for this evening, private ones. We won’t be staying late.”

“Oh! I didn’t realize ...” JoEllen’s eyes widened, and her gaze pinged back and forth between Emmett and Crystal. A look of frustration crossed her features. She huffed out a sigh and gazed around the room, then gave a little wave. “No problem. I see someone I know from work.” She got up and left.

“Thank you,” said Crystal. “I’ve mentioned her before.”

“Yes.” He dug into his dinner.

Crystal took a bit of the fried lobster, allowing the taste of it to rest a moment in her mouth, and groaned. “This is delicious.”

“Mine, too.” Emmett moved aside the French fries and took another bit of cod.

Toward the end of the meal, Crystal said, “So, what are these private plans for the rest of the evening?”

Emmett grinned. “I’m not sure. I thought it was something we could work out together.”

Crystal laughed. “I thought so.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

After they finishedeating, Crystal and Emmett took a walk along the creek, stopping when they found an empty bench with a pleasant view of the burbling water.

Emmett had been staring at her during dinner, and Crystal could tell he was as anxious as she to see where their attraction might lead them.

“Maybe we could go to my house. You haven’t seen some of the work on it, and we could have some privacy there,” suggested Emmett.

“Okay. I can’t promise any time alone as long as Misty is staying with me.”

They walked hand-in-hand back to his car, each step adding to the anticipation Crystal felt growing inside her.

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