Page 227 of Banter & Blushes

“Okay.” Elva closed her notebook. “Let’s adjourn the meeting on that note.”

Returning the conversation to the meeting, Bob stood up ready to wrap up. “We can meet next week with all the dedication plans.”

“Joe? Can we walk together?” Elva asked her friend as she gathered her papers.

They strolled along silently at first. Both just walking in step out of the community center waving goodbye to everyone.

Lowering her voice to make sure no one else heard, she couldn’t help but share, “so I have a little news.”

Josephine’s voice raised to match her excitement. “NEWS?”

“John Mitchell asked me out.”

“I KNEW IT!” Joe took a deep breath. “AND? What did you say?”

“Well, we talked about baseball a while ago. He offered to take me to a Blue Claw Baseball game and to meet his cousins who run a B&B in an old Victorian home over in Red Bird. Do you think I should go?”

“DO I THINK YOU SHOULD GO?” Her voice was even louder than before.

Raising her finger to meet her lips she shushed her friend. “Maybe we should have added this to the committee meeting agenda if you are going to talk that loud,” she laughed.

“Sorry.” She tried to calm down. “Okay. A baseball game and a historic B&B all in one day? How is that even a question?”

Looking from one side to the street to the other before they crossed, she shook her head, “I don’t know. I have a lot of work to do.”

“Oh, no you don’t!” Josephine put her arm out in front of Elva to stop her from walking. “I’ll fill in for you for the day. Mitch is a very handsome, very sweet man. You aren’t going to use work as an excuse not to live your life. Do you hear me, missy?”

“Yes, ma’am,” she couldn’t help but laugh at her friend. “But you don’t know the first thing about running things at the restaurant.”

“I think I can hold down the fort. Besides, it would be nice for you to have a day off.”

Closing her eyes, she tried to imagine it, “you know what? It would be nice. I think I’ll take him up on his offer.”

“Now, on to more important things.” Joe’s voice was high in excitement. “What are you going to wear?”

CHAPTER 12

Mitch’s blue full sized truck pulled into the parking lot of Gandolf’s on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Not wasting any time, Elva stepped onto the sidewalk in a long light blue sundress, hat under her arm and a small purse.

Wow,Mitch mouthed to himself before repeating it to her. “Wow, you look amazing.” He gushed more than he meant to, opening the passenger side door.

“Thank you,” she blushed. Glancing at the large faded tattoo peaking up from under the rolled sleeve of his light blue button collared shirt untucked over his khaki shorts. “You look nice too, new hat?” She asked, seeing a fresher Blue Claw cap on.

“This is just my dress up hat,” he grinned with his entire face. The stubble on his face seemed strategic, helping him look rugged and handsome.

“I like it,” she complimented.

Barely out of the Landings she asked, “so tell me about your cousins.”

“I think you’re going to love them. I mean, I hope you do. I know they are certainly going to love you.”

“Are they older or younger than you?”

“Much older. They were almost like my older sisters, more than cousins. We grew up very close. I still do all the work they need around the B&B when I have free time, or even when I don’t.” He laughed, “trust me, they aren’t shy about coming up with projects.”

“That’s sweet of you to help them.” She grinned, watching his side profile as he drove. He really was so handsome.

“I thought we’d stop in and see them after the game, if you are okay with that? If I don’t stop by whenI’m in town, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

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