Page 64 of Love's Bloom
“It’s one of my favorites.” He waited while she set the alarm and locked up. Then, he helped both Misty and Sugar into his truck.
“Do you have tomorrow off work?” she asked.
“Yes. Finally,” said David. “It’s been a real Labor Day weekend for me. This is when people realize what work they want done before winter.”
“I understand. It’s as if autumn is suddenly here, and winter is not far behind.”
“It’ll be nice to relax and enjoy the day.”
“We have more and more people in our group,” said Misty. “It makes it fun.”
“I like it too,” said David. “I’m especially glad you came back to Lilac Lake.” He gave her hand a squeeze.
“Me too,” she said, satisfied she was moving forward with her life.
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They’d just arrived at David’s house when the neighbor’s dog, Homer, appeared. Sugar and Homer touched noses and, tails wagging, started to chase one another around. Misty was proud of the way Sugar handled herself with the black lab, who was much bigger.
Chuckling to herself, she wondered if it was parental pride to feel that way.
David led Misty into the house. “Let’s let the dogs work off some of that energy before coming into the house.”
In the kitchen, David offered her a glass of wine. “Sorry, I didn’t have time to do anything fancy. I picked up a cooked chicken and some other stuff for dinner. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” said Misty. “It’s nice to be out of the house and not to have to worry about a meal. I’ll help you put this together.”
David studied her. “You’re such a great person.”
“Thanks,” said Misty, knowing it sounded lame, but she couldn’t remember Vince ever saying that to her.
“I mean it,” said David softly, drawing her into his arms.
Everything felt right with David. She gazed up at him and closed her eyes as his lips met hers. It was never like this with Vince.
When they pulled apart, they both were smiling.
Homer barked to come inside. David opened the door, and both dogs came in.
Sugar came right over to Misty and, panting, sat at her feet.
Misty laughed at her. “You’ve had more exercise in one day than in maybe forever.”
“It’s good for her,” said David. “Want to watch the sunset from the porch?”
“Yes. I love this time of day.”
The four of them moved to the porch, and while the adults sank into chairs, the two dogs flopped on the floor.
Misty enjoyed the quiet moments that she and David shared, watching the colors in the sky change from orange to pale yellow and finally gray. She usually used this time for reflection and found her thoughts returning to him and how his kiss had made her both excited and calm, as if she was where she was supposed to be.
As if he sensed her feelings, he reached over and took hold of her hand, letting his smile speak for him.
She returned it, aware of how special this moment was.
They enjoyed another small glass of wine and then went inside. While David carved the chicken, Misty put together a green salad and set out the potato salad David had bought.
They sat at the kitchen table and helped themselves to food. After working hard all day, David proved he needed a substantial amount of it.
