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A waitress came over and led them to the table Jim indicated.

They were seated in a small booth lining the wall where she could get a look at the others in the bar. Some of them must’ve started celebrating early.

“Marylee and I usually had bourbon old fashions. Would you like one?” asked Ted.

Emmie shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ll have a glass of pinot noir.” She didn’t want to appear to be a replacement for his wife.

He seemed to understand that. “Okay.” He turned to the waitress and placed the order.

Emmie looked at the menu. “What are you going to have? I want something light because even though I chose a late dinner time, I don’t want to ruin it.”

“Well, I normally would have a fish sandwich, but I might have a BLT instead. Change things around.” He gave her a sly grin, and she chuckled. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such fun with a man other than her husband. Ted understood her need to be different.

They both ordered BLTs and then beer to go along with them.

As they sipped and ate, they talked more about their jobs. Emmie learned that at 62, Ted was already turning over much of the business to Chase, giving himself plenty of time to enjoy in the years ahead.

“I’m comfortable with the idea of slowing down a bit. I don’t need a lot to make me happy. As long as I can play golf with my friends, take some trips, and go out to eat now and then, I’m fine. I’ll never be able to completely walk away from my business, but I can sure pass off a lot of the work.”

“I enjoy my job, and I’m well respected in the office,” said Emmie. “We have a group of talented lawyers, which makes it interesting. The best part is that the office is convenient to home. Plus, I’ve worked there long enough that I can easily take time off when needed because it’s very organized.”

Ted’s gaze rested on her. “Sounds like you’re very independent.”

“Yes. I like it that way,” she said. “My daughters are hard-working, independent women, too.”

“My daughter, Cinda, and her husband, Ryan, are also involved in the business,” said Ted. “That’s one thing Marylee and I agreed on, that Cinda should be given a chance to work there, like Chase.”

“What do they do?” she asked.

“Both of them work in the financial areas,” said Ted. He checked his watch. “Sorry, I don’t mean to rush, but we’d better head back. Hopefully, we’ll have more time together after my family goes home. I’m staying a few extra days.”

“Oh, that will be relaxing,” she said, and he winked at her.

They walked back to the hotel and parted ways.

Alone in her suite, Emmie turned on the television to watch a silly family Christmas movie. She didn’t realize she was crying until her vision blurred.

She stopped the movie, got up from the couch, and went to the balcony in her bedroom to look out at the Gulf water. Even from a distance, its movement soothed her. She sat in one of the chairs and thought about what this visit meant for her. It was the first time she’d thought her life going forward would one day include a romance. Her daughters might be shocked at how attracted she was to Ted.

Dinner was still a couple of hours away. She went back to the living room and switched to a suspense movie to keep her mind from overthinking personal issues.

Later, she dressed for dinner and left the suite, determined to enjoy her meal alone.

###

When she entered the dining room, she glanced around. Ted’s family wasn’t there. She told herself it was for the best because his daughter would not be thrilled to see her. She understood. Gemma wouldn’t be as open to her mother seriously dating a man as Lauren. But Emmie believed part of Earl’s gift to her was actually acknowledging that it was okay for her to make the best of what life might offer her.

After a delicious meal, with soft Christmas music playing in the background, Emmie was eager to join others. She went to the lobby bar for an after-dinner drink to settle her stomach.

She’d just settled at a small table when she noticed Ted standing at the door.

He saw her and walked over. “Hi. Do you mind if I sit with you? No one in my family cared to join me. I just needed a quiet moment.”

“I wanted to be with others,” said Emmie. “It’s been a lovely day, and I thought this would be a pleasant way to end it. I’m really glad to see you.”

“Me, too,” he said, taking a seat across from her.

The waitress came right over to take their orders.