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"There you are," he said, lifting those gorgeous eyes, taking in her jeans and snap button shirt with amusement. ''Alice Ann was showing me all the work you did on this place. Amazing."
Alice Ann looked up. "Yes, our Abigail is an amazing woman."
"The flattery is getting thick in here," Abigail joked, pulling a sweater off the hook beside the door and leaving her jacket in its place because the sweater was comfier. "Do you have everything under control, Alice? Leif and I are going to be only a short walk away so if you need me, just holler."
"Literally? Or on the phone?" Alice Ann asked, quite seriously.
"On the phone. I'm pretty sure our guests won't appreciate a bunch of caterwauling out the back door," Abigail said, softening her rebuke with a grin. "That's a little too much realism."
"Can I take this book with me?" Leif said, lifting the book from Alice Ann's lap. "I'd love to examine the process a bit more."
''Oh, sure," Abigail said, surprised he'd be interested in the renovations, but after thinking about it, realizing the artist in him likely appreciated the grueling transformation. ''Are you ready?"
He rose. "I was ready forty-five minutes ago. Good thing tofu dogs are easy to cook."
Alice Ann smiled like a fool, no doubt thrilled Abigail was going on a date. She'd been pushing Abigail to date her youngest son, Neil, who had a gambling problem and lived with Alice Ann’s grandmother. But he was a sweet boy... or so Alice Ann liked to say. Abigail hadn't taken the bait.
"Oh, goodie, fake meat on a stick. Do you do this for all your dates?" Abigail cracked.
"Only for the ones who are late. On-timers get the added bonus of Tofutti."
"What's that? Oh, wait, that weird ice cream? If that's true, I'm going to be late every time." As soon as she said it, she knew it was presumptive. This date might be a one-and-done for her. Leif may wake up and realize he'd asked out a nerd, replete with dorky clothes and a label maker. Appalling.
"I'll mark it off my grocery list," Leif said, winking at Alice Ann. "Thanks for showing me the pictures."
A quick stroll through Abigail's backyard later, they stepped into Leif’s house. The living room was austere with a simple overstuffed twill couch and some not very grown-up beanbag chairs. But the art covering the walls was breathtaking.
"Wow," Abigail said, setting down the banana bread she'd grabbed off the counter on the way out the door and strolling around the room. Some pieces were abstract, strong in color and form. Others were landscapes and still lifes. There was even a sculpture masquerading as a painting. "Did you do these?"
''None of those. I surround myself with the work of others. Feels less indulgent, and it's inspiring to be wrapped in other artists' visions. Like I have a little piece of them with me."
"Most are by friends?" she asked.
''The one you're studying so closely was done by my mother."
"It's incredible."
And it was. The huge piece of art was unusual in that it was half painting and half sculpture, molded out of some sort of plaster. The piece possessed sensual movement even as colors drenched the sweeping form with vibrancy." I didn't know your mother was an artist, too. Does she still-"
"She's no longer living."
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Abigail sensed Leif’s mood fading to reflective. Mentioning his mother had saddened him and though she wanted to know more about the artist who'd created something so stirring, she'd much rather re-create the flirty mood he'd had earlier, when he'd danced around her patio, eyes teasing as his touch promised untold delights. "So where are these tofu dogs of which you speak?"
He snapped out of his reverie and flashed a grin. "Follow me."
He walked through an equally austere kitchen featuring only one piece of art- a bright chrysanthemum done in the spirit of van Gogh. Sliding the back door open, he waved his arm with flourish.
Abigail walked through the door into something out of a fairy tale.
"Oh, you're joking," she murmured as she took in the swaths of shimmering blue silks and Moroccan style lanterns hung on hooks around the pergola style patio. Fire pots scattered the perimeter, lending a nice glow to the darkening day. A good-size fire pit sat in the center with plump square cushions scattered on the jute rug. No traditional patio furniture could be seen, but large tropical plants and sago palms created a lush getaway steps outside the door. Abigail inhaled, noting the scent of jasmine and spices in the air. "I feel like I'm in Sir Lanka or Morocco."
Leif looked pleased with her response.
There were even lotus-flower candle things floating in the lap pool just beyond the patio, their flickering lights heightening the romantic theme. "I can't believe a man did this."
"Plenty of guys get in touch with their feminine side when it comes to creating a cool vibe for a date with a lovely lady."
"Sure, but their date usually has an Adam's apple and the same equipment south of the border."
