AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The softly spoken words came as more of a shock than the flowers. Her jaw fell open as Alfred stepped out of the corner of the elevator. He held a single long-stemmed rose, which he extended to her with an expression so filled with tenderness, her heart clenched. “Alfred?” She touched the locket. “You?”
He answered with one of those small smiles.
“Why? You can’t... I mean, do you...?” She finally shut up and stared at him in astonishment.
“Mrs. Merriweather, I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen you rendered speechless.”
“Was that why you did it?” she asked warily. “Was this a joke, a prank to pay me back for teasing you?”
His eyes widened in dismay. “Oh, no. All of this, the notes, the locket...were only ever to make you smile. And to make you see yourself the way I see you.” He stepped closer. She suddenly wondered why she’d ever thought of him as a cool, reserved man. Because his eyes literally glowed with suppressed emotion.
“How you see me?” She heard the breathless sound in her voice and felt the pounding of her heart within her chest
He placed the rose in her hand and tipped her chin up with the tip of his finger. “As a very lovely, very desirable woman.”
His unwavering gaze attested that he spoke the truth.
She tightened her fingers around the stem of the rose. There were no thorns, she realized. They’d been cut off. Feeling moisture in her eyes, Dixie blinked rapidly. In a moment no longer than a heartbeat, she felt her world go topsy-turvy as she acknowledged what a special man stood in front of her. He’d taken the time to painstakingly remove the thorns, not wanting her hurt.
She’d never expected to find such a man again.
“You’re sure?” she finally asked when she trusted herself not to cry like a girl going to her prom.
“Quite sure, Dixie. I’ve been waiting until you were ready to let yourself care again.”
Somehow, she knew what he meant. No, she hadn’t been looking for romance for a long time. In fact, her soul-shattering grief for Lou had convinced her she never wanted to love again. But lately, working here, seeing so many relationships in all their different phases, she’d changed. She’d seen and recognized the signs of heady and sensual first love. She’d understood the looks of both naughtiness and tenderness in the eyes of older married couples. And recently she’d realized she wanted that for herself again. How perceptive of him to have known.
“Dixie Merriweather,” he said, “will you do me the honor of joining me for a late Valentine’s Day dinner?”
She nodded and slowly smiled. “Yes, Alfred, I will.”
This time, his answering smile was broad and joyous.
“Can I ask you to do something for me first?” Swallowing to gather courage, she continued. “I would very much like a Valentine’s kiss, Alfred.” He lowered his face to hers. Just before their mouths met for the first time, she heard him whisper, “As you wish.”
