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If all it took was a box of chocolates, a bunch of red roses and dinner at the finest restaurant in town to get back into Candy’s good graces, then he’d consider it well worth the effort.
Carl dressed in his best shirt and jacket and even splashed on a shot of citrus-scented cologne. He would have liked to talk about what was happening between him and Candy, but the only person he could think to discuss it with was Zane. But then Carl figured his friend didn’t know anything more about courting a woman than he did himself.
In the past, women were a luxury neither man could afford. Relationships were out of the question.
He left the house whistling and arrived at Candy’s promptly at six. She opened the door and he was struck dumb. Carl swore he’d never seen a more beautiful woman in his life. And he’d seen his share.
Candy wore a black skirt that closely hugged her hips, revealing long, sleek graceful lines. She had on the same black boots as the night of the dance, and the soft white V-neck sweater that drew his attention straight to her front.
Carl’s mouth went dry just looking at her. He wasn’t sure how he was going to go the entire evening without his tongue dangling out of the side of his mouth, wanting her the way he did. He must have stared too long because she laughed softly and stepped aside.
“Hello, Carl.”
“Here.” He thrust the bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates at her, unable to be rid of either fast enough. He felt like a silly fool as it was.
“How sweet.” Candy closed her eyes, sniffed the roses and smiled gently. “Thank you, Carl.”
He shrugged, wishing now he’d bought out the entire flower store since she seemed to be so fond of the roses.
“The chocolates were the best Buckwald Pharmacy had.” He would have preferred giving her Belgian ones, but he’d need to drive into Chicago to find those.
“I’m sure they’re delicious.”
“Are you ready to go?” He checked his watch. He hadn’t made reservations, but he didn’t know how long he was going to be able to keep from touching her. Especially when it was just the two of them alone.
“I thought we’d have a glass of wine first…that is, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure,” he said, swallowing tightly. Wine. He should of thought of that himself. The next time they went out, he’d remember to include a bottle of wine along with the chocolates and flowers.
Candy walked into the kitchen and he followed her. His gaze fell on her hips and the way they gently swayed from one side to the other. The movement was more provocative than if she’d purposely set out to seduce him. With effort, he forced his gaze away, and slowly counted to fifteen in an effort to gain control of his senses.
Candy opened the refrigerator, bent forward and brought out the wine. He might have imagined it, but it seemed to him she purposely aimed her rear at him.
Carl was in trouble and he knew it. “Maybe wine wouldn’t be such a good idea after all,” he blurted out. Sweat formed on his upper lip. When she glanced his way, surprise written on her features, he added, “Being that I’m driving and all.”
“Of course, I should have thought of that.”
Carl had been drinking hard liquor for years and one glass of Chablis wasn’t going to impair his ability to operate an automobile. But it could greatly weaken his resolve—and he was determined to behave like a gentleman, even if it killed him. At this rate it just might. “Shall we go?” he asked.
Bluebeard’s was by far the best restaurant in town, but by no means fancy. Once they arrived, the hostess, a local woman Carl recognized from the Grange dance, seated them in a corner booth. Candy greeted her by name. Hilda, he thought, but it didn’t matter. The only woman he had eyes for was Candy.
He was greatly relieved now that they were in public. Candy tempted him beyond reason. The only way he could guarantee his behavior was when they weren’t alone.
“The blackened prime rib is delicious,” Candy said, glancing at him over the top of the menu.
Her recommendation was good enough for him. He closed his menu and set it aside. Candy couldn’t seem to make up her mind. He watched as her gaze slid across one side of the plastic-coated menu and then the other. She glanced his way and offered him a nervous smile.
In the end they both ordered the blackened prime rib. Dinner proved to be an enjoyable experience. Once he was able to ignore how much he wanted Candy physically, Carl discovered she was a knowledgeable horsewoman. She seemed surprised by his own expertise in the area.
When he mentioned the property he was thinking of purchasing, Candy brightened.
“That sounds like the Gaudette place.”
The name sounded familiar to Carl. “The house needs plenty of work, and the barn is shot. I’d need to tear it down and build another one.”
“I don’t think anyone’s lived there in ten years or more.”
“Twelve, according to the real estate agent.” Before long, Carl found himself telling her about his ideas for remodeling the place. He used the back of a paper napkin to draw a diagram of the property and where he’d considered placing the barn in relation to the house and other outbuildings.
