Page 70 of Wilde Abandon
Fox set the alarm, locked the door, and walked with her to the elevator.“I checked out the menu online.They’ve got a lot of varied choices.The chicken pot pie sounded delicious, but so did the beef stew.”They entered the elevator car and he hit the button to take them down to the first floor.
“I was thinking of the chicken and dumplings.Or maybe the pot roast sandwich.”
“It all sounds good.”They exited the elevator hand in hand and walked out of the building, and turned right to head down the street.The bistro was down four blocks.The fall evening air was crisp but not cold enough to need a jacket.
“Are you sure the walk isn’t too much for your leg?I don’t want you tearing your stitches.”
“It’s fine.They’re a little tender still, but it’s only a few blocks.Plus, it’s a beautiful night for a walk.”
He hooked his arm around her shoulders, drew her close, and enjoyed the hell out of being with her as they passed the center, the diner, several downtown shops, a hole-in-the-wall liquor store, the bakery, and a florist.
He should get her some flowers.They weren’t open now.He’d put it on the list of things he wanted to do for her.
“You’re quiet.”
He kissed the side of her head.“Just enjoying the walk and being with you.It’s quieter here.In Boston, walking down the street, it’s noisy.Traffic, a ton of people out, and music and sounds pouring out of bars and restaurants.”He glanced up at the night sky.“There’s so much light pollution you can’t really see the stars.Not like here.”
“At the ranch they’re even brighter.You can see so many more than in town.”
“If you move there with me, it doesn’t mean we won’t come back here.We can come back as often as you like.”
“I know.”She squeezed his side.“I don’t want to talk about that tonight.I just want to enjoy our date.”
“I wish we could do this more often.”
She leaned into him.“I’ve been busy.You’re busy.We live on different schedules.”
“Yeah.I’m trying to figure out a way to fix that because I want us to spend more time together.”
They arrived at the bistro.
“Table for two.We have a reservation under Fox.”
The hostess smiled.“Of course.Right this way, Mr.Fox.”
“It’s just Fox.”He let Melody go ahead of him as they followed the waitress to a table by the windows.He held out the chair for Melody to sit, then took the seat across from her.They both sat near the window, leaving the two empty seats next to them at the table set for four.
“The specials for tonight are listed on the front of the menu.Shari will be by in a moment to take your order.Enjoy your meal.”
Fox scanned the drink list first and slid his hand across the table to rest it over Melody’s.
She glanced around the restaurant.“I love this place.It’s small and quaint, but cozy.”
The restaurant only had about thirty tables and a low bar with about fifteen seats for diners that spanned the area that opened to the kitchen space.You could watch the staff preparing the meals.All of the wood tables were topped with a wide candle with three wicks on a wood base with a glass cylinder around it, silverware, green linen napkins, and unexpected salt and pepper shakers in all kinds of pairings.Their table had a horse and apple cart.The horse was the salt.The cart the pepper.On the table beside theirs…Mickey and Minnie.On another table, a dog chef and cat waitress.
“It smells amazing in here.”His stomach rumbled.
The couple next to them had just gotten their plates.They’d both gone for the pot roast sandwich with a mountain of fried potatoes.
Melody groaned.“That looks amazing.”
“It does.We’re going to have to come back here to try everything.”
She grinned at him.“Deal.But it’s probably going to have to be lunch.”
Yes.Their schedule issue.“Deal.”
A woman in black pants, a white tee with the bistro logo and name on it, and a green apron stopped at their table.“Hi.I’m Shari.Can I get you both something to drink?”