Life, Etc. -- Fourteen

Back in the shop, Megan couldn’t stop thinking about Isabelle.  She was helping a customer in the Mystery section when the phone rang.

    

Chris grabbed it.  “Yes, she’s in, just one moment.  May I tell her who’s calling?”   Chris gave his mischievous smile that Megan recognized well.  “It’s for you, Megan,” Chris said in his sing-song-ee voice as he mouthed, “It’s the pastor.”  He was determined to link her romantically with every male caller.

Megan made a face at Chris as she took the receiver.  “Hello, this is Megan.”

“Hi, this is Stephen Forbes.  I would still like to chat with you.  Could I take you out for dinner Friday night?  No obligations—no expectations.  Every time I try to talk with you there are distractions and I want an opportunity to get acquainted.”

Megan wasn’t sure how to respond.  She could not forget that he was a pastor in a very conservative religious community of which she wanted no part.  But she also did not believe he had the same mindset as his head elder.  “Well, pastor,” she began.

“Please drop the pastor and call me Stephen.”

“OK, Stephen, I’m not sure we have a lot to talk about, but, well, yes, I’ll go,” she responded with obvious hesitation.  “I will if I can get a sitter for Emily.”

“Would 6:00 on Friday work?  I thought we could drive into Sisters,” Stephen asked with a hopeful note in his voice.

“Yes, that should be OK.”  Megan hung up and turned to Chris whose face held a cute, but wicked grin.

“So-o-o, the boss has a date!”

“No, I wouldn’t call it a date—more like an opportunity to clear some air.  Now get back to work and earn that huge salary I pay you!”

Just before closing, Louise stopped by with Danny.  Megan took the opportunity to ask if he’d be interested in telling stories to a group of children every couple of weeks.

“That would be very nice,” Danny responded in his most serious voice.

“What books are your favorites?” she asked.  Megan was thrilled when he rattled off a dozen or more titles.  “I think we should wait until after the first of the year.  People are so busy during the holidays.”  As they were about to leave Danny walked up to Megan and reached his arms out to her.  Megan and Danny stood hugging and Megan was reminded that other than Emily, there were few hugs in her life.  And this one was definitely special!

                

Lauren rang the bell at 5:45 and Emily ran down to get her.  “Em, I brought a new game to teach you.  Let’s see if your Mom will let you stay up a bit longer tonight.”

“Yes!” Emily ran up the stairs.  “Mom, can I stay up later tonight?  It’s Lauren’s idea!”

Lauren winked at Megan as she came into the kitchen.  “OK, how about 9:30?”

“Mom, can’t I stay up ‘til 10?”

Lauren stepped in.  “You know, 9:30 will give us lots of time.”

Megan gave Lauren last minute instructions about snacks when the door bell rang again.  “OK, I’m off.  I’ll come in and kiss you when I get home, Em,” Megan said as she squeezed her daughter.

When she saw Stephen at the door, she relaxed.  Never having gone out for dinner with a minister, Megan wasn’t sure how to dress.  She’d settled on black slacks and a sweater and found that he’d decided on the same thing.  They laughed when they realized how alike they were dressed.  “Maybe they’ll take us for twins,” Stephen said as he opened the car door for Megan.

The drive to Sisters was beautiful.  Stephen and Megan’s getting acquainted chatter came easily—origins, university education, and the inevitable divorce that brought major changes to both their lives.

“Do you have a particular restaurant you like in Sisters?” asked Stephen as they pulled into town.

“No, actually I’ve only been here a couple of times and can’t even remember where we had lunch.

Driving into the main street, they saw the lights from quaint little shops and eye-catching window displays.  This is another place Diane and I need to come and explore, thought Megan.

“A friend from Portland mentioned Tender Vines, so I thought if you had no other preference, we’d try it out.”

“I’m game.  Let’s be adventurous.”  Megan smiled.  She couldn’t believe how relaxed she felt.  But the evening wasn’t over….

The restaurant had an elegant, but rustic feel.  Linen napkins filled crystal goblets on old, heavily carved and beautifully polished tables that took Megan back to the feel of old European elegance.  Cozy too since there were several small dining rooms—good for privacy.

After ordering—baked salmon looked good to them both—the energy between them became confused—each feeling the other’s discomfort.

 

Megan finally spoke.  “So far, Stephen, I’m enjoying getting acquainted with you, but I’m still not sure why we’re here.”   Might as well speak out and put the question on the table.