didn’t sit right with him. He should find it strange how protective he felt toward her, but he didn’t. Even though his sisters had been older, he’d still felt the need to look out for them.
“I think I’m going to grab that apple right there,” she said, pointing to one of the branches.
“Can you reach it? Or do you need me to get it for you?”
“I can get it.”
Roman watched her stand on tiptoe to get the apple while thinking she had been a gracious hostess. Over dinner he’d noted she’d not asked him anything about his work, and he appreciated that. His work was in DC, but he wanted to clear his mind of Washington and she was allowing him to do that.
“So what do you plan to do tomorrow?” she asked him.
“Take the boat out to a different spot. What about you? Tomorrow is a workday for you, right?”
“Unfortunately, yes. And Mondays are my long days because of meetings I have. I usually don’t get home until after seven.”
She was right—that was a long workday. A part of him wanted to make arrangements to see her again, but wasn’t sure that was a good idea. He had enjoyed his weekend with her and wanted to do it again next weekend, but wasn’t certain he could wait that long before seeing her again.
“I have an interesting show this week. Great lineup and interesting topics. Maybe you can catch it one day this week.”
“I’ll check out a show or two,” he said, deciding not to mention he watched her show every day.
Then, because he couldn’t help himself, he asked, “What do you do about meals during the weekdays?”
She looked up at him as if studying his features for a moment, concentrating on his eyes. He wondered what she saw in them. Did she see a man who was interested in her, but was fighting it? “Since I don’t have to be at work until ten, I usually have breakfast at Witherspoon Café around eight. Not every day, but most days. I guess you can say I’ve become a regular.”
He nodded, smiling. “You like their muffins that much?”
“I don’t always get the blueberry muffins. They have quite an extensive breakfast menu. And depending on how tired I am in the evenings when I get home, which on most days is around four, I prepare something of my own here or I visit one of the restaurants in town or on the pier.”
They walked around the grove for another ten minutes while she pointed out other interesting things on the property, including a huge tree reputed to be over a hundred years old. She also showed him the five-mile path that led to one of the waterways that fed into Moulden River. “I walked it one Saturday morning,” she told him. “It was a nice place for a picnic. Are you ready to go back?”
“Yes, I’m ready.” In all honesty, he wasn’t ready because he was enjoying being with her, but knew he couldn’t dominate her time any longer. They turned and headed back toward her home.
When they had reached her house, he opened the porch’s screen door for her. He liked the place where she was staying. It was an older home with a wraparound porch and a slanted roofline. The yard looked well cared for and she had mentioned the cost of lawn care was included in her monthly rent. The place was cozy, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and a dining room. He definitely liked the back porch that was screened in and faced the apple grove. He could see her sitting out here and enjoying the view.
“Thanks for coming to dinner, Roman.”
“And thanks for inviting me.” Again, he just couldn’t seem to stop himself, and he said, “I hear there’s something special happening here starting Thursday night.”
“It is. It’s the week before Labor Day and they will have fireworks across the water every night, then on Monday they will have a beautiful light show.”
“I bet it’s beautiful.”
“I’ve never seen it, but I heard that it is. Each night is dedicated to one of the primary colors, with all three featured together on Sunday. Then, Labor Day night is the grand finale with a fireworks display I hear is simply breathtaking.”
“Sounds like it. Would you join me on my boat to watch it?”
She looked over at him. “Which night?”
“Any night you want or every single night.”
She glanced down at her shoes before looking back at him.