Shocking Sapphires - Ann Omasta Page 0,37

for a meal outside of a medical facility, Molly Malone?”

I tapped my chin and pretended to think it over, even though I felt like shouting with glee. When the concerned look arose in his eyes, I immediately quelled it by saying, “I would love to, but I have one condition.”

“Anything,” he murmured, leaning his forehead against mine.

“I need to see Scout right now.”

“Agreed,” he answered, smiling as he turned his chair back toward the shore.

30

Grant

This was the most important date of my entire life, and I didn’t want anything to mess it up. I’d asked Bonnie not to interrupt us unless there was an emergency with Scout. I’d hired a personal chef from Portland to drive up the coast and cook us a meal at the bed and breakfast, so we wouldn’t get approached by fans in a restaurant. I’d shaved for the second time that day and put on a tailored suit.

I’d done all I could think of to make tonight perfect. I just hoped that I was enough for Molly. The niggling fear that she might look at me as half a man, despite her best efforts to the contrary, simply wouldn’t go away.

Since I felt bad about making her drive to me, I had my bodyguards surround me, so that I could wait for her in front of the bed and breakfast we’d rented out.

When she emerged from the bright lime green Jeep, I smiled and shook my head at her. Somehow, she could make her favorite tennis shoes look good––even with a cute, swingy little red dress. Did the woman not own any shoes other than Converses?

“What?” she asked as she walked in my direction.

I angled my head toward her over-the-top vehicle. “I guess I’ll be driving my customized hand-controlled truck everywhere we go together. I’d been thinking maybe we should have a wheelchair lift installed in your vehicle, but that thing doesn’t exactly blend in.”

“Don’t pick on the Jeep,” she warned me, but her tone was light as she bent down to kiss my cheek.

My eyes were magnetized to the hint of cleavage that her sexy, summery dress showed off. I wanted more kissing, but decided it was best to move inside before the small group of fans trying to catch a peek at us turned into an unruly crowd.

After handing her the giant bouquet of fresh flowers I’d ordered for her, I wheeled around and led her inside. Even though I wanted to get straight to our date, I sensed that she would want to see Scout first.

From his changing table, my son clapped at the sight of Molly. She’d been convinced there was no way he would remember her, but he instantly warmed to her the night we had talked at the lighthouse, and he was obviously thrilled to see her again tonight.

“Hi, sweet boy!” she greeted the delighted child.

Bonnie finished changing his diaper and handed him to Molly before efficiently taking the flowers, and promising to put them in water.

Molly kissed the top of Scout’s head and closed her eyes as she breathed in deep, obviously savoring the connection with him. It wasn’t long before Scout began squirming, wanting down, so she gently set him on the floor.

“The amount of time he’s willing to sit still for cuddles is getting shorter and shorter,” I told her, hoping she wasn’t hurt that he was crawling away from her.

“We have to savor whatever snuggles we can get from him.” She smiled as she watched him bang on his colorful, plastic telephone toy.

Bonnie returned to the room and shuffled us out, saying, “I’ll take excellent care of him. You two go enjoy your date.”

I hadn’t wanted things to become awkward by having our meal set up in my bedroom, so I led Molly to the inn’s patio. The staff had gone above and beyond with my request to spruce up the tiled area. It looked like a twinkling outdoor oasis with glittering string lights, candles, and brightly-colored seat cushions and tableware.

“Wow!” Molly sounded truly impressed as she took in the romantic atmosphere. With an ornery grin, she decided, “If we can’t have a great date out here on this perfect evening, then we clearly aren’t properly matched.”

Although I knew her words were meant as a compliment to the gorgeous setting and delightful, clear weather, they made my already parched throat become even drier. So much was riding on tonight’s date going well. My entire future depended on it.

Trying not to think about that as the