Summer of Second Chances - Andrea Hurst Page 0,102

dimples in each cheek, melted her as usual.

They strolled along Main Street, hand in hand, under the town’s twinkling lights past the little shops and cafes. The balmy evening was perfect, with the slightest of breezes ruffling through the flower baskets hanging from the old-fashioned streetlights. The Seafood Café, with its well-lit “open” sign, was a short walk out to the wooden pier, where boats docked when coming in to town. The lights from the boats reflected off the darkening water in reds, blues, and yellows.

Logan held the door open for her. “After you,” he said.

The hostess seated them by the window, where they could watch the first tangerine rays of the sunset spill over the lake.

Shelby watched out the window as the sun began to drop behind the low purple mountains. "The view is beautiful from here," she said. "Thanks for inviting me."

"My view is quite beautiful too,” he said, staring at her.

Butterflies flapped their wings in her stomach. He always knew what to say. He looked particularly handsome with the candlelight from the table reflected off his face. Classical music played overhead, setting the perfect romantic mood.

Logan smiled. “And besides, I think we both needed cheering up, and being with you always works for me.”

"Hello there," a familiar voice said.

They looked up to see Eleanor and her husband walking by to be seated. "I see you have exceptional taste in food,” Eleanor’s husband said.

Eleanor winked at Shelby. "And men. Enjoy your dinner.”

As they passed, Shelby noticed the lavish bouquet of flowers in Eleanor’s husband’s hand. Eleanor was beaming.

“Things were a little rocky with them, but it looks like they worked things out,” Shelby said. “Eleanor told us the two of them are even playing golf together now.”

"Sometimes you just need to spend time together, I guess," Logan said, looking over at the couple. "And sometimes you need to think about what really matters. I wish my dad would. If he’d realize how much he works, how alone my mother is, and how rarely he spends time with us, maybe my parents would smile like that again.”

"I’m sorry your dad is so out of it," Shelby said. "It seems like sometimes people get so wrapped up in other things that they lose perspective."

"That's my dad, all right," Logan said, "but let's not spoil the night talking about him.” Logan pulled out the menu. "I want you to order whatever your heart desires."

Of course, Shelby ordered the specialty crab cakes with three homemade sauces. They ordered a Caesar salad with shrimp to share. Logan ordered the trout and a bottle of sparkling water with lime.

The waitress carried over a basket of the fragrant-smelling crusty sourdough bread with warm, creamy butter and the sparkling water.

Logan poured them both a glass and then held his up for a toast. "To a wonderful summer," he said.

Shelby clinked her glass to his. "The best ever." She hadn’t known this kind of happiness existed, and to be sitting here across from this amazing guy, in this special place, she felt so lucky.

“Try this bread,” Logan said, passing the basket to her.

"Oh my gosh," said Shelby, taking a bite. “Amazing.”

Their entrees arrived, decorated with flowers and fresh herbs, and Shelby could see why everyone raved about this place. Logan might be accustomed to meals like this, but it was a first for Shelby. Outside, a lone sailboat crossed the blackening lake approaching back to the pier.

“Moonwater Lake is so special,” she said.

“Sure is,” he said. "Ever since we started spending summers here, I’ve always looked forward to coming back. I wonder if my mother will really make the lake house her home now. It would mean a lot of changes.”

They were both facing possible upheaval, Shelby thought.

She took another bite of a crab cake with a different sauce and sighed. “This meal is incredible.”

“You haven’t even had dessert yet.”

"Did I hear dessert?" the waitress asked. She rolled a cart over to the table with several delectable-looking confections. Shelby wondered how she’d ever decide. “This is our homemade strawberry torte topped with chocolate meringue, and this is our key lime cheesecake, made fresh daily. We also have peach praline pie, and last but not least, our sampler of homemade ice cream with our special caramel and hot fudge sauce."

Logan looked over at Shelby.

"I can't make up my mind,” she said. “You choose. They all look wonderful."

Logan assessed the offerings. "I think we’ll need two."

"Really?" Shelby said.

"Definitely. What would you suggest?" he asked the waitress in a formal