Page 121 of Left Behind

A couple of minutes later, they exited the elevator onto the floor of the restaurant and headed toward the hostess desk.

“Wiley Pope. Reservation for three,” he said.

“Yes, sir! Right this way,” the hostess said, and picked up their menus before leading them into the dining area.

Heads turned at the elegance of the tall dark-haired man in black and white, the little blond walking beside him, and the beautiful dark-haired woman in blue on his arm.

Men noticed the ring on the woman’s finger.

Women noticed the man.

But it was the tiny child with them that stole the show. Big-eyed and quiet, with a look of wonder on her face as she took in her surroundings.

The hostess paused at the wall of windows at a table set for three, with a booster seat already in place. As soon as they were seated, she put the menus at their place, then paused.

“Mr. Pope. I was at the bank that day. Thank you for saving our lives, and Miss Elgin, thank you for everything you did for us afterward.” Then she glanced down at Ava and winked, before walking away.

Wiley glanced at Ava, and then Linette. “We’ve come a long way in a short time since that day, haven’t we, darlin’?”

“The hardest journeys are the ones most worth it,” Linette said. “Thank you for bringing us here. The food is amazing, and just look at the view!”

“Spectacular,” he said, but he was looking at his girls.

Then they began discussing food and giving Ava suggestions of choices they knew she might like, but Ava was overwhelmed by the decor and the chandeliers and shining lights and crystal. She leaned toward him, whispering, “Bubba, is this a palace?”

“No, just a really fancy restaurant, but if it was, you would be the perfect princess,” he whispered back.

“And you would be the king and Linnie would be the queen and we’d live happy ever after, wouldn’t we?” she asked.

Linette brushed a stray curl away from the corner of Ava’s eyes. “We’re already living ‘happy ever after.’ Oh look, I see someone we know coming to say hello!”

Ava turned to look, then started smiling. “It’s B.J.!”

B.J. was already well-known as the head pastry chef, and the rare times he emerged from the kitchens to come greet a guest were noted as special occasions. Wiley had called him about the reservation, but said nothing about what they were celebrating. B.J. was happy to get a chance to see Ava again, and when she smiled and waved, he waved back and hastened his step.

“Hi, little sister,” he said, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“B.J., I’m wearing my necklace,” she said.

“I see. I’m happy that you like it. You and Linette look beautiful. I don’t know how Wiley got so lucky. So, Brother…what are we celebrating?”

“I have legal custody of Ava and an official fiancée.”

Linette held up her hand and wiggled her fingers.

B.J. smiled and clapped Wiley on the back. “Congrats, Brother, and an official ‘Welcome to the family,’ Linnie.”

Linette beamed. “Thank you, B.J.”

“Have you ordered yet?” he asked.

“We’re about to,” Wiley said.

“Well, whatever you order, save room for dessert. I made something special for your table,” B.J. said.

“What is it?” Ava cried.

B.J. winked. “It’s a surprise. The waiter will tell me when you’ve finished your entrées. I’ll come back with it then. Enjoy!” he said, and left the dining room.

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