Page 52 of Evan

“How can I not? You are my dad and that’s all there is to it.”

He was silent for a few seconds before he spoke. “And you are my daughter.” He told her hoarsely. “I will not be coming in today, so please hold down the fort. I have a few visits to make. If you need me for anything, just call.”

Cassandra hung up the phone, feeling a little bereft and confused with herself. The couple had been happy. She had seen it for herself when she lived with them. There had been laughter in that house and lots of fun.

Now there was silence and animosity. It should scare her into not thinking about marriage, but she was determined not to allow another person’s unhappiness to dampen her optimism and her newfound joy.

*****

“Thanks for meeting me on such short notice. What would you like to eat? They serve the best shrimp salad I have ever tasted. Unless you are allergic to seafood.”

Pastor William Weeks tried not to gawk at the simple and understated luxury of the restaurant. They had been given seats out on the balcony and were well away from the other diners to afford them the utmost privacy.

A valet had rushed to park his car, and the maître D’ had personally escorted him to the table. He had glimpsed several celebrities on his journey into the room as well as several well-known politicians.

“The shrimp salad sounds fine.” He responded automatically. The man seated across from him, nodded to the hovering waiter and that was enough to have him hurrying off. Within minutes another waiter came forward with a breadbasket and glasses of water.

“I am having the Cabernet, but I am guessing you would prefer something else?”

“A glass of fruit punch,” William told the waiter.

“I come here often to have lunch with out-of-town business associates.” Evan commented as he took a sip of his water, silver eyes gauging the man’s expression. Last night he had spent a lot of time thinking.

This morning, he had come to a decision and right after that he had made the call. He supposed curiosity had the pastor agreeing to lunch.

“It’s a lovely place.”

“It is that. I suppose you are wondering why I asked you to lunch.”

“Is it to offer another check?”

“No.” Evan answered the question, even though it was clear that it was spoken in jest. “We could talk about why I requested the meeting or wait until we have eaten.”

“I think we should talk.”

“Okay.” Putting his glass down, Evan leaned back in his chair and fixed the man with his incisive stare. “I am in love with Cassandra.” He began without preamble.

“Oh.”

A smile touched his lips at the response. “I have known her for only a few weeks, but she has made quite an impression on me.”

William fiddled with his glass for a second. “She has that effect on people.”

“And she is in love with me too.”

He lifted his head to stare at the man across from him. Evan Davenport belonged in this luxurious setting. He had thatconfident aura about him that was stamped automatically on men of his ilk.

His clothes were expensive and even though he was only wearing a watch on his left wrist, it was an expensive timepiece. Pastor William had noticed women staring at him, but to his credit, he did not seem to notice any of it.

“What is this meeting about?”

“I want to marry her.”

Their meals arrived at that moment, preventing any further conversation. Following his lead, William picked up his utensils and started eating, eyes widening at the first taste of the salad. It was delicate, that it was as if the shrimp was melting on his tongue.

“I come here often, and it still has that effect on me.” Evan told him with a smile.

“You and Cassie are from two different worlds.”

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