Page 41 of Lorna's Savior
“Did I want to rent? Own? Have property? Live where there was a HOA? Then the things like what kind of place did I want? House? Townhouse? Apartment? Condo? Ronnie told me to do my homework. I started doing it at home, but then realized Mother went though my room, so I went to the library on Saturdays, and kept everything in my car. You know how some girls and women have a binder full of wedding shit?”
“Yes, my cousin has one. She’s getting married in the fall.”
“Well, I had one, but mine was full of places to live. After I had done the initial wish list type of things, Ronnie told me to narrow it down.”
“To what? Affordability?”
“That, as well as what I could do.”
“I don’t understand.”
“As much as I wanted to buy or rent a house, I didn’t know how to mow the lawn, or even plant flowers. Unlike Ronnie, I’m not an outdoorsy person like she is.”
“Not to doubt you, but how outdoorsy is she? Somehow I don’t think Finn Larson would go for that type of woman.”
“What would you say if I told you Ronnie is a veterinarian. She’s a partner in a practice. She owns a fifty-acre farm, and has several horses, barn cats, and a McCaw.”
“I’d call you a liar, but I don’t think you lie.”
“I don’t and it’s true. I want to be like her when I grow up.” Lorna sighed, then looked at him closely. “You’d better stop with those magic hands of yours, or I’ll be asleep in a few minutes.” She grinned when his hands quickly disappeared. “Was there anything else you wanted to know about me?”
“No, I think I have it all. Thank you for sharing with me.” Andy sat back and studied her for several long minutes.
“What?” Lorna asked, after becoming uncomfortable at his scrutiny.
“Nothing, just looking at a beautiful woman.”
In the past Lorna would have snorted a laugh, and made a rude comment, but after studying his face, she realized he told the truth. “Thank you,” she whispered instead. While they continued to sit and stare at each other, Lorna wasn’t the least bit weirded out about it. Finally, she quietly asked, “Would you like to stay?”
“Only if you want me to.”
“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”
“Oh,” Andy said, and this time he began to crawl up her body.
Lorna laughed and held out her hands to stop him. “Before we do this, may I ask a favor or you?”
“Of course...” he paused and stared at her. “Anything.”
“How would you like to be my plus one at the fundraiser I’m in charge of? It’s two weeks from this Saturday. I’m not saying I can stand there next to you all night. I’ll still have duties, as well as small fires to put out, but, I’d like you there.” When Andy hesitated, Lorna quickly sat up and reassured him. “Finn will be there, you can talk to him, and I’m sure Patch will be there. I’ve heard Finn say he was going to invite him, and Patch has been at all our other fundraisers since Finn’s been in charge of that division.”
“I didn’t hesitate because I didn’t want to go,” Andy grinned. “I hesitated, because I was mentally viewing my calendar to see if I was free that day. As far as I know, I am, and yes, I would love to be your plus one. I just need to know the dress code, and location.”
Grinning, Lorna sighed in relief. “It’s not black tie, but a nice suit would work. My dress will be baby blue, if you want to pair a shirt or tie with it, but you don’t have to. And it’s for the aquarium downtown. They’re trying to raise money for an expansion. The fundraiser is at the aquarium.”
“What would it all entail?”
“There is a meet and greet, and cocktail hour from six to seven. Then, there will be guided tours from seven to nine. The people doing the tours will be the director, and the people who actually work with the animals there onsite. After the tours, we’ll be set up in an enormous room, where some of the money raised will go. There will be raffles, and more food and drink. We anticipate everything to be done by eleven, no later than midnight.”
“It sounds like fun. I would be honored to be your guest that night. I don’t know if there’s any dancing, but save a dance for me.”
“I will. We’ll have some music in the background, but it won’t be a focal point of the night. Oh, and along with the director, the board of trustees will be there to answer any questions the potential donors will have about the expansion.”
“Good to know,” Andy said. He helped Lorna to her feet, then with her back turned, he subtly turned off the recorder on his phone. When she caught him, he grinned as he set it back on the table. “Turning it off so we won’t be interrupted.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Lorna nodded, then feeling bold, she held out her hand to him. When he took it, she pulled her behind him, and into her bedroom.
Chapter 17
