Page 20 of A Table for Two
When he arrived home, he saw Serenity coming out her front door with a large tote. She had on a blue and white patterned dress that stopped at her knees, strappy navy sandals that added several inches to her petite frame, and a matching hat.She is stunning.He climbed out of the car and closed the distance between them. “Good afternoon. You look beautiful.”
Serenity gave him a bright smile. “Thank you. I’m on my way to a tea party.”
His brows knitted together. “Women still have those?”
She shrugged. “I have no idea. This one is with a group of six-year-olds. One of my patients invited me, and there’s no way I could turn down an invitation to a party. I’ve known Brianna since she was born.”
“Wow. You are brave.” Her declaration was one more piece of evidence of her caring and compassionate personality. “Well, I don’t want to make you late. Have a great time.”
“I intend to,” she said with a laugh and slid in behind the wheel.
The movement made her dress slide up, exposing a few inches of her smooth thighs. Gabriel tried to ignore the jolt that went to his groin and closed the door. He threw up a wave as she drove off. As Brent had put it, Gabriel was definitelyfeelingher. And despite the fact that his time in California would be short, he wanted to feel more.
***
“Hi, Serenity. Please, come in,” Brianna’s mom said. “You look so gorgeous.”
“Thanks. So do you.”
Pam smoothed a hand down her yellow sundress. “You know, Brianna picked it out when we went shopping a couple of weeks ago and insisted I wear it for the tea party.” She shook her head.
Serenity grinned. “Hey, she has good taste.”
Smiling, Pam called out, “Brianna, guess who’s here?”
The pounding of feet sounded on the hardwood floors, followed by a loud squeal.
“Ms. Wheeler! You came!”
“Of course I came.” Brianna’s excitement warmed Serenity’s heart, and she barely had time to brace herself before Brianna launched herself at Serenity, nearly knocking her over in her heels. Serenity hugged the little girl, whom she’d bonded with from birth. Serenity had been in Firefly Lake only three weeks and was still trying to get over her heartbreak when Pam and her husband showed up in the ER with Pam in labor. She had rushed out with a wheelchair, but the impatient child ended up being delivered right there in the back seat, and it was the most beautiful thing that Serenity had been part of in her entire career. As a result, she’d been invited to every birthday party and a few other celebrations, and Serenity felt as if she was an aunt of sorts. She disentangled herself from Brianna. “Let me see your pretty dress and hat.”
Brianna did a little pose and turned around slowly, to give the full effect of the pink dress. The pink ruffled socks and white patent leather T-strap shoes reminded Serenity of her own childhood. Then Brianna patted her pink hat adorned with small pink and white flowers.
“I love it. And you girls look beautiful, too,” she said to Tanya and Kaylee. The two girls beamed and did their own version of a fashion show. She held up the tote. “I’ve got food.”
A chorus ofyays went up.
Pam held up a hand. “Okay, girls, let’s go out back and see what Ms. Wheeler has for lunch.” They took off running. “Walk, ladies.”
Serenity chuckled and followed Pam through the house to the backyard, where she had set an elegant table for six. “This is lovely.”
“Thank you. Do you need plates for the sandwiches and cookies?”
“No. I brought everything.” She started unpacking the tote and arranging the food on the fine white crystal china she’d brought and placed silver tongs on each one. She’d chosen the simple tableware to match whatever pattern Pam was using.
Moments later, a woman she recognized as Pam’s younger sister—whom Brianna had been named after—arrived wearing a bright tangerine dress and matching hat. The color complemented her almond-colored skin to perfection.
“Auntie Bri is here!” She passed out air kisses and took a seat at the now full table. “Brianna, did you make these delicious-looking sandwiches and cookies?”
“No, Auntie Bri,” she answered with a giggle. “Ms. Wheeler did. She said we’re supposed to have food with the tea.”
Bri leaned close to her niece. “She’s right, and I’m glad because I’m starving.” She smiled at Serenity. “It’s always good to see you, Serenity.”
“Same here.”
“Can we have the tea party now?” Brianna asked.
Bri patted her hand. “Sure thing, baby girl.”
