Page 51 of Unexpected Union

Did hehavesimilar regretstheir marriage hadn’t worked?

Finally Mitchshifted slightly, and Audra pushed up as much as she could againstthe ever shifting hammock.

“Still up fordinner and dancing tonight?” he asked.

“Wouldn’t you rather stay home? I mean, what ifyou have another dizzyspell?”

“I’vealready made the reservation. The attacks are growing farther andfarther apart. I doubt I’ll have another onetonight.”

“Okay, then,I’d love to go to dinner.”

Thelodge seemed bustling and crowded after the slow, quietpeace of the cabin that Audrahad enjoyed over the past few days. While not full, more than halfthe tables in the restaurant were occupied. A combo played softly.The food was delicious and Mitch continued to fascinate her. Theyexchanged stories of other vacations. It seemed sad she had so manyto relate while he had only a few from his childhood.

“Youneed to make time for vacations more often,”she said.

Herubbed his chin and nodded slowly, his gaze moving around the room,ending up on her. “This hasturned out better than I expected. Maybe it’s the companyI’m keeping.”

“Vacations aremore fun shared,” Audra agreed, glowing from the comment.

Bythe timeother couples began to dance, they had finished dinner.

“Care totry?” he asked, nodding to the dance floor.

“Sure do.”

“We canhave dessert later.”

“Nothing forme, I’m full.”

He roseand she was struck again at how handsome he looked in thedark sports coat, whiteshirt and pants. She wore a sundress that had been the most dressypiece of clothing she’d brought. Her sandals were flat, but betterfor her than high heels given her altered center ofgravity.

Shemoved into his arms as if they’d danced together many times before. Odd, she onlyremembered one night they’d gone dancing. Tonight was heavenly. Hiscast ignored, she snuggled closer and gave herself up to the rhythmof the music and the fantasy of a future that skipped just out ofreach.

“Younever told me where you learned to dance so well,” Audra said as hemoved around the floor in intricate patterns. “Here I thought youwere a diehard attorney, never stepping a foot outside a lawlibrary.”

Hesmiled into her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. Her knees grew weak and it was all shecould do to miss his toes. Wouldn’t that go over great, stumblingaround like a love-struck teenager.

“I learned incollege. I thought it might come in handy to make points with theboss’s wife at functions.”

“Always an eye tothe main chance, huh?” she teased.

“Isn’t thatthe way to get ahead?”

“Andwhat are you gettingahead for?”

Hetwirled them around,then settled in a slower rhythm as the music softened,slowed.

“What doyou mean? That’s the great American dream, getting ahead.”

“Butwhat for? What will you do when you are ahead? And when will thatbe? When you’re ninety—too old to enjoy anything? Or next year or whenyou’re a millionaire? When does it end?”

He didn’trespond immediately.

Finallyhe shrugged,“I’ll knowit when I see it.”

“I think it’sbecome habit. And you won’t ever stop.”

“Whyshould I? I like what Ido.”

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