Page 24 of Winter's Kiss

“I wish I could tell you what you deserve to hear.” Theo had become more of a father to me than my own. He called to check on me, genuinely concerned with my well-being.

“I know,” I answered softly.

“I have to go before the wife thinks I’ve gotten lost in the fridge.” I chuckled at his words. “Don’t you be a stranger?” With that, we ended the call. I wrapped my arms around my legs, my head rested on my knees. Maybe my sister was right. I needed to move on.

Fourteen

Ihad decided to give it a chance. I would go on a blind date with Mark. My sister had been right. I needed to move on and start to have some form of life. I couldn’t allow myself to sit and ponder in misery over a man who hadn’t attempted to reach out to me once since I left. I deserved more. At least that’s what I told myself.

I was supposed to meet Mark at a local restaurant, nothing fancy but certainly impressive for the town. It was, of course, seafood, known for its fresh fish and made from scratch sides. I decided to dress in a nice pair of black slacks with a dark purple blouse. My hair curled with waves; I made my way into the building.

I wasn’t naïve to believe this man would be anything more than a crossroads to get back into the field. Back in the field, the very thought made me laugh.

Had I ever really been in the field? Out of the two men I’d been with, one I wasn’t with by choice, the other I was, but he didn’t pick me. I exhaled as I walked into the crowded building, my eyes scanning the patrons.

I knew who Mark was, and what he looked like, thanks to my sister. He wasn’t ugly, by any means. A middle-aged man with salt and pepper colored short hair. He was clean-shaven and dressed casually. Nice jeans with a buttoned-up shirt. When I spotted him, I thought about just leaving, turning, and walking away but knew that would do nothing but cause my sister to give me a lecture.

He sat alone at a table near the bar, a glass of what I assumed was alcohol in front of him. He brought his gaze up to meet mine. A wide smile pulled across my lips with a nod of acknowledgment. This was it, I thought. With a slow stride through the crowded tables, he stood and greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. It felt okay; I tried to assure myself.

“You look great.” His voice was deep, his accent thick for that area.

“Thank you,” I replied with a scoff. Was I supposed to tell him the same? “You look good too,” I added as he pulled out my chair.

“Thank you.” He replied with a swift movement across the table. I could do this, no matter how awkward I felt. I needed to do this, I repeated in my mind. “Would you like something to drink?” He paused with a chuckle at his question. “I mean, something adult.” He was nervous. I could hear it in his voice.

“Just water, thank you.” Mark lifted his arm and signaled for the waitress. After a quick order of my drink and a reorder of his, he returned his attention to me.

“So, your sister said you were thinking of living here full time.” I laughed at his first statement. Right out the gate, I thought.

“Um, well.” I cleared my throat. “I mean, I like it here, but I’ve not made my mind up on how long I’m staying.” He nodded his head at the return of our waitress. With a swift order of our food, both of us with the seafood platter, we began a simple conversation.

That’s what it was. Back and forth, we spoke of small topics. My past job and my lack of current. His job and schooling. My schooling. He had told me he was once married but insisted more detail was a second date topic, not a first. Mark wasn’t a bad date. He held a steady conversation, had a good sense of humor, and was easy on the eyes. Yet, I couldn’t get past the fact he wasn’t Rowland.

“Your sister tells me you ran into a little trouble on your way here.” My gaze lifted to him at his statement. What had my sister not told this man?

“I, uh, I got caught in a blizzard. Not sure I would call it trouble.” Mark finished his drink with a nod at my reply.

“Wasn’t it someplace in Ohio?” I shook my head, my gaze lowered.

“Kentucky,” I replied. “Muddy Waters, Kentucky,” I added in a soft tone.

The remainder of the date went smoothly. We had further small talk before we made our way to the dock that stood just beyond the restaurant. The night felt warm, considering it was still Winter. Bells on the buoys not far from the dock chimed with the movement of the water while we moved to the end.

“You didn’t want to come on this date, did you?” Mark asked with a soft tone, his lips curled into a grin as I glanced over at him. “It’s okay, I understand.”

“I’m sorry. Just not sure I’m ready to get into the dating pool.” I admitted.

“Your sister said there was a guy in that town you were stranded in.” I was going to kill my sister, I thought. With a scoff, I made my way to the railing, my forearms pressed against the thick wood, my gaze set on the darkness of the sea before us.

“Yeah. At least I thought there was.” I glanced down as he stood beside me.

“What happened?” He asked, my head snapped toward him.

“Do you want to know?” He chuckled with a nod at my question.

“We might not be destined to be together, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.” His answer made me feel comfortable. For the first time since I walked into the restaurant, I felt as though the pressure was no longer on my shoulders.

“He didn’t want me to stay,” I answered, with a turn made my way to a nearby bench, Mark right behind me.

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