Love's Road Home Read Online Free PDF Page B

pulled out a chair for Beth, leaning close to breathe in the subtle fruity remnants of her quick shower. He took his time pushing her chair back into place before taking a seat opposite her. A companionable silence surrounded them while they perused the menus.
    "Would you like some wine?" he asked.
    Beth glanced up and shook her head. "No thanks. It would only make me more tired than I already am. But you can go ahead and order it if you want some."
    "No, I’m fine with a tall glass of milk."
    "Milk?" The incredulous look on Beth’s face conveyed her disbelief.
    "Of course," Tom insisted. "Salad, meat, and potatoes was the standard dinner in my household growing up, with a cold glass of milk to wash it all down. It does a body good, you know." He grinned, wondering how she’d respond to his last comment.
    "You must’ve drunk gallons of it, then," she mumbled beneath her breath.
    "What was that?" he asked innocently.
    "Nothing. I’m just deciding what I want for dinner," Beth lied.
    "Okay." Tom let the fib pass since he already knew Beth was as attracted to him as he was to her. His problem was getting her to admit it.
    The waitress returned to collect their menus and take their dinner orders. Just as he’d said he would, Tom ordered a large milk along with his prime rib and baked potato. Beth ordered a steak and shrimp combo plate and a diet soda. Tom returned his gaze to Bethany ’s face as they were left alone once again, intent on discovering more about her.
    "So. Tell me something about yourself. You learned quite a bit about me from our conversations, but I still know next to nothing about you. What was your childhood like? What’s your favorite color? Your favorite ice cream flavor? Come on," Tom cajoled. "Give me something to work with."
    Beth lifted her water glass and took a sip. Then she replied with a small smile, " Forest green and chocolate. How about you?"
    "Light blue, like your eyes, and strawberry. But don’t try to turn it back to me. What’re your favorite movie and book?"
    They spent the rest of dinner trading innocuous tidbits of information. Having noticed right away how Beth ignored his question about her childhood, Tom decided not to ruin the mood by pressing the issue. He was interested in any information she wanted to disclose about herself, but he wasn’t going to truly understand her without more in-depth sharing … and it appeared that would have to wait for a later time.
    •
    By the time they were finishing their coffee and pecan pie, Beth felt better. The lethargy that had consumed her earlier seemed to have dissipated. Tom’s presence always energized her, which raised concern. She didn’t want to feel anything special when she was around him. She just wanted to do her job and get through each day as peacefully as possible.
    Beth knew Tom was curious about her. He had tried various times during dinner to draw her into a more intimate conversation, but she’d always backed off, keeping to general topics. It’s not that she was trying to be mysterious or tease him in any way. She simply wanted to avoid discussing any painful and humiliating incidents in her life. And there seemed to be too many of them, especially recently.
    "So. Be honest. Do you really want to go back to the RV now? Or do you want to check out some of the local scene?" Tom’s smooth voice interrupted her thoughts and drew her gaze back to his face. He hadn’t shaved since that morning, and his five-o’clock shadow served to accentuate the handsome masculine features beneath. The soft candlelight reflected in his deep brown eyes as he awaited her answer.
    "Well, I hate to admit it since you seem awfully sure of yourself, but I wouldn’t mind going out for a while. Nothing too physical, though. I have muscle aches in places I’d never dreamed. Maybe a short walk along the riverbank?"
    "I have a better idea. Something more fun."
    Beth narrowed her eyes and asked, "This does involve staying in a public place,