Saving Forever - Part 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

ideas.”
    “Well you gave me next to nothing to work with so I’m using ever y angle to make your evening something you want.” She took a long sip of her red wine, embarrassed at her response and that her voice had risen. Elijah’s piercing blue eyes watched her intently but his face revealed nothing. “Sorry. It’s been a long, busy day and—”
    “You always get a tad snappy when you’re hungry.” Her father waved his hand. “Elijah, what do you think?”
    Charity glanced back and forth at the two men. She had three more possible locations. Her father had already made up his mind. He just didn’t want to admit he liked it. She knew her first choice would be a no. It had only been to throw the idea of having the gala in the hospital. Her father would have wanted to do that but it wouldn’t be the success it could be. The cheesy suggestion would turn off any thought of having it there. The other possibilities were, well, possibilities. The diamond heritage would be very classy and right up her father’s alley.
    Elijah folded his hands on the table. His long fingers and smooth fingernails looked tanned against the white of the table cloth. “As much as I would love to experience an American prom, I believe the Diamond place is more suitable for your birthday.”
    Charity smiled. “Agreed. What about you, Dad? I also have some other ideas.”
    The waitress arrived with their dinners and set their orders in front of them.
    “In lieu of your snap turning into a roar, I settle for the Diamond thing as well.” Her father set his napkin on his lap.
    Inhaling the delicious aroma of roast chicken, Charity felt giddy. Possibly from the wine, the hunger, or getting her dad to agree to the location, she elbowed him lightly. “Wonder where I get that from?”

 
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
     
    They ate their meal with light conversation, Elijah and her dad doing most of the talking. They discussed hospital issue s and a number of upcoming surgeries. A sense of wistful dreaming filled Charity. She had chosen to drop out of medical school and had absolutely no regrets, but that didn’t mean she didn’t miss it. For one millisecond she wondered if she had stayed, graduated and become a doctor, would she be sitting at this table talking with them about upcoming surgeries and post op procedures?
    She poured her second glass of wine of the evening and glanced around as she savoured her first sip. The lights had dimmed and the crowd had changed to a slightly younger generation. The bar was getting busy and the noise level had risen a few notches.
    “… You two stay, finish the wine. I’ll go and pay the bill.”
    Charity blinked and focused back on the conversation at the table. Her father stood and rested his fingers a slight moment on her shoulders as he stepped past her.
    “Can you come by the hospital tomorrow or do you have an early return?”
    She nodded. Her flight didn’t leave until one p.m. “I can stop by. No problem. Thanks for dinner tonight.”
    “My pleasure. It was good to see you.” He turned to Elijah. “You’ll walk her to her car?” When Elijah nodded he added, “I’ll see you at the hospital shortly.”
    She shifted in her seat so she could watch her father leave. He walked straight, smiled pleasantly at the hostess as he paid the bill and disappeared out the door, never turning back to wave or glance at them. Her lips pressed tightly down. The next six months were going to be a challenge. How her mother stayed happily married to the man was beyond her understanding.
    “What is it with the two of you?” Elijah’s husky voice broke through her thoughts.
    Darn that accent is sexy. He’s gotta know it. Charity picked up her wine glass and took a sip. He’d probably prefer to talk about himself than the un-comings and lack of goings between her father and her. “You’re from Australia, right?”
    “ New Zealand,” he corrected.
    “What made you decide to come to America?”
    Elijah