Kathryn Alexander - The Reluctant Bride

“I'll call you later,” Micah replied before replacing the receiver. And she wondered… Today… tomorrow… Could they be separated from yesterday?

“I'm really not hungry enough for a steak,” Micah commented as she reviewed the menu. “I think I'll have a salad with the sourdough bread.”

“That's all?” Rob closed his menu.

“That's plenty,” she replied. She wouldn't mention how much she had snacked during the afternoon.

“All right, Miss Shepherd.” He studied her, looking at her that same way he had in his office the first time they met. As if he wanted to say something but wasn't certain it should be said.

“Have we taken a step backward in time that I'm not aware of and returned to the days of ‘Miss Shepherd’ and ‘Mr. Granston’?”

“No, but you've barely said a word since I picked you up, and you're dressed rather businesslike,” he answered from across the table, glancing at what was visible of the bittersweet-red suit and blouse of oyster white.

It had been a deliberate choice. Micah wanted to have a nice evening, but not too nice.

“You don't like what I'm wearing?” she asked, looking down at her clothes.

“Your outfit accomplishes its purpose,” he stated with the firm line of his mouth curving into a smile.

“So you don't like it?”

“Oh, but I do,” he responded. “It's very professional. If you're ever called upon to represent someone in court, I suggest you wear it.”

Micah's eyes sparked at the sound of his stinging words.

“Then I think it would be appropriate for a meeting with an attorney.”

“This is not a meeting with an attorney,” he replied quietly. “This is a date…a date with a man who is very much interested in you.” He looked away, toward the waiter who approached their table, before returning his gaze to her. “I'm wondering whether your distrust is of me personally or of all men in general.”

“Would the lady care for something from the bar, Mr. Granston?” The question from the waiter sliced into their discussion.

“No,” Rob answered without asking Micah. “Thank you, anyway, Henry.”

The waiter nodded and left them alone again.

“How did you know that I don't drink? You didn't ask.”

“You don't, do you?” Rob responded. “It wouldn't fit with your Christian view of things.”

“That's true, but why didn't the waiter offer to bring something for you? You've given up your Christianity.” Micah's words sounded harsher than she had meant them to.

“I'm in here a lot, and Henry knows I never order anything from the bar for myself,” Rob explained. “I have a brother-in-law who's an alcoholic, and, well, it's not a pretty picture, Micah.”

“Angela's husband?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yes,” he answered and smiled. “It seems I couldn't save my little sister from all of life's heartaches.”

“It was never your responsibility to do that in the first place,” Micah commented.

“Spoken like an only child,” he said quietly.

Rob's remark hurt more than Micah would admit. She slid her menu over to him, and he picked it up, putting it with his as their waiter approached to take their order.

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