“The Landing is a restaurant about ten miles south of here. It’s out in the middle of nowhere, but the food is great. Sound good?”
“Sounds fine.” Maddy folded her hands in her lap and tried to relax.
The awkward and unusual silence continued as they drove along, Maddy unwilling to look at John, and both of them acutely aware of the fact that they were on a date. When they did speak, their conversation was stilted, as though it had been a week since they’d seen each other, and not just a few hours. After a while, Maddy asked about refinishing the floors, and they eventually fell into easy conversation over house repair.
The restaurant, built on a large dock over the water, was a gray, boxy building, which looked rather unremarkable from the outside. Maddy felt a little twinge of disappointment as they walked through the gravel parking lot. Was she overdressed? She had envisioned something a little nicer for their first real date.
John opened the door to the restaurant, and they walked into a different world, both elegant and inviting. The host led them to a cozy table in the corner, where John pulled Maddy’s chair out for her. He smiled as he sat down across from her.
“This is wonderful!” Maddy exclaimed. “It looks… a little different inside.”
“It is deceiving,” John admitted. “I’ve often wondered why they don’t work on their curb appeal. The food is delicious, and the atmosphere, once you get inside, is very nice.” He shrugged. “I suppose it’s kind of like a little secret for the folks who live around here.”
“Thanks for letting me in on it.”
“You’re welcome.”
She sighed happily. “So, how was work today?”
John laughed. “Brutal. You should see the place I’m trying to restore. And the owner,” he rolled his eyes, Maddy-style.
She laughed. “A real piece of work, huh?”
“Yeah,” he said affectionately.
The server came to their table and John ordered wine and a stuffed mushroom appetizer.
“I thought you didn’t like mushrooms,” Maddy reminded him. “In fact, I recall it causing considerable conflict when I requested them on my pizza.”
“These are different – they’re stuffed with seafood. It’s about the only way I can take them. Some things you just don’t put on pizza,” he finished with feeling.
“I got that message loud and clear.”
“My boys take good care of me.”
“You’re a lucky man.”
“Yes, I am.”
Maddy looked across the room at the dimly lit bar where the server picked up their wine. Images of her former life flashed before her, exclusive bars and lounges… She found that she didn’t miss that part of her life at all. She came out of her reverie as the server approached, set their glasses on the table, and quietly left.
Maddy took a deep breath and tasted her wine. “This is nice.” She looked around the room again. “So, how did you find this place?”
“Frank told me about it,” John answered, taking in the room himself. “I’m not sure where he heard about it. I’ve been out here a few times over the last couple of years, and it’s always been good.”
The waiter came by and left some rolls and butter on the table, promising to be back with their appetizer.
“It seems like you’re a little more careful about what you drink than your sister is,” John observed.
“I’m not sure that’s saying much,” said Maddy, taking another sip of her wine and wondering if she was disproving his theory. She was thirsty. “I enjoy a glass of wine, but I don’t like losing my sense of control.”
“That’s probably smart.”
Maddy began to relax a little. “I think it’s especially important in dating situations.”
“Yeah?”
“Somebody’s got to keep things under control.”
“And that job falls to you?”
“It always has.” Another sip.
“I see.”
John thought Maddy seemed more carefree tonight; maybe the wine was helping. He watched her lightly butter a roll and then put it back on her plate. She sipped her wine again.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you now,” she continued, sitting back and swirling her wine gently in her glass.
“Why is that?”
“Well, you kissed me,” she reminded him, smiling.
“Yes, I did,” he smiled back.
She leaned forward in her chair. “And you’re really good at it.”
He grinned. She was definitely unwinding; he’d have to get her to eat something. “Thanks – so are you.”
“Well, it makes me a little nervous.”
“Does it?”
“It’s new territory for us.”
John liked the new territory. “And?”
She leaned back again and ran her finger around the edge of her glass. It started to ring. “So, who keeps things under control?”
John considered the question. “We both do.”
Maddy looked at him doubtfully. “You’re going to help?”
“Of course.”
“That’s not the model I’m familiar with.” Another sip.
“Which is…”
“We spar, you advance, I retreat…”
“Why do you retreat?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Why do you advance?”
John smiled and sipped his own wine. He could think of a few reasons. “I won’t.”
Once again, Maddy looked doubtful.
“Not too much,” John qualified.
“How do you know?”
“I’ve already decided.”
“You have?” She looked surprised. “When?”
“A long time ago.”
She smiled demurely. “We haven’t known each other that long, John.”
He grinned back, enjoying the sound of his name on her lips. “Well, Maddy, I made the decision before I met you.”
Sitting back in her chair, she regarded him. “What, exactly, did you decide? Or shouldn’t I ask?” A look of hesitation crossed her face. “Maybe this isn’t first-date conversation.”
John smiled. “I don’t think this is a typical first date.”
“No, I don’t suppose so.”
“I decided,” he paused, “to proceed carefully in relationships.”
“Was that a plural?”
He smiled. “In the general sense. It’s singular right now.”
“That’s good news.”
“I'm glad you think so.”
She thought for a moment. “Have you always been this way?”
“Which way is that?”
“Hmmm,” she sipped her wine for courage. This was touchy territory. “So controlled. I mean, I know you’re controlling. I’ve seen you boss everyone around my house,” she rolled her eyes, and then leaned forward again. “I mean, have you always been able to control yourself so well?”
“I think it’s important to be controlled in certain areas.”
“So, in this particular case,” Maddy couldn’t believe she was pushing this. “In the area of… intimacy,” she continued delicately, “you didn’t…?”
He looked at her thoughtfully, waiting, and then finally saved her. “No.”
She sat back. “Until, of course…”
“Obviously.”
“And then,” here she had the decency to turn a lovely shade of pink. “Not… anymore?”
He sat back and sipped his wine. “Not anymore.”
“Wow.”
You are beautiful. “It really isn’t supposed to be so shocking.”
“Well, it kind of is. The pressure out there is pretty overwhelming.”
“No doubt,” he agreed.
“You’re making it very difficult for me to assign you a typical male stereotype.”
“Thanks?”
“It’s just that nobody thinks that way, anymore.”
“Do you?” his tone was slightly earnest.
“Basically.”
<
br /> “Basically?”
She was a little uncomfortable when the spotlight turned on her. “I do,” she answered softly, “but no one else does.”
“I think there are plenty of us who still do.”
“That’s comforting, I guess. I’ve always felt alone.”
“Well, you’re not.” That much he knew.
“So you’re not worried about us?”
“Not at all.” This was actually not true.
“You’re sure we’ll behave?”
“Absolutely.” That was way more confident than he felt.
She sat back in her chair and tilted her head. “You’re not even tempted a little?”
“I’m tempted a lot. Please don’t look at me that way.”
She laughed quietly and leaned forward. “What if I’m not sure …”
“Not sure of what?”
“If I’ll behave?” She gave him a beguiling smile.
John sipped his wine, thinking that he should probably take a nice long walk on the beach – alone. Maybe throw himself in the water. “Maybe you’ve had too much wine.”
“I’ve had half a glass,” she protested. She looked down. “Okay, maybe a little more. Anyway, it’s not the wine. It’s you.”
John shifted. “I told you I’d do my part.”
She smiled. “I hope I can do mine.”
“I hope so, too.” John leaned back in his chair, regarding her with a half-smile.
“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I might let my guard down.” There was that smile, again.
“I think it would be a really good idea if you didn’t.”
Her smile became playful. “Maybe you’re not so tough as you think?”
“I’m not as tough as I was five minutes ago. I think we should talk about something else. Do you like to fish?”
Dinner at the Landing was as delicious as the setting was unusual. John and Maddy took advantage of the opportunity to get to know more about each other as they enjoyed their meal. They talked about their families, their parents and siblings, over a bowl of lobster bisque. Spinach salad with cranberries and a light vinaigrette brought them through their college experiences, and shrimp scampi gave them the chance to discuss the various places they had traveled. Their professional pursuits were highlighted over tiramisu and cappuccino. By the end of the meal, they’d covered some significant territory. They were also ready for a walk.
The beach around the Landing wasn’t ideal for a stroll, so they decided to head back into Clairmont. They walked slowly through the parking lot, hand in hand, enjoying the clear, warm night, until the heel of Maddy’s shoe caught in the stones. She lost her balance, but John caught her against his side, and Maddy, feeling a little silly but grateful to be upright, thanked him.
“Once again, your reflexes are amazing,” she observed. “Thank you for keeping me out of the gravel.”
“You’re welcome,” John answered, happy to keep a firm hold on her as they neared his truck. When Maddy reached for the door handle, John covered her hand with his. She looked up at him.
“I can open the door, John, really I can. I may not be able to walk, but I can open a door.”
“Really?” he replied, pulling her fingers from the handle. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“John, should you be kissing my hand?”
“You’ve got a better idea?”
“What about the ban?” she persisted playfully. “Didn’t you ban kissing during our meeting Tuesday morning?”
John looked down at her and shook his head with a smile. “What ban?” he asked, clearly ignoring any such restriction, and keeping her from asking any more questions about it.
Other patrons leaving the restaurant had the unhappy effect of reminding them that they weren’t alone, and John reluctantly pulled away to open Maddy’s door. Once inside the truck, he turned to her with a smile, resting his arm along the back of the seat.
“So,” she reminded him as he drew close. “About that ban… When does it apply, exactly?”
John thought for a moment, enjoying their proximity. “Definitely during the work day. I won’t get anything done if I know that, at any moment, I can take a break and track you down, and …” It wasn’t necessary to explain further.
“That’s probably smart,” Maddy eventually agreed. She ran her fingers through the hair above his ear. “Can I do this?”
John cleared his throat. “I don’t think that was part of the ban.”
She smiled. “I’ve always wanted to touch these curls.”
“Always?”
“Well, not always. Maybe since you said, ‘My name is John, and I like your dog.’ ”
“Wow, that’s a long time,” he grinned at her.
Maddy sat back. “I’m being way too transparent here. I need to get back to being my mysterious self.”
John drew back and put the truck into gear. “I find your transparency very refreshing.”
The drive home seemed much shorter than the drive to the restaurant. With so much new ground covered over dinner, they had plenty of follow-up questions for each other: friends, hobbies, favorite books. The only subject they mutually avoided was their difficult past relationships.
John pulled onto Fremont Avenue in Clairmont and parked. They got out and walked, hand in hand, passing Checker’s ice cream place, now closed for the night. They continued down the street, and Maddy asked John about her furniture. How had he gotten it into her room? He told her he’d driven right up to the house with it that morning, while she’d been busy on her computer. Maddy thought the whole business was very sweet. They’d fight over how she’d pay for it, later.
Turning down another street, they passed one of the town’s other Bed & Breakfasts, Maplewood Inn. John asked Maddy if she had a name for her B&B yet.
“I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll call it ‘Maddy’s Inn,’ unless I’m out, of course,” she said with a smile.
They talked for a while about the house and upcoming projects, and eventually passed a small Baptist church. Maddy commented on the stained glass, and John talked a bit about the history of the building and the community. This conversation led to the subject of their own church, which was the oldest in town, and John asked how Maddy ended up attending.
She paused at his question; she didn’t really want to share her less-than-honorable motives, but what could she say?
“To be honest, I hadn’t been to church for a long time before I came to Clairmont.” She let that unsettling truth sink in before continuing. John nodded, waiting to hear more.
“I was just trying to develop some community contacts,” she confessed. She looked up at John. His grip on her hand hadn't changed, but his expression was unreadable as they walked along the dark street. “I guess God had other reasons for getting me into the church, and I’m really glad,” she squeezed his hand.
They walked for a few minutes in silence, and then John said, “He always knows what He’s doing, doesn’t He?”
They walked up the steps to her porch, and they could hear Burt whining inside. Maddy opened the door and greeted her dog, who seemed equally anxious to see John. They managed to step inside, and John took Maddy’s hands.
“I had a great time.”
“So did I,” she answered.
He leaned down to kiss her, and Burt began to whine again. John stopped. “Do you think he’s protecting you?” he asked, wondering if that might become a problem.
“Honestly, I think he’s protesting me,” Maddy said. “I think he wants your attention.” She looked up at John. “I guess you’ll have to choose.”
John looked at Burt, and then at Maddy.
“Take your time,” Maddy said, crossing her arms.
John took her face in his hands. He kissed her, moving his hands through her hair and around her ears, gently touching her earrings. “I like your ears better,” he said against her lips.
Maddy sighe
d and smiled. “You’d better go home before you get in any more trouble.”
“I’m in trouble?” John asked, sounding a lot like Parker.
“More than you know. Burt, you’re not going with him.” Maddy held her dog’s collar as John started back to the door.
John looked regretfully at Maddy. The evening was over, and her huge dog stood between them.
“So, when will I see you again?” They both knew it was a silly question.
“I don’t know,” Maddy replied. “I’m going shopping with Lin-da tomorrow.”
“That sounds like fun,” John sort of lied.
“It really should be. I’ve got a lot of rooms to fill,” Maddy looked around her bare entryway.
“Right, well,” John hesitated, then turned to leave. “I’ll see you soon.”
fourteen
Linda showed up early Saturday morning for their shopping date. They got down to business, walking through the house, discussing possible furniture formations and decorating ideas. Maddy was thrilled to find that Linda had many similar visions for her home. She wasn’t sure how she would have handled it if her new friend’s taste was vastly different from her own.
After discussing the kitchen, Linda walked into the fireplace room. “You’re going to want some sturdy, but comfortable furniture in here,” she thought aloud. “Maybe a couch right down the side here, so you can see both the fireplace and the windows, with big, overstuffed chairs by those windows facing the couch.”
Maddy nodded. It was a good solution for the problem inherent in having a fireplace on one side of the room and an incredible view on the other. “We could build some bookcases in that corner,” she pointed, “and keep books, puzzles and games there.”
“Great idea,” Linda agreed.
Maddy couldn’t wait to get started. “Did you happen to bring a newspaper?”
“It’s in the car.”
By late morning, the women had conquered every yard sale in the area, and had a truckload of treasures to prove it. Maddy was especially delighted with a headboard that she’d found, with a tall, graceful dresser to match. Linda’s most exciting find was an elegant étagère, and Maddy made note of the proper name for what was essentially a corner display cabinet. The price was a little high, but Linda convinced her that the piece was unique and would be perfect for the parlor. They picked up several end tables and a blue leather recliner for the fireplace room, and three mismatched but interesting wooden chairs. Eclectic, Maddy reminded herself. It’s part of the charm.
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