Passion in James County XII
The Widow
By D.C. Roi
Chapter ten
Brian surprised Fran by showing up at her office just before the end of the business day. He was pleased to see the smile on her face and the way her eyes brightened when she saw him. "I hope you don't mind that I'm a bit early," he said.
Fran smiled. "Hi, Brian," she said. "I'm not at all upset. I finished early, too. I was just about to call you."
"You know, my dear!" Brian said, "You look fabulous in that outfit!"
Fran felt herself blushing. Her dress was loose-fitting and made of natural cotton. It had short sleeves and elastic at the neck and waist. She had a red cotton sash tied around her waist and a string of brown clay beads around her neck. The loose dress accentuated, rather than hid, her voluptuous figure. "Thank you, Brian," she said.
"Ready to go?" Brian asked.
Fran nodded. "Let me get my coat," she said. She got up and took her coat off the wooden coat tree just inside her door. Brian helped her slip it on, then they left.
Brian took her to a very nice restaurant. It wasn't overly fancy, but it was homey and comfortable. The proprietor, a short man, ruddy faced man, who spoke with an unusual accent, was apparently a friend of Brian's. He greeted them at the door and made a huge fuss over Fran after Brian made introductions. The owner's name was Ricardo.
"You are a very attractive lady, Miss Fran," Ricardo said. "I have been telling my friend, Brian, he needed to find a woman to help him get over his sadness." He smiled and shook his head. "Although I never dreamed he would find one such as you."
Fran felt her face getting very warm and knew she was blushing like crazy. "Ah...thank you," she replied. "You are too kind."
The owner took them to a table in a cozy corner. "Here you will have some privacy," he said, grinning. He handed them menus and lefty
"How was your day?" Brian asked.
Fran smiled across the table at him. "I had a hard time concentrating on my work. I kept thinking about you...and last night," she replied.
Brian smiled. "Do I have that much of an effect on you?" he asked.
Fran nodded. "Yes," she said softly. "You do."
"If that's the case I guess I don't need to worry about my sex appeal then, do I?" Brian said. "You are a tremendous boost to my self-image."
"Knock it off," Fran laughed. "You're doing as much for my self-image."
Her companion grinned and said, "I like the way you're packaged tonight."
"If you keep being this nice to me, maybe I'll let you unwrap the package later," Fran retorted.
"That's an interesting offer," Brian said. "A very interesting offer."
The meal came and they ate.
"Brian, this is incredible!" Fran exclaimed when she swallowed the first bite of her Salmon Ricardo, a house specialty he had recommended.
"It is, isn't it?" he replied. "I discovered this place years ago. It's one of the best kept secrets in town and I hope it stays that way."
"Secret or not, I don't know when I've ever had a better meal," Fran said.
They talked while they finished their meal. They were just about done when the owner emerged from the kitchen and bustled over to them. "Aha, my friends," he said. "Your meal was edible, I hope."
"It was fabulous," Fran said. "Tell your chef I think I'm in love with him."
Ricardo turned bright red.
Brian laughed. "Ricardo always cooks meals I order personally," he told a puzzled Fran.
"Is that true, Ricardo?" Fran asked.
The red-faced man gulped and nodded.
"Well," Fran said. She stood up and planted a kiss on the man's cheek.
"Ah, Miss Fran, you...you will give me a heart attack if you keep that up," the owner muttered. He turned and started for the kitchen and almost tripped over a chair in the process. Then he stopped and turned around. "I almost forgot," he said, hitting his head with the palm of his hand. "Ah, Miss Fran, you make me not able to think. Your dessert, it will be out in just a minute."
