A Modern Day Persuasion (9 page)

Arriving at the restaurant, the Maitre d’ helped show the party to their seats. Rick, with the prompting of Clara, had also invited his sister and Admiral Croft since the Musgrove’s were eager to meet his family upon learning they were in town visiting Rick.

The large group was more eager to talk rather than order, and consequently they delayed in making their food selections. By the time their dinner finally arrived, Anne was
famished! She had to keep reminding herself to eat slowly— no way did she wish her eating habits to be a topic of discussion for Rick later!

Mary looked around the popular and trendy restaurant packed with people. It had been rated one of the best restaurants in town, known for its amazing Baby Back Ribs and gourmet salads. “How on earth were you able to get a table here on a Friday night and with such short notice?” Mary asked her mother-in-law.

Clara smiled appreciatively in the direction of the Croft’s. “Oh, it wasn’t me! At first I couldn’t get in! But when I told the Croft’s where I’d hoped to go, they managed to somehow secure a reservation!”

Admiral Croft smiled. “I have to confess my wife used some clout…she promised the manager an autographed copy of Rick’s latest novel. It worked wonders as you can see,” he said while looking at his wife with a twinkle in his eye. Louise, Etta, and Mary all emitted suitable sounds to indicate how impressed they were before returning their attention to Rick.

“What made you become an author?” inquired Louise.

“Therapy,” Rick answered bluntly. “It was an inexpensive way to help me deal with a difficult time in my life.” Rick’s eye momentarily caught Anne’s and she blushed, wondering if he was making a reference to their previous relationship. “I found writing to be a helpful outlet…plus, as comes with serving in the Navy, I had a lot of free time at sea, so I just let my imagination run loose. This summer my fourth novel will be released. If I’d known how lucrative writing could be, I’d have started sooner. Speaking of which, this dinner is on me in return for your kind hospitality.”

“Rick, that’s not necessary,” Charles said in close unison with Mr. Musgrove who seconded the sentiment.

Rick, refusing to be deterred, stated with resolution, “Please…I insist. It would be my pleasure.”

Knowing it was pointless to argue further, generous thanks ensued from everyone.

“Rick, tell us about your Navy days. What ship were you stationed on?” Etta asked.

Picking up his water glass, Rick settled back into his chair, prepared to reminisce. “I was stationed on a cruiser nicknamed the Asp.” Rick took a sip from his drink.

“Why the nickname of Asp?” Louise inquired, asking the question on everyone’s mind.

Admiral Croft interjected, “Because she was a big pain in the Asp,” he chuckled. “I remember that ship well, quite worn out and on its last leg. Rick was part of the final crew to take her out. Hardly fit for service then.”

“Did being in the military help you come up with some of the settings in your novels?” Mrs. Musgrove asked.

“Yes. The Navy provided me with the opportunity to travel quite a bit. Plus, the military libraries allowed me to include a lot of historical research. Good thing I enjoy doing both. I usually try to write from a new location for each novel. It helps to not only inspire me, but keeps me busy as well,” replied Rick.

Anne sat spellbound as she listened. In the past, she found Rick to be an interesting man, but now time had only served to add to his intrigue. In all the years since dating Rick, she had yet to encounter a man who compared to his personality, character, and fascination.

“But there is a short coming to that,” Mrs. Croft warned, “You see, with nothing to tie Rick down, there’s no reason for him to stay in one place very long. Although this makes for good novel writing, it’s not conducive for family life. I mean, how is Rick ever to meet someone?”

The Admiral gave a merry laugh. “You’re in for it now, my boy!”

“Without a wife, a man soon wishes to be on the go again,” Mrs. Croft said with a pointed look in Rick’s direction.

Rick immediately picked up on it. “Oh, no! Here it comes again!” he said teasingly. “I’m getting out of here before my sister begins her inquisition on why I’m not married and how she wants me to settle down!”

Mrs. Croft sent Rick a challenging look, adding, “And right I should.”

Using a flirtatious voice, Etta unexpectedly spoke up. “I’ll rescue you,” she suggested and Rick looked slightly alarmed. “Oh…I didn’t mean…please don’t look so worried!” Etta continued, blushing. “I’m just talking about an escape to the dance floor!”

Rick smiled with relief, “Great idea!” He was glad of the offer as it allowed him an excuse to flee from his sister’s awkward probing. Etta stood and Rick took her extended hand, leading her to the dance floor. Anne watched as jealousy seized her emotions.

Just then Etta’s boyfriend, Chuck Hayter, walked through the restaurant doors. The Maitre d’ pointed him in the direction of their party and spotting Louise’s familiar face, Chuck made his way over to them. Louise couldn’t hide her surprise at seeing him and glanced nervously towards the dance floor.

Chuck greeted Louise and the rest of the group. “Your mom mentioned earlier that you all might be here,” he explained.

Louise politely made introductions, motioning to each in their party. “Admiral and Mrs. Croft; Anne; this is Chuck Hayter, a close family friend.”

Chuck was a cute but clumsy guy. He had all the right looks, yet unfortunately lacked a strong presence—but he adored Etta, and she seemed to like him too which was enough to endear him to the family.

“Where’s Etta?” Chuck asked Louise. This time Chuck followed Louise’s gaze just in time to see a laughing and flirtatious Etta on the dance floor with Rick. Chuck looked hurt, and rightly so.

Almost as if she sensed his injured gaze, Etta stopped dancing and looked over to where Chuck stood, seeing him crushed. Chuck stared at Etta with an accusing look, then turned to leave, his hurt quickly being supplanted with anger. Rick glanced between the two, swiftly connecting the dots while noting Etta’s anxious face as she watched the young man storm out of the restaurant.

Chapter 16

The fact that Rick was an author somehow made Anne feel more like a stranger to him than the girl he had once asked to marry. Back when they were together, Rick was content to remain a lifeguard at the swim and tennis club. To think he had joined the Navy and became a writer! It made Anne feel the length of their separation like never before. She only wished she could have been part of that season and been able to witness Rick becoming the man he was today.
But what if we hadn’t separated? Would he have pursued this course of life
? This question plagued her. Although she was happy for him, it also hurt to think he was able to accomplish these things without her.

She was extremely curious about his life, enough so that Anne found herself the following day entering a small local bookstore in pursuit of one of Rick’s books. Making her way towards the fiction section, a female employee walked up to her.

“Can I help you find something?”

“Yes, thank you. I’m looking for a book by Rick Wentworth,” Anne answered.

“Oh! I adore his novels! They say he’s the next Hemingway,” the employee gushed. “Which book are you wanting?” The girl scanned the shelf quickly and pulled out Rick’s first two books. She handed them in fast succession to Anne who was only allowed seconds to briefly look at them.

When the store clerk handed her the third and last book, Anne answered, “I really don’t know which to choose. Any recommendations?”

“Oh yes!” the employee grabbed the book from the bottom of the stack and placed it on top. “This is his first book and my absolute favorite! Obviously people agree with me ‘cause they’re making it into a movie!” Impressed, Anne looked at the cover and turned it over to read the book’s synopsis. The clerk continued, “It’s set back in the late 1700s… or mid 1800s…I can’t remember exactly, but anyway…it’s about a man who’s madly in love with this girl but, tragically her father disapproves.” Anne looked up, startled. The girl continued, “She’s from a very ‘snooty’ family who tells the guy to get lost. So, the man joins the British Naval Fleet, thinking that being at sea will—”

“Excuse me, miss…” an intruding customer interrupted. The employee turned to assist the other customer. Anne took advantage of the break to study further Rick’s other novels.

After the clerk was done, she turned back to Anne. “Anyway, it’s so beautiful…sad, but still terribly romantic.” The employee stared off into space and sighed. “I hear he’s in town. I would love to run into him. I have this fantasy that if he ever met me, I might inspire his next book.”

Anne smiled awkwardly upon observing the employee’s enraptured state.
Good grief,
thought Anne.
Do all the young ladies swoon over him like this
?
It appears I’ll need to read his books and find out what all the hoopla is about
!

Unfortunately, Anne’s work took priority to that of reading, especially after she had just shelled out nearly eighty dollars for the three books. That meant Anne had to buckle down to keep some revenue coming in. Sitting cross-legged on the ground later that afternoon, Anne was surrounded by her artwork and engaged in conversation with Carol on the phone. “Did you get that design I sent yesterday?” Anne asked.

Carol, back at her desk in Portland, Oregon, began shuffling through Anne’s designs to locate the sketches just sent. Finding them, she answered, “Yes, and I like them. However, what would you say to changing the tint to two different shades of pink rather than the blue?” Carol suggested, setting one of them aside. “Pink is really in right now.”

Anne picked up her copy of that particular design from the floor to consider the alteration. “I guess so, but I don’t know if it will look as good.”

“Well, see what you can do and send the revision to me by tomorrow if you can.” Carol turned in her chair to look out the window, and added on a more personal note, “How have you been holding up?”

Anne paused. “I’m doing okay.”

“And…” prompted Carol, knowing her god-daughter all too well.

Anne responded resolutely. “I think you were right; Rick has moved on. I just need to do the same.” It hurt Anne to admit it, but voicing it aloud, and to another person, was the first step to recovery.

Carol shared the same opinion. “It’s for the best.”

Anne nodded. “Yeah…” Although her mind was in agreement, Anne just wished she could get her heart to comply.

After the phone call with Carol, Anne moved her work downstairs so that she could spend some time with the boys. Mary came into the room to find Anne wedged between Little Charlie and Nicholas, both of whom were coloring.

“Anne, the girls and I are all going on a hike. I want you to come, too.”

Anne disagreed. “Mary, I’m right in the middle of something. Besides, who’ll watch the boys?”

“Clara said she’d watch them. Please, if you don’t come, I’ll be bored to death with Louise and Etta.”

Anne got up begrudgingly, still resistant. “Where are we hiking to anyways?” she asked.

Mary looked at Anne as if she were having a blonde moment. “Does it really matter? Good grief! We live in beautiful Eastern Oregon…up some hills, I don’t know.”

Anne tried one more half-hearted attempt to wriggle out of it. “But I don’t have anything to wear.”

“I’ll lend you something. There! No more excuses!”

Anne succumbed and followed Mary to the master suite for some hiking apparel.

Chapter 17

Etta and Louise diligently stretched while Mary tried to fix her wind-tousled hair. Anne was unable to do either of these tasks. She felt too self-conscious and saw faults in herself that others didn’t see. The biker shorts her sister loaned her were extremely tight and Anne was sure every cellulite dimple was exposed for the world to see. Raising her arms was no good either, for it exposed her midriff, and although still reasonably trim, it wasn’t Anne’s favorite feature to show off.

“Hey, isn’t that Charles and Rick up ahead?” Mary said, shading her eyes. With horror, Anne watched the two approaching joggers. “Yes, it is!” Mary confirmed.

Anne’s grimaced, recalling her appearance.
Great,
she thought,
Another time he can say how bad I look.

“Hello there! What are you ladies up to?” Charles asked as the men came to a stop beside them.

“We’re going on a hike. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like,” Mary said.

Charles agreed, “Actually a hike sounds much more fun than jogging. What do you say Rick?” he asked, turning to Rick.

“Count me in,” Rick answered without hesitation.

“Oh, no,” Anne mumbled.
Well, after seeing me in this getup, Rick will probably be thanking his lucky stars we didn’t end up together,
she mused.

Before Anne could object or try to escape, the party began heading onwards with her in tow. Despite the slight chill in the air, Anne took off her sweater and tied it around her hips which provided some rear and mid-drift coverage. Although this somewhat mollified her mortification, she still felt exposed and uncomfortable.