The Reluctant Bride. Kathryn Alexander

      “We've already started, Micah. Let's see where it goes.”

      Down a dead-end street. That's where it would lead them. But with this man, Micah suspected, it would be an interesting journey.

      “You're the one who will regret this,” she offered quietly, truthfully.

      “Tomorrow night We'll discuss this reluctance of yours over a meal. Then we'll decide whether or not it's valid. Fair enough?”

      “You're a hard man to argue with,” Micah agreed with mixed emotions.

      “I chose the right profession, didn't I?” Rob stated more than asked.

      Micah cringed. Could he have possibly said anything worse?

      Rob hesitated for a moment, standing just outside her door. “Thank you for tonight.”

      Micah smiled and nodded. He was welcome, and he knew it.

      Then he offered only a quiet “Good night,” and Micah watched him walk through the moonlit courtyard.

      “You had dinner with him last night and you're going out again tonight?” Carole shrieked, and Micah held the telephone receiver away from her ear until Carole quieted down.

      “Don't get too excited. We're going out to dinner and then we're going to discuss why we can't see each other anymore,” Micah said as she stared into the mirror above the telephone and applied blush to her cheekbones. “I've got to finish getting ready, Carole. He'll be here by six-thirty and I'm not ready. Could I call you later?”

      “You'll be too busy to call me.” Carole giggled. “Forget that nonsense about not seeing him anymore. Hang on to this guy, Micah.”

      “Carole—”

      “What is it with you and lawyers, anyway?”

      Micah froze, makeup brush in her hand. “Why do you say that?”

      “That's it, isn't it? There's no other reason not to be crazy about him,” Carole responded sharply. “I know you don't like to talk about your past, but it's ridiculous to let Rob slip away because of something that happened years ago.”

      “Carole, if you—”

      “So you've been hurt by someone. Big deal! Who hasn't?”

      “That was a long time ago, and it's not the only reason.”

      “Was the other guy a lawyer, too? Do you not trust any attorneys?”

      Micah remained silent for a few seconds, remembering. “He was a college student.” Her voice softened as she spoke, and she studied her frowning expression in the mirror. “I really don't want to get into this.”

      “Maybe you need to talk about it. If not with me, with someone. I remember what happened when you dated Scott. Remember him?”

      The government teacher. They dated for several weeks, until he was accepted to law school.

      “The minute he started taking night classes, you stopped seeing him. And now Rob, how could you not like him…but you won't let it happen!”

      Micah's grip tightened on the receiver, Saying goodbye to Scott had been easy, even after several weeks of dating. But Rob… She had spent only a few hours with him, and yet…

      “Nothing is going to happen if you don't let me get ready for my date.” Micah attempted to speak in a lighthearted manner.

      “Okay, okay. I'll shut up, but think about what you're doing. Think about Rob. About the present, the future, not the past!”

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

       Chapter Four

      “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.