Convince Me (Holton Series #1) (9 page)

“I can pay my own way, Steven,” she
said in a controlled voice barely hiding her anger.  “Don’t ever think
otherwise.”

The pause was longer this
time.  Anna took a deep breath and unclenched her fist.  Just a few
minutes before, she had decided not to compare Steven to her father but she did
it again just now.  She opened her mouth to apologize but he answered
first.

“Okay, I won’t.  If you don’t
want to eat at Reunion Tower, just say so.”

“No, that’s fine,” Anna said
sharply.

“Fine,” Steven retorted.  “Is
five-thirty alright?”

“Yes.”

“Fine,” he said again before
abruptly ending the call.

Anna rested her head against the
wall and sighed.  She had blown that one.  Now, Steven was angry and
Anna couldn’t really blame him.  She had been acting childish but he
reminded her so much of her father.  Her father had not worried about
money.  He made decisions without consulting anyone and wanted to control
every situation.

Walking across the kitchen to rinse
her cup at the sink, Anna realized she owed Steven an apology.  His call
had been designed to help her.  By telling her where they were dining,
Steven had been giving her the information she needed to plan her
wardrobe.  Anna shook her head as she walked back to the bedroom. 
She had to get her emotions under control.

She spent the afternoon rearranging
her apartment and organizing her closets.  Although she had finally
unpacked everything, she wasn’t happy with the location of the furniture. 
By the time she was finished, Anna had worked out all the tension.  She
was even looking forward to her evening with Steven.

After a long, leisurely bath, Anna
carefully fixed her hair and makeup.  She wore one of her favorite
dresses.  It was navy blue and closely fitted her figure enhancing her
tiny waist.  The color flattered her complexion and after fastening her
mother’s pearls, Anna stepped back from the mirror knowing she looked her best.

Anna grabbed a light coat from the
closet and wandered into the living room.  Glancing at the clock, she
realized she was ready twenty minutes early.  She sat on the couch and
tried to read a magazine.  Unable to concentrate, she rose and began
pacing the floor.  When she noticed what she was doing, Anna began to
laugh.  She was nervous and it surprised her.  It had been a long
time since she had been nervous before a date.

Walking over to the small window
and looking out, Anna smiled.  She hadn’t dated in a long time either but
since moving to Holton she had two dates in less than two weeks.  Her
mother had been sick for a long time before she died and Anna hadn’t wanted to
leave her alone.  After she died, Anna had been so wrapped up in her grief
and then her move to Holton that she hadn’t had time for men.  Maybe
Steven had done her a favor after all.  He had snapped her out of her rut.

The doorbell rang and startled
her.  She looked at the clock.  It was five-thirty on the dot. 
Anna took a deep breath and wiped her hands on a towel before opening the door.

Steven filled the doorway and
silently gazed at her.  In his arms was a bouquet of flowers and he was
dressed in a dark suit and another flamboyant tie.  His eyes traveled from
her head down to her toes and back again.  When his gaze returned to hers,
he gave her his slow, gentle smile.  Anna felt the response deep inside
her and her body tingled.  Her nervousness slipped away as she opened the
door wider and he stepped in.

Smiling, he handed her the
flowers.  He hadn’t purchased the traditional roses but instead presented
her with gorgeous, long stemmed pink and white striped lilies.  Where he
had found them, Anna could not imagine but they were beautiful.

“Good evening,” Steven said. 
“You look wonderful.”

“Thank you,” Anna said shyly. 
She suddenly knew he was trying to impress her.  The fancy restaurant in
downtown Dallas and the beautiful flowers that must have cost a fortune were
signs of a man wanting to show a woman he was interested.  Anna was being
courted in the truest sense of the word.

She moved back to allow him to
enter the room before walking toward the kitchen.  “I will put these in
water.  They’re beautiful, Steve.  I love lilies and these are
exquisite.”

He had followed her into the
kitchen.  “I’m glad you like them.”

Steven glanced at the living
room.  “You’ve rearranged.”

“Yes,” Anna nodded.  “I wasn’t
happy with the way it was before.  What do you think?”                                                      

“It’s great.  It gives the
room more open space.  It makes it look larger.”

Anna pulled a large case from one
of the cabinets and began filling it with water.  She glanced at Steven
and saw that he was fiddling with his tie.  She hid a smile as she
realized that he was nervous too.  It made her feel better.

“I like your tie,” she said
breaking the silence.

Steven looked up then and grinned
sheepishly.  Anna could tell he was embarrassed.  “Thanks.”

“You know, Steve, I have never even
met Victoria.  She wouldn’t know you didn’t wear one of her ties.”

“I would know,” he said softly.

Anna stopped filling the vase and
looked at him.  He steadily returned her gaze.  His eyes were gentle
and serious.  Anna wondered if his family knew how much he loved
them.  For the first time since they met, Anna allowed herself to hope for
a future.  Any man who loved as much as Steven did was worth fighting
for.  Even if the person she was fighting was herself.

Anna quickly finished putting the
flowers in the vase and they left the apartment.  Steven took her arm as
they descended the stairs and led her to the car.  He opened her door and
helped her get in.  Anna knew she was being treated to a gallantry that
was rare in this day and age.  Leaning back in her seat, she decided to
enjoy every minute.

The drive to Dallas took almost an
hour.  There wasn’t much traffic until they reached the downtown
area.  Anna and Steven talked lightly most of the drive.  They had
discussed Steven’s trip to Seattle and Julie’s dinner party.  They talked
about the Carson’s anniversary party, which was to be held at Steven’s house on
Valentine’s Day.

“That’s not a problem for you?”
Anna asked.  Most men she knew wouldn’t have wanted a partly like that at
their home.

“No,” Steven replied.  “All I
have to do is supply the house.  Tori will do the rest.”

“Valentine’s Day,” Anna said. 
“That is a very romantic day to marry.”

Steven laughed.  “Actually, my
dad said he proposed at Christmas but Valentine’s was the earliest they could
make the arrangements.  My parents didn’t want to wait for the traditional
June wedding.”

Anna smiled thinking that it must
be wonderful to love someone that much.  By the time they had reached
their destination, Anna was relaxed and enjoying their evening.

After parking in a nearby parking
area, Anna reached for her door only to be stopped by Steven.  She turned
to look at him but he simply said, “Please wait.”

Surprised, Anna sat back in the
seat and waited.  Steven walked around the car and opened her door. 
He then offered her his hand.  Momentarily stunned at such an old fashioned
gesture, Anna just stared at him.  Steven waited patiently with a slight
smile on his face until Anna placed her hand in his.  He then helped her
from the car before shutting the door. Tucking her hand in his arm, they walked
slowly to the building.

Reunion Tower was a
561-foot
building with an observation deck, revolving restaurant, and lounge all located
in a huge sphere at the top of the building.  They were seated quickly and
efficiently near a window.  As they studied their menus, Anna looked around
the restaurant.  It was not yet crowed. 

“Do you know what you
want?” Steven asked a few minutes later.

“Yes.”

As if by magic, their
waiter appeared and they placed their orders.  Sitting back, Anna looked
out the window and was able to see downtown Dallas.  She turned back to
Steven with a grin.

He returned her
grin.  “Quite a sight, isn’t it?  The restaurant makes one completed
rotation every hour.”

“Really?”

Steven nodded.  “The first
time I remember coming here I was about twelve years old.  It was my
mother’s birthday and Dad thought it would be a nice place to bring her. 
Only he decided to bring us kids too, which was a mistake.  Mitch wanted
to know how the revolving mechanism worked and questioned everyone he could
find to tell him.  I don’t think he ever got a satisfactory answer. 
Victoria found a back way to the observation deck and disappeared for over an
hour.  We had the entire restaurant looking for her before Mitch finally
found her asleep on one of the benches.”

Anna laughed softly, hearing the
love in his voice.  “You get along well with your brother and sister,
don’t you?”

“I guess so,” he said with a
puzzled look.  “I mean we don’t fight anymore and I certainly miss them
but I sometimes wonder if I really know them.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know.  We are all so
different.  Victoria and Mitch make their living on the go.  They
seem so busy and, I guess, important.”

Victoria worked in advertising and
often travelled for her job and Mitch was a free-lance investigative reporter
who travelled all over the world gathering stories.  Anna had read his
work and had to admit she was quite impressed.

“I never wanted to leave Holton,”
Steven continued.  “Mitch never wanted to stay.  He couldn’t wait to
leave.  Victoria had wanted to live here at one time but overnight she
changed her mind and headed off to California.  I can’t imagine living
anywhere else.”

Anna smiled.  “Luckily you
don’t have to.”

Their food arrived and the
conversation became general.  The meal was delicious and the atmosphere
pleasant.  Anna found it very easy to talk to Steven.  She still
avoided the subject of her father and most of her childhood but she told him
things she had never told anyone else. 

The evening took on a magical air
and Anna let her guard down.  For one night, she would let go of her past
and just enjoy.  Relaxed and more content then she had ever been Anna knew
this would be an evening she would never forget.

#

It was a beautiful evening. 
The sun was setting in the western sky casting a golden glow over the
city.  Steven hardly noticed the splendid sunset.  He was watching
Anna.  She looked wonderful.  The blue dress fit her like a glove,
showcasing her curves and doing marvelous things for her complexion.  She
was more relaxed and happy in his company than she had ever been and it gave
him a deep feeling of contentment.

He had phoned Victoria in
California the night before and after teasing him for several minutes, his
sister launched into an elaborate plan.  She was full of ideas about how
to make it the most romantic evening Anna had ever experienced.  Steven
listened and then weeded out the ideas he was actually willing to use. 
Victoria had a vivid imagination.  He rejected the hot air balloon
ride.  It was too cold this time of year.  He also decided against
the overnight train ride to Chicago.  They both had to be at work the next
morning and Steven wasn’t really sure Anna would have gone along with that one.

However, the Reunion Tower
restaurant was a good idea and Steven was glad to see Anna enjoying
herself.  He was also having a great time.  So far everything had
been perfect.

The flowers had been a hit. 
He knew Anna had really liked them.  When Steven had mentioned flowers to
Victoria, she had dismissed the traditional red roses suggesting something a
little more exotic.  Steven had been willing but not knowledgeable. 
Fortunately for him, that was not a problem for his sister. 

“You know Tim Moreno, don’t you?” Victoria
had asked him.

“I think so.  He has that farm
out near Tanglewood Road, right?”

“Yes,” Tori replied.  “For a
living, he grows grain that he sells for cattle feed but he loves plants and
flowers.  He has this wonderful greenhouse where he grows lilies. 
All kinds of lilies.  It is the greatest place, Steve.  I’ll call him
tomorrow and you can go pick up some.  He sales them to friends. 
They will be perfect for your date.”

The next day, Steven was on his way
to the Moreno farm.  Mr. Moreno was a grizzled old man of few words but
Victoria had worked her magic and the man opened his greenhouse for
Steven.  His sister was correct.  Steven had never seen so many
lilies in one place.  Lilies of all kinds, sizes and colors.  With
help from Moreno, Steven picked the most beautiful flowers he could find.

Then Steven had planned the last
part of their evening.  He decided on a carriage ride through downtown
Dallas.  He knew there were several horse drawn carriages in the area and
with a little research and planning, he found out where they could be found at
what time.  Steven had enjoyed every minute of the day.  The only
blemish had been his phone call to Anna.

Victoria had warned him to tell her
where he was taking her so that Anna could dress appropriately or she wouldn’t
enjoy the evening.  Steven had seen the logic in her advice and had called
Anna right after he returned from the Moreno farm.  The conversation had
not gone well.  Steven didn’t know why the money issue had upset her but
now that their meal was ending, he wasn’t sure how to handle the situation.

The waiter place the bill on the
table next to him and Steven studied her for a moment.  He picked up the
tab and looked her straight in the eye.

“I know that our conversation this
afternoon discussed money but you are my invited guest and I would like to pay
for this meal.  Is that alright with you?”