A Woman in Search Of...

Elliott came to The Shade House the next day and took Wendy to lunch. She told him about the thievery. They discussed it for a while, but there wasn’t much to say until the accountant finished with all the receipts. Elliott shared his news too. He and a business acquaintance were headed for New York for a week to work on a design project for the front of an art museum.

“How exciting.”

“It is. Maybe we can go there together sometime.” He put his arms around her

shoulders and leaned over and kissed her.

The way he looked at Wendy made her sure of his devotion and love for her.

“I’d love it since I’ve never been.”

“The city that never sleeps,” he said.

They smiled at each other. They returned to the nursery and stood by his car.

“You goin’ to the Cove later?” Elliott asked

“I think so, why?”

“Maybe I’ll stop by.”

Wendy bubbled with excitement. “I’d like that.”

He gave her a quick kiss. “Good, see you later.”

Wendy stared as she watched him leave. His strong build with broad shoulders were a constant turn on. She considered how great it was that he stopped by to take her to lunch. She recognized he was truly a good person, and it gave her incredible excitement to know he wanted her in his life, just as she wanted him in hers.

Carol and Wendy discussed ordering new plants. Wendy wanted more variety of plants than the nursery already carried. They went through two new catalogues. They both offered many new varieties.

“This is great,” Wendy said as she read the plant descriptions out loud.

Carol added, “The regular customers will be so surprised to see so many different plants.” Together they marked the ones they liked best. Wendy went into the office, filled out the request form from each catalogue and prepped it for the mail. It made her so happy that house plants remained so popular.

Pirate’s Cove was quiet when she arrived that night. Sixteen people filled the four tables above the steps, and a few sat at the bar. She sat at the piano bar next to a woman she recognized from Hoffman’s. Wendy introduced herself and Stacey responded. They chatted a few minutes about how different this place looked compared to Hoffman’s. Wendy looked around, but Brad wasn’t there yet. Elliott arrived a few minutes later and sat on the other side of her. Wendy introduced him to Stacey.

Elliott said hi and turned to Wendy. “You look groovy in this outfit,” he said, looking her up and down.

“Glad you like it.”

Wendy wore a new pair of navy blue, hip hugger bell bottoms. Her top, a light green and powder blue paisley design, just hitting at her waist.

Brad came behind the piano bar, shook Elliott’s hand and said, “Hey,” to Wendy.

Cindy came over to say hello and being in a punky mood stayed and chatted with them. She babbled about how much she liked working there.

Wendy told Cindy how happy she was for her…and she was.

Brad sat on his tall stool and started to sing as Cindy went into the kitchen to prepare the treats.

The waitress took their drink orders, and Wendy and Elliott spent a perfect evening with food, entertainment, and watching people dance. They left after eleven and visited in the parking lot for a short time. The good night kiss was long and ardent. They held onto each other for a while, before pulling apart and leaving.