An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [85]
“I’m meeting Chase at the Seattle aquarium at six,” Lesley elaborated.
“Hmm. Sounds like he might be hero material,” Daisy said, reaching for another cluster of grapes after she stood. “I’ve got to get dinner on for the boys. Let me know how everything goes, will you? I’ll be up late studying, so if the light’s on, let yourself in.”
“I will,” Lesley promised.
“Have fun,” Daisy said on her way out the door.
That was something Lesley intended to do.
At 6:10, Lesley was standing outside the waterfront aquarium waiting. She checked her watch every fifteen seconds until she saw Chase coming toward her, walking down the hill, his steps hurried. When he saw her, he raised his hand and waved.
Relief flooded through Lesley. The restless sensation in the pit of her stomach subsided and her doubts fled.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said, after dashing across the busy intersection. “I had a problem finding a place to park.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Lesley said, and it didn’t now that he was here. Now that he was grinning at her in a way she found irresistible.
He smiled down at her and said in a low, caressing voice, “You look nice.”
“Thank you. You do, too.”
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“A little. How about you?” Pedestrian traffic was heavy and by tacit agreement, they moved to a small fountain and sat on a park bench. She didn’t explain that her appetite had been practically nonexistent ever since she’d lost Tony.
“Some, but I’ve never been to the waterfront before,” Chase said. “Would you mind if we played tourist for a while?”
“I’d like it. Every year I make a point of bringing my class down here. They love the aquarium and the fact that some of the world’s largest octopuses live in Elliott Bay. The kids are fascinated by them.”
They stood and Chase reached for her hand, entwining their fingers. It felt oddly comfortable to be linked to him. They began to walk, their progress slowed by the crowds.
“Other than the aquarium, my kids’ favorite stop is Pier 54,” she said.
“What’s on Pier 54?”
“A long row of tourist shops. Or in other words, one of the world’s largest collections of junk and tacky souvenirs.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“To third-graders it’s heaven. Imagine what their parents think when the children come home carrying a plastic shrunken head with Seattle stamped across it. I shouldn’t be so flippant—it’s not all like that. There’s some interesting Northwest Indian and Eskimo art on display, if you want to walk there.”
“Sure. Isn’t that the ferry terminal?” he asked, pointing toward a large structure beyond the souvenir shops.
“Yes. The Washington State Ferries terminal. Did you know we have the largest ferry system in the world? If you’re looking for a little peace and some beautiful scenery, hop on a ferry. For a while after Tony told me about April, I used to come down here and take the Wins low ferry over to Bainbridge Island. There’s something about being on the water that soothed me.”
“Would you take a ferry with me sometime?” Chase asked.
“I’d like that very much,” she replied. His hand squeezed hers and she congratulated herself on how even she managed to keep her voice. Countless times over the past few months she’d ridden the ferry, sat with a cup of coffee or stood on the deck. She wasn’t sure exactly what it was about being on the water that she found so peaceful, but it helped more than anything else.
They walked along the pier and in and out of several of the tourist shops, chatting as they went. It’d been a long time since Lesley had laughed so easily or so often and it felt wonderful.
As they strolled past the ferry terminal, Lesley asked, “Have you been to Pioneer Square? There’s a fabulous restaurant close by if Italian food interests you.”
“Great!”
“I’ll tell you all about Pioneer Square while we eat, then,” Lesley said, leading the way. The restaurant was