He opened his mouth to say something else but thought better of it. He also knew that when she clammed up, he wasn't going to get anything out of her. He would bide his time.
And he watched her throughout the delicious meal. She was sparkling with such good cheer, it was hard for him to get a word in. So, he listened and pretended he did not notice that the smile did not reach her eyes.
The rain had ended, leaving the place washed clean. The sky was still a leaden slate gray, with the blue fighting to burst through the gloominess.
"This is delicious." He nodded at the potatoes.
"Thanks. I wanted dinner to be special."
He gave her a measured look, which had her avoiding his gaze.
"Won't you tell me what's bothering you?"
His quiet voice had her heart turning over. She had cried and washed her face to try and erase the sorrow so heavy in her heart but had not quite succeeded. They were going home shortly, and it felt as if everything was going to change.
"I don't want to lose you." She picked up her glass of wine and took a sip.
"What nonsense is this?"
"Nothing." Putting the wine down, she tried to eat, but her appetite was waning. "Just a feeling."
"And your feeling is telling you what exactly?" He was trying to be patient, but he had to admit that the feeling of impending doom was upon him. It might have been the weather or the simple fact that their time was at an end.
"That things are changing." She lifted her eyes to his and he felt a wrench in his heart. Making the decision, he pushed away from the table and rose. Taking her hand, he drew her to him and held her.
"We're spending another night."
Her body jerked against his and the face she lifted shone with fragile hope that told him he had made the right decision.
"We can't."
"We will." He murmured gently. "One more night. We leave first thing in the morning to get ahead of the traffic." He was mentally rearranging his schedule. The early morning meeting with an associate could be pushed back. Nothing was more important than spending time with her. And David was a whiz at getting things done. The man would understand the need for him to spend another night.
"I want to sleep with my wife one more night." His hands framed her face. "Is that okay with you?"
She nodded, feeling the happy tears rushing to her eyes. She had been granted a reprieve. One more night would make a significant difference. It would push away the fear and panic she was feeling.
"Suddenly, I have my appetite back."
"Then let's finish the meal and then go for a walk."
She turned to look out the window.
"It stopped raining, but it's probably cold."
"That's what jackets are for." He kissed her lightly. "Come on woman, let's get to it."
He was happy to see that he had managed to lighten her mood. He had sent a text to his assistant, alerting him of the new plan and saw when she texted her dad. He would probably not be pleased, but to hell with that. He had the company of his wife for another night and that's what mattered.
The rain had dropped the temperature and made puddles of the narrow dirt road. But that did not stop them. The rain had also beaten the leaves off the trees, leaving a wet blanket of them along the path. The scent of fall was in the air, the wildflowers bowing their heads as if in defeat to the inclement weather.
Birds were chirping in the trees and for another few hours, she could pretend that they lived here. That this was their usual Sunday night routine. That they were all alone in the world and things were normal. That they were normal.
Determined to push the sadness aside, she relished the feel of his hand holding hers, clasping hers tight as they made their way past the swelling water of the lake and deep into the woods. Trees surrounded them, leaves dripping with moisture.
"It feels as if we're the only two people around," she murmured.
"I wish we were." He admitted quietly. Letting go of her hand, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him. The scent of her tickled his nostrils. "I want to pretend that we are."
