The waitress came back over with another bottle and the prime rib dinners. She set the table. Both of them sat back until the server left. John picked up his fork and nodded. "Let's just enjoy our dinner."
"Bon appetit."
Silence hung in the air while they ate. John finished his meal first, wiped his lips clean and glanced at her. "My father's death upset me more than I realized, Alice. You being here is the most important part of all this, and I don't want to lose what we could have."
She picked up her fork. "Let's enjoy tonight and this beautiful setting. The future doesn't have to be answered right now."
His gut twisted like she'd stabbed at his manhood. Every other woman at this point in the relationship wanted more than he'd give. Once again, Alice was different. She picked at her food unaware his mood was off. He tried to follow her lead, but then she said, "I hope tonight made you feel better after what happened at your brother's place."
"You asked to go out." He shook his head and massaged the bridge of his nose. "I'm here because of you."
She closed her eyes. "John, you confuse me."
His hands fell to his sides. "Likewise."
She swallowed like she tasted something bitter. "Maybe I should just go back to the farm."
"No. I 'couldn't live with myself if something happened to you.
"Everything was wrong right now. This started because of his foul mood. "Please don't make this worse."
She picked up her fork and ate in silence. Then she placed the fork back down, but stared at the silverware. "I'm trying to make everything better. I don't know if I believe anyone is truly after me. I still think it's the President that was the target at the funeral."
Something else had to be bothering Alice. His mind raced through everything she ever said to him, and then the math clicked in his head. "When is your condo available?"
"Tomorrow it becomes empty." Her gaze flew to meet his. Her eyes were crystal clear blue. Whatever she said next was something she believed. "As no one has taken any shots at my head in the past few days, I think I should just move into my condo."
He sat absolutely still. The email threat had been real. He vividly remembered the glass shards that flew through the door as the bullet passed over her head. He kept his tone even. "That's not a good idea."
"Why not? It's not a good idea for me to stay with you."
She should have the same memories. She was there. He dropped his napkin on the table. "We should have just gone home."
Her gaze narrowed. "Why?"
He leaned forward, but she took her hand off the table. "You are not safe on your own, not yet. I'll contact someone else in my old department, other than the boss, first thing in the morning."
She squared her shoulders. "It's my choice."
This was insane. She acted like she wanted to get killed. "Don't you care about your own life?"
She shrugged, but then stayed still. "Of course I do, but the Morgan family is taking all my energy."
He froze. What did his family have to do with anything? "Don't let it."
"Your money means you're the star of everything."
She sounded jealous, which made no sense. He leaned closer again. "What are you talking about? My money buys security, and that's what I'm talking about."
She pressed her lips together. Whatever he said wasn't getting through to her. "Let's just go."
He stood up and waited for her to follow. "Okay."
Once home, he'd find a better way to keep her there. If something happened to Alice, he'd never forgive himself.
