Free Fateful by Cheri Schmidt Page B

it now. You want to
comfort her.”
    “Yes, that’s it.” Danielle was thrilled he
understood.
    “May I see another one?”
    “Well, the others aren’t finished.” Danielle
disliked sharing unfinished work way more than finished work.
    “I don’t mind.” He aimed a grin at her.
    It was the kind of grin Danielle could
never resist. She sighed and pulled another painting out. She must
like him a bit too much already, she thought while finding herself
too easily persuaded. She lifted the sketch of a lonely, gnarled
tree up for him to see. It had branches arching out into a mushroom
shape, and the style was distinctly folk . It was only half painted.
    Ethan tipped his head to the side as he
studied it, glancing ahead at traffic only briefly. “I like that
one too.”
    “Really?” She was genuinely surprised.
    “Yes, I rather like your style.”
    “Thanks.” Was he just saying that to be nice?
Or did he really feel that way? She always wondered when people
said they liked her work. She put the piece away and realized they
were now pulling into a parking spot near Tea Manor.
    The restaurant was very small and narrow, and
the decor was a simple, clean elegance. It wasn’t exactly what she
was expecting with “manor” in the name. The hostess led them to a
table near the window. They sat across from each other. Ethan kept
his eyes guarded, as before. Even though he was very sly about
it—still she noticed. But with this being only their second date,
she feared bringing it up.
    Passing her gaze over the menu selections,
she realized they had many more choices for tea than the other
restaurants she’d been to so far. There were two fruit infusions
that tempted her. The Precious Peach, of course, and the Enchanted
Forest, which was a mixture of berries and hibiscus. She chose the
Precious Peach to be safe, but was then very surprised when Ethan
ordered the Enchanted Forest. He also selected the Manor Tea for
both of them, which consisted of an assortment of finger
sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, jam, and a selection of
cakes. She was fearful that he’d ordered more than she could eat
again. It appeared to be a pattern with him.
    “I see your favorite tea is peach,” Ethan
mentioned casually. Danielle had ordered it both times she’d had
tea with him, it was pretty obvious.
    “Yes, but I’ll admit, I was tempted by that
Enchanted Forest one.” The corners of his lips moved up into a soft
smile, as if he knew something she didn’t. “Do you have a
favorite?”
    “No.”
    “Oh.” Danielle thought it bizarre that he
knew about this place, but didn’t have a favorite. Or maybe it was
because he liked too many to have just one.
    While they waited, he resumed questioning
her. “So what’s your favorite color?”
    Danielle exhaled, relieved he was now
searching for easy, trivial information rather than the more
penetrating questions from yesterday.
    “This may sound strange, but I think white is
my favorite color.”
    Ethan chortled. “That is a bit peculiar coming from an
artist.”
    Danielle shrugged her shoulders.
    “Favorite gemstone?” he continued.
    “Probably my birthstone. I guess.”
    “Which is…?” he prodded.
    “Aquamarine.” She paused and then added,
“Well, I do like diamonds too.”
    “Right, because they’re white.”
    A smirk sprang to her lips. “You’re getting
to know me so well.”
    Ethan chuckled and then continued, “Favorite
food?”
    She bit her lip. “Hmm … chocolate dipped
strawberries.” It came out like a question. “But … that could
change depending on my mood or craving at the time,” she added.
    “Favorite movie?”
    “I don’t think I have a favorite. But I do
like chick flicks.”
    “Of course you do.” Ethan was playing with
his watch, running his finger around and around the glass face.
“Music?” he went on.
    “I like a little bit of everything, but I
usually listen to rock or alternative the most. I suppose that’s
another thing