“Lots of things—I like to hike in the mountains or along the beach. Both are nearby. A bunch of us in my department, and some others, too, organize group bike rides around town. Then there are races, often for charity, 10K and other distances. If you avoid the major streets, there’s not much danger of getting run over. It’s such a sleepy town here, not like Seattle.” Marcus looked at her. “What do you like to do—for exercise?”
“I used to ride a bike in Iowa City. It’s pretty flat, not like here with all the hills I’ve seen.”
“Are you into skiing? The college has a student team, and sometimes faculty members take advantage of the proximity to the mountains.”
“Not really. I’d rather swim, in a heated pool in the winter. My only problem is my hair freezing if I don’t get it completely dry before I go outside.” She chuckled.
“Well, you won’t have to worry about that here. And the campus pool is open for swimming on the weekends. You can get a special family pass for your daughter, too.”
They entered the theater and selected seats near the center. Three other faculty members she recognized came in and sat down, followed by a few students and numerous townspeople.
Throughout the romantic scenes of the thriller, Amanda found herself wondering if she would react the same as the heroine if Marcus was the hero. I’m being silly. This is our first date. But it didn’t stop her from enjoying the fantasy. During the last climactic scene of the movie, she had nervously clutched the sleeve of his arm, until his other hand had covered hers. When they exited the building at the close of the film, Marcus reached for her hand.
“Do we have time for a nightcap?”
“I think so.”
They headed for one of the small pubs near the waterfront. Amanda checked her watch and speed-dialed her home phone number.“Are you ready for bed, Cece?”
“Almost. It’s not nine yet. You said I could stay up till nine.”
“Did Janet come check on you?”
“Yes, she came over twice and then she went home, after we had some popcorn.”
“Good. I may be a little bit later than nine. And I didn’t want you to worry. When it’s nine, I want you to go to bed, even if I’m not home.”
“Okay.” Cecelia yawned into the phone.
Amanda slipped her phone into her pocket and smiled at Marcus. “I need to be home soon.”
“You don’t like her to be alone.”
She nodded. “She minds me and I think she would not intentionally get into trouble, but she’s only nine—going on ten, as she reminds me almost daily.”
“I understand. She seems more grown-up than nine.”
“Probably because she’s an only child. She tends to be reserved with most people, unless she likes them. She likes you.”
“I’m glad.” Marcus mouth quirked upward as if he was sharing a secret with her.
“She thinks you’re handsome. She asked me if that’s why I agreed to go out with you.”
“Did she now?” He finished the last of his beer. “Is that why you did?”
“Let’s just say I was curious.” She looked around at the other couples in the pub, leaned toward him, and lowered her voice. “JJ told me about you.”
One eyebrow rose. “I hope she wasn’t spreading vicious rumors. Some of the English faculty aren’t too keen on us journalism types.”
Did she dare tell him? “No. Her remarks were more in the realm of which faculty members to watch out for.”
He gave a mock gasp. “I certainly wasn’t on that list, was I?”
“Maybe, but you should be happy about the other list she mentioned.”
“Mind if I ask which one?”
“The ‘up-and-comers.’ You know, the ones who are going to make a name for themselves.”
He waved off the waitress when she asked if they wanted a second beer. “I’m flattered she thinks so.”
They headed back to her house. The living room was dark as they drove up and the light upstairs went out as they approached the front door.
“Would you like to come in for coffee?” Amanda offered, as she opened the front door.
“That would be nice.”
She put on the coffee, excused herself, and walked upstairs.When she opened the door to Cecelia’s bedroom and peeked in, her daughter sat up in bed.
“Mom. Did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Kiss him.”
“No. You told me not to.” She smiled in the dark, imagining what it might be like. Would he—before he left? “It was just our first date.”
“I changed my mind. He’s nice. Maybe if you kiss him, he’ll come back. Then I can talk to him again.”