. . . I left the office and found James Elton sitting in the dining room with Ceecee and Private Richardson, drinking beer from bottles.
Ceecee said, “Come along, love, let’s find our own space and leave these two love birds alone.”
James Elton winked at me and commented with satisfaction.
“I guess our love for each other is so obvious that everyone leaves us alone and wishes us well.”
“I think you are right, dear,” I responded. “Uncle Joseph said that the lake trout is exceptionally good today. Why don’t you order it for both of us?”
He perused the menu and said, “Do you want the half-sized meal?”
Laying my head against his shoulder I said, “I would like the regular entree. I feel I may need extra strength for tonight’s loving.”
“All right!”
When Sophie approached, he gleefully ordered two super lake trout dinners and steins of the house draft beer for us.
“What’s the house beer, James Elton?” I inquired.
“Ruthii, your uncle owns a brewery. I can’t believe the house beer would be anything, but Cardinni’s best.”
“Sounds logical. You know I’m beginning to like the taste of beer. Do you suppose it will become the dinner drink of choice at our table, James Elton?”
“Ruthii.” “When the mistress of the house owns as many grape vines as you probably will, I venture to say wine will flow like water at our table.”
Sophie wheeled the service cart to our table. I barely suppressed a gasp of dismay.
To please James Elton I nibbled at everything at first and then ate with gusto as my taste buds took control. Uncle Joseph was right, the lake trout was grand.
“Some of my guard guys say the fishing is great in the lake. Do you fish?,” I asked. “In my whole life I have never been fishing.”
James Elton smiled, “Ruthii, sweetheart, I promise you before our week together ends l will take you fishing. I’ll ask Cecil to make the arrangements.”
“Wow! Thank you, James Elton.”
We finished our dinner and I suggested that we get a couple of blankets and sit in front of the mansion and enjoy the fading sunlight.