A Boy To Remember

“No one has forgotten, honey,” Martin said. “You take all the time you need. Just thought I’d remind you that I voted for Daniel.”

What was this? Another spokesperson for the Daniel Chandler fan club. “So I heard,” she snapped back.

“And no one accused you of looking for a man,” Jude said. “But if one as dreamy as Daniel lands at your feet, I’d think you’d at least take notice.”

She was planning a retort when Rosie came into the dining room. “A phone call for you, Alex. Shall I tell him to call back?”

“Him?” Jude said.

Alex sent her a scathing look. “No, Rosie, thank you. I’ll take the call.” She appreciated an excuse to get away from all these well-meaning, interfering people!

She went into her father’s study and picked up the receiver. “This is Alex.”

“Hi, Alex. Daniel Chandler.”

She blushed just thinking about how they had all been discussing him only moments before.

She gripped the phone tightly. “What can I do for you, Daniel?”

“I’m calling with an invitation,” he said. “But I thought it only fair to give you a heads-up since this concerns Lizzie.”

“Lizzie? You’re inviting my daughter somewhere?” She instantly began to come up with reasons why she wouldn’t allow such a thing. “Daniel, I don’t think...”

“No, no. You misunderstand, Alex. I’m not inviting Lizzie to go somewhere just the two of us. I have tickets to Les Mis at the Cleveland Auditorium. I thought Lizzie would enjoy it.”

“Well, yes, but still...”

“Alex, let me finish. I have three tickets. I’m inviting both of you to go along with me. The performance is Friday night. It’s the perfect break for all of us who have been working at the Red Barn. What do you say? I can pick you ladies up at Dancing Falls.”

The three of them out on the town together? It was unthinkable. Alex couldn’t allow it. They would be attending the theater almost like a family... Alex concentrated on drawing a deep breath so that her next words wouldn’t come out sounding rushed and panicky.

“Alex? You there?”

“Yes, I’m here. It’s a nice idea, Daniel, but I’m afraid we can’t make it Friday night. We have plans.” Her brain scrambled to come up with a reasonable excuse if he asked.