A Modern Day Persuasion by Kaitlin Saunders

nothing to tie Rick down, there’s no reason for him to stay in one place very long. Although this makes for good novel writing, it’s not conducive for family life. I mean, how is Rick ever to meet someone?”
    The Admiral gave a merry laugh. “You’re in for it now, my boy!”
    “Without a wife, a man soon wishes to be on the go again,” Mrs. Croft said with a pointed look in Rick’s direction.
    Rick immediately picked up on it. “Oh, no! Here it comes again!” he said teasingly. “I’m getting out of here before my sister begins her inquisition on why I’m not married and how she wants me to settle down!”
    Mrs. Croft sent Rick a challenging look, adding, “And right I should.”
    Using a flirtatious voice, Etta unexpectedly spoke up. “I’ll rescue you,” she suggested and Rick looked slightly alarmed. “Oh…I didn’t mean…please don’t look so worried!” Etta continued, blushing. “I’m just talking about an escape to the dance floor!”
    Rick smiled with relief, “Great idea!” He was glad of the offer as it allowed him an excuse to flee from his sister’s awkward probing. Etta stood and Rick took her extended hand, leading her to the dance floor. Anne watched as jealousy seized her emotions.
    Just then Etta’s boyfriend, Chuck Hayter, walked through the restaurant doors. The Maitre d’ pointed him in the direction of their party and spotting Louise’s familiar face, Chuck made his way over to them. Louise couldn’t hide her surprise at seeing him and glanced nervously towards the dance floor.
    Chuck greeted Louise and the rest of the group. “Your mom mentioned earlier that you all might be here,” he explained.
    Louise politely made introductions, motioning to each in their party. “Admiral and Mrs. Croft; Anne; this is Chuck Hayter, a close family friend.”
    Chuck was a cute but clumsy guy. He had all the right looks, yet unfortunately lacked a strong presence—but he adored Etta, and she seemed to like him too which was enough to endear him to the family.
    “Where’s Etta?” Chuck asked Louise. This time Chuck followed Louise’s gaze just in time to see a laughing and flirtatious Etta on the dance floor with Rick. Chuck looked hurt, and rightly so.
    Almost as if she sensed his injured gaze, Etta stopped dancing and looked over to where Chuck stood, seeing him crushed. Chuck stared at Etta with an accusing look, then turned to leave, his hurt quickly being supplanted with anger. Rick glanced between the two, swiftly connecting the dots while noting Etta’s anxious face as she watched the young man storm out of the restaurant.

Chapter 16
     
    The fact that Rick was an author somehow made Anne feel more like a stranger to him than the girl he had once asked to marry. Back when they were together, Rick was content to remain a lifeguard at the swim and tennis club. To think he had joined the Navy and became a writer! It made Anne feel the length of their separation like never before. She only wished she could have been part of that season and been able to witness Rick becoming the man he was today. But what if we hadn’t separated? Would he have pursued this course of life ? This question plagued her. Although she was happy for him, it also hurt to think he was able to accomplish these things without her.
    She was extremely curious about his life, enough so that Anne found herself the following day entering a small local bookstore in pursuit of one of Rick’s books. Making her way towards the fiction section, a female employee walked up to her.
    “Can I help you find something?”
    “Yes, thank you. I’m looking for a book by Rick Wentworth,” Anne answered.
    “Oh! I adore his novels! They say he’s the next Hemingway,” the employee gushed. “Which book are you wanting?” The girl scanned the shelf quickly and pulled out Rick’s first two books. She handed them in fast succession to Anne who was only allowed seconds to briefly look at them.
    When the store clerk