Convince Me (Holton Series #1) by B. L. Blair Page B

restaurant looking for her before Mitch finally
found her asleep on one of the benches.”
    Anna laughed softly, hearing the
love in his voice.  “You get along well with your brother and sister,
don’t you?”
    “I guess so,” he said with a
puzzled look.  “I mean we don’t fight anymore and I certainly miss them
but I sometimes wonder if I really know them.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I don’t know.  We are all so
different.  Victoria and Mitch make their living on the go.  They
seem so busy and, I guess, important.”
    Victoria worked in advertising and
often travelled for her job and Mitch was a free-lance investigative reporter
who travelled all over the world gathering stories.  Anna had read his
work and had to admit she was quite impressed.
    “I never wanted to leave Holton,”
Steven continued.  “Mitch never wanted to stay.  He couldn’t wait to
leave.  Victoria had wanted to live here at one time but overnight she
changed her mind and headed off to California.  I can’t imagine living
anywhere else.”
    Anna smiled.  “Luckily you
don’t have to.”
    Their food arrived and the
conversation became general.  The meal was delicious and the atmosphere
pleasant.  Anna found it very easy to talk to Steven.  She still
avoided the subject of her father and most of her childhood but she told him
things she had never told anyone else. 
    The evening took on a magical air
and Anna let her guard down.  For one night, she would let go of her past
and just enjoy.  Relaxed and more content then she had ever been Anna knew
this would be an evening she would never forget.
    #
    It was a beautiful evening. 
The sun was setting in the western sky casting a golden glow over the
city.  Steven hardly noticed the splendid sunset.  He was watching
Anna.  She looked wonderful.  The blue dress fit her like a glove,
showcasing her curves and doing marvelous things for her complexion.  She
was more relaxed and happy in his company than she had ever been and it gave
him a deep feeling of contentment.
    He had phoned Victoria in
California the night before and after teasing him for several minutes, his
sister launched into an elaborate plan.  She was full of ideas about how
to make it the most romantic evening Anna had ever experienced.  Steven
listened and then weeded out the ideas he was actually willing to use. 
Victoria had a vivid imagination.  He rejected the hot air balloon
ride.  It was too cold this time of year.  He also decided against
the overnight train ride to Chicago.  They both had to be at work the next
morning and Steven wasn’t really sure Anna would have gone along with that one.
    However, the Reunion Tower
restaurant was a good idea and Steven was glad to see Anna enjoying
herself.  He was also having a great time.  So far everything had
been perfect.
    The flowers had been a hit. 
He knew Anna had really liked them.  When Steven had mentioned flowers to
Victoria, she had dismissed the traditional red roses suggesting something a
little more exotic.  Steven had been willing but not knowledgeable. 
Fortunately for him, that was not a problem for his sister. 
    “You know Tim Moreno, don’t you?” Victoria
had asked him.
    “I think so.  He has that farm
out near Tanglewood Road, right?”
    “Yes,” Tori replied.  “For a
living, he grows grain that he sells for cattle feed but he loves plants and
flowers.  He has this wonderful greenhouse where he grows lilies. 
All kinds of lilies.  It is the greatest place, Steve.  I’ll call him
tomorrow and you can go pick up some.  He sales them to friends. 
They will be perfect for your date.”
    The next day, Steven was on his way
to the Moreno farm.  Mr. Moreno was a grizzled old man of few words but
Victoria had worked her magic and the man opened his greenhouse for
Steven.  His sister was correct.  Steven had never seen so many
lilies in one place.  Lilies of all kinds, sizes and colors.  With
help from Moreno,