From RomanceJunkies.com
Dee Dawning
By Dee Dawning
Nov 10, 2007, 21:16
Prologue
Lake Tahoe, Nevada, 2008
While washing my hands, I glimpsed at my reflection in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw. Who would! Not many women liked their appearance at forty-nine and I was at the head of the line. I felt no regrets, but I’d lived a hard life and the result was etched over my face like a road map. I shook the excess water from my hands and glanced at my watch when I picked up a paper towel. Three-fifteen. An hour and forty-five more lousy minutes and I was out of this dive for two whole days.
As I finished wiping my face a graceful young woman and beautiful little girl entered the ladies room. I threw the towel in the trash, but couldn’t take my eyes off of them. We never get anyone of their ilk in Casey’s Stateline Casino. The woman had long black hair and warm penetrating brown eyes. She was flat out gorgeous and the girl was the spitting image of her mother excerpt for her cornflower blue eyes. I’d seen eyes like that before but I simply couldn’t recall—
“Good afternoon,” the woman said, eyes and lips forming a warm smile as the two of them headed for a stall.
I must have been gawking for her to speak to me. Slightly embarrassed, I responded in a friendly manner, “Hello. What a pretty little girl.”
She paused, eyes beaming. “Why, thank you. We just love her.”
“I’ll bet.” Stooping to the girl’s level. “Hi, I’m Ell. What’s your name?”
Shyly, she buried her face in mom’s dress and mumbled.
“What honey? I couldn’t hear you.”
Her head turned and she looked at me with those shocking blue eyes. “Lorrie,” she said before burying her face back in mother’s dress.
I looked at mom. She wore a beatific smile. “How old?” I asked.
“Four, going on five. She’s a handful.”
“Beautiful,” I said, “Both of you. Are you here to ski?”
“Thanks so much. You’re too kind. No, my husband and I aren’t skiers. Actually we’re visiting my husband’s aunt. We just drove into Tahoe and stopped for a bite.”
I noticed her eyes lit up at the mention of her husband. “Husband? Been married long?”
“Going on six years, I just love him.” She patted her abdomen. “I’m due again in June. I met him at a convention I was working and he just swept me off my feet. I never knew what hit me. I even broke off my engagement for him. But I haven’t regretted it for a minute.” She smiled again, a sparkle in her eye. “Please excuse me, I’ve been talking your ear off and my daughter has to go tinkle. It’s been nice chatting with you, Ell.”
As the lock on the door to the stall slid shut, I shook my head as if to clear it. Gorgeous, classy and nice—a rare combination. I headed to the door of the restroom and pulled it open. Oh well, an hour and forty-five more, stinking minutes.
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