章 100: Chapter 100: Romantic Country Inn

Maggie smiled at Bobby across the candlelit table in the intimate dining room of the Red Lantern Inn.  They’d been given the most private table in the place, situated in the bay window that overlooked what would have been the kitchen garden during growing season.  Now, however, they watched large snowflakes pepper down in the light of a vintage gas lamppost on the other side of the garden. 

Across the room from their table, a huge hearth that had once accommodated cast iron cooking pots now provided warmth and bathed the space in an orange glow that reflected off the old stone walls.  They chatted quietly over Maggie’s salmon with a Greek salad and Bobby’s filet with potato and mixed vegetables.

Taking advantage of a brief lull in the conversation, Maggie took a fortifying sip of wine and plunged ahead with a question she’d been mulling.  “Have you dated much since you came to the city?”