Ruth set down two steaming mugs and shrugged. “I don’t think so. At least not right away. I can swing the rent on my own. And I can’t imagine living with any of my other friends. My parents keep trying to change my mind. They don’t think it’s safe for a single woman to live alone.” She reached for the marshmallows and dropped several into her mug. “They didn’t want us to get an apartment in the first place. My parents think a woman should live at home until she gets married. That’s what my mother and aunt did.”
“Women are doing a lot of things their mothers didn’t do. I think if you want to live alone you should.” Had he just said that? He sounded like a poster written in support of women’s lib or something. Whether he sounded stupid or not, Ruth just nodded.
“That’s true. I’m the first woman in my family to go to college. Actually, I’m the first person in my family to graduate college.”
Before their conversation could continue down that path, highlighting the differences between them, Warren focused on his real reason for being there. “Do you have any plans for Sunday night?”
With a mouth full of hot chocolate, she shook her head.
He leaned forward, prepared to take the plunge. “Neither do I. Will you have dinner with me?”
Ruth erupted into a coughing fit. “Did you suddenly forget Sunday is Valentine’s Day, Warren?” she asked once she regained control.
“I know that.” When he asked women out they usually came back with a yes and what time will you pick me up. They didn’t come back with smart-ass replies. Then again this was Ruth Taylor, not the usual society debutantes he dated.
Ruth pointed at him. “You want to have dinner with me on Valentine’s Day?” she asked, pointing to herself.
Maybe asking had been a bad idea. Perhaps the little jolt he’d felt when they shared that kiss ringing in the New Year had been one-sided. “Yes. You. Me. Dinner. Sunday night.”
She bit down on her bottom lip and looked at him. “Okay.”
The tension in his shoulders disappeared. She’d agreed. “Good. What time should I pick you up?” He reached for his own mug of hot chocolate.
“I’m working Sunday so maybe around six-thirty.”
He’d not considered that she might be working, but he should have. After all, hospitals didn’t close. “Works for me. Do you need a ride to the church on Saturday?” When his cousin had gotten married the summer before, she and her bridal party arrived at the church in a couple of Rolls Royces. He had no idea how other people did things.
“No. I’m getting ready with Helen at her parents’ house. They rented a limo to pick everyone up and take us to the church. A ride to the reception and home afterward would be great. But if you can’t pick me up at the church that’s fine. I can catch a ride with someone else and meet you at the hotel.”
“I can meet you at the church. Where is the wedding?”
“Trinity Church and the reception is at The Sherbrooke Hotel on America’s Cup Avenue. Helen checked out a few other places, but as soon as she saw the view of Newport Harbor from the ballroom there, no other place would do.” Ruth mixed her hot chocolate. “Helen and Will are staying at the hotel for the night, too. They leave for their honeymoon Sunday morning.”
He couldn’t deny that the hotel had a spectacular view of the entire harbor.
“That’s why she’s getting married now instead of in the summer. She wanted to get married in July, but it would have cost her parents twice as much to have the reception then. Getting married in February during the off season was the only way they could swing the cost.”
That particular Sherbrooke Hotel was the most expensive hotel in Newport, and it had stunning views and three magnificent ballrooms.
“Can’t say I disagree with her. The hotel has one hell of a view. What time should I get to the church?”
“Ceremonies there last about an hour, so the wedding should be over around one o’clock.”
“Then I’ll see you there. Do you have the wedding rehearsal tomorrow night?”
Ruth nodded. “I’ll have to rush home from work and change. I didn’t want to take the whole day off, though.” She took another sip from her mug. “Do you mind if we finish our drinks in the other room?”
Warren pushed back his chair. He’d accomplished his goal for the night. Now he could relax a bit and enjoy Ruth’s company. “You want to finish watching Little House ?”
“If you don’t mind. It’s almost over anyway.”
“Not at all.” Warren dropped a few more marshmallows in his mug. “I might be asking for another cup of this soon.” He picked up both their mugs and followed Ruth back to the couch.
Chapter 3
Ruth peeked out the door. She wasn’t sure who looked happier, Helen, who at the moment was having her picture taken with her mother and grandmother, or Will standing at the altar with his best man, Mitch.