This Time(43)

"No," she said with a wave of her hand, "you're already here. I'll change." Belle stepped aside and invited Burke in. "Where are we going anyway to dress so fancy."

He chuckled. "I hadn't really thought about it."

She paused on the bottom step. "How about Angelo's? It's a nice, dress-up kind of place."

"Perfect," he said with a nod, smiling at her. Despite her initial reaction, she seemed at ease, eager to go out with him.

She darted up the steps promising to be down in a minute. Burke found Duke in the family room, reading.

"Evening, Duke," he said, sitting on the plush sofa next to Duke's chair.

The older man set his reading aside. "So, you're taking my girl out?"

Burke nodded.

"About time. About time."

He addressed Duke with seriousness. "You know I plan to marry her."

"Do ya now?" Duke said, raising his brow.

"I don't know when, but I'd like to have your permission right now. If the chance ever presents itself, Duke, I'm asking."

"What are you going to do, carry a ring in your pocket all the time?"

The younger man smiled. "If that's what it takes."

Duke reached for his book when Belle's footsteps echoed down the stairs. "I gave you my permission once. Ain't changed my mind since then."

Burke ducked his head, touched by the fatherly love Duke continually showed him. Despite the pain he'd caused his daughter, Duke never retaliated and always welcomed him with an open heart. "I won't hurt her this time."

"I figured as much."

Belle popped her head in the doorway wearing a black ankle length dress and matching pumps. She carried a charcoal gray wool coat over her arm. "Ready, Burke?"

He stood. "You look beautiful."

She blushed and a pinkish glowed spread across her cheeks. "Thank you."

"I guess we'll see you later, Duke," Burke said, shaking his hand, his gaze lingering on the older man's face for a moment.

"See you, Daddy," Belle said, trailing Burke as he led the way to the door.

Duke bid them good night with a slight nod, a smile on his lips, a twinkle in his eye.

***

Angelo's Italian Cuisine sat on the edge of town, quaint and cozy, soft with candlelight and music.

Angelo, the broad-waisted, gregarious owner spotted them when they walked in the door. "Mr. Benning," he said, with a sweeping bow. "Welcome to Angelo's. Table for two?"

"Yes, please," Burke said, his tone formal and deeper than usual.

"Righta this way." He led them to a romantic booth in the corner and clapped for the waiter, who hustled over with menus and water. Angelo ordered the young man to bring a plate of specialty appetizers, on the house.

Belle snickered as she watched Angelo fuss over them. As far as she knew, Burke had never met the restaurateur. But Angelo seemed to know him and rolled out the red carpet.

After they'd ordered and Angelo left them alone, Belle said with amusement. "So this is what it's like to be the great Burke Benning?"

He grinned. "Only if the person follows football," he said, taking a sip from his water glass. "I'm glad you decided to join me for dinner."

Her eyes met his. "Me, too."

The waiter brought tall glasses of iced tea and the appetizers: garlic cheese bread, stuffed mushrooms and calamari.

"Hmm, smells good," Belle said, thanking the waiter.

Burke reached for her hand. "Let's pray," he said softly.

She slipped her hand into his and bowed her head. Her hand felt good in his, as if it belonged. He prayed a short, but sincere prayer. "Father, thank you for the food. Thank you for Belle."

She echoed his amen before asking, "So, you really prefer coaching to playing?" She reached for the garlic cheese bread.

"I'm having incredible fun."

"The Lord knew what He was doing," she said with a wink.

He laughed, lighthearted and easy. "Doesn't He always."

Belle sighed, feeling at home, relaxed, with her old friend. Her reasons for guarding her heart seemed to fade in his company, the romantic light and sweet music of Angelo's drumming against any emotional barricades. For the first time since his return to Haskell, she peered beneath the surface of their circumstance and looked beyond what her natural eye could see. There, she found a new hope in the friendship and love they once shared. For so long, she'd believed Burke had shattered those treasured feelings when he abandoned her on their wedding day. But as the evening wore on, Belle knew that the beauty of love would replace the ashes of her darkened and broken heart.





Chapter Twenty





The second Friday night in November, Belle slid onto the bottom bleacher as the last few seconds of the Haymaker's game ticked away, her alma mater winning by four touchdowns. She drew her jacket tight around her and huddled against the biting breeze.

Burke walked the sidelines, tapping third string players on the shoulder and sending them in for a few glorious minutes on the field. By now, the crowd had thinned, and waiting parents talked in small circles.

How many times had she sat in these bleachers, cheering for Burke, waiting for him after the game to meet their friends at Charlie's? Or maybe, on a cold night, returning to the Benning house for hot cocoa and a competitive game of Monopoly in Elaine's cozy kitchen.