Chapter 10

"Sure Vic, what is it?" Harriett responded going to the fridge to get out things in preparation to making lunch.

Stepping closer to her he took the items out of her hands and placed them on the counter. Pulling her to the table he offered her a chair before sitting down across from her. "Harriett you are a beautiful woman and I've seen you both with and without make-up. You are so lovely you really don't need it and if you're wearing it for me, then I prefer that you don't."

Blushing that he'd noticed the changes even though she was secretly pleased, because after all they had been for him, she didn't know what to say.

"Have I upset you?" he asked tenderly.

"Oh no, I just didn't know that you felt that way."

"Growing up with so many sisters I learned that some women look better with make-up and some without. All I was saying is that you're so pretty you don't need it, although you do look lovely both ways."

"But you don't think I need it?" she asked shyly.

"Not for everyday certainly…maybe you could wear it on special occasions."

"You mean like when I'm getting dressed up to go out?"

"Yes just like that!" he told her with a smile.

"So a date might fall into that category?"

"If it were to somewhere nice, then yes."

"Sadly, I haven't had any occasions like that come up in a long time…"

Finally realizing the Harriett was actually trying to lead him into asking her out he mentally kicked himself for being so slow. 'Reaction time like that would get me killed in the field!' he thought. "Harriett, if you really think you're ready to start dating, then I would love to take you out. I have to go out of town for a few days at the beginning of the week, would Friday or Saturday be to long to wait?"

"Not at all Vic. Either night would be fine."

"Wonderful, then how about Friday? I don't want to wait any longer than we have to…" he told her and then blushed a bit himself at his eagerness.

"I feel that way too," she told him and placed her hand over his on the table, giving him an understanding squeeze. "Now are you going to stay for lunch or not Victor Galindez?"

"I guess it depends on what you are making!" he teased.

"You will eat what is put before you and like it!" she taunted back.

"Yes Ma'am!" he jumped to his feet and saluted her.

"Oh go have a tea party!" she told him.

"Hey! You promised you would never speak of that again!"

"And I haven't to anyone else, but if you want to keep it that way, you better behave! Now go play with the kids till lunch is ready, or I will put you to work in here!"

"Play sounds better than work Ma'am!" he said and beat a quick retreat to the backyard with the children.

She soon heard squeals of delight as the kids saw him come out and even more when he started chasing them around the yard, playing 'the monster will get you' with them.

That afternoon after Vic had left, Harriett got to worrying about her decision. Was it too soon for her to be dating? After all it had only been a little over four months since Bud's death. What would people say? Would they wonder if she had really loved Bud? Or would they think that she and Victor had been seeing each other before Bud's death? Harriett's head was swimming with all these new worries so she decided to call the person whom she felt was the best authority on protocol and honor that she knew.

"Chegwidden," AJ answered the phone.

"Admiral do you have a minute to talk?" Harriett asked in a worried tone.

"Only if you're going to call me AJ," he said as he put the basket of clean laundry down that he had been going to take into his bedroom to put away.

With a sigh because he had told her that so many times that she should remember it when they weren't in the office, but she just never seemed to. "Yes Si…AJ. I had something I wanted to ask you…I'm just worried what people will think…"

To be continued….