Authors Note: A short chapter yes, but this is only the buildup to the next chapter which should be much longer. It will take a while to get the next chapter posted so please be patient. Enjoy!
Chapter 10
"I wish you would just tell us who our mysterious guest is,Jenna." My mother says to me as we put the finishing touches on tonight's dinner.
"If you'll wait a few more minutes you'll know for yourself.'
"Oh, I know dear, but the suspense is killing me; come on just a hint?"
It's been like this since I got home earlier and announced we would be having a guest for dinner. Nothing but constant begging to know who it is, and why he's coming. I finally had to tell Rosie but made her promise not to tell Father. "Oh, all right mother, just a little hint, he's... well he's tall and... and very well known around town."
My mother smile's a knowing smile at me and says, "Aaaahhh, I see. Well in that I'd best go get ready, I'm sure you can handle everything down here, really dear the steaks look marvelous, I'm sure your Mysterious Stranger will love them, whoever he is." As she walks away I glance up at the clock over the kitchen counter. It's about a half-hour to seven, I had probably better go get ready myself. As I walk down the hallway of our house towards the stairway, I can overhear Mother talking to Father in the den. "I told you Mathias, it's Steele. Tall and well known, who else could it be? And he's had his eye on Jenna for some time now. She just didn't want to tell us because she thought it would be a surprise." I continue down the hall and up the stairs into my room where I begin to change into the clothes I had already picked out. As I do I think to myself, "Oh, Mother it will be a surprise. But not the birthday present kind of surprise, more like the "Oops Daddy I'm pregnant" kind of surprise."
As I'm sitting in front of the mirror of my mirror brushing my hair I think to myself, "I hope Balto likes his steak medium-well." Then a thought enters my head. A stupid, stupid thought, a rumor that Balto eats his meat... raw. But that's just a rumor, right? I'm still thinking about it when I hear my Mother call out, "Jenna your Mysterious Stranger just knocked would you like to answer it?"
"I'm coming!" I yell out rushing down the stairs. The hall way that leads from the stairway to the front door divides the house, on the right you have the kitchen, pantry and dining room. On the left you have the living room, den and library. As I pass the entrance to the den I pause momentarily to ask my mother, "How do I look?" Her eyes go every inch of my body, from my long red hair combed back and smooth, the white blouse with my red bandana tie around my neck, to the jeans and leather shoes, then she says with a smile, "Somehow even though you refuse to wear a dress like a respectable lady, you look lovely dear."
Smiling I rush to the door, pause, take a deep breath and open a door. He's just standing there shuffling his feet looking shy and nervous, it would be adorable if not for the fact that he's six feet tall, dressed all in black and the only part of his face I can see are his yellow eyes. "Balto! I'm glad you could make. Come in. Come in."
"H-Hi." he says softly as he walks in. I'm about ask him if I can take his coat, when suddenly from behind his back he pulls out a bouquet of flowers and say's in a nervous rush. "I-I got these for you, I mean I got them for you and your family, I thought... I thought you could put them on the table or- or not that would be fine to, I didn't' mean-"
I have a feeling this could go on for awhile so I cut him off, "Balto they're beautiful and I think putting them on the table is a wonderful idea." I say taking them from his hand's.
"You really like them?"
"Of course." He seems to relax a little bit, but he still seems I don't know, tense? No that's not the word... ready. Like every muscle in his body is coiled and ready to spring at a moments notice. "Come on," I say grabbing his arm and leading him down the hallway, "it's time to meet the family." He suddenly looks panicked, but before he can react I pull him into full view of the den, where my entire family is sitting, "Mother? Father? Surprise."
