Maxwell watched Fran as she peered out the window into the flawless summer sky. As the plane made its way toward Sacramento, he joined their hands together.
"Are you going to tell me where we're going or are you going to remain a man of mystery?"
"You're not getting a word out of me."
She fused her mouth to his in a quick passionate kiss. "I have ways of making you talk."
"Why do you think I'm looking forward to this weekend?" he replied returning her kiss.
They weaved their way through the crowd, pushing pass the people shuffling through the airport. Linking her arm with his, they picked up their luggage and headed to the rental car counter. Maxwell finished the paperwork and slipped the car keys to Fran as they made their way across the parking lot.
"Why are you handing me the keys?" she asked as he loaded their bags in the trunk.
"I'm going to read the directions of our location to you."
"You think you're so smart don't you?"
Sliding into the passenger's seat, he replied, "Trust me Fran. You're gong to have a marvelous time."
Traffic was relatively light as Fran headed toward her unknown destination. She knew it was no use asking any further questions. Whatever Maxwell had in store for her, it would unfold on his timetable.
She pulled into the driveway of an old Victorian mansion. He watched her face as she took in the elegant bed and breakfast and its surroundings.
"Oh Max," she said stepping from the car, "it's beautiful. How did you ever find this place?"
Smiling at her illuminated face, he replied, "That's my secret," and guided her into the lobby.
Her eyes widened in awe as they stepped inside the room. As Fran headed toward their bedroom, Maxwell explored the kitchen. Opening the cabinets, he found it fully stocked with plates, glasses, and utensils, everything they would need for the weekend.
"Max, wait until you see the bedroom," she said joining him in the dining room. He slipped his arm around her waist as they looked out the window at the neatly manicured grounds. "The bedroom is decorated with the most beautiful antique furniture with a huge canopy bed. And the bathroom," she gasped, "is just gorgeous."
"It's a decent sized suite," he said, "perfect for the weekend. Let's get settled."
Maxwell stretched across the bed, watching Fran unpack. He had known her for twenty-one years and to him, she was still the most beautiful woman in the world. He was distracted from his thoughts when Fran joined him on the bed.
"Should I ask what that silly grin plastered on your face means or should I leave well enough alone?"
"Just revisiting the past darling."
"Care to elaborate?"
His ran the tip of his finger along her jaw line. Questions about what she was doing in the basement resurfaced in his mind.
"Fran?"
"Yes?"
Yielding to his better nature, Maxwell sighed. "Let's go to the store and stock up for the weekend."
"There's a restaurant not far from here," Maxwell said as they put the groceries away. "Do you want me to surprise you with my culinary skills or would you prefer to go out?"Fran rinsed a handful of strawberries. Offering him a berry, she asked, "Since when do you know how to cook?"
"I spent a lot of time in the kitchen when I was a child - at least before Mother found out. Another reason to send me off to boarding school; so I wouldn't be influenced by the lower classes," he said making quotation marks around the last two words he uttered.
"You've never cooked for me – well, outside the bedroom." She smiled. "That's not exactly true. Maybe I should say you've never cooked food for me."
Maxwell blushed at Fran's suggestive statement. "It's not that I haven't wanted to darling, I just don't have the time like I did when I was younger. But I promise I'll make it up to you."
"A man of hidden talents," she said slipping her arms around his waist. "Have any other secrets you're not sharing with me?"
Questions about her time in the basement returned. Should I bring this up now? Do I really want to know what she's keeping from me? Why won't she tell me what's going on?
Maxwell wrapped his arms around her. "Look at it this way. I've got to keep you interested. You might become bored and want to trade me in."
"Bored with you? Never." She pressed her lips against his. "Let's go out to eat. You can impress me tomorrow."
