CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I AM SO GLAD SO MANY OF YOU ARE ENJOYING THIS BEGINNING WITH OUR FAVORITE COUPLE! I loved writing it and thanks to my favorite people it just flowed. So, many thanks to them and please do not desert me now.

NOW TO THE NEXT TO THE LAST CHAPTER!

Della felt as if she was in a dream. It all seemed surreal. How did he get there? How did Aunt Mae know him? What was going on here?"

Mason stood there looking at her but only smiled and said, "hello". Paul Drake, on the other hand was delighted to see Andrea again and vice versa. Aunt Mae was saying, "these gentlemen having been telling us they met you back in Illinois."

"They did?" Della asked vaguely.

"Yes, they did." Andrea spoke up. "It was at a USO dance, but we thought they were in the South Pacific."

"Unfortunately, we didn't make it. We were lucky though a lot of our fellow passengers didn't survive." Paul informed them.

"Lucky for us," Liam chimed in. "I got acquainted with these two gentlemen at Tim's fundraiser. Paul just helped us with a case we have been working on. We got to talking and imagine my surprise that they knew you two. It is a small world. It was my idea to surprise you."

Her voice was shaky as Della agreed, "yes you certainly did surprise us."

Getting up Mae announced, "Dinner is ready. Bring your drinks gentleman and let's adjourn to the dining room. She sat Della and Perry together, Paul with Andrea, and she and Liam were at the two ends of the table.

Perry had held out her chair and had quickly run his hand down the back of her arm. She was so flustered she was barely aware of what she was eating. Paul and Andrea were busy getting reacquainted.

Hearing Liam asking about Perry new practice brought Della to greater attention. "I am having a hard time getting my office organized." Perry explained. "I am already handling some cases, and I have a couple typists, but I need someone to run my office and work as my confidential secretary."

"When will you be doing interviews?" Liam wanted to know.

"This is delicious. My compliments to the chef." Perry needed a minute to gather his thoughts. "I think I need to hire someone it in the next week or so." Mason finally acknowledged.

He looked at Della and asked, "you aren't eating much Miss Street. Are you sure you are alright?"

"I'm….I'm fine. We had a big lunch. I guess I didn't save enough room for tonight's feast.

Mae leaned over and touched Della's face it was warm. "I hope you aren't getting sick, Dear."

"Maybe some fresh air would help. "Perry suggested.

"Yes, that is a good idea. You, young people go and walk along the beach when we finish eating. It is cooler now. Liam and I will clean up."

Della tried to protest but Mae waved her away and a little later Perry took her hand and led her out to the front porch. They were joined by Andrea and Paul. Soon they were walking slowly across the sand with the moonlight shining down upon them.

Letting the other couple walk ahead of them Della turned to Perry and wanted to know, "So what is the real story as to how you ended up at my Aunt Mae's."

"What do you mean the real story?" Perry didn't quite look her in the eye.

"Mr. Mason not just anyone gets invited for her famous chicken and dumpling dinners," he was informed.

Stopping her and pulling her down on the sand he confessed. "I have been looking for you. The people at your firm are pretty tight lipped. Paul really did do some work for Liam. They got to talking and lo and behold it lead to you. Paul explained how we met you and your friend. Well long story short it seems Mae noticed all of us at that fundraiser and something tipped her of to explore her intuition a little more. Here we are."

"So why were you looking for me?" She asked looking down at her feet. The last I saw you were going off to dance with your lady friend."

"I'm not going into the whole thing right now, but the lady is now living in Denver. She was getting ready to cause a scene and I wasn't about to have her ruin the evening. I asked you to wait for me."

She sighed, "I had no idea you weren't leaving with her. Besides I had a couple very busy days and I was exhausted."

He took her hand, "would you do something for me?"

"What?"

"Would you come and see my offices, consider becoming my secretary, and run my office?"

Della began to shake her head, "please just give me a chance," he said quickly. "Come in and talk to me. Let me tell you my vision and how I think you could work with me."

"I don't think it would be a good idea Perry."

He touched her face. "Do you think I didn't feel a spark between us? Let's just talk it out. I have so many questions. I thought you were out of my life and yet here you are. Will you give me a chance?"

Reluctantly, Della agreed and asked when they should meet. "You name the day and time." He flashed those incredible dimples as he gave her a big grin. "Just don't run out on me again, Cinderella."

She had to smile. "If you are this persuasive in court counselor, I predict a great future for you."

"It would be perfect with you by my side." He remarked.

'Oh, he's good,' she thought as they got up and proceeded down the beach holding hands.