Chapter 27
"Well you are in luck Sir, because I love to dance and I would love to dance with you," Randi told him as she placed her hand in his and rose to join him on the dance floor.
They danced between each course and even stayed for a few after they had finished desert. By the time AJ pulled up in front of her house it was nearing midnight. Even so, she asked him if he would like to come in for a cup of coffee.
AJ smiled and admitted, "Do you have decaf? Although I hate to own up to it, if I have regular at this hour, I'd be up all night."
Winking at him and telling him most woman would consider that a good thing, caused him to start in surprise and then laugh delightedly. Miranda added that she did have decaf and opened the door to let them both in. Entering the house, AJ noticed that they had similar tastes in colors and a mixture of contemporary furniture with a spattering of antiques. "Make yourself at home, AJ. I'll put the coffee on and be right back."
Taking her at her word AJ walked over to the fireplace and looked through the pictures on the mantle. There were several candid pictures of her grandson and a formal family picture in which he recognized Nora and Randy, the young man with them had to be Josh, Tom's nephew and her son-in-law. Looking closely at him AJ saw that he resembled the very young Tom that AJ remembered meeting his first day in SEAL training. Grinning to think that the two of them were ever that young, he noticed that Josh wore his police uniform as proudly as Tom and AJ wore their uniforms.
Then he saw a picture that caught his eye. It was of a girl that looked much like Nora did now, next to a handsome Naval Officer on their wedding day. This must be Miranda and her late husband. Miranda came back from the kitchen to see him looking at the pictures and saw that he had her wedding picture in his hands. "That was many moons ago," she declared.
"Surely not that many!" he laughed.
"Well I was eighteen, so it was back in '82," she sighed.
"Let's see, I was already married and divorced by then with a ten year old daughter that I hadn't seen since she was two and had just entered law school.
"What made you choose to go to law school?"
"Well, I knew that I wanted to make the Navy my career, and that I couldn't remain in a combat ready post to the age I am now, so I considered my options and chose the law."
"It seems to have worked out well for you."
"And now it's allowed me to meet you!" he smiled at her and taking her hand walked over to the couch, where she had placed the tray on the coffee table.
"You and your flattery!" she smiled back and handed him a cup of black coffee, and putting some milk in another cup then sat back against the cushions.
"Miranda would you prefer that I didn't say nice things about you?"
Startled she asked, "Why would you say that AJ?"
"Because it seems that every time I do you either protest or make disparaging remarks," he answered her.
"I'm sorry AJ, and I know I keep saying that too, but for so long the only one I've gone out with is Tom and he and I are so comfortable with each other…"
"Come with me lovely lady," he said as he rose and offered her his hand.
Curious as to what he was up to, she followed him into her own foyer. He placed her in front of the wall mirror there and stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders. "Now tell me what you see," he encouraged her.
Leaning back against him she sighed and said, "I suppose I lose points if I say a handsome man behind me?"
"Miranda!" he said on a warning note.
"Okay!" she muttered and really gave herself a good look. In the past, she would check to see if the clothes she was buying fit, or if her hair was combed when she looked in a mirror. She hadn't stopped to analyze her looks since she after Nora was born.
To Be Continued….