A very clever plot... and woven quite well. Keep that question alive - what next? You have so much going on here - lots of possibilities!
Enjoying the ride.

OH boy this is getting interesting

Wow.....another Sue.....what's going on.....


~laura michelle~

i have to admit this is getting pretty creepy...
but i dont mind, i love the supsense, and with you, there's enough to go around!

i wonder what the inscription says?

Ooo! What does it say?

Em

I like that question... what next? I just want to keep reading, which means you have to keep writing!!!

what does it say....what does it say

I was gonna say the exact same thing!

this is great scary but great but please
can you put us out of our misery by telling us what did it say
lin

Levi gave up trying to make sense of his mistress and found a comfortable corner, out of her way, to lie down. She had been pacing the living room for ten minutes, accomplishing nothing. It never took him that long to find a cosy spot. He only needed to circle an area three times, four at most. Being a human was hard work, and that was without mentioning walking on two legs.

The doorbell rang. He was tempted to stretch first but training kicked in and he went to notify Sue right away.

She smoothed her dress one more time. This was Jack. Why was she so nervous tonight? Because of the restaurant she chose and the message she was sending him, silently answering her own question. Not that Jack knew just yet, having made the reservation herself while he was in the lab.

Jack heard Levi, so he assumed it wouldn’t be long before she opened the door to him. He straightened his tie, having dressed for a special occasion like she requested. He refrained from questioning her any further. He would enjoy letting her surprise him. If she chose an upscale restaurant, he would gladly pay the bill. But nothing had him prepared for the vision standing in the doorway.

She smiled shyly at him, inviting him in. The shimmering blue sapphire dress hugged her body to perfection, opening mid-thigh on her left side down to her ankle.

“You’re ... beautiful”, though breathtaking would describe his condition more appropriately.

“So are you ... cute ... I mean, handsome .. not that ...” She bit her lips, stopping her mumblings, lowering her gaze to hide her blushing.

He dangled a single red rose in front of her eyes. He smiled when she lifted her chin up, the lovely shade on her face matching the colour of the flower.

She thanked him before approaching the rose to her nose. He saw her close her eyes as she inhaled the delicate fragrance. He imagined the silkiness of her skin as he brushed the back of his hand down her cheek, her soft purring as his lips trailed along her neck, her shivering as his hands sensually caressed her ...

“Jack?” noticing his hand hanging still in midair.

“Let me put it in the water for you.”

And without waiting he took the rose from her hand and headed for the kitchen, wondering how much longer he would be able to conceal the depth of his feelings for her.

So cute...

Hopefully not long

Em

Wow, Jack and Sue dinner already!

Good job on the sexual tension!!!

Too cute!! Jack, you really need to keep that wandering mind of yours in check if you're not going to share!!

Oooh Jack, you've got it bad!

I'm all a jitter and my nerves are shot and they haven't even arrived at the restaurant eyt!

kav

same here Kav, same here!

this is a terrific mystery really
but I trust you that jack and sue will be kept safe
more soon please lin

jack..i think you are ticking like a timebomb...that can go off any minute now. just tell her. and why did sue pich the restaurant...what does she got up in her sleeve...uh dress...uhh purse...well you know what i mean.

Wah hoo! Can't say no to a Marlo Christmas mystery

*happy sigh* I love romance

And I still want to know what was written on the ring...

you still havent answered my question, marlo...

what was written in the ring?

did you think that by distracting us with that wonderful post, we would forget??

Great job, Marlo. I love how you weave mystery and romance...

Looking forward to more.

You are crafting a wonderful story, Marlo. I wonder what Jack has been concocting in that sharp mind of his to surprise Sue?

I just caught up on this one Marlo!

This is so beautifully written...I can't wait for more!

BLT

Jack surrendered his keys without objection and let her drive him. He still had no clue why she left Levi home or where they were heading. To his knowledge there wasn’t any restaurants worthy of the name in this area. They stopped in front a red brick façade. Over the door, a sign partially covered with snow was swaying at the end of two black chains, sending flurries in their hair.

“Antonio”, reading out loud, having never heard the name before. From the outside it didn’t impress him much, but he trusted Sue’s choice.

“It’s new”, she mischievously whispered to his ear as he opened the door for her. “It used to be a strip club.”

“A what?”

“A bar where women dance while removing ...”

“I know what a strip club is”, he informed her.

“You do?” innocently raising her brow.

“Of course I ...” He shook his head, a smile curling up his lips. She was playing with him and enjoying every second of it. “I’m looking forward hearing YOUR explanation”, tapping her nose before letting his finger trail down her cheek along her jaw. “I believe our table is ready, swe ... Sue”, motioning to the waiter.

Jack studied the spacious interior. Tables for two were randomly placed around a dance floor and a small stage was standing in a corner, a remnant of the stripper years assuming Sue told him the truth. The crowd was essentially composed of couples in evening dresses and suits.

“I’m listening”, hoping the scented candle between them provided enough illumination. “How did you find this place?”

A tinge of jealous rose inside him at the possibility another man invited her here. He needed to get a grip. He had no claim on her unless ...

“Book club, Jack.”

“Book club?” not grasping the connection.

“One of the little boys lives around here. Last week his parents were late picking him up. His mother explained they were celebrating their anniversary and they lost track of time.”

“Her husband took her here?” jumping to the only logical conclusion.

“Yes, and she described with enchantment the restaurant that replaced the strip club the local citizens lobbied for year to shut down.”

This was indeed a very romantic setting for an anniversary ... or a first date, smiling at the possibility she might have had a secret agenda when she chose this restaurant. They had been flirting and dancing around each other for a while under the guise of friendship. Was she subtly hinting she was interested in a deeper relationship?

“I would love to take you here again”, reaching across the table for her hand.

“Shouldn’t we taste the food first?” his thumb brushing her wrist sending tingles down her toes.

“Fair enough”, he laughed, not caring much about what they would be eating as long as she kept feeding his hope. “What did the mother of the little boy recommend?”

“We didn’t go in that much detail ... Jack, why don’t you order for both of us”, unable to decide between all the delicious menu suggestions.

He didn’t relinquish her hand throughout the meal. They didn’t talk about work, sharing Christmas and childhood memories instead.

“Did you know about dancing?” he inquired when a live band began playing on stage and couples stepped on the floor.

“Yes”, she admitted shyly, “but don’t feel you ...”

“I would love to”, pulling her up. She quickly discarded her shoes and followed him before he changed his mind.

He couldn’t tell which torture was the most sublime, her body swaying against him, her fingers gently playing in his hair at the nape of his neck or her head resting against his shoulder, her soft breath tickling his chin.

His hands were caressing her back at the rhythm of the music. She couldn’t hear the words, and could only sense the vibrations through the hardwood floor, but when his lips touched her forehead she imagined a beautiful love song.

The country song took him by surprise. In the best of times he wasn’t a country fan, but the lyrics caught his attention.

Ain't it funny how life
Is measured in time
Ain't it funny how fate
Never leaves it too late
I heard a heavenly song
I started singing along
Still I can't believe
That you sent her here to me

She fell from the sky
Right into my life
Through a hole in the clouds
All her friends were looking down
I found her crying in the rain
Well I helped her mend her wings
When she never flew back
Lord, I knew for a fact
That you were missing an angel

Well Is she here to save us all
Or just to catch me when I fall
Is she part of your plan
To make me a better man
Every night I say a prayer
That in the morning she'll be there
And if I die before I wake
Chalk it up to give and take

She fell from the sky
Right into my life
Through a hole in the clouds
All her friends were looking down
I found her crying in the rain
Well I helped her mend her wings
When she never flew back
Lord, I knew for a fact
That you were missing an angel

When she never flew back
Lord, I knew for a fact
That you were missing an angel

In his arms was the woman who captured his heart the day she walked into his life. He prayed for the courage to tell her before the evening was over.

“Ready for your surprise, angel?” he whispered after the last note died.

+++++

Song is entitled Missin’ an angel by Johnny Reid

More come on I know you have it in you Marlene!

ooh ooh, I'm ready where'd ya go?

That was a wonderful post Marlene!!!

Please post more soon!

BLT

wonderful marlene more very soon please
oh lin

Sounds like a wonderful place for a first date! I wonder what the surprise will be.....and I hope Jack doesn't chicken out tonight!!

Me neither!

Could this girl be related to Sue?? I'm glad she found a follicle of hair for a DNA test!! I love the mystery, Marlo!!!

The restaurant sounds divine!! I love the song and how Sue is leading Jack to make a move!! Will he tell her tonight?? "Ready for your surprise, angel?" - be still my heart!!!

Joy

Just can't just leave it there.....come back and finish it....


~laura michelle~

*slithers into a little puddle*

The goofy grin on my face isn't going anywhere any time soon

Wow. Now if they just don't get interrupted before he has a chance to declare his love.

Kim

Wow.

More please!!!

Em

Whoo hoo! SOOOO happy you're writing a challenge story, Marlene! I'm loving it so far and can't wait to see where you take us!

Wow. I'm gone for two days and I have 4 pages to catch up on.

Yikes, how creepy would it be to see yourself in a picture like that? Eesh... Is she related to Sue?

What did the inscription say on the ring?

Is Jack going to tell her tonight?

When will Marlo post again???

*sigh*

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I'M READY

wonderful post, can't wait for more

cath

Wow! What a terrific song to describe Sue.
thanks,
Terie

Aw. You were really inspired the other night, weren't you!!!

Wonderful story! And I'm not even going to guess what is going to happen next!

Jill

He drove longer than anticipated, her surprise waiting in the opposite direction outside of town. There was a sign nailed on the trunk of a huge tree indicating a ranch three miles down. But in the dark, it was almost impossible to distinguish unless you knew exactly where to look.

“Jack? You’re not planning on losing us in the woods, are you?” she teased him when he took a narrow dirt road in what seemed the middle of nowhere where snow lingered on the frozen ground.

He chuckled, wondering what she would say if he told her he found her suggestion very appealing, while secretly pleased no one ever brought her here.

He stopped the car near a fence and pulled a blanket from the back seat before helping her out. The veranda was lit, and a scrubby man was waiting for them wearing a heavy winter coat.

“Jack, glad to see you again”, his smile softening his features. “And you must be the young woman he can’t stop bragging about”, offering a callous hand after removing his glove.

“Sue Thomas. Nice meeting you”, smiling back at him. “Good or bad bragging?”

“You don’t expect me to betray Jack’s confidence, do you?” winking at her.

“Maybe”, she replied boldly, only to have Jack hastily lead her towards the stables. “Jack! Where are you taking me?”

He almost blurted out haystack, before signing surprise instead. He needed to curb his overactive imagination tonight and stopped acting ... thinking like a hormonal teenager.

She gasped when she saw a horse harnessed to a sleigh, an electric lantern hanging loosely around the animal’s neck. A thick fur blanket lined the seat, large enough to cover them. Added to the one Jack carried with him and placed over her legs she was warm and comfy.

He encircled her in his arms, and she leaned against his chest. Semi-darkness prevented them from exchanging unnecessary words. Holding the reins in each hand he commended the animal to a slow walk.

The light breeze whistling through the snow-covered branches mixed with the puffing of the horse and the beating of their two hearts sang a soft melody in the cloudy night.

Sooo romantic!!!
thanks,
Terie

I think a romantic sleigh ride just might do the trick!

Kim

That was beautiful Marlene.....how romantic!

Please post more soon!

BLT

*happy sigh*

This is so romantic - and I'm loving it!

(I still want to know what was inscribed on that ring though - I'm in no hurry - romance takes precedence... just wanted to make sure you knew I hadn't forgotten )