Trapping the Gazelle

Chapter 3

Later that evening, Kiera parked her car along Fore Street in the downtown area of Saint Ives. Using the cane, Kiera stepped out of the old jaguar roadster. She glanced at her watch noticing it was 10 minutes until 6 o'clock. She buttoned her long tan coat and shivered slightly from the cool breeze that blew off the beach. She stood still watching the sun setting. The streetlamps blinked on and lit the sidewalks and street. Taking a deep breath, Kiera walked towards the side alley and towards the entrance to the Den restaurant.

The streets were busy with locals enjoying the night out. Few of the people who knew Kiera, waved to her and she waved back. She could not believe that it had been two weeks since they last saw each other. Kiera felt butterflies in her stomach and goose bumps form on her skin as walked to the restaurant feeling excited. She accidently put her full weight on her left knee and winched at the sharp pain that shot up her leg. She pushed her glasses up and reminded herself to walk putting weight on the cane.

Stepping up to the front door, the restaurant greeted her senses with warm smells of cooking food, soft music playing and people laughing as she opened the front door. Glancing around the restaurant in anticipation, Kiera was disappointed not to see Ryan anywhere.

'Maybe he is at our table waiting.' Kiera thought as she walked towards the host.

"Hello Ma'am and welcome to the Den," The young man announced politely, "May I help you?"

"Yes I have a reservation for 6 o'clock." Kiera responded leaning on her cane.

"Name please?" The host suggested.

"It should be under Mister Westbrook or Doctor Reid." Kiera said looking around.

The Den was a small restaurant, serving fish entrees with a few small varieties of other choices. The restaurant had two levels, with the main dining area on the first floor and a bar in the corner. The second floor was used for private parties, could be used for overflow when the main floor became busy. The restaurant decorated in a Victoria style with picture-framed mirrors. The main floor looked half full tonight.

"Ah, yes here you are Doctor Reid," The host said and Kiera heard a slight shift in his voice.

She glanced at him with curiosity. Kiera notice a slight frown on his face as he moved his finger along the screen reading something.

"Is there a problem?" Kiera asked.

"I have a note here from Mister Westbrook." The host replied looking up from his computer screen, "He called earlier and said he would be running a bit late." The host explained, "Would you like me to seat you now?"

"Late?" Kiera said perplexed, "How late?"

"I believe Mister Westbrook said about half an hour." The host answered apologetically.

'Why did he not call me?' Kiera thought pulling out her phone. She did not see any missed phone calls or messages. In addition, she did not remember feeling her phone vibrate.

"Would you like me to seat you, Doctor Reid?" The host repeated hesitantly.

"No," Kiera replied and noticed her voice sound upset, "I will sit at the bar for now, but when Mister Westbrook does arrive. Please inform him that I am very, very upset with him."

"Um, yes Doctor Reid." The host swallowed and Kiera saw how nervous the young man looked.

"I'm not upset with you, just the man who was supposed to meet me on time." Kiera said keeping the tone of her voice light and friendly.

Kiera stepped pass the host and made her way to the bar. At the bar, she found an empty seat and sat down. After taking off her coat and laying it down on the seat next to hers. Kiera ordered a martini and brooded. She thought about why Ryan did not call her. She thanked the Bartender for the drink. Sipping her Martini, Kiera rested her chin on her hand and thought.

'Why his he running late,' Kiera thought taking another sip, 'He would have called me or is he in trouble?'

After a while, Kiera was lost in her thoughts of the dangers Ryan could be in or will be in. She heard someone say, "Is this seat taken?"

"No, it's all yours." Kiera replied not even caring to look up.

"Thanks." The male voice said.

"Not a problem," Kiera said with a sigh and stirred the toothpick in the Martini.

"Say what are you doing here are alone?" The male voice asked as Kiera heard him sit down.

"I'm waiting for my fiancé to show up." Kiera responded showing the man the ring on her finger without looking at him.

"What is wrong with this guy?' Kiera thought taking another sip of her drink. 'Take it easy Kiera, he is just making conversation.'

"Is he running late?" The man asked and Kiera felt anger start to rise up in her.

"It does seem that way." Kiera retorted and took a long drink of her martini.

"Well if it was me," the man continued, "I would not keep a lovely woman waiting this long."

"Thanks, but I'm not interested in any conversations with strange men tonight." Kiera sighed looking down at her watch. "So order a drink and please leave me alone."

"Sorry, I am guessing that you must be very, very upset with him right now." The man said.

Suddenly the voice sound playful and familiar to her. Kiera looked up and saw Ryan smirking at her. Her heart leaped into her throat and butterflies fluttered in her stomach as Ryan looked down at her. She noticed her was wearing dark jeans and a grey polo shirt with is familiar tan jacket. Kiera swallowed hard, trying to calm herself down.

"Yes and I'm still very, very upset with you Mister Westbrook." Kiera said trying to hide her smile with a stern look and narrowed eyes, but it was difficult. "You were not running late?" Kiera accused him as her mouth twitched into a smile.

"Not really, only five minutes, but when I saw this lovely woman sitting at the bar by herself." Ryan explained, "I could not pass up the opportunity to strike up a conversation."

Kiera noticed him smiling mischievously as he explained.

"I'm sure this lovely lady would not want to talk to a scoundrel like you." Kiera replied trying to give him a narrowed look, but ended up laughing.

"Such language woman," Ryan said faking innocent, "You're making me blush."

"Oh I will do more than that." Kiera replied winking playfully.

"Shall we get our table or..." Ryan said letting the meaning hang in the air.

"I believe you owe me a proper dinner." Kiera responded, "We shall go to our table now."

Ryan helped Kiera to her feet, collected her coat and cane with is other arm as he helped Kiera to their table. They were seated next some big windows overlooking the beachfront. Ryan helped Kiera into her seat, before seating himself. He sat down next to her and she felt his knee pressing against hers. The touch set her body on fire with desire.

"I'm still mad at you for not calling me." Kiera said giving him a playful look.

"How can make it up to you?" Ryan asked.

Kiera felt his hand run up her thigh and gently squeeze her inner thigh. She swallowed as her body responded to his touch. She bit her lower lip as she moved his hand away from her tight. Ryan gave her a perplexed look as she removed his hand.

"You can make it up to me with a massage tonight." Kiera replied with a smug look as she watched his mouth drop open in surprise. She felt proud of herself knowing that she took him by surprise.

"Your wish is my command love." Ryan replied, quickly recovering from his surprise, "Shall we order dinner?"

"Yes, I am starving." Kiera answered.

Kiera ordered salmon served on a cedar plank, which had a garlic butter sauce on it. Ryan order skirt steak lightly seasoned with pepper. They ate their dinner and Kiera would sometimes take small bites from Ryan's plate.

"Did everything work out for you, Ryan?" Kiera inquired swallowing a bite of salmon.

"Better than expected." Ryan replied with some hesitation in his voice. Kiera noticed by his neutral look that he was telling her the truth, but he held back something important. "I'm not deceiving you love."

"I know you're not." Kiera blushed slightly, "Force of habit."

"I know it can be difficult, but it is all over." Ryan said quietly, "I promise."

"Thank you Ryan," Kiera nodded, "It means a lot to me, hearing it from you." She noticed that he was telling her the truth about that.

"Of course it is." Ryan replied with a smile, "How is your practice coming along."

"Great," Kiera said feeling relieved for the change in subject, "I have to meet with one of my patient's parents soon, and I feel like I'm making an impact with the children of Saint Ives."

"You always succeed wherever you go, Kiera." Ryan commented as he looked at her with his china blue eyes.

"Thank you Ryan." Kiera said feeling a blush rise up into her cheeks.

"That is why I think this will be a great place for us to live." Ryan said suddenly.

The comment took a second for Kiera to register. Her hand froze in midair as she was taking a drink of her wine.

"Did you just say...?" Kiera said, but stopped in midsentence.

"Live here." Ryan finished her sentence, "Yes that is exactly what I said, plus knowing the Duchess. She will not let you leave." She saw a knowing smile on his face.

"What about your family business in California?" Kiera asked her mind moving slowly as she tried to understand what he was saying.

"I can set up my office here and the board manages everything." Ryan said with an air of indifference. "Now let's order dessert."

"Dessert?" Kiera asked perplexed, "Oh yes dessert sounds great."

"Ryan wants to live here with me." Kiera thought feeling lightheaded.

"Are you all right, love?" Ryan asked hiding his smile from behind his wine glass.

"You just find ways to get me off guard." Kiera replied shaking her head. "I'm excited that we can enjoy our life together in this town."

Kiera felt a tear forming in the corner of her eye. She used a napkin to dab the tear.

"I aim to please Doctor Reid." Ryan said and placed a hand on top of hers and gently squeezed it.

"Well I will be the judge of that tonight when you give me my massage." Kiera commented, "Now feed me dessert."

Later that evening, Kiera and Ryan enjoyed a slice of chocolate cake. Kiera suspected that he let her have more of the slice, but she did not argue. Abruptly, Ryan stood up holding his wine glass. Kiera scanned the room worried that someone was going to attack them. She glanced up at Ryan, her heart beating fast, but she only saw a big smile on his face and no sign of worry or apprehension.

"Excuse me everyone!" His voice boomed.

"What are you doing?" Kiera asked in a quiet voice.

Kiera felt her heart beating faster as the main floor quieted. Everyone looked at Ryan perplexed by his actions. Kiera noticed some people quietly whispering about the commotion.

"I'm sorry for the interruption, but would everyone please raise their glass and help me in a toast to this lovely, but embarrassed woman Doctor Kiera Reid." Ryan announced and then continued as Kiera saw everyone raising his or her glasses. Now you all might be wondering what we are toasting." Ryan let the sentence hang in the air, "Doctor Reid agreed to marry me, and the funny part is she didn't even wait for me to ask."

The restaurant erupted into cheers and applauded the couple. Kiera placed her face in her hands, her face felt like it was on fire with embarrassment. Everyone drank from their glasses and wished Kiera and Ryan warm wishes on a happy life. Kiera looked up from her hands, still blushing, but smiling wide. Ryan held out his hand and Kiera took it as she stood. The place erupted into cheers again.

"I'm going to get you for this." Kiera whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

"Get me for what?" Ryan whispered back giving her an innocent look.

Before Kiera could respond, the main floor started to chant, "Kiss, kiss, kiss!"

"Guess we have to do what the crowd demands." Ryan said with shrug.

Kiera gave Ryan a warning narrowed look, but Ryan swiftly placed one hand behind Kiera's neck, lower back and gently bent her backwards as he supported her weight in his arms. Finally, he leaned in and kissed her. Kiera heard shouting and clapping as Ryan kissed her passionately.