First Impression

Chapter Eleven

When Aurora got home she sighed with relief. Gracie meowed and rubbed against her ankles. She put the kettle on for some tea and cleaned out Gracie’s dish and gave her fresh food. She also scooped the litter box and then washed her hands and then the tea kettle whistled.

Mrs. Teagarden knocked on the front door. “I thought I’d bring this tuna casserole over and see how you were doing. I noticed you had a little kitty in your window today.” Mrs. Teagarden reached down and pet little Gracie.

“Oh thank you, that’s very kind of you. Yes, I found the poor thing huddled on the porch in the rain. Oh, yes. I’m doing well. Thank you so much for thinking of me, Mrs. Teagarden. Aurora said politely. “You are very welcome dear.” Mrs. Teagarden said.

“Well, I’m going to have a cup of tea and head to bed. Thank you again. Good night.” Mrs. Teagarden said goodnight and went back to her cottage and Aurora put the tuna casserole in the fridge and went back to her tea. She read over the clippings again. Then she headed to bed with Gracie curled up beside her.

The next morning Aurora finished her morning routine and went into the studio and closed the door to do some work. She looked at the photographs she had pinned up on her cork board. She sighed and put on her apron.

She worked on the piece for an hour and then and decided to have a cup of tea

and sit on the porch for a muse. She took off her apron and left the studio.

Aurora put the kettle on the stove and waited for the water to boil. Soon the

tea kettle whistled.

She poured the tea and set the kettle back on the stove. She went out on the porch, sat down and soaked up the sunshine while she finished her tea. She put her tea cup and saucer in the dishwasher and went to her closet and pulled out a sweater and pet Gracie as she left.

She walked to the Mayfair Market to selected some items for lunch. Bread, avocados, tomatoes, lettuce, some chicken, deli meats, cheeses, and crackers. Then she paid for her items and walked slowly back home enjoying the sunshine. She fixed herself a sandwich and a tall glass of milk. She finished eating and just as she was placing her dishes into the dishwasher, there was a knock on the door. William Collins stood on the doorstep with a short bouquet of white roses.

“Hi, am I interrupting anything?” “Not at all, Mr. Collins, come in, what can I do for you?” “Well, I’d like to take you out for the whole afternoon, if you would like to go with me? He asked hesitantly. She invited him to sit down at the table and she placed her thumb on her chin and thought about it for a moment.

He smiled. “Yes, I would like to go with you. Just give me a moment to change my outfit and I will be ready to go.” She said after a short pause. She went to her room and closed the door. She brushed her teeth and combed her hair and put a banana clip in it.

Then she put on a burgundy blouse and an A frame skirt and flats. She chose her cream colored sweater and then pet Gracie on her way out of her bedroom. Will was admiring all her family photographs on the wall in her tiny living room.