"I know." A few minutes passed in silence.
Ready?" he asked, holding out his arm for her to take. His proper and gentlemanly ways made her heart skip a beat and she loved every minute of it. Before taking his arm, she took a deep breath and smoothed the front of her velvety chocolate dress. "You look beautiful," he said. "Stop fidgeting."
"Thank you," she murmured, unable to look at him. One look into his eyes may reveal her true feelings and her heart wasn't ready for that, yet. What if he pushed her away and destroyed her dreams? No, tonight was about celebrating, not watching a dream fade away into nothingness. She took his arm and they headed inside, going downstairs to the reception hall.
Small round tables draped in gold linens surrounded the dance floor. Streamers hung from the ceiling and gold and white balloons decorated the refreshment table. There were heart shaped balloons and ones that said 50th Anniversary. Pictures of the Sinclair's wedding day adorned the walls. Even though they had aged, that same love still existed today. It shone in their eyes when they looked at each other. Caitlin watched Mrs. Sinclair lay her hand on her husband's arm and look up at him with deep adoration. A love like that was one Caitlin hoped to experience some day. She could not imagine it being anyone but Garrett. What if he didn't reciprocate the feelings? Would friendship be enough?
"Hello, dear," a woman said as she draped her arm around Caitlin "Hello, Mrs. C." Caitlin hugged the older woman who had been like a grandmother to her since Grandma Emmaline had passed away fifteen years ago. She eyed Caitlin from head to toe and smiled. "Look at you, so beautiful and young." She turned to Garrett. "Good evening, Mr. Winston. May I say you are looking rather dapper this evening?"
"Thank you, Rachel, but it is you who is truly radiant this evening." Garrett took her hand and kissed it.
"Would you please get us some punch?" she asked, a hint of pink in her cheeks. It was so easy to feel like a young girl falling in love for the first time when Garrett was around, no matter your age.
"Certainly." After he left Mrs. Carrington said, "Is there something I should know, young lady?"
"No," Caitlin said, trying to disguise her embarrassment. If Mrs. C was thinking it, who else was? Caitlin looked around the room and saw Harry and his wife, Jake and Melinda, and many others. No one seemed to be looking at her or Garrett. A huge sigh of relief escaped her body. "He offered to be my escort since granddaddy isn't here." She looked down and cleared her throat. Would it ever get easier to say those words?