Mayor Bougerious's POV:

    I  don't get it. Why is my daughter so quick to assume that Nathaniel is wrong for her? Is it because she feels she is not the right girl for him?

     I know that he is good for her. I can tell that he loves her more than any man can ever love a woman. I am sure she loves him too but is afraid to let on that she does.

      I only told her a part truth when I mentioned Sarah kept asking if  Nathaniel was coming.

    Sarah did ask, but I wondered if he would come.

      I know he plans to come now. Yes, I can be a bit pushy, but it is only because I want what is best for my daughter. It is best she discovered how she truly feels about Nathaniel. I have a feeling one day she will wake up and dread the outcome of her life if she doesn't.

       I  smile when Sarah picks out a nice pair of jeans, a yellow shirt, and matching sandals. I think that is a rather suitable outfit for tonight's dinner.

       I recall Chole saying it would be at the Grand Han Plaza.

     I wonder if there is any particular reason she picked that place for the meal.

      I know the meal was mostly to help Sarah, Chole, and I adjust to each other as a family. I did not ask what reason she included Nathaniel to tag along. I knew she would insist on their best friends. She has a way of doing that.

      I was grateful he had agreed to come along.  I also hoped the court would allow Chole to keep Sarah because I knew how hurt she would be if they took her away.  I also, knew Nathaniel would do anything for her.  Well, almost anything, I was certain when it came to marriage he would only do that out of love and that would only work if Chole confessed she loved him.

      Tonight's dinner was one interesting event about to happen.

      I noticed Sarah wore a bee necklace with her clothes. I didn't need to ask where she had gotten it. She already told me, "Dad gave it to me." I asked, "Who is he? I did not think you had a Dad," and Sarah said, "Well, if you must know, Mr. Nathaniel bought it, but I wish he were my father." 

     I smiled.  I already knew she enjoyed Nathaniel's company, but I had no idea how much until now. I noticed Chole wore a bee necklace similar to Sarah's when she arrived at my place to meet up with Sarah and me after work.

    I  did not ask Chole about it or comment on it. I had a feeling, she would say something about it when she was ready.

       I noticed she had changed her outfit before she came. She must have been by her place first. I did not say a word about that either. 

     "Chole, what time did you tell him to meet us?" I asked.

    "7 pm," Chole answered.

     "It is 6:45 pm now, so we better head there ourselves," I said.

        Chole and Sarah agreed.  I saw no sense in our taking to many cars. I offered to drive us there in Chole's car.

          I locked the door to the house while Sarah climbed into the backseat. Chole sat in the passenger side.

       I climbed into the driver's side waiting for Sarah to put on her seatbelt before we left.

   Soon, we arrived at the place, and I parked the car. We all got out and went inside.

    When we were seated a waitress asked, "Is this all of your party, or are you waiting for someone else?"

     "Yes, we are waiting for Nathaniel Kurtzberg to come and join us," I said. I did not add the part about hoping he would be my future son-in-law.

     "I see, then, I will leave the extra chair here for him then," She said. With that she handed us the menus and left.

        "Mom, the empty seat is beside you," Sarah said.

       "Yes, that it is daughter," Chole said.

       "You know if you want you could swap seats with Sarah," I suggested.

         "Dad, I'm sure it is fine as it is, Nathaniel wouldn't mind sitting next to me," Chole said.

            I noticed how Chole said his name and smiled. 

              Seven o'clock clock arrived and he hadn't arrived yet. Sarah squirmed in her seat. Chole l looked crestfallen when a boy walked past our table who looked similar to Nathaniel but with brown eyes, unlike his turquoise eyes. I could tell she was disappointed it was not him.

              I ordered water for me and Sarah, Chole ordered an iced tea for Nathaniel, and a lemonade for herself.  I did not say anything about the close attention she paid to his drink requesting that he be given two lemons slices.

              It was like her to notice such details that most people would overlook. 

               What happens next?   

Find out in Chapter 25

           Until then,

          bye-bye,

      little owlets!

Summer out!