1. The Lonely Salesman Chapter Three Part Two


    Date: 3/1/2024, Categories: Love Stories, Author: JdRobbins

    ... by this time tomorrow, they will have everyone in the building convinced we will be married by Valentine's Day."
    
    I let the reference to marriage pass without comment.
    
    As Connie and I walked toward my car, she said, "It's getting quite chilly tonight. Maybe I should have brought gloves, too." She was still trying to get me to give up a clue as to where I was taking her.
    
    I said, "If it gets too cold, we can just leave."
    
    Opening the passenger door, I let Connie slip into the seat. I walked around and slid into the driver's side, started the engine, and flipped on the seat warmers and stereo.
    
    The radio station was already playing Christmas music, and I turned the volume down a little so Connie and I could talk as we drove to my surprise destination.
    
    Pulling from the Wynnewood entrance back onto Rt. 12, I turned away from town and started heading into the countryside.
    
    Connie didn't ask where we were headed, knowing I wouldn't explain our final destination.
    
    Traffic was much lighter outside town, and we made a good time. I made several turns and had her completely lost. My final turn was onto a back road that skirted along a small stream. In the spring, this stream would be teaming with stocked trout, but tonight, its calm water would reflect what I hoped would be a romantic setting.
    
    As we crested a small hill, our destination came into view. Off in the distance, the night was aglow with what looked like a billion twinkling Christmas lights.
    
    Connie ...
    ... exclaimed, "Oh my god, Philly, that is so beautiful!"
    
    I slowed the car to let her enjoy the view and said, "Welcome to Holiday Lights, sweetheart."
    
    Connie reached over and placed her hand on mine before she said, "What a beautiful surprise, Philly!"
    
    I felt the warmth of her heart through her hand and smiled to myself in the darkness, knowing that the first glimpse of my surprise had dashed some fears. Time would tell if other worries would be dashed that evening.
    
    I turned into the parking area and stopped at the small booth to offer the attendant our donation for parking.
    
    The lot wasn't full, and I had no trouble finding a space near the pathway that led into the heart of Holiday Lights.
    
    Connie seemed so excited to walk that path with me. As I turned the engine off, she didn't wait for me to come around and open her door. She was out and standing in the cold, crisp winter air, already enjoying the view immensely. I slipped my digital camera into my coat pocket and joined her. The sky was cloudless, and the moon hadn't risen, so along with the twinkle of holiday lights, the sky was twinkling with the light from a billion stars. I couldn't have asked for a more romantic setting.
    
    Connie gave me a huge hug and said, "This is incredible! I'm so pleased about your surprise for tonight."
    
    I put my arm around her waist, and she snuggled in against me as we started walking down the path toward the main entrance. As we passed under the brightly lit archway at the ...
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