Dating A Silver Fox (Never Too Late) by Donna McDonald Page B

Lydia? I can check the chart, but just tell me,” Regina ordered.
    “Sixty-seven,” Lydia answered immediately, sighing over the number as she always did.
    “Well you look as good as many women in their fifties. Tell your beau that you are not ready to do other things, but that you don’t mind kissing, so long as he controls himself,” Regina said. “When you’re older, it works better than it did in high school. Males are better trained. At sixty or so, he should be old enough to handle the pace you need to set.”
    “So you don’t think this is—that I should just give up and send him away?” Lydia asked.
    Regina laid Lydia’s client folder across her knees, clasped her hands on it, and leaned forward. “Absolutely not. You blush every time you mention him. Do not—I repeat—do not let your fears keep you from at least trying. He’s obviously worth the risk just for making you feel the way you do. Plus, you simply don’t strike me as a coward.”
    “You’re very direct, Dr. Logan. I suppose that’s why Lauren likes you. She got her directness from her father, but you’re right. I’m not a coward,” Lydia said, standing. “May I come back?”
    “Of course,” Regina said. “Tell Ann to set up the standard six weeks of visitations. We’ll see how it goes.”
    “Thank you, Regina,” Lydia said, stiffly. “This must have helped. I no longer have the urge to vomit.”
    Regina laughed as she walked Lydia to the door, said good-bye and saw her out. Then she promptly hit her forehead with the folder several times for getting involved in the love life of Lauren’s mother.
    She shook her head as she gathered up teacups. It was turning out to be one hell of a day.

Chapter 9
     
    “Mother, is that a new dress?” Lauren asked, narrowing her eyes at the knee-skimming, fitted white shirtdress topped with a colorful sequined vest. Sequins? Yes, Lauren thought, her mother was wearing shiny little circles on her clothes. “It’s very flattering—makes you look even younger.”
    “Thank you, dear,” Lydia said absently, looking at the door again, just as she had been every few minutes since the open house started.
    “Looking for someone?” Lauren asked, moving her gaze to the door as well.
    “No, of course not—well, I am wondering where Jim and JD snuck off to,” Lydia said, trying to cover being caught. She just wasn’t ready yet to tell Lauren that she may have gotten accidentally involved with someone.
    Lauren laughed. “Oh, I’m sure they’re not getting into too much trouble. Jim keeps a tight rein on him. JD doesn’t argue with his daddy much.”
    Lydia laughed. Jim was a softy with the boy in most ways, but she knew he wouldn’t let his son get hurt. As if conjured up by the conversation, Jim came through the Common House door with a laughing, squirming JD slung over one shoulder.
    “Hep, hep. Ganma,” he squealed.
    “We rode on some guy’s golf cart and I had to pry JD away from it so the man could park,” Jim stated, passing his son to his very dressed up grandmother when she held up her arms for him. “Are you sure, Lydia? You look too nice to be wrestling the monster.”
    Lydia snorted at Jim’s praise but hoped everyone thought the same thing. “It’s just a dress,” she said sharply to stop herself from thinking about the other male who might notice. “Pass me my grandchild.”
    When he was completely in her arms, JD hugged her fiercely, planting a wet, toddler kiss on her cheek. Lydia sighed with the purest happiness she’d ever known.
    “ Ub U ,” he said, laying his head momentarily on her shoulder.
    “I love you too,” Lydia answered sincerely, hugging his warm body to her, and kissing his soft cheek. “I really needed that kiss today, boy-o.”
    She was so lucky, so very, very lucky in Lauren’s child. Closing her eyes, Lydia held her grandson contentedly.
    Lauren sought her husband’s gaze over her mother’s bowed head. His raised eyebrow indicated she