side. She had begun to open the door, but Johann opened it and wondered why she had not waited for him to open it for her. He took her arm and carefully walked her to the entrance and opened the door for her. She did smile. The maitre d asked them if they had reservations. “Graf Johann Todesengel von Gottes Gnaden and his companion.” He said most eloquently. Johann smiled remembering what Charlotte had told them and he knew that Rissy could only catch that Charlotte had made it very plain as to who would be arriving.
Someone had not taken it seriously however, as they soon found out, and upon hearing that their table was not ready Johann raised an eyebrow. The manager hurried to them and apologized for their failure to have the table prepared. Soon they were escorted to a private table and were brought the finest champagne in the restaurant. The waiter said it was a gift from the establishment. Johann nodded and Rissy couldn’t help but have a slight giggle at all of the attention. “Johann, I have the feeling that you must be someone very important.” “I am Rissy, but hopefully there will be one that will find me very important.” He smiled and they toasted each other.
Johann acted like just an ordinary man, but with manners and taste. That seemed to be the thing that finally broke through the tension, but then he was also lively and animated especially when he rose and tapped his glass, speaking very loudly and as one of authority in the place. Everyone turned and looked. “Ladies and gentleman may I have your attention please. This beautiful lady, Miss Rissy Ann Moonshower, has done me the honor of accepting my invitation to be seen with such a rogue as I this night in this fine establishment, and as lovely as all of you ladies are here tonight she outshines you all with her beauty.” Everyone looked at her and clapped. To his surprise she stood and spoke, which was the final proof that she and Risanne had finally merged and that this was the right time. “Ladies and gentleman, I only accepted his offer because he looked so pitiful when he asked. I only hope that I will not be the one footing the bill for this little excursion, however in the event that I am, I will accept any and all donations, cash, jewelry, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, Sams, Costco, I’ll even take a check.” Everyone laughed and clapped.
When they both sat down again, Rissy’s face was flushed. “You just embarrassed this girl tremendously. I’m going to the powder room.” As she got up and reached for her lipstick and a tissue she dropped her purse and the condoms fell all over the floor. Her heart stopped and she looked at him as though she were about to cry due to embarrassment. Johann contrary to his nature, whispered for her to go on and that he would take care of it. People were staring. He spoke up. “As I said a few moments ago, I am a rogue and like any good rogue, I think you call budding ones here in the state boy scouts, I am always prepared. The management didn’t know what to make of this and Johann knew that he had the upper hand, but in case there was any doubt, when the manager came over Johann flashed his eyes and showed a partial wing.
Rissy finally returned, but as she walked towards the table patrons were giving her money telling her that she may need it for a cab or a plane ticket. She protested but they insisted. By the time she reached the table she was giggling. Johann called the manager over and told him to bring him the bills for those patrons that gave Rissy the money. The manager did so and Johann met him around the corner and paid them all with cash. He explained that they were to be told that it was because of tonight’s disturbance.
They had a very fine meal, seafood galore with all different spices. Johann had never had a taste of Savannah and he loved it. While they were eating Rissy began asking questions. “Johann, are you here on business or have you moved to the area?”
“I have moved here for the time being Rissy. This place is beginning to grow on me and with such lovely company; it will be hard to leave.”
“You are quite the silver-tongued devil sir and make this girl blush and feel important.”
“Am I now?”
“Yes you are and I am having the time of my life.” Her hazel hues shone bright and he could see happiness within them. Her smile captured his heart and he felt as though it were the very first time that they had met. She was so happy then. There was none of this finery then, but she still could find goodness in everything. He had been wandering through the forest and there she was looking at butterflies in a field. He stopped and watched her. He found that he could not take his eyes off of her, just like now. She was the only thing he could see then just as now. A tear welled up in his eye just thinking about it. She spoke again and it broke the spell.
“Johann, does it bother you that I am a witch? Do you think me evil?”
“Rissy I have never thought of you as evil, neither now nor at any other time since we first met.”
She laughed. “You only just met me.”
“Yes you’re right, we have only just met.” He wanted to tell her so much, but the time was not yet right.
“But the strange thing is I feel that I have known you forever.” She had a flash of something that she could not quite make out. Something about them living in a nice house somewhere but she passed it off as a silly schoolgirl fantasy. Before she knew it she brushed her lips along his jaw and it felt as natural as breathing. She pulled away quickly stating. “Johann, forgive me for being so forward. That is just not like me and I don’t wish for you to think a girl is too forward.”
He chuckled. “I think the condoms said more about that than the kiss.”
She blushed and stuttered. “Johann, please I hope you don’t think of me like that.”
“No Rissy, I know that was Charlotte’s doing. But still it is humorous.”
“You are a rogue and a beast.” Her eyes lowered and her cheeks turned bright red.
He took her hand and kissed it. “Why Miss Moonshower, I do believe that you are blushing.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I must admit though that you are a beautiful lady and I am truly honored that you are here with me tonight.
“It has been wonderful Mr. von Gottes Gnaden and a great pleasure to spend this time with you.”
“Thank you.” he said softly.
The waiter came over and asked if there would be anything further and Johann asked for the check. Soon it was brought to him and he paid it. Rising he pulled the chair back for Rissy to rise and then as he took her arm he placed down a nice tip. He walked her to the door where the staff opened it for them. Once outside, he led her to the car, opened the door and assisted her in, before going to the driver’s side and getting in. As he turned the ignition and the engine roared he asked her, “Where would you like to go now?”
Is It Over
As they pulled out of the parking lot Johann decided to drive along the coast slowly. He had let the top down and Rissy muttered a few complaints, but then let her hair down letting the wind blow through it. Johann was continuously looking at the way her hair flew behind her and thought of all of the times that he had flown with her in the past with their hair mingling, but he could never really see it like he could now. Rissy noticed him looking at her and was glad that he seemed to be showing an interest in her. She thought that this would be nice for however long it lasted. “Johann, what do you keep looking at?”
“Your hair and how it seems to float in the air. Does it still do that when you fly?” She looked at him slightly confused.
“What do you mean by when I fly and does it still? I have never flown on my own and have never been able to perform that feat.”
“It must
