LITMIR.BIZ

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those moments, Melissa went from wishing Tom would win their bet to wishing he’d lose and take over the Parade Committee.

      Fat chance.

      Bea was silent for a beat or two, but then she huffed out a sigh. “All right,” she said. “But you mark my words, Melissa. Stone Creek will be the laughingstock of the whole state of Arizona if Adelaide has her way.” She paused to sputter indignantly, then finished with “Toilet paper, for heaven’s sake. That woman is obsessed with toilet paper.”

      Melissa bit the inside of her lower lip as a means of corralling the obvious response—that Adelaide wasn’t the only one with an obsession—before promising to attend to the matter at the first opportunity.

      By the time she’d made the remaining calls, noon had rolled around and it was time to meet Steven for lunch over at the Sunflower Café. Because the small restaurant was close, and she thought the walk might be a remedy for some of her soreness, let alone her frustrations, she decided to leave her car at the office.

      She and Steven arrived at the same time.

      “I like the look,” he said, taking in her skirt and sweater with a slow sweep of his eyes as they stood on the sidewalk in front of the café.

      She let that pass. “Where’s Matt?”

      One side of his mouth kicked up in a grin. He looked better than good in his white shirt and well-fitting blue jeans. “At day camp,” he replied, with a grin dancing in his eyes. “I spent the morning with an architect from Flagstaff. I’d like to have the house finished and the new barn up by fall.”

      Melissa looked down at the community dog dish, filled with clear water, and stopped just short of asking about Zeke.

      Steven smiled again, opened the door for her, and held it wide. “Zeke’s at home,” he said, evidently reading her mind. “And he’s fine.”

      It was disconcerting, the way this man could guess what she was thinking. What if he figured out that, even against her better judgment, just being around him made her want his body? She looked away quickly.

      The café was crowded, as it usually was at that time of day, but Tessa seated them right away, at a corner table.

      Melissa immediately reached for a menu, although her stomach was doing that nervous thing again.

      “I had a great time last night, Melissa,” Steven said. “So did Matt.”

      She looked at him over the top of her menu. Blinked once. It should have been easy to come up with an answer—so why wasn’t it?

      “I’m glad,” she said, after a long time.

      Steven didn’t take the other menu, which was tucked between the napkin holder and the salt and pepper shakers. He just sat there, across the table, within touching distance, looking all warm-eyed and amused. “I’m glad you’re glad,” he teased, lowering his voice and leaning forward slightly.

      She blushed then, because the way his eyes caressed her made her feel as naked as any of the croquet-playing oldsters she’d seen in Ashley’s backyard the other day. They were in a very public place, she and Steven, but, even though they’d already drawn their share of glances, the Sunflower was so full of noisy good cheer that no one could have overheard their conversation—although a few people were sure to try.

      “The club sandwich is very good here,” she said helpfully, giving the menu a little wriggle. “So is the beef stew.”

      Steven smiled at her again.

      Tingly waves of—something rippled under her skin.

      “Okay,” he said, his tone husky.

      Melissa gave him a level look. “Lunch?” she reminded him.

      “Supper, too, I hope,” he said, without missing a beat. “Six o’clock? My place?”

      Her heartbeat quickened. “Your place?” she repeated stupidly.

      “I’m afraid Matt won’t be there, though,” Steven said, sounding mildly rueful. “Meg and Brad invited him to sleep over tonight. He and Mac are already great buddies.”

      Melissa swallowed. If Matt wasn’t going to be home, of course they would be alone, she and Steven Creed.

      Say no, warned her practical side. You know what could happen, and you’re not ready for that.

      “Isn’t this a school night?” she asked.

      Wow. She was a veritable genius when it came to small talk.

      “Matt goes to day camp,” Steven pointed out, after indulging in another of those slow, lethal grins. “Not Harvard.”

      “Oh,” Melissa said.

      “Are you coming, or not?”

      She blushed again. Had he worded the question that way on purpose? “It’s a little soon,” she said.

      “For what?” Steven asked, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

      “You know damn well for what,” Melissa told him. She’d lost patience with herself by then. All this waffling was so unlike her—she was a direct person.

      His blue eyes twinkled with mischief. And the promise of sweet, hot, languid things. “Do I?” he drawled. And then he reached out, took the menu from her hands, and set it aside. Closed his fingers around hers.

      “Yes,” Melissa whispered. “You do.”

      Just then, Tessa reappeared, pen and order pad in hand. “What’ll it be?” she asked, smiling at both of them.

      Steven ordered the club sandwich.

      Melissa opted for beef stew, even though it was a warm day.

      Still smiling, Tessa nodded and turned away.

      “You were saying?” Steven grinned. He hadn’t let go of Melissa’s hand; indeed, he ran the pad of his thumb over her knuckles, very lightly.

      Flames shot through her. “I forget.”

      “Liar.”

      “It’s too soon,” Melissa reiterated. There was something feverish in her tone.

      “Are you trying to convince yourself, or me?”

      “Steven, stop it.”

      Tessa came back with their drinks then—both of them had ordered iced tea.

      “You’re okay, aren’t you?” Tessa asked, giving Melissa much closer scrutiny than before. “Somebody at the counter just told me you were almost hit by a car this morning, while you were out for your run.”

      Small towns. Every incident, no matter how small, was grist for the mill.

      “Just a little shaken up,” Melissa said, aware of the change in Steven’s face even though she wasn’t looking directly at him just then. His grip tightened around her hand. “It was no big deal, Tessa. A miss is as good as a mile and all that.”

      “It could have been a very big deal,” Tessa protested. “Did you see a doctor?”

      “Tessa,” Melissa said, with a smile and a shake of her head, “I’m fine. Really.”

      Tessa hesitated for another moment or so, then turned and walked away.

      “You were almost run over by a car?” Steven asked. He was holding both her hands by then. And he no longer looked amused.

      People were watching them.

      Jumping to all kinds of conclusions.

      She could feel it.

      “I wasn’t hurt,” she insisted. It bothered her, how much she was enjoying his concern.

      “What happened?” Steven asked.

      “Nothing,”

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