Absolutely, Positively

handed him the requested items. Harry went to work slicing the muffins.

    “If you won't have coffee, how about some tea, Brandon?” Molly asked. “I'm making a pot for myself.”

    “No, thanks. Look, Harry, this is a personal matter.” Brandon shot a quick look at Molly. “Family business.”

    “From now on,” Harry said softly, “Molly is family. My family. Anything you want to say to me can be said in front of her.”

    Brandon's mouth compressed into a thin line. “The two of you are engaged, not married.”

    “Same thing as far as I'm concerned.” Harry handed the neatly sliced muffins across the counter to Molly. “Talk if you want to talk. Otherwise, you can leave. I've got a busy day ahead.”

    Brandon took a step closer and lowered his voice. “Harry, let's be realistic here. Given your track record, I don't think you should be counting chickens until they're hatched.”

    “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Harry asked.

    “You want me to spell it out?”

    “Yes.”

    “You know damn well what I'm trying to say.” Brandon glanced uneasily at Molly, who smiled brightly in return. He turned back to Harry. “Look, this is a little awkward. Let's go into your study.”

    “No.”

    Brandon lost his temper. “I can hardly be expected to discuss sensitive matters in front of a stranger.”

    “I told you, Molly's not a stranger. She's going to be my wife.”

    Brandon reddened. “Not according to Olivia. She thinks this engagement isn't any more likely to survive than your other one did. And she should know.”

    “Think so?”

    “She knows people, Harry. It's her job, remember?” Brandon had the grace to give Molly an apologetic look. “My wife is a clinical psychologist. One of the best in the city.”

    “Yes, I know,” Molly said demurely. “We've met. She was kind enough to give me some free advice.”

    Brandon turned back to Harry. “I'm sure Molly is very discreet, and I have absolutely nothing against her. But until you actually get yourself married, I'm not prepared to discuss my business in front of an outsider.”

    Harry reached the end of his patience. He came up off the stool in a movement that caused Brandon to take a hurried step back.

    “You came here to talk,” Harry said very softly. “Say what you want to say or leave.”

    “All right, if that's the way you're going to be,” Brandon said stiffly, “I'll come back later.”

    “I may not be here later,” Harry said. “I've got plans for the day.”

    “You're doing this deliberately, aren't you? You're trying to make this as difficult for me as possible. What do you want me to do? Grovel to you just because you convinced Granddad to let me go out on my own?”

    “Why don't you ask Olivia? She seems to think she's an authority on my motives.” Harry sat down again and picked up his spoon.

    “Whoa. Time out.” Molly formed a referee's T with her hands. “I vote we call a truce here.” She put a cup and saucer on the counter. “Here, have some coffee, Brandon. Gordon Brooke's finest. It's his Dark Seattle Roast.”

    Harry looked up from his raspberries. He was irritated. “I didn't know we were drinking a Gordon Brooke blend.”

    “Not me. You. Personally, I never touch the stuff. And don't look at me that way. Your housekeeper bought it.”

    “Remind me to have Ginny buy another brand.” Harry went back to his raspberries. “Either sit down or leave, Brandon. I don't like having you hover while I eat.”

    Brandon fumed for a minute longer, and then he subsided onto a stool. He picked up the coffee cup Molly had given him and took a long swallow. When he was finished he set the cup down with a soft crash. “Okay, let's talk.”

    “I'm listening.”

    “I'm here because I want to discuss the financing of my new plans. Granddad has agreed to let me leave the company without any repercussions, which is a great relief to Mother and Olivia, but he won't help me.”

    “Hold it right there,” Harry said. “I'm not a bank. I talked to Parker for you, but that's as far as I can go.”

    “That's not true. You know people, Harry.” Brandon fiddled with his coffee cup. “I'm aware that you arranged financing for one of your Trevelyan relatives when she decided to buy that carnival amusement company.”

    “That was different.”

    “Yeah? How was it different? Don't your Stratton relatives count?”

    “My Stratton relatives are all rich.”

    “Not all of them,”