Absolutely, Positively

modestly. “I did that all by myself.”

    Harry studied the massive stainless-steel device that occupied one kitchen wall. “Amazing. One of your father's patents?”

    “Yes. He tried to sell it to every single one of the major appliance manufacturers. They all told him he was crazy. They explained to him that the whole idea was to sell the consumer lots and lots of different machines to do various kitchen tasks, not one single, efficient device that would do everything and last for years.”

    Harry sank back down into the chair. His mouth quirked ruefully. “That's the story of a lot of interesting inventions.” He picked up a wedge of pizza and took a large bite. He chewed in silence and then swallowed. “I tend to get preoccupied when I'm working on an interesting project,” he said apologetically.

    Molly grinned around her pizza. “I'm familiar with the syndrome.”

    “Because you come from a family of inventors?”

    Molly shrugged. “That and because I, myself, have been known to get a tad overinvolved with a project.”

    “That's true, isn't it?” The hard lines of Harry's face relaxed slightly. “I've seen you get consumed by some of those grant proposals.”

    “I get that way about my business, too, at times.”

    “That makes me feel a little better about tonight,” Harry said. “But I don't look forward to explaining to Josh what happened.”

    “Why? What's Josh got to do with our date?”

    “He gave me a pithy little talk on modern dating practices. He seemed to think I had been out of the loop so long, I wouldn't know how to handle myself. Judging by this little fiasco, he may have had a point.”

    Molly nearly choked on a bite of pizza. She managed to swallow as the laughter bubbled up inside her. “You, too?”

    One black brow rose in inquiry. “What's that mean?”

    “I got the same lecture from my sister and Tessa, my assistant.”

    “Irritating, isn't it?” Harry took another bite of pizza. “Personally, I think Josh enjoyed holding forth. I suspect it was repayment for all the cautionary little chats I had with him while he was in high school.”

    “He spent a lot of time with you when he was younger?”

    “He came to live with me after his father died. Josh was twelve. His mother had been killed in an accident during the setup of a carnival ride when he was a baby.”

    Molly put her pizza down slowly. “You raised Josh from the age of twelve?”

    “I'm not sureraised is the correct word.” Harry shrugged. “I didn't have any idea of what I was doing, but luckily for me, Josh was a great kid. He turned out all right in spite of my lack of experience.”

    “Mom died when my sister, Kelsey, was just a kid. Dad loved us both.” Molly smiled wistfully. “He made us some incredible toys when we were younger. But he was the classic absentminded inventor.”

    Harry nodded in understanding. “The urge to invent can be an obsession.”

    “Tell me about it. Sometimes it seemed as if Dad forgot he even had a family. It got worse after Mom died. I think he used his work as an antidote for his grief.”

    Harry studied her with a perceptive look. “So you tried to fill in for your parents as far as Kelsey was concerned?”

    Molly smiled. “I can still see her rolling her eyes whenever I gave her the cautionary lectures.”

    “Josh did the same thing, but he survived in spite of my interference. He'll be starting his junior year in college this fall. He plans to go on to grad school.”

    “Following in your footsteps?”

    “What can I say? The kid's got a brain on his shoulders.”

    “So does Kelsey.” Molly was unable to conceal her pride. “The workshop she was invited to attend this summer is open to only the most promising high school graduates. I know she'll take to college like a duck to water.”

    “Josh sure did. Three-point-nine grade average last year.”

    Molly couldn't help it. She started to laugh.

    “What's so funny?” Harry asked.

    “Listen to us. We sound like a couple of middle-aged parents discussing the brilliant accomplishments of their offspring.”

    “I've got an excuse for sounding middle-aged,” Harry said dryly. “I'm thirty-six. You're still in your twenties.”

    Molly made a face. “I turn thirty at the end of the month.” She shook her head. “My God, where does the time go?”

    Harry munched pizza in silence for a while. “Ever been married?” he finally asked.

    “No. Eighteen months ago I