Absolutely, Positively

dive toward the same french fry. The bird that got to it first seized the morsel and climbed swiftly skyward to escape the competition. “I like to plan ahead. When did you and Gordon first start dating?”

    Molly was silent for a moment. Harry sensed that she was choosing her words with great care. He wondered why the subject of Gordon Brooke required such extreme caution.

    “We met about two years ago. I told you, we started going out together about eighteen months ago,” Molly said finally.

    “That would have been about six months after your father died?”

    “Yes.”

    “About the time you took the first legal steps to establish the Abberwick Foundation?”

    “Uh-huh.” Molly studiously spooned up more chowder.

    Harry whistled softly. “So it took Brooke that long to figure out that you were in control of a five-hundred-thousand-dollar-a-year foundation? He must be a little slow. No wonder he's on the verge of bankruptcy.”

    “That's it.” Molly slammed her spoon down onto the table. “I knew you'd say something like that. I justknew it.”

    “What did I say?”

    “Don't you dare try that innocent expression with me, Dr. Trevelyan. You know perfectly well that you just implied that Gordon tried to use me eighteen months ago.”

    “Now, Molly—”

    “You virtually accused him of having his eye on the Abberwick Foundation assets, not me. The implication is that I was too naive and too gullible to realize it until I saw him going at it with his assistant.”

    “I'm sorry,” Harry said.

    “Hah. I don't believe that for one single minute. You think I'm soft in the head when it comes to financial matters, don't you?”

    “Not in the least,” Harry said, surprised by her conclusion.

    “Yes, you do. You no doubt gained that unfortunate impression because I seem too eager to make grants to the various inventors who have applied for them.”

    “I think you've got a soft spot for inventors, yes. But that's another issue.”

    “You bet it is.” Molly aimed her spoon at him as though it were a ray gun. “Bear in mind, Dr. Trevelyan, that I did not make Abberwick Tea & Spice a successful business enterprise by being stupid about money.”

    “True,” he conceded.

    “Nor am I naive and gullible when it comes to investments. The fact that I got my father's foundation up and running is proof of that.”

    “Absolutely.”

    “So maybe I am a little softhearted when it comes to inventors. What of it? It's a family trait. Abberwicks have spent generations looking for funding for their inventions. It's only natural that I would feel for others who are in the same position my father and uncle were in for most of their lives.”

    “I understand. I apologize.”

    Molly abruptly collapsed against the back of her chair with a disgruntled expression. “Why should you be sorry? It's the truth. Gordon did try to use me to get money for his damned espresso bars. I hoped you wouldn't find out. It's embarrassing.”

    “I doubt if it was any more embarrassing than discovering that my ex-fiancée was in love with my cousin,” Harry said.

    Molly looked briefly nonplussed. Then her mouth kicked up at one corner. “You've got a point. I'll bet that was a little rough, wasn't it?”

    “It didn't do a lot for my ego, but I survived.”

    Molly's hair bounced in the wind as she leaned forward and folded her arms on the table. “Maybe you and I have more in common than we first thought.”

    Harry gazed into her shatteringly clear eyes and felt the desperate hunger rise within him. He fought savagely to squelch it. He could not take any more risks. He had gotten lucky last night because Molly had believed him to be ill. He must not lose his control again. At least not until he was absolutely, positively certain that she would not fear the strangeness in him.

    “Maybe we do,” Harry agreed.

    “Eighteen months ago Gordon wanted cash to expand,” Molly said quietly. “When he didn't get it from me, he talked a bank into making him a loan. He opened five new locations within three months. He moved too quickly. Now things have started to implode. He needs more money to stay afloat, and the bank won't give him another dime.”

    “So he's come to you.”

    “Uh-huh.”

    “But this time,” Harry said carefully, “you know what he's after.”

    “Yes.”

    Harry looked out across Elliott Bay. “Ever wish things had worked out differently between you and Brooke?”

    “I think I can