Mad About You

where I want to be." His smile widened, giving her a brief glimpse of his elusive dimples. "Especially since it appears we have progressed to a first-name basis."
    His mood was infectious, and she smiled, ignoring the rush of desire triggered by the brief touch of his hand. The waitress returned and Kat ordered lasagna, James, the steak.
    "Tell me about yourself," he said when they were alone again.
    Kat shrugged. "You already know what I do for a living, and where I live."
    "What about family?"
    "There's just me," she said brightly. "My mother died when I was a teenager, and you know about my father. Actually, it was my father who introduced me to the museum. He worked at Jellico's for over fifteen years."
    "A family affair, eh?"
    Kat squashed the troubling memories that threatened to surface. "You might say that."
    "You don't seem to get along with your boss—Mr. Trent, isn't it?"
    Deciding it was useless to lie, Kat nodded. "We don't always see eye to eye. Guy has grown increasingly more commercial in his pursuits for the museum."
    "The owner must favor him."
    Kat rolled her eyes. "The owner is his brother-in-law and lives in San Diego, so Guy has the run of the place."
    "Ah. And how do you feel about showing King George's letter?"
    "Fine—once I know it's authentic. What can you tell me about Lady Mercer?" Seeing the look that crossed his face, Kat quickly clarified her statement. "Skip the personal details."
    His mouth twisted as he thought. "Tania Mercer is a widow and a shrewd businesswoman. Her elderly husband left her a tidy sum, but she's grown it considerably since his death."
    "Is she a patron of the arts?"
    "Yes," he said slowly. "If it suits her purposes. She dabbles in the stock market and start-up ventures, too. She also has a keen interest in rare antiques—I suppose it would follow that she would jump at a chance to purchase the letter in hopes of attaining a profit."
    "So you believe she came by the letter honestly?"
    He frowned slightly. "I've never known of Tania doing anything fraudulent—underhanded, perhaps, but not blatantly illegal."
    She nodded, satisfied. "What about you, James? Do you have a family?"
    "A sister in London." A look of genuine affection crossed his face. "You rather remind me of her, actually."
    Kat bit back a frown—she wasn't ready to jump into bed with the man, but being compared to his sister wasn't top of her list either. "Are the two of you close?"
    Nodding, he said, "We don't visit as often as we should, but she's a terrific girl, and married to a good fellow. Expecting a baby in the spring."
    "And you're retired?"
    "Yes."
    "You must have joined the intelligence agency as a young man.”
    "I did indeed.” He smiled. "Although I’m still young enough."
    To service you. The unspoken words hung in the air. "S-So,” she stammered, "you spend your time jetting across the world doing favors for old lovers?"
    "It passes the time."
    "You sound bored."
    "It's a bit of a change to go from an active job to playing chess and puttering in the garden."
    "Somehow, I can't see you weeding begonias."
    "I enjoy the quieter aspects of life and I'm still a consultant for the agency, but I confess I miss the assignments."
    Kat finished her wine and held her glass as he refilled it. "So why did you retire?"
    "Twenty years seemed long enough, and I want to spend time with my niece or nephew when she or he arrives. Plus I have all the money I'll ever need."
    She straightened and pushed her glasses higher on her nose. Was he bragging, or just stating a fact?
    Their entrees arrived, and James declared her recommendation an excellent choice. The music grew louder as the meal progressed, so they stopped talking and enjoyed the sounds and tastes, communicating with gestures and glances, and emptying the bottle of wine. Kat couldn't remember when she'd had a more delightful evening. Over coffee, the thought flitted across her mind that his company was rather pleasant, and she was suddenly disappointed he would be leaving so soon.
    He paid the tab, then walked close to her as they returned to the car. On the short drive home, he asked questions about the city, and Kat, a Bay Area native, gave him an abbreviated history.
    It seemed all too soon that he was walking her to her door, and Kat's pulse was racing.
    "I've kept you longer than the hour I promised," he said near her ear as she unlocked the door.
    She laughed nervously. "I noticed. You'll be running through the airport, but you should