The Welcoming
thank you.”
She offered an easy smile as she poured his coffee. “Perhaps you’ll come back another time and try the trout.”
Even for Conby, her smile was hard to resist. “Perhaps. You run an interesting establishment, Miss Ford.”
“We try. Have you lived in Seattle long, Mr. Conby?”
He continued to add cream to his coffee, but he was very much on guard. “Why do you ask?”
“Your accent. It’s very Eastern.”
Conby deliberated only seconds. He knew that Dupont had already left the dining room, but Block was at a nearby table, entertaining part of his tour group with what Conby considered rather boring stories. “You have a good ear. I was transferred to Seattle eighteen months ago. From Maryland. I’m in marketing.”
“Maryland.” Deciding to forgive and forget, she topped off his coffee. “You’re supposed to have the best crabs in the country.”
“I assure you, we do.” The rich cake and the smooth coffee had mellowed him. He actually smiled at her. “It’s a pity I didn’t bring one along with me.”
Laughing, Charity laid a friendly hand on his arm. “You’re a good sport, Mr. Conby. Enjoy your evening.”
Lips pursed, Conby watched her go. He couldn’t recall anyone having accused him of being a good sport before. He rather liked it.
“We’re down to three tables of diehards,” Charity announced as she entered the kitchen again. “And I’m starving.” She opened the refrigerator and rooted around for something to eat, but Mae snapped it closed again.
“You haven’t got time.”
“Haven’t got time?” Charity pressed a hand to her stomach. “Mae, the way tonight went, I wasn’t able to grab more than a stray French fry.”
“I’ll fix you a sandwich, but you had a call. Something about tomorrow’s delivery.”
“The salmon. Damn.” She tilted her watch forward. “They’re closed by now.”
“Left an emergency number, I think. Message is upstairs.”
“All right, all right. I’ll be back in ten minutes.” She cast a last longing glance at the refrigerator. “Make that two sandwiches.”
To save time, she raced out through the utility room, rounded the side of the building and climbed the outside steps. When she opened the door, she could only stop and stare.
The music was pitched low. There was candlelight, and there were flowers and a white cloth on a table at the foot of the bed. It was set for two. As she watched, Roman took a bottle of wine from a glass bucket and drew the cork.
“I thought you’d never get here.”
She leaned back on the closed door. “If I’d known this was waiting, I’d have been here a lot sooner.”
“You said you liked surprises.”
“Yes.” There was both surprise and delight in her eyes as she brushed her tumbled hair back from her forehead. “I like them a lot.” Untying her apron, she walked to the table while he poured the wine. It glinted warm and gold in the candlelight. “Thanks,” she murmured when he offered her a glass.
“I wanted to give you something.” He gripped her hand, holding tight and trying not to remember that this was their last night together before all the questions had to be answered. “I’m not very good with romantic gestures.”
“Oh, no, you’re very good at them. Champagne picnics, late-night suppers.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “Mozart.”
“Picked at random,” he admitted, feeling foolishly nervous. “I have something for you.”
She looked at the table. “Something else?”
“Yes.” He reached down to the seat of his chair and picked up a square box. “It just came today.” It was the best he could do. He pushed the box into her hand.
“A present?” She’d always liked the anticipation as much as the gift itself, so she took a moment to study and shake the box. But the moment the lid was off she snatched the bracelet out. “Oh, Roman, it’s gorgeous.” Thoroughly stunned, she turned the etched gold, watching the light glint off the metal and the square-cut amethyst. “It’s absolutely gorgeous,” she said again. “I’d swear I’d seen this before. Last week,” she remembered. “In one of the magazines Lori brought me.”
“You had it on your desk.”
Overwhelmed, she nodded. “Yes, I’d circled this. I do that with beautiful things I know I’ll never buy.” She took a deep breath. “Roman, this is a wonderful, sweet and very romantic thing to do, but—”
“Then don’t spoil it.” He took the bracelet
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