“I have a lot of unruly curls,” she frowned.
“I think they’re adorable. You always look over your computer screen at me and I see those huge brown eyes and long thick lashes batting away. It’s like you’re sending me a morse code. Help me, your eyes are saying,” he laughed. Priscilla couldn’t help but laugh as well.
“Now you’re just being silly,” she said.
“Only a little. But I’m also being sincere. I have to go back to Coronado for a few days then I’m headed to my family’s home in Louisiana. Could I interest you in a little getaway?”
“To your family’s home?” she squealed.
“Yes,” he laughed. “Is that so strange?”
“It is when we barely know one another. We haven’t even had a date yet,” she said lowering her voice.
“This is a date. Our first,” he smiled, “and I think it’s going splendidly. You could come with me to Coronado, spend the night in our family home there. Separate bedrooms, I swear. We can enjoy the beaches, have some fabulous food, and then head to my family for a few days. I know you have a ton of vacation time. I looked it up.”
“You hacked into the human resources files?” she asked.
“Hacked is a harsh word. I happened to stumble into them,” he grinned.
“River that’s a federal offense,” she whispered.
“Are you going to turn me in?” he asked smiling at her. She looked like she might say yes, then she laughed, shaking her head.
“No. Of course, not. I just don’t think I’ve ever had a man pursue me like this. You know that if Celine sees this, us as being attracted to one another, she’s going to be livid.”
“First, you said attracted to one another which means you’re attracted to me. I was beginning to worry.”
“You’re crazy,” she laughed. “Yes, I’m attracted to you but I thought you were only interested in Celine.”
“No. Not even a little,” he said sincerely. “Second, I think we’re all adults and can have a pleasant farewell meal together. We’re driving together, so we have no choice but to leave together.”
“Are you sure, River?”
“Positive.”
“Alright. We’d better get going or we’ll be late and that’s not something that makes her happy no matter who it is.”
Priscilla directed River toward Celine’s townhome, turning down tree-lined streets, snow covering the lawns as children played in the yards making snowmen. Traffic was going to make them slightly late but Celine would have to get over it.
“This is a nice area,” he frowned. “A place here costs a pretty penny, especially a federal style home.”
“I know. Celine said she inherited the place from an uncle. It’s beautiful though. Full of gorgeous antiques and all this historical stuff.”
River just nodded, not sure what to make of this. He knew the woman, Celine, had been entertaining gentlemen in her spare time. Everyone knew. But this was something different. A federal employee would have a hard time making ends meet in this neighborhood.
“Here we are,” said Priscilla. She started to get out of the car and River held her hand.
“Priscilla, I’m glad you came with me. Truly. I know this feels sudden to you but I’ve been thinking about this since the moment we started working together.” She smiled at him, looking for any signs of insincerity.
“Me too. Truly.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Priscilla stepped onto the small arched porch and reached for the door handle, stopping just as her fingers lingered above the brass knob.
“What’s wrong?” asked River.
“It’s open,” she whispered. Turning she looked at him and frowned. “Do you think she saw us pull up?”
