“A surprise?”
“Yep.I’m going to give you a makeover!My treat.”
One gray brow rose to her hairline.“A makeover?Like they do on those TV shows?”
“Just like that.We’ll get your hair styled, your makeup and nails done, eyebrows waxed, and I’ll help you choose a few nice dresses.”
“But why?Why go to all that trouble?”
It was Sarah’s turn to assume the wise-mother expression.Pointedly, she turned her head to look at her father’s profile, where he was still seated at the counter.Just as pointedly, she looked back at Milly.“I think you can guess.”
Milly sputtered, started a comment, stopped, and then started again.At last, she flushed.
“It’s obvious you’re sweet on my dad,” Sarah said, injecting kindness into her voice.“And no surprise, he’s plainly smitten by you.You’re a hell of a catch.It’s amazing I never noticed the romantic chemistry between you both before.This has been going on for years, hasn’t it?Has he ever asked you out?”
“Well ...no.”
Filled with enthusiasm, Sarah sorted through the implications.It was a dream come true—the father she adored and the woman she’d always loved as a mother—at last forming a true relationship.She drummed the tabletop with her fingers.“I’m betting he just hasn’t yet admitted his feelings about you to himself.Men can be so thick sometimes.We’ll get your makeover and see if that doesn’t wake him up.”
“I don’t know, Sarah.”Milly stared at her hands, suddenly looking like a woman in love, miserably unsure if her man returned her affections.“I don’t know.”
Sarah patted her plump shoulder.“Just leave everything to me.”
****
As soon as Sarah textedBen she was ready to go, he returned her message promptly.
Ben:Stay inside.I’ll be right there.
Obediently, she waited inside the diner’s doors for Ben to pull up in her vehicle.It was still gloomy, with clouds of fog rolling slowly through town like lost apparitions.She squinted into the mist and could make out only dark outlines of cars passing.They formed eerie, unrecognizable shapes.
As she peered expectantly out the window, someone rushed at the glass doors, startling her.It took one long, breath-stealing moment to recognize his face.“Donovan!”she exclaimed, her hand on her heart.“You surprised me.”
“Sarah!”His normally neatly brushed hair windblown, Donovan Sinclair came inside.A gust of cold air accompanied him.Where had he been?He seemed out of breath, as though he’d jogged there.“How are you feeling, my dear?You left my office so quickly yesterday I worried you were sick.”He took both of her elbows into his hands.
In his hold, Sarah squirmed.He had an unnerving way of getting into her personal space.But she did owe him an explanation.“I’m so sorry, Donovan.Iwassick and—and it embarrassed me—so I hurried out.I’m feeling much better today.Please accept my apologies.”
“Of course, of course.I was concerned that our talk about the lease of my building upset you.”
“Oh, no, I—”
“So I’ve re-thought my attitude and decided on a price you’ll find very attractive.”He smiled, showing teeth so unnaturally bright it was obvious he whitened then.“I was being selfish.”
“Donovan, you aren’t selfish—”
“Why, a feed store will be so useful to the locals.So, I’ve instructed my secretary to type up the lease with more than favorable terms.You’ll be so happy, and that’s all I want, Sarah.”With deep intensity, he searched her eyes as though they were long-term lovers.“I want you to be happy.”
In her purse, her phone chirruped—a text message ringtone.
At last, she managed to extricate her arms, only to have Sinclair stroke her shoulder.“Donovan, thank you so much.I appreciate this.We’ll get along, I’m sure, in a very professional property owner and tenant sort of way.Right?”She wanted him to perceive the barrier she intended to keep between them.
“Yes, of course,” he said, but he still hovered too close.“Let’s talk about this over dinner.”
Clearly, he wasn’t picking up on her hints.
Her phone chirruped again.Another text message.
“I’m sorry.I can’t.Now, I need to check my phone,” she said.
