“How is Verna doing?” Dan asked in a conversational tone. “I haven’t heard you speak of her recently.”
“She’s good.” Amy picked up a Rookwood pottery vase, promptly putting it down when she saw the price. “She retired in May and spent the summer traveling across the country visiting friends. Now she’s working on deciding what she wants to do with the rest of her life.”
“You think she’ll stay in Mankato?”
Amy picked up a Strawberry Shortcake lunch box. She’d had one just like it. Her father had given it to her for her seventh birthday, just weeks before the accident.
“Amy?”
She shifted her attention from the lunch box back to the conversation. “I’m sorry. Did you ask me something?”
Dan smiled. “Is your aunt staying in Minnesota?”
“She’s not sure.” Actually Verna had talked about moving to Chicago so she could be close to Amy. Amy had been checking out real estate in the area and while she’d love to have her aunt in the same town, she wasn’t sure it was going to happen. “She took her retirement in a lump sum so it gives her some options.”
A petite gray-haired woman who reminded Amy of a wren with her bright, shiny eyes and quick movements appeared from behind a large bureau. “May I help you?”
The woman’s gaze lowered to Amy’s hand and Amy realized she still held the lunch box. She quickly placed it back on the shelf. “We’re just browsing.”
The moment the words left Amy’s lips she realized she’d answered for both of them. While Dan hadn’t mentioned looking for anything specific he had chosen Long Grove with its abundance of antique stores for their excursion.
She turned and lifted her face to him. “Unless you have—”
“Nothing specific in mind.” Dan slipped his arm around Amy’s shoulders and returned the woman’s smile. “We’ll let you know if we have questions.”
Amy’s breath caught in her throat. Thankfully Dan seemed willing to carry the conversation because the minute he’d pulled her close, she’d lost the ability to form a coherent sentence. She told herself the gesture was simply a casual one between friends. The trouble was her body hadn’t gotten the message.
But as much as Amy longed to give in to the warm, tingling that went all the way to her toes, she held tight to her common sense, slipping from the light embrace as if she’d seen something she absolutely couldn’t resist. Scanning the aisle, she found what she was looking for in a black and white kitten curled up on a shelf.
Amy shifted her gaze back to the woman. “You have a cat.”
The woman beamed like a proud parent. “Her name is Oreo. She’ll be six months old on Saturday.”
“May I hold her?”
The woman nodded. “She spends most days here in the shop so she’s used to strangers.”
Amy moved down the aisle, barely aware of the woman and Dan following her. The animal reminded Amy of Mittens, the cat she’d had when she lived with her father. But as she drew closer the differences between the two became more apparent. Mittens had been pure black with four white feet, while Oreo had white on his chest as well.
“You are so pretty.” Her voice rose and she found herself speaking in that high-pitched tone usually reserved for babies and animals.
The kitten stirred and stretched.
Amy bent down and gingerly scooped up the sleeping cat, holding it against her chest.
Dan’s brows pulled together in puzzlement. “I never knew you were such a cat lover.”
Amy gently stroked the soft fur. “I had one like this when I was only a little older than Emma.”
“Is Emma your daughter?” the woman asked.
Dan smiled, the way he always did when Emma’s name was mentioned. “She’s six.”
“That’s such a sweet age.” The shopkeeper’s gaze turned sharp and assessing. “Do you two have other children?”
It only took a second for Amy to realize that the woman had assumed she and Dan were married. She opened her mouth to clarify but Dan spoke first.
“She’s our only one,” he said.
“You’re young,” the woman said. “There’s plenty of time for more.”
Dan gave a noncommittal smile and changed the subject.
The woman stayed with them the entire time they walked around the store, but the minute they exited the shop, there was only one question on Amy’s lips. “Why did you let her think we were married? That Emma was our child?”
Although it was late September, the sun shone bright overhead. Unfortunately Dan had already slipped on his sunglasses, hiding his eyes.
“What did you want me to say?” he asked, his tone as expressionless as his face. “That you were Emma’s nanny?”
“I am Emma’s nanny.”
He took off his glasses, his gaze direct, his eyes an intense blue. “You’re much more than that.”
A warm flush of pleasure stole its way up her neck. All the way home, Amy found herself pondering the words, sternly admonishing herself every time she was tempted to read too much into them.
By the time they reached the city, she’d decided that what he’d obviously been trying to say was that she was his friend, a part of the family, not just an employee.
They were about ten minutes from home when her cell phone rang. Amy was going to let it go to voice mail but Dan turned down the volume on the radio. Reluctantly she dug the phone out of her purse. Even if Steven hadn’t promised to call her before he left town, the ring tone told Amy it was him.
“Hello, beautiful.” Steven’s deep voice resounded in her ear. “Have you had a good day?”
“I’ve had a very good day.” Just thinking about the past few hours brought a smile to her lips. After visiting most of the stores in town, Dan had treated her to lunch at a quaint little café. Then they’d topped the day off with a triple-decker cone at an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.
Amy had promised herself she’d stay away from sweets, but ice cream was really more of a dairy product than a dessert, wasn’t it?
“I wish you were coming with me,” Steven said. “Boston is beautiful this time of year.”
Amy had always wanted to see Boston but she knew if she’d gone that Steven would expect more than just a sightseeing partner.
“I’m sure it is,” Amy said. “Tell me again how long you’ll be gone?”
“Hopefully not more than two weeks,” Steven said. A teasing note sounded in his voice. “Are you going to miss me?”
Amy hesitated. She cast a sideways glance at Dan. His gaze was focused straight ahead on the road. He didn’t appear to be listening but…
“Um, hmm.” Amy decided to leave it at that.
“Is he there?” Suspicion filled Steven’s tone. “Is that why you can’t talk?”
Amy forced a casual laugh. “Dan and I are just getting back from Long Grove.”
“Listen, Amy,” Steven said. “My plane is boarding so I’ll keep this short. You’re his employee. That’s all you are. That’s all you’ll ever be. Getting more involved with him would be a mistake.”
For a second Amy sat there stunned. Sure, she’d spoken of Dan more often than she probably should but she’d never suggested there was anything between them. Or even that she wished there could be more. So why was Steven concerned? Unless she wasn’t as good at hiding her emotions as she thought…
Amy could hear the overhead announcing final boarding. “I better let you go.”
“A mistake, Amy,” Steven said, sounding genuinely concerned. “Don’t be fooled. Promise you’ll be careful.”
“I promise,” Amy said, her voice as tight as the fingers gripping the phone. While she found his concern touching, she was horrified at the thought of Dan seeing through her as easily as Steven.
“Good.” Though relief flowed through Steven’s voice, she could still hear the worry.
But Steven didn’t give her enough credit.
She knew better than to get involved with Dan.
; No matter how much she was tempted.
Dan had never been the type of guy to eavesdrop, but in the small cab of the Land Rover it was impossible not to listen.
It didn’t take a genius to realize Amy was talking to Steven. As far as Dan was concerned it was a bad sign that the guy had called. Steven had seen her the past three days and yet he still felt the need to touch base today?
Amy slipped the cell phone into her purse. “That was Steven.”
“Do you two have plans tonight?” Dan did his best to keep his tone offhand. After all, he couldn’t risk appearing disapproving. The last thing he wanted was to push her into Steven’s apparently all-too-eager arms.
Amy shook her head. “He’s headed to Boston.”
“Really?” Dan relaxed against the seat. A thousand miles away was the perfect place for the guy. “What’s he going to be doing there?”
“Some case,” Amy said. “He didn’t go into much detail.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t ask you to go with him,” Dan said, the lightness in his tone at odds with the tightness still gripping his chest.
“He asked,” Amy said. “I told him I had obligations here.”
Dan didn’t know what disturbed him more—that Steven had obviously felt comfortable enough to ask or that Amy had referred to him and Emma as “obligations.” “How long will he be gone?”
“Two weeks,” Amy said with a sigh. “It might even be longer.”
Dear God, she actually sounded like she was going to miss the guy. The relationship must be moving faster than he thought.
Emma’s face flashed before him and Dan remembered the promise he’d made her. A promise he fully intended to keep. Though he’d never been impulsive or one to move forward without careful thought, he realized suddenly that his little girl’s happiness might depend on his quick action.
Two weeks. More than enough time to make Amy fall in love with me.
It was a crazy thought, but once it flitted through his consciousness, it took hold and wouldn’t let go.
Fourteen days.
To become her friend.
To become her lover.
To become her husband.
Chapter Seven
Amy leaned over Emma, brushed a kiss against the sleeping girl’s forehead then tiptoed out of the bedroom.
After dinner the three of them had gone for a long walk. By the time they’d gotten back it had been time for Emma’s bath. Amy swore the child was asleep before she’d finished toweling her dry.
“Amy.” Dan’s voice resonated from the intercom in the hallway. “Could you come down here, please? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Amy pulled Emma’s bedroom door shut, wondering what could be so important that it couldn’t wait until morning.
Household concerns were normally discussed after Emma left for school in the morning, never at night. But then, Amy reminded herself, this day had not been “normal” in any sense of the word.
Having workaholic Dan take time off to go shopping had been only the beginning. He’d let the woman in the antique store think they were married, and his reason hadn’t made a bit of sense. At dinner he’d been distracted, yet afterward when they’d gone for a walk, he’d been jovial, entertaining her and Emma with funny stories from his boyhood. When they’d stopped at the park, Emma had headed straight for the slide. Amy had started to sit on a nearby bench but Dan had insisted they check out the swings.
She’d laughed. He’d teased. And each time his hands had settled on her waist, Amy’s heart had soared higher than the swing.
No. The day had definitely not been normal.
Amy hurried down the stairs, eager to find out what could be so important.
Dan smiled when he saw her.
“Come in.” He stood outside the parlor and waved her through the doorway.
Although the day had been more Indian summer-like than fallish, a cheery fire burned brightly in the hearth. The room, which Tess had turned ultramodern shortly before her death had been returned to its original decor two summers ago.
Amy had never been sure if the change had been made because Dan hated black and silver as much as she did or if the room had reminded him too much of Tess. His wife had been as chic and stylish as the room and Amy could only surmise that every time Dan had walked through the door he’d been reminded of what he’d lost.
Dan gestured to a chintz-covered Windsor. “Please sit down.”
Amy took a seat, while Dan continued to stand. After a few moments he moved to a spot just in front of the fireplace. He stared into the flames and a flicker of unease inched its way up Amy’s spine. Whatever was on his mind was obviously serious.
Amy tilted her head. “Is something wrong?”
Dan turned and raked a hand through his hair. He crossed the room and dropped into the chair beside Amy. “I’ve got something to say and I’m not sure how you’re going to respond.”
Shifting uneasily in her chair, Amy could feel a chill travel up her spine. This must be serious if supremely confident Dan, a man who always knew where he wanted to go and how to get there, was nervous and unsure.
But why? What could he possibly have to say that would cause him such distress?
There was only one thing that made sense. Today had been a gift, one last pleasant day with him and Emma, just like the day her mother had taken her out for ice cream, then dropped her off and never came back.
“You’re letting me go.” The words slipped past her lips despite her determination to let him speak first.
“No. No. No.” Dan leaned forward and took her cold hand, clasping it firmly in his. “That is—No. I’m definitely not letting you go anywhere.”
The breath Amy had been holding came out in a whoosh and relief flooded her body. “Then, what…?”
“Actually this is what I need to discuss with you.” Dan cast a pointed glance at their joined hands.
Horrified, Amy realized her fingers now interlocked with his. She tried to pull away but he held on tight, his lips curving upward.
“I’m as bad at this as I thought I’d be.” Dan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his hand still gripping hers. “I like you, Amy. And I think…I hope…that you like me, too.”
Amy pulled her brows together in a puzzled frown, trying to understand what he was saying and coming up blank.
“Of course I like you,” she said finally.
“I’m talking as more than a friend.” Dan spoke quickly as if afraid she’d interrupt. “I want us to get to know each other better, see where it might lead.”
Amy’s heart slammed against her ribs. More than a friend? For a second she wondered if she was dreaming. She closed her eyes then opened them. Nothing had changed. She swallowed hard and somehow managed a light tone. “You want us to…date?”
He lifted a brow. “You sound shocked.”
Amy forced a laugh and glanced around the room. “Where are the cameras? This has to be some kind of joke.”
For a second Dan looked startled, then he grinned. “No wonder I like you so much.”
“You don’t—” Amy said. “Not in that way.”
Dan’s smile faded. His gaze turned serious. “Lately there’s been this…connection between us. You have to have felt it, too.”
Amy could feel the heat rise up her neck. It wasn’t really a question and for a second she hoped she wouldn’t have to answer. But the watchful look in his eyes told her he expected a response. She paused then slowly nodded, hoping she wouldn’t regret the admission.
A look of relief crossed Dan’s face. “You agree.”
“I agree that sometimes there is this ‘energy’ between us.” Amy carefully chose her words. “But I’m not convinced acting on it is in either of our best interests.”
“Why do you say that?” Dan asked, his eyes as expressionless as his face.
Amy heaved an exasperated sigh. “How about for starters that I’m your employee?�
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“So?”
“So if you get tired of me like you did Bree and Melinda, I’m still around. Taking care of your child. Maintaining your house.” She jerked her hand from his. “You have to admit that having an ex-girlfriend living in your home could be awkward.”
Amy rose and moved to the fireplace but even the warmth of the flames couldn’t drive the chill from her body. She had to be practical. They both had to be practical.
“Anything more than just a simple friendship between us would be a mistake,” she continued. “A big mistake.”
“I disagree,” Dan said, not even taking a second to give the matter some thought. “I’m not going to get tired of having you around. We won’t have to worry about—”
“We do have to worry.” Amy whirled around. “Or at least I do. I like working for you, Dan. And I like taking care of Emma. I don’t want to do anything to screw that up.”
“I don’t see how us going out—”
Amy threw up her hands. The guy wasn’t stupid. How could he be so clueless? “Because the odds are it’s going to be a mistake. Just like your relationship with Bree. Just like Melinda. You—”
“Those women were different.” He stood and an odd desperation filled his tone. “You can’t compare my relationship with them to you and me.”
“Why not?” Amy lifted her chin. “There was probably much more chance of those relationships succeeding than one between us.”
“How can you say that?”
“Easy. They’re from your social circle.” Amy almost added “and they’re both beautiful” but decided that made it sound as if she thought he was superficial, which she didn’t. “You have similar interests—”
“Hold it right there.” Dan’s eyes flashed blue fire and he crossed the room in several long strides to stand beside her. “If anyone can get along, it’s you and me. Think about it. We’ve lived together for three years in harmony. How many couples can say that?”
But they weren’t a couple. She was his employee. And though he didn’t seem to want to grasp the subtleties of the differences, they were huge. For one, how did a woman go about dating a man whose laundry she folded?
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