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finally reached for her napkin and dabbed her chin. Her nails were red, her lips were luscious, and the ice cream…he envied it.
    Sam had lost his focus and not heard much of what she said somewhere after their knees hadtouched, except for her last words about liking Paradise.
    What he did hear was the music of her voice. It was quite an extraordinary voice, sweet and low and sexy. And any girl who could eat like this—well, she had an earthy quality that he really went for. He reminded himself that he’d received a sign. What the hell, he might as well get to know her.
    “Will you have dinner with me tonight, Kelly?” He took her spoon-free hand gently, and the buzz in the room stopped for just a moment, then went up a notch.
    “Thanks for asking, but I promised Dottie Williamson I’d help her transfer food to the Presbyterian church after work.
    “Oh, wow, lowly Lutheran that I am, I’ve been assigned the same task. It slipped my mind in the…heat of the moment,” Sam said. Thank you Dottie Williamson and your potato salad, he added silently. He wanted more time with her, right away.
    Kelly’s spoon remained poised in midair for a minute, and she looked at him funny. “Well, isn’t that a coincidence? I want to warn you, though—” Kelly lowered her voice and looked around. “—people will talk.”
    “I think they already are. Shall we go somewhere more private? We can discuss that legal matter without it ending up in the Paradise Pioneer .” He signaled for Dinky to bring the check.
     
    “Shall we go Dutch?” Kelly asked. She didn’t want to owe handsome anything.
    “The hint of Italian in me would rather treat you, if you don’t mind. Don’t forget this is the rib bruise apology lunch. Besides, I’ll overcharge you for the legal advice and recoup in no time.”
    Man, he was smooth. “Well, thank you again.”
    Sam paid the bill with cash and the wacky winking waitress kept up her eye-batting. Kelly figured the girl must have a tic. Actually, the whole town must have a tic. He held her coat for her like a genuine gentleman. She slipped into it. At least he didn’t button her up. They walked out with all eyes upon them.
    “My goodness, are you a famous celebrity in this town?” Kelly looked behind them.
    “I’ve been out of commission as far as dating goes since my return. It’s a shock for them to see me with a woman. There’s probably a bet out since the last time. How many months will it take Sam Grayson to date again? Whoever picked six months will be buying a round at Town Tavern tonight.”
    “There’s a tavern here? And Town Tavern is the actual name?” Kelly watched Sam smile aconfirmation. Unbelievable. “And this lunch qualified as a date?” she continued.
    “I’d say the criterion was for me to appear in public with a gorgeous woman. You definitely filled the bill. Plus don’t forget I took your hand in public. That was probably worth another twenty bucks. Bonus bucks.”
    “I’m happy to oblige. I’m thrilled to be a bonus buck kind of girl.” Kelly felt an edge in her voice. She had the feeling Mr. Grayson was categorizing her in some very interesting slot.
    Plus she was also getting very nervous about telling Sam Grayson her problems.

Chapter 5
    They went four blocks north to the neatly landscaped Grayson Building. Her red sandals were starting to pinch. Wrong shoes for the occasion, and somehow this occasion was starting to feel like a trip to the principal’s office in junior high.
    The Grayson Building was placed in a parklike area of Japanese maple trees and expanses of lawn, along with a bank and medical center. The building had a very modernistic, Frank Lloyd Wright feeling. Each floor had a terrace completely surrounding it, with plants dripping down the brick and stucco exterior.
    It was different, yet blended in nicely with the rest of town. There was a modern angular bronzesculpture in the courtyard. The building was seven stories, by far the tallest