Read Online Until She Met Daniel by Callie Endicott - Free Book Online

meal.”
    â€œNope,” Mandy denied. “Everyone chipped in. They were debating who got to pay, so I suggested everyone throw in a nickel. Not that it was necessary. There’s always plenty of food. The meals aren’t free at the center, just cheap. They say that Fannie considered fully funding free lunches, then decided that having to pay something kept people invested.”
    Daniel looked taken aback. “I wasn’t talking about the cost. I was thanking you for preparing such an excellent lunch.”
    She shrugged. “I don’t usually cook on consecutive days, but it sometimes works out that way when the volunteers aren’t available. Normally I do it eight or nine times a month and fix my favorite recipes, such as meat loaf.”
    â€œThe meat loaf was a nice surprise. I don’t usually care much for it.”
    â€œYeah, I saw your expression of horror when you heard the menu.”
    â€œYou’re imagining things. I did
not
have an expression of horror.”
    â€œMaybe, but tell the truth. You were trying to swallow without tasting it, weren’t you?”
    His voice was stiff. “As I said, meat loaf isn’t my favorite dish, but I enjoyed yours.”
    For Pete’s sake, why was he acting as if he had a stick up his butt?
    â€œIs there anything else I can do for you?” she asked politely, stifling a yawn. He might be gorgeous, but didn’t he have a scrap of humor in his body?
    â€œYes. I heard something that made me wonder if you were the one who cleaned my office last night.”
    Damn. How had that gotten around?
    She shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. The mayor asked if I could help get it ready, and there wasn’t anyone else available.”
    â€œI don’t understand,” he said. “Why you?”
    â€œWhy
not
me?”
    â€œYou’re the Senior Center director.”
    â€œSo?” Mandy had never believed a job well-done was beneath her, and having the title of “director” hadn’t changed her opinion. “I told you, I help out with stuff. I’ve gotten to know folks and I volunteer for community projects.”
    â€œBut they said you were here most of the night.”
    â€œIf it was going to get cleaned, that’s when it had to happen.”
    Daniel muttered something to himself.
    â€œExcuse me?” she prompted.
    â€œNothing. I...thank you, again. You must be tired.”
    â€œThere’s nothing I can’t accomplish as long as I have a big cup of coffee first thing in the morning.”
    He grimaced. “From the Handy Spandy?”
    â€œHeavens, no. That stuff must be filtered through potting soil.”
    â€œYou have a gift for understatement.”
    She could sympathize since he’d obviously started his day with the worst coffee in creation.
    â€œDo you still need coffee?” she asked, deciding to be generous.
    â€œI meant to get a cup at lunch, but got distracted.”
    She swiveled in her chair, grabbed a clean mug and filled it from her coffeepot. “Here you go. There’s cream in that little refrigerator, if you want it, and sugar sitting on top.”
    He stared at the cup before accepting it. “Thanks. I usually take it black.”
    â€œYou should get a coffeemaker in your office if you’re interested in a steady supply. You’re welcome to have what’s served in the parlor all day, but if you have a favorite type, you’ll want to make it yourself. I prefer my own.”
    No way was she going to offer him access to her pot. Having him run in and out of her office for coffee wasn’t a pleasing prospect, no matter how much she believed in hospitality. She didn’t dislike Daniel,
exactly,
but no woman enjoyed being around a guy who seemed to radiate a subtle air of disapproval at the same time he was revving up her pulse.
    â€œThat’s probably what I’ll do, as well. I’ll return the mug