Part 90 (1/2)
”Which is everything.”
”Everything I like. Aren't we lucky?”
”I'm feeling pretty lucky at the moment.”
”I meant that we're both doing what we like. We're sitting here on our first date, which I like, and talking about plans for doing other things we like. It makes having to do things you don't like no big deal.”
”What don't you like?”
She smiled at him. ”Right now, right here? I can't think of a thing.”
Later, curled up warm and loose against him, slipping dreamily toward sleep, she realized she liked everything about being with him. And when she thought of tomorrow, she thought of him.
She understood as she drifted with the sea sighing outside, if she let herself slip just a little more, she would love.
She could only hope she was ready.
CHAPTER Twenty-three
FROM THE NAME-SHERRILYN BURKE-AND THE VOICE over the phone-brisk Yankee-Eli pictured a lanky blonde in a smart suit. He opened the door to a fortyish brunette in jeans, a black sweater and a battered leather jacket. She carried a briefcase and wore black Chucks.
”Mr. Landon.”
”Ms. Burke.”
She pushed a pair of Wayfarers on top of her short cap of hair, held out a hand to shake his. ”Nice dog,” she added, and held out a hand to Barbie.
Barbie politely shook.
”She's got a h.e.l.l of a bark, but doesn't appear to have much bite.”
”The bark does the job.”
”I bet. Some house you've got here.”
”It really is. Come on in. Can I get you some coffee?”
”I never turn it down. Black's good.”
”Why don't you go in, sit down. I'll get it.”
”Maybe we could save time, and I'll go to the kitchen with you. You answered the door, you're getting the coffee. That tells me it's the staff's day off.”
”I don't have staff, which you already know.”
”Part of the job. And, full disclosure,” she added with a smile that showed off a crooked incisor, ”I wouldn't mind a look around. I've seen some magazine spreads,” she added. ”But it's not like being in it.”