Chapter Twenty-Seven

Dennis felt like a wildcat hunting his prey, dangerous and filled with patience. He might not deserve this woman, but by God, he wanted her. And if he was lucky enough to win her, he would do everything he could to protect her. This wouldn’t be like Katherine. It already wasn’t like Katherine, who’d warmed up to him moments after they’d met. Katherine had made it easy to win her heart. But Audrey? She was a challenge.

Right now, that challenge sat across from him at the table with the remains of the meal between them and no indication that she knew he was waiting to pounce. Not now. Maybe not for a long while. But sooner or later, he was going to figure out how to get out of his own way and take her into his arms.

So, she thought of him as her employer. This was the best news, really, because it finally explained what she really thought of him. He didn’t know why that hadn’t occurred to him before. There was a chance for him. He knew it. He sensed it. She was holding back now, but she wouldn’t have that excuse forever. And as long as there was a chance, he could be patient. His time wasn’t limitless, but she’d agreed to come around on Saturday and again for Cole’s birthday. He would find other ways to include her, to pursue her, and eventually, he would win. She wouldn’t be his employee forever.

“This has been wonderful.” As their dinner progressed, her soft-focused smile had returned. He liked her like this, his practical Audrey, melting and gentle with him.

“I’m so happy you stayed. Mrs. Quant makes a superior risotto. Shall I have her make it for us Thursday?”

“I love risotto.”

“That settles it then. I’ll leave a note for her.”

She giggled. “You and your notes.”

“What’s wrong with my notes?”

She pressed her lips together, trying and failing to stifle her grin. “To Miss Turner, Headmistress, Miss Turner’s School.” Her voice dropped low and mimicking.

“I don’t get it.” But Dennis felt himself smiling despite his confusion.

“It’s so stiff, so formal. You’re really not like that.  Well, at least, not all the time.”

“I’m just being polite,” he protested.

“What’s wrong with, Dear Audrey?”

“Dear Audrey? I didn’t know your first name until you came to work here.”

“Okay, I’ll give you that one. But, headmistress? You think I don’t know my job title?”

She was teasing him. Her tone was playful, not critical. He liked the feeling.

“The note I left you last Friday at lunch said Dear Audrey.”

“Yes, I noticed that. Shocking. To be so familiar with the help.”

“You’re no help.” He smiled at her and her blue eyes sparkled.

“It was almost poetic. I can’t imagine what brought it on.”

“Must have been the full moon.”

“There was no full moon. We would have seen it from the Ferris Wheel. No, it must have been something else.”

She was flirting with him. He liked it. “I did have to walk in the sun that morning. You know what that can do.”

“First the moon, then the sun? There’s that poetry again.”

He shook his head, smiling. “Ah, Audrey, you’re a delight.”

His hand snaked across the table, settling with his fingertips atop hers. Her nails felt smooth under his touch, as if they had been freshly buffed.

The moment stretched out with their fingertips closing the gap between them. He gazed into her wide blue eyes for some sign that she approved of the touch.

“A delight, but not a help.” Her voice was soft, the teasing tone barely noticeable. She almost sounded tentative.

He removed his hand. “I was just teasing. You know what a help you’ve been.”

She nodded but her smile faded. She stood up. “I should go.”

Please don’t, he wanted to say. He cleared his throat and reached for his silverware, stacking it atop his plate.

“Should I help you clean up first?”

“You’re not on duty.” Stop thinking of yourself as my employee.

She smiled, but he thought it was forced. “I was being polite,” she said, echoing him.

He left the dishes on the table and followed her into the living room. Cole ignored them.

“See you later, alligator,” she said to the boy.

“After a while, crocodile.” Cole’s chin was propped on his fists, and his words were muffled.

Dennis bent his head, trying to catch her eye. “Real soon, raccoon?” He smiled at her and hoped she would return to her earlier playful mood.

She laughed. “That’s a new one.”

He trailed after her to the door. She didn’t look over her shoulder to see if he followed. She collected her bag from under the hall table and paused with her hand on the doorknob.

“Thanks for dinner.” Her face turned so that he could see her profile.

“It was my pleasure.” He meant it.

He wanted to touch her again, wanted to kiss her. Wasn’t that how a dinner date was supposed to end? He reached out and fingered the warm curve of her shoulder. He wanted to pull her close and nuzzle her throat. Wrap his arms around her tiny waist. Kiss her as a man kissed his date.

But this hadn’t been a date, not even close. They hadn’t had a real date yet, but he would fix that when Susie returned and could watch Cole. Or he would try, anyway, after she stopped thinking of him as her employer.

He dropped his hand from Audrey’s arm. “Good night, Audrey. See you in the morning.”

She twisted the doorknob and passed through, flipping a cheerful wave at him over her shoulder. “Got to go, buffalo.”

Yes. Oh, yes, that playfulness was a good sign.

It had to be.