The House on Main Street Page 28

  “Just trying to keep you from announcing to my stalker that I’m going to be eating alone.”

  “Your stalker?”

  “Martha. She’s got a thing for me.”

  “She has a thing for any man with two legs, a car, and money.”

  “You forgot hair. She likes men with hair.”

  “Her ninety-year-old husband had hair?”

  “A full head of glossy white curls,” he said, even though he’d never met the man in question.

  “Really?” She eyed him from beneath thick black lashes. She’d pulled her glossy brown hair into a high ponytail, and he could see the scar at her temple. He’d wondered a couple of times how she’d gotten it, but since she’d turned down his dinner offer, he hadn’t thought it was any of his business.

  “You never even met him, did you?” she accused, her dark eyes flashing with indignation and just a hint of humor.

  “No, but telling you that I did distracted you long enough to get us into the buffet line.”

  “That doesn’t mean I’m going to stay here.”

  He glanced at Martha. She was hanging on to Rod’s arm and looking at him like he’d hung the moon and the stars just for her. “No need to. We’ve lost our shadows.”

  “Hopefully, they’ll make each other very happy.”

  “I’m not sure anyone can do that for Martha.” He nudged Charlotte forward, eyeing the food that stretched the length of three tables. Apple Valley Fritters Catering had done itself proud. “Looks good enough to eat,” he said, but Charlotte had stepped out of line and was making her escape.

  He couldn’t say he blamed her.

  If he weren’t so hungry, he’d have done the same.

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  Copyright © 2013 by Shirlee McCoy

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  ISBN: 978-1-4201-3235-9

  eISBN-13: 978-1-4201-3236-6

  eISBN-10: 1-4201-3236-9

  First Electronic Edition: November 2013