barons of the nineteenth century, yet everyone calls it the ‘modern’ way.”
“Good point,” Logan acknowledged.
The coffee had finished brewing, so she refilled the paper cup he’d brought back from earlier that morning. “Anything else?”
“No—” He stopped. “That is, not at the moment.”
Jessica frowned after he left. There had been something unusually intent about how Logan Kensington had watched her. He also seemed to be trying to make a connection. There wasn’t anything creepy about it, but it was enough to make her wonder if he had a hidden agenda.
At the same time, she was reasonably certain he wasn’t interested in her as a woman.
Why would he be?
Logan Kensington was a handsome man who’d photographed some of the most beautiful and sophisticated women in the world. She was a single mom who’d often shopped at yard sales to help make ends meet...just not for Cyndi’s school clothes. Kids could be cruel about that kind of thing and she was fortunate that she could spare her daughter having to deal with it at such a young age. Logan couldn’t possibly understand something like that. If he ever had kids, they’d probably go to private schools and shop at trendy clothing stores.
Yet it really didn’t matter that he was out of her realm of experience. She’d already made too many mistakes with relationships and wanted to focus on making the shop an even bigger success while raising her daughter. Those were the things that counted.
LOGAN RETURNED TO his office, wondering if he should have initiated the conversation about moving the Crystal Connection. He’d been considering possible openings the entire time he was talking to Jessica. But maybe it was just as well he hadn’t said anything because he still thought searching real estate listings beforehand was a good idea. Also talking with Kevin.
Oddly, Logan hadn’t been able to reach him after several calls and two voice mail messages suggesting they get together. Being out of contact was unusual for the agency’s former owner.
The next day an email arrived from Kevin, apologizing that he hadn’t called back and explaining he was away for a few weeks. His daughter had given birth and he was in Chicago to see the baby and help out, possibly the only thing that could have pulled him from anxiously hovering over his friends and former clients. Kevin McClaskey was a classic overachieving nurturer who wanted to help everyone he met.
Logan sorted through the rental listings he’d compiled. Several were in excellent retail locations, but they had higher rental fees than what Jessica was currently being charged. Surely that would convince her that moving to the rear of the Moonlight Ventures building would be best. That way she’d stay their tenant, expand her retail space, and they could ensure it was well worth her while.
His gut instinct said he should talk with Kevin in person, but Logan wasn’t in the mood to wait. So that afternoon he tucked the listings in his pocket and headed for the Crystal Connection, hoping to find Jessica alone. Instead, two customers were there, picking up merchandise and examining it carefully, then moving on to something else.
“Coffee?” Jessica asked.
“In a while. I’m going to look around.”
He began peering into various display cases so it wouldn’t be obvious that he was just waiting for the others to leave. The customers spent an inordinate length of time deciding which crystals spoke to them. Jessica was friendly as she dealt with their questions, while impatience welled inside of him.
“Do you have to endure that very often?” he asked once the couple had departed with their purchases.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m talking about that sort of customer. You know, looking at everything and all the discussion about healing properties and whether a crystal is speaking to them. I wouldn’t have the patience to put up with it very often.”
Her smile grew stiff. “I’m not putting up with anything. That couple has been coming to this shop since I was a kid. They’re good customers, are awfully nice and attended my grandfather’s funeral because they cared about him and my grandmother. But even if this had been their first time through the door, they were fine. I’ve heard people say a certain photograph or painting speaks to them. Why not a rock?”
Logan could have kicked himself. Despite having grown up with diplomats, sometimes he had a talent for saying the wrong thing. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sure all businesses have aspects that seem odd from the outside.”
“No doubt.”
Her manner was polite, but it lacked the easy friendliness she’d shown on his earlier visits.
“Honestly, I’m sorry. I have a big mouth,” he said, hoping to regain lost ground. “It’s one of the many reasons I didn’t follow in my parents’ footsteps.”
“Not diplomatic enough?” Her tone suggested she was sure of the answer.
“The State Department prefers people who think before they talk so you don’t inadvertently start a war. They also prefer people who don’t have a talent for sticking their foot in their mouths.”
“I see. What kind of coffee do you want today?” she asked.
“A Southwest Twist, please.” He handed her the travel mug he’d brought from his studio condo. Hopefully he wouldn’t be living there for long—though he was accustomed to hotel rooms after being on location most of the year, he was quickly starting to want more space, preferably out of the city.
As Jessica filled the cup, he wondered if he should wait another day or two to talk with her. She hadn’t said anything outright, but he was fairly sure her opinion of him wasn’t at a high point right now. On the other hand, she didn’t seem the type to turn something minor into a major incident.
As he was putting cream into his brew, the door opened. Great. More customers. Then he saw it was Jessica’s daughter, along with Penelope Parrish, which was worse. They might be planning to spend the rest of the day.
“Hi, Penny,” he called. “Hey, Cyndi.”
“Good afternoon, Logan,” Penny said, smiling. “I want to compliment you. The calendar is lovely.”
Cyndi eagerly bobbed her head. “Does it take forever to get pictures like that, Mr. Kensington?”
“Call me Logan. Some photographs take quite a while since the animals can be difficult to find. Then you have to wait and take as many as possible, hoping to get the right one.”
“Is it hard to do?”
“Yes and no. Mostly you have to be very, very patient.”
Penny’s eyes twinkled. “You have a whole-hearted admirer, Logan. My great-granddaughter has been talking about photography ever since she saw that calendar and met you. She even pulled out our old family albums and asked questions I didn’t know how to answer.”
“I like old
