leaving an impression of warmth and strength. Lisa berated herself. Business, not pleasure, no matter how gorgeous the client. Besides, she’d learned from Brad that a handsome face could hide a devious heart. “Won’t you come in?”
She closed the door and gestured to the couch. “Would you care for a drink? Or would you prefer to see my kitchen?”
“A cold drink sounds great.”
“I’ll be right back.” Lisa strode from the room, planning a side trip to the bathroom to do a little primping. She needed to resecure her hair—to comply with health code restrictions, not to impress Joe Riley.
She headed for the kitchen first to get their iced tea. Footsteps on the linoleum tapped right after hers. She looked over her shoulder.
Joe smiled at her. “I thought I’d help.”
She shook her head as she retrieved glasses from the cupboard. “This isn’t the right kitchen. My business is downstairs.”
He walked over to the wall of windows and gazed out at her overgrown backyard while she got out the tea. “I didn’t come to inspect your bakery.”
“You’re welcome to. I’m in the middle of a project right now, but you’ll find my set up immaculate.”
“I’m sure it is.” He turned, and his smile deepened, making those enticing creases reappear.
“I’ll show you downstairs after we’ve talked.”
His expression smoothed out, displaying a facade she instantly mistrusted. His eyes remained serious, making him look thoughtful at best, if not downright calculating. Brad all over again, but this time she wasn’t blinded by love. This time it was only business. “Shall we sit in the living room?”
Joe took the tray with the pitcher and glasses. Lisa enjoyed the novelty of having someone carry things for her—until he came to a dead stop and she crashed into him. He made a gallant save of the glassware.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, moving in front of him. She expected to find a toy on the floor, but the path lay clear.
He gestured toward her refrigerator with the tray. “You have kids.”
Lisa glanced at the refrigerator, covered with drawings, baton and soccer reminders, and handcrafted magnets from Abby and Bobby. She didn’t understand why her having children threw him off guard. She raised her eyebrows in question.
He shrugged. “I just…Running a business from your home seems more difficult with kids underfoot.”
“I based my business at home because I have children. It’s more convenient and saves money on babysitters. We have strict rules regarding their presence in my bakery.”
“I’m sure you do.” His gaze flicked to her bare left hand.
Lisa drew herself straighter. “Children, but no husband. Not anymore.”
Joe’s tanned skin darkened. “I’m sorry.”
It hardly seemed businesslike to think of a potential client as cute, but his blush endeared him to her. Lisa led him toward the living room, feeling his gaze on her. Every nerve along her spine prickled with awareness. Settling in a chair across from his, she poured their drinks. She handed one to him and said, “I assume you’re considering Goodies to Go for your company’s party.”
Joe glanced at her, then studied his glass. “Yes, we are. I’m arranging the event myself because I want it to be special. We’ve had a profitable fiscal year so far, and we want to reward our staff.” He took a sip of tea. “A few of them uprooted their lives to follow us from California. Hopefully, the celebration will help our new employees feel more like part of the team.”
“I’ve read about the success of your company. You’ve created quite a stir in our little town.” She raised an eyebrow. “Why did you locate in Howard?”
“My partner, Dylan Ross, is from here. I grew up just east of Kansas City. We worked for the same company in California and became friends as the token Midwestern boys. Later we left and formed our company.”
He shrugged. “After my dad retired, my parents remembered Dylan’s stories of its small-town charm and moved to Howard. We could relocate the business here because the universities nearby provide an educated workforce. It’s small enough for comfort, but not too far from Kansas City to entertain.”
“You may have forgotten how precarious summer can be in Missouri, weatherwise. Have you decided on an indoor or an outdoor event?”
He took a long drink. “I’m still looking into both options, although with the humidity, we’ll probably opt for indoors. I’ll make a decision after I analyze costs.” He set his glass on a coaster on the end table. “But I’m actually here today to discuss a different matter.”
Lisa’s heartbeat quickened, and she eyed him with interest. Did he want her to cater a second party for his company? That would really help alleviate some of the debt Brad had left her. It came to over a million dollars, if she counted the double mortgage on the house, and since the bank counted it, Lisa had to, as well. She needed as much work as she could drum up.
She took a calming breath. Easy, girl. Wouldn’t want to appear too eager. “Would this be for your company?”
“Not exactly. Maybe I’d better start at the beginning.”
“Okay.” She wouldn’t get her hopes up, she told herself, but, oh, how she needed the money.
“You’re catering the Howard Garden Society’s annual show next weekend, correct?”
She nodded, thinking of her frosting flowers in the freezer. The exhibit would showcase hothouse exotics. Lisa wanted her presentations to be as impressive to the eye as they were sweet to the taste. She hoped this commission would lead to others, not only from the Garden Society, whose Rose Exhibit was scheduled for June, but also private parties from the attendees. Word-of-mouth advertising was invaluable.
“My mother is a member,” Joe said.
“So that’s how you heard of me.”
“Not exactly. I got your bid before I knew.” He grimaced. “I wish I had known you were catering their event.”
He didn’t sound happy. What was he, some kind of flower hater? “And why is that, Mr. Riley?”
His direct gaze snagged hers. “Because then I wouldn’t have told my mother you and I are practically engaged.”
Lisa blinked, then forced a laugh. “You’re kidding, right?”
He shook his head.
“But why would you say an idio—” She cleared her throat. “I mean—”
“No, you’re right. It was idiotic. I was desperate.”
She frowned. “How did I get involved?”
“My mother wants me to get married. She keeps surprising me with dinner partners or arranging dates, then calling at the last minute to
