a girlfriend?”
He narrowed his eyes, obviously catching her tone. “I’m setting up a business in a new town. I suggested we relocate, moving a thriving enterprise home to take care of my aging parents. I don’t have time for a relationship.”
“Oh.” She shrugged. “Tell your mother to stop.”
Joe laughed. Lisa eyed him warily. He thought this was funny? Not that his laughter held much humor.
“You don’t know her.” He blew out a breath. “She’s fragile.”
“She doesn’t sound fragile.”
“My father and I worry about her, especially since her heart attack. The doctor confined her to bed for three weeks.” His indrawn breath shook. “She’s better now, but not one hundred percent. We have to be careful with her.”
While she admired his dedication, Lisa’s sympathy went only so far. “What does this have to do with me?”
“She’s badgering me to meet ‘a nice woman,’ and she would have arranged it herself. So I told her I was seriously involved with someone.” He gave her a smile and shrugged. “Your brochure was on my desk.”
Lisa stared at him, unimpressed with both his predicament and his charming smile. “Tell her the truth.”
“I’ve tried that. She doesn’t listen. You’re my only option.”
A cold weight settled in her stomach. He didn’t want her catering talent. He wanted to use her to ward off his mother. Anger warred with disappointment. She’d been right about him, after all. He was as selfish and devious as Brad. Lisa stood, anxious for him to leave.
“Sorry, I can’t help you.” Her tone came out flat as she realized how much she sacrificed by refusing.
He stood, as well. “You don’t understand. She’s going to search you out at the Garden Society exhibit and introduce herself to you.”
She dipped her head in acknowledgment. “I’m sure I’ll be pleased to meet her.”
Joe’s shoulders drooped. “You’re a hard woman.”
“Because I won’t lie to your mother?” She threw her hands in the air, having had her fill of deceptive men. “Did you think I’d lie to your family in return for this catering job?”
“Hear me out. I’m not hurting my mother. I—”
“Not hurting her?” She stepped closer to him, trying to keep her voice level but unsure she could contain her frustration. “Every lie hurts someone. I don’t want any part of it.”
“You’re overreacting. Let me—”
“You leave my mama alone!”
She and Joe turned as one toward the sound. Six-year-old Bobby stood quivering, his little hands balled into fists. Abby stumbled to a stop right behind him, wide-eyed. Lisa’s friend Ginger hovered inside the open front door.
“Bobby, Abby.” Lisa reached toward them. “It’s okay.”
“It isn’t either okay,” Abby said, sounding younger than eight. “He was yelling at you.”
Ginger stepped forward. “Do you want me to wait with the kids on the porch?”
Shaking her head at the offer, Lisa took her children’s hands. She needed to deal with this now, to explain about grown-up arguments. Her ex had never argued with her in front of them. He’d just packed his bags and run—with all their money and his new office trainee. She didn’t like to think what Brad had been training Lacey to do.
She shook herself back to the present moment. Had Joe shouted at her? She didn’t think so. She’d been the one near to screaming. “Mr. Riley wasn’t yelling.”
Bobby stuck out a stiff bottom lip. “You were fighting.”
“We were having a disagreement.” She shook their arms teasingly. “I shouldn’t have raised my voice. I sounded like the two of you.”
The children glared at Joe from under lowered brows.
“He’s a bad man,” Bobby proclaimed. He yanked his hand free from his mother’s grasp.
“Bobby!”
He ran over and kicked Joe in the shin. Joe grunted and grabbed his leg, hopping a few steps. Ginger covered her mouth, and, knowing her friend’s sense of humor, Lisa hoped Ginger wouldn’t laugh out loud at the sight Joe made. She glared at her son. “Robert Alexander! We do not kick people. You apologize to Mr. Riley right now.”
Bobby pinched his lips together and glanced at her. Abby tried to pull away, and Lisa tightened her grip. “Bobby,” she warned him.
“No!” And off he ran.
“It’s all right, really,” Joe said with an effort. “I can understand how he’d feel, witnessing our disagreement.”
Lisa glanced at Abby. Those ever-straying tendrils of fine blond hair stuck to her cheeks. Lisa softened her voice. “Go on up to your room.”
The girl stalked away, turning to glare at Joe before disappearing up the stairs.
“I’m sorry.” Lisa shook her head. “I hate to say this because I know how it sounds, but they’re usually good kids.”
Joe’s small, tight smile betrayed his doubt. “I’m sure they are. Maybe this isn’t the best time to talk. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She crossed her arms. “What happened with the children doesn’t change anything as far as we’re concerned.”
He nodded. “I understand. I presented this badly. Let me leave you my business card, and I’ll get back to you.”
She inhaled deeply. He didn’t listen too well, but she’d give him points for persistence. She took his card, careful not to touch him. “I’ll accept your card, Mr. Riley, but I’ll never accept your deal.”
Chapter Two
Lisa opened the door. Joe nodded to Ginger on his way out.
“Hoo-ee!” Ginger gawked after him. “Who was that?”
Lisa rubbed the tension from her temple. “Opportunity, unfortunately. I just lost that huge Riley and Ross job.”
“Which one is he?” Ginger’s gaze remained fixed outside.
“Riley.” Lisa watched his royal-blue convertible pull from the curb then slammed the door. “And good riddance.”
“I wouldn’t be so happy to see him walk away. Although he did have an excellent backside.”
Lisa shot her a wry look. “I’ll be sure to tell Kyle you think so.”
Ginger laughed. “Like he’d
