sighed dramatically, for effect. “I don’t know how I managed to dress myself all these years without you.”
She thought—or hoped—that her daughter would laugh. Lindsey didn’t. “That might be the reason you’re still single. Have you considered that?”
This kid was no help when it came to boosting her confidence.
“You’re a great mother,” Lindsey said, redeeming herself somewhat, “but promise me you’ll never go clothes-shopping without me again.”
Rather than make rash pledges she had no intention of keeping, Meg hurried up the stairs and got into the shower. The hot water pulsating against her skin refreshed her and renewed her sense of humor. She could hardly wait to see Lindsey’s face when she met Steve.
With a towel tucked around her, Meg wandered into her bedroom and examined the contents of her closet. In this case, Lindsey was right; the sundress was her best choice. She wore it, Meg told herself, because it looked good on her and not because Lindsey had suggested it.
Her daughter was waiting for her in the living room. The floral arrangement Steve, or rather Nancy, had sent was displayed in the middle of the coffee table.
Lindsey had polished the silver tea set until it gleamed. The previous time Meg had used it was when Pastor Delany came for a visit shortly after Meg’s father died.
The doorbell chimed. Lindsey turned to her mother with a grin. “We’re ready,” she said, and gave her a thumbs-up sign.
Meg had assumed she knew what to expect, but when she opened the front door her mouth sagged open.
“Steve?” she whispered to the man dressed in a black leather jacket, tight blue jeans and a white T-shirt. “Is that you?”
He winked at her. “You expecting someone else?”
“N-no,” she stammered.
“Invite me in,” he said in a low voice. As she stepped aside, he walked past her and placed his index finger under her chin, closing her mouth.
He stood in the archway between the entry and her living room, feet braced apart. “You must be Lindsey,” he said gruffly. “I’m Steve.”
“You’re Steve?” Lindsey sounded uncharacteristically meek.
“Lindsey, this is Steve Conlan,” Meg said, standing next to him.
Steve slid his arm around Meg’s waist and planted a noisy kiss on her cheek. He glanced at Lindsey. “I understand you’re the one who got us together. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Lindsey’s eyes didn’t so much as flicker. She certainly wasn’t about to let them read her thoughts. “You, uh, don’t look anything like your picture.”
Steve refused to take his eyes off Meg. He squeezed her waist again. “The one I sent was taken a while back,” he said. “Before I went to prison.”
Lindsey gasped. “Prison?”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. It wasn’t a violent crime.”
“What … were you in for?” Lindsey asked, her voice shaking.
Steve rubbed the side of his jaw, shadowed by a dark growth of beard. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not say.”
“Sit down, Steve,” Meg said from between gritted teeth. Talk about overkill. Any more of this and everything would be ruined.
“Would you care for coffee?” Lindsey asked. Her young voice continued to tremble.
“You got a beer?”
“It’s not a good idea to be drinking this early in the afternoon, is it?” Meg asked sweetly.
Steve sat down on the sofa, balancing his ankle on the opposite knee. He looked around as if he were casing the joint.
Meg moved to the silver service. “Coffee or tea?”
“Coffee, but add a little something that’ll give it some kick.”
Meg poured coffee for him and added a generous dollop of half-and-half. He frowned at the delicate bone china cup as though he wasn’t sure how to hold it.
Lindsey sat down on the ottoman, her eyes huge. “I … you never said anything about prison.”
“Don’t like to mention it until people have a chance to meet me for themselves. Some of ‘em tend to think the worst of a person when they hear he’s had a felony conviction.”
“A … felony.” Lindsey snapped her mouth shut, inhaled deeply, then said in a subdued tone, “I see.”
“The flowers are lovely.” Meg fingered a rosebud from the bouquet.
Steve grinned. “My probation officer told me women like that sort of thing. Glad to know he was right.” He sipped his coffee and made a slurping sound. “By the way, you’ll be glad to hear I told him about you and me, and he did a background check on you and said it was fine for us to see each other.”
“That’s wonderful,” Meg said with enthusiasm that wasn’t entirely faked.
Steve set aside the delicate cup and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. He stared at Lindsey and smiled. “Yup, I got to thank you,” he said. “I realize your mother’s upset with you placing that ad and everything. It’s usually not a good idea to fool someone like that, but I wasn’t being completely honest with you, either, so I guess we’re even.”
Lindsey nodded.
“Your mother’s one special woman. There aren’t a lot of females who’d be willing to overlook my past. Most women don’t care that I’ve got a heart of gold. Your mama did. We sat down in that fancy restaurant and I took one look at her pretty face and I knew she was the woman for me.” He rubbed the side of his unshaven jaw and laughed. “I do have to tell you, though, that when you suggested Chez Michelle, I was afraid Meg might be too high maintenance for someone like me.”
“I’m sorry …” Lindsey floundered with the apology. “I didn’t know.”
“Don’t you worry. Your mama was worth every penny of that fancy dinner. Just getting to know her and love her—why, a man couldn’t ask for a prettier gal.” He eyed her as if she were a Thanksgiving feast, then moistened his lips, implying it was all he could do to keep from grabbing her right then and there and kissing her.
“Steve …” Meg muttered.
“Sorry,” he said, and seemed to pull himself together. “Earl Markham, my probation officer, says I’ve gotta be careful not to rush things. But I look at your beautiful eyes and I can’t help myself.”
“Yes, well … “
“You didn’t tell me how good-looking your daughter is,” he said, as though Meg had purposely been holding out on him.
“Lindsey’s
