she was in church. Even though God knew what she’d said to Russ, she didn’t think she needed to refresh His memory.
“Let me take you to lunch,” Russ murmured.
She cut her eyes at him and started to shake her head.
“No strings,” he whispered.
The older woman in front of them turned around and frowned. Carly pointed at Russ. The woman’s frown turned to a smile. Carly looked at the ceiling.
“Lunch,” he murmured again.
“Be quiet,” Carly said.
“Lunch.”
Carly was caught in a dilemma. She wanted her easy friendship with Russ back, but she had to get rid of this new awareness first. It was making her do crazy things, think crazy thoughts.
“It’s not like I’m asking you to go to bed,” Russ whispered.
Her heart jumped. Shocked, Carly’s head whipped around. He couldn’t possibly know she’d dreamed that very scenario this morning.
She studied him carefully. His brown eyes held the same lazy humor as always. His body appeared relaxed, with one ankle propped across the opposite knee, and one arm resting behind her on the top of the pew. If she were just a little closer, his big hand might be on her shoulder or back. Her stomach fluttered.
Something about the set of his mouth told her he wasn’t going to give up.
“Will you be quiet?” she asked in her softest voice.
“Lunch.”
“Yes,” she whispered tersely.
Chapter Two
Carly was relieved Russ didn’t begin a discussion about the pastor’s sermon. Since she’d spent the rest of the service mentally rehearsing all the logical reasons why she couldn’t be his summer escort, she could only guess what the pastor had talked about.
Russ had suggested the Davy Crockett Diner. She politely agreed. He ordered steak. She ordered chicken.
She expected him to begin negotiations any minute.
Russ loosened his burgundy-print tie. “I met your new assistant last night. She told me you’re looking for new entertainment.”
Carly nodded and relaxed. “For the cruises with meals. I think it would draw more customers, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money.”
He smiled at the waitress as she served their iced tea and tossed salads.
“Have you thought about a disc jockey?”
“Yes, but they’re so loud.” Carly took a sip of her drink. “I don’t know what I want. Just something different.”
“Why don’t you let your waitstaff pull double duty? Maybe they could serve drinks and dessert, then do some kind of musical comedy act.”
Carly considered the idea and felt a spark of excitement. “That’s wonderful. I could hire some community college students. Their schedules would be flexible.” She beamed at him. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Carly took a bite of her salad and made a mental note to contact the community college tomorrow. After a moment, she noticed that Russ was still looking at her. She felt a curious tugging in her stomach.
“So you think the idea will help?”
“Yes, thanks for sharing it with me.” She had a niggling feeling he expected something besides thanks from her. Then the light dawned.
“Exactly how much is this idea going to cost me, Russ?”
Russ raised his hands. “Hey, I’m on your side. Consider it a token of my friendship.”
Carly nodded and went back to her salad.
“Of course, if you found it in your heart to return the favor…”
Glancing back up at him, she noted the guileless expression on his face. His eyes, however, were pure temptation. She gave up on her salad. “I don’t suppose you have any ideas about how I could return the favor?”
“Well,” he said, slowly rubbing his chin, “since you brought it up, there is one thing.”
“Uh-huh,” Carly said.
He bobbed an ice cube with one of his fingers.
“What I need is a beautiful, intelligent woman who will let me take her out to dinner and community functions for the next few months.”
He glanced back at her. “I find I have a preference for a tall, leggy riverboat owner with short, dark hair and violet eyes. And a smile a man would kill for.”
His warm gaze fell on her eyes, then her mouth. Despite reason, Carly’s heart fluttered. Her cheeks heated. She felt charmed and flattered. She almost believed the snake. It was on the tip of her tongue to accept. What woman would turn away this delicious, undivided attention from such a sexy man?
Then she came to her senses. “Have you considered the personal ads?”
A reluctant grin tugged at his mouth as he shook his head. “Carly, this is no way to treat a buddy.”
That was the problem. She didn’t see Russ as just a buddy. She saw him as a desirable man. Although his teasing was intended as innocent fun, she could easily envision herself getting hurt under the constant onslaught of his brand of masculine attention. Everybody knew Russ Bradford changed women as often as a college freshman changed majors.
She risked an assessing glance at him. Since his brief disastrous marriage, no woman had ever touched Russ’s heart. When things got sticky, Russ extricated himself from the situation. He had the ability to hold his emotions aloof. After her childhood, Carly needed a man who wore his heart on his sleeve.
Just then, the waitress set their steaming entrées on the table, and Russ led the conversation in other, less volatile directions.
They talked about her new brochure. She asked about his mother who had moved to Florida after Russ’s father’s death.
One of Carly’s clients, Francine Granger, and her husband stopped by their table. “Carly, you’re just the person I’ve been wanting to talk to. We need to confirm my reservation for our anniversary party on your riverboat.” Francine gave her balding husband an affectionate squeeze. “Norman and I have been married for twenty-five years, and we want a big celebration.”
Carly smiled at the effervescent Francine and long-suffering Norman. She’d bet money that Norman would be happy with a quiet dinner at home, but she wouldn’t quibble. Francine’s anniversary party promised to be as extravagant as the woman herself.
“Russ, you will be able to play the piano for us, won’t you?” Francine continued.
Carly’s
