enthusiasm and quickly changed the subject. “I understand your book is selling nicely.”
“Yes, I’m fortunate to have a lot of publisher support.”
“He’s writing a second book,” K.O. said, joining the conversation. It pleased her that Max seemed proud of his son.
“So, how long have you two been seeing each other?” Max asked, looking at K.O.
“Not long,” Wynn answered for them. His gaze caught K.O.’s in the rearview mirror. “We met through a psychic,” he said.
“We most certainly did not.” K.O. was about to argue when she realized Wynn was smiling. “We actually met through a mutual friend who believes she has psychic powers,” she explained, not telling Max that her neighbor and this “psychic” were one and the same.
As they exited off the freeway and headed into downtown Seattle and toward Blossom Street, Max said, “I had no idea Seattle was this beautiful.”
“Oh, just wait until nighttime,” K.O. told him. It was fast becoming dark, and city lights had begun to sparkle. “There’s lots to do at night. Wynn and I took a horse-drawn carriage ride last week and then on Friday night we went on a merry-go-round.”
“My first such experience,” Wynn said, a smile quivering at the edges of his mouth.
“Your mother and I never took you?” Max sounded incredulous.
“Never.”
“I know I had some failings as a father,” Max said despondently.
“Not getting to ride on a merry-go-round isn’t exactly a big deal, Dad. Don’t worry about it,” Wynn muttered.
That seemed to ease his father’s mind. “So what’s on the agenda for tomorrow?” he asked brightly.
Wynn cast K.O. a look as if to say he’d told her so.
“I can take you on a tour of Pike Place Market,” K.O. offered.
“That would be great.” Max thanked her with a warm smile. “I was hoping to get a chance to go up the Space Needle while I’m here, too.”
“We can do that on Tuesday.”
Max nodded. “Do you have any free time, Wynn?” he asked.
“Some,” Wynn admitted with obvious reluctance. “But not much. In addition to my appointments and writing schedule, I’m still doing promotion for my current book.”
“Of course,” Max murmured.
K.O. detected a note of sadness in his voice and wanted to reassure him. Unfortunately she didn’t know how.
Chapter Eleven
Wynn phoned K.O. early Monday morning. “I don’t think this is going to work,” he whispered.
“Pardon?” K.O. strained to hear.
“Meet me at the French Café,” he said, his voice only slightly louder.
“When?” She had her sweats on and was ready to tackle her treadmill. After shedding the two pounds, she’d gained them again. It wasn’t much, but enough to send her racing for a morning workout. She knew how quickly these things could get out of control.
“Now,” he said impatiently. “Want me to pick you up?”
“No. I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”
By the time she entered the café, Wynn had already purchased two cups of coffee and procured a table. “What’s wrong?” she asked as she pulled out the chair.
“He’s driving me insane!”
“Wynn, I like your father. You made him sound worse than a deadbeat dad, but he’s obviously proud of you and—”
“Do you mind if we don’t list his admirable qualities just now?” He brought one hand to his temple, as if warding off a headache.
“All right,” she said, doing her best to understand.
“The reason I called is that I don’t think it’s a good idea to set him up with LaVonne.”
“Why not?” K.O. thought her plan was brilliant. She had everything worked out in her mind; she’d bought the liquor and intended to dust and vacuum this afternoon. As far as she was concerned, the meeting of Max and LaVonne was destiny. Christmas romances were always the best.
“Dad isn’t ready for another relationship,” Wynn declared. “He’s still mourning my mother.”
“Shouldn’t he be the one to decide that?” Wynn might be a renowned child psychologist but she believed everyone was entitled to make his or her own decisions, especially in matters of the heart. She considered it all right to lend a helping hand, however. That was fair.
“I can tell my father’s not ready,” Wynn insisted.
“But I invited him for drinks this evening and he accepted.” It looked as if her entire day was going to be spent with Max Jeffries, aka Moon Puppy. Earlier she’d agreed to take him to Pike Place Market, which was a must-see for anyone visiting Seattle. It was always an entertaining place for tourists, but never more so than during the holiday season. The whole market had an air of festivity, the holiday mood infectious.