leave the day’s deposit in the night drop at the bank. You’ve shown me what to do.”
“I know. I just hate dumping all this on you.”
“You’re not dumping anything on me. You told me, when you hired me, you were getting married and that I’d have extra work. Stop worrying and get going before you miss your final fitting.”
“Given the number of times Kyle and I almost made it to the altar in the past, you’d think I’d have this down to a science by now.”
“Well, this time’s the charm. It’s less than a week till the wedding and everything’s going smoothly, right?”
“I suppose.”
Patsy studied her intently. “Sharon Lynn, is there something else worrying you?”
“Not really. I suppose it’s just panic. There’s been one crisis or another every time the wedding date got close. I’m afraid we’re jinxed.”
“I don’t believe in jinxes. Now go, before your uncle Jordan pitches a fit. He is flying you over, isn’t he?”
“Yes, and you’re right. He’s always in a rush. I’ll call you later just to see if anything’s come up.”
“If you call, I’ll be insulted.”
Sharon Lynn grinned. “Okay, okay.” She paused to hug Patsy. “Thank you. You’ve been a godsend.”
“So have you,” Patsy replied quietly. “More than you know.”
Sharon Lynn gave her an odd little look, but she let whatever questions she had die on her lips. Finally she smiled and said again, “Thanks.”
“Go.”
“Let me check—”
“Sharon Lynn!”
“Okay, I’m out of here.”
Justin met her in the doorway. “It’s a good thing,” he said. “I just got a call from Dad. He’s at the airport and he’s getting really irritated. You were supposed to be there a half hour ago. He has a business meeting he’s going to miss if you don’t hit the road right this second.”
“Why didn’t he call me?”
“Because apparently your phone is dead or off the hook.”
“Oh, my God,” she murmured as the color drained from her face. She raced into the back room.
Patsy and Justin exchanged an amused look, then followed. They caught Sharon Lynn putting the receiver back into place.
“I laid it down to look for my wedding checklist while I was talking to Mom,” she explained sheepishly. “I guess I got distracted.”
Justin shook his head. “Which explains why I had a call from your mother, as well,” he said with tolerant amusement. “Maybe I’d better drive you to the airport.”
Sharon Lynn looked oddly relieved. “Would you? You’re a doll.”
Justin turned and winked at Patsy. “Remember that, would you?”
“No need,” she said. “I already knew it.”
He seemed startled by her reply. He hesitated as if there were something more on his mind, but Sharon Lynn clutched his arm and dragged him away.
“I’ll be back,” he promised. “And I won’t forget what you said.”
Patsy’s heart skipped a beat. He was making far too big a thing out of a casual admission, she thought. Had she known he would? Was that why she’d said it?
Of course not, she consoled herself. It had just been a teasing response to his own deliberate taunt. It had been so long since she’d engaged in even the most innocent flirting, she’d forgotten that it could be taken seriously. She hadn’t meant to light that fire in his eyes. Surely she hadn’t meant to undo all she’d done to keep him at a distance. Justin had simply read too much into it.
The fact remained that he was going to be back here in no time and he was going to have expectations of one sort or another. And she was going to have to think of yet another lie to push him away, when all she really wanted was for him to sweep her into his arms and never let go.
Was that why she’d tempted fate just now? Had she wanted him to take the decision out of her hands at last? Had she deliberately prompted him into making a move so that she wouldn’t have to hold herself accountable? Was that the kind of woman she’d become?
She was still debating with herself and not liking any of the answers she came up with, when a man with white hair and the impish grin of every Adams she’d ever run across walked in and sauntered up to the counter. He settled on a stool, then looked her over with blatant fascination.
“Can I help you?” she said, trying not to flinch under that penetrating scrutiny.
“That depends. Are you Patsy Gresham?”
She nodded.
“I’m Harlan Adams. Since no one’s seen fit to bring you by the ranch to meet me,