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a real social life, but in truth, she was confident in her abilities, and in herself. And Kit knew that Jen was anxious that she get over the loss of her father, and start to live a full life again.
    It took them a full thirty minutes to get their check, pay it and make their way through the throng of tired and worn people at the convention center to the coffee stand where they were to meet David.
    He wasn’t there. Kit was surprised to feel a tremendous sinking in her heart; she hadn’t realized she was as anxious as she was to spend time with him. No, she told herself firmly. It wasn’t the man who intrigued her so much; it was her own past. She wanted to know more about her mother.
    â€œHe isn’t coming!” Jen said with dismay, looking around. She glanced at her watch again. “We are late,” she murmured disgustedly.
    â€œJen, don’t worry, if he doesn’t show, I have his card.”
    Jen grinned at her. “I’m not getting any younger, standing here. I need you to get me to Florida. And when you do, I’m going to meet an incredibly handsome Latin American, marry him and live happily ever after.”
    Kit laughed. “I’m glad you’ve got it all planned out.”
    â€œThere!” Jen said. She lowered her voice. “Here he comes.”
    Since he was tall, they could see David wending his way through the crowd, stopping to say a hello to someone here or there.
    He reached her with an apology. “Sorry—who would have figured? Wildlife photography is big again this year.” He noted Jen. “Hello, again.”
    â€œDavid, you said you had a car here—or coming. I was hoping we could drop Jen at her hotel before we went to dinner. It gets so crazy here, when this thing is over.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” he said. “Let’s head out, huh? Make our way through the gauntlet.”
    He started on ahead of them. Jen looped her arm through Kit’s. “Oh, Kit, he is a keeper!”
    â€œHe’s still a stranger!” Kit whispered back.
    â€œAll strangers are just friends waiting to happen,” Jen said primly. Then she grinned.
    Outside the convention hall, David led them away from the bus and taxi lines to a side thruway where a number of limos were waiting. Jen gave her another little approving glance when she saw that they were being led toward one that was a white stretch.
    Jen crawled in first, unabashed.
    â€œChampagne!” she said delightedly, noting the ice bucket and glasses arranged in a nook on the limo’s inner right side. Then she did look abashed. “Oh, sorry—”
    David laughed. “Obviously, it’s there to be enjoyed. Please, let me.”
    As the limo took off, he leaned forward, smoothly popping the cork, and pouring three glasses.
    â€œIs this how they do it in Miami all the time?” Jen asked, leaning back.
    â€œActually, in Miami, I drive a rather beat-up van most of the time. The Bougainvillea estate is big, and we all find ourselves driving around with new plants or even canvas for the sail shops, or something else that’s big and needs transport,” he told her. His eyes were on Jen. He smiled slowly. “Is something wrong?” he inquired.
    â€œWrong?” Jen said. “No, this is great!”
    â€œYou keep staring at me,” David said, smiling.
    â€œOh, sorry.” She winced. “I just think it’s such a great story…that Kit has an extended family she doesn’t even know, or doesn’t remember. And the place sounds incredible.”
    â€œBougainvillea?” he said. Kit thought there was a tone of real affection in his voice when he said the word, almost as if the property actually had a personality. “It is great. Hang on, you can see it.”
    Jennifer was sitting on the long seat that ran vertically along the car’s length while Kit had found herself next to their host on his left. He leaned past her