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fragrance of flowers.
    Ana walked directly to a shelf, rising automatically to her toes to reach the desired volumes. “
The Milkmaid’s Wish
,” she recited as she pulled out one book after another. “
The Frog, the Owl and the Fox
.
A Third Wish for Miranda
.” She tossed a look over her shoulder, though tossing one of the books would have been more satisfactory. “It’s a shame I have to tell you how much I enjoy your work.”
    Uncomfortable, he tucked his hands in his pockets. He was already certain he’d taken a wrong turn, and he was wondering if he could find a suitable way to backtrack. “It isn’t often grown women read fairy tales for pleasure.”
    “What a pity. Though you hardly deserve the praise, I’ll tell you that your work is lyrical and valuable, on both a child’s and an adult’s level.” Far from mollified, she shoved two of the books back into place. “Then again, perhaps such things are in my blood. I was very often lulled to sleep by one of my aunt’s stories. BrynaDonovan,” she said, and had the pleasure of seeing his eyes widen. “I imagine you’ve heard of her.”
    Thoroughly chastised, Boone let out a long breath. “Your aunt.” He flicked his gaze over the shelf and saw several of Bryna’s stories of magic and enchanted lands alongside his. “We’ve actually corresponded a few times. I’ve admired her work for years.”
    “So have I. And when Jessie mentioned that her father wrote stories about fairy princesses and dragons, I concluded the Sawyer next door was Boone Sawyer. Grilling a six-year-old wasn’t necessary.”
    “I’m sorry.” No, actually, he was much more embarrassed than sorry, but that would have to do. “I had an … uncomfortable experience not long before we moved, and it’s made me overly sensitive.” He picked up a small, fluidly sculpted statue of an enchantress, turning it in his fingers as he spoke. “Jessie’s kindergarten teacher … she pumped all sorts of information out of the kid. Which isn’t too hard, really, since Jessie’s pump’s always primed.”
    He set the statue down again, all the more embarrassed that he felt this obligation to explain. “But she manipulated Jessie’s feelings, her natural need for a mother figure, gave her all sorts of extra attention, requested several conferences to discuss Jessie’s unusual potential, even going so far as to arrange a one-on-one with me over dinner where she … Suffice it to say she was more interested in an unattached male with a nice portfolio than she was in Jessie’s feelings or her welfare. Jessie was very hurt by it.”
    Ana tapped a finger on the edge of one of his books before replacing it. “I imagine it was a difficult experience for both of you. But let me assure you, I’m not in the market for a husband. And, if I were, I wouldn’t resort to manipulations and maneuvers. I’m afraid happy-ever-after has been too well indoctrinated in me for that.”
    “I’m sorry. After I get those feet out of my mouth, I’ll try to come up with a better apology.”
    The way she lifted her brow told him he wasn’t out of the woods yet. “I think the fact that we understand each other will do. Now, I’m sure you want to get back to work, and so do I.” She walked past him into a tiled foyer and opened the front door. “Tell Jessie to be sure to drop by and let me know how she likes school.”
    Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry? Boone thought as he stepped out. “I will. Take care of those scratches,”he added, but she was already closing the door in his face.

Chapter 3
    Good going, Sawyer. Shaking his head, Boone sat down in front of his word processor. First his dog knocks her down in her own yard; then our blundering hero barges into her house uninvited to play with her legs. To cap it, he insults her integrity and insinuates that she’s using his daughter to try to trap him.
    All in one fun-filled afternoon, he thought in disgust. It was a wonder she hadn’t