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about it, except
that I’m sure it meets the state minimum requirements.”
    “Lili and I will go over it
together and see whether it needs updating,” Ken promised, with a glance at
Lili for her agreement.
    She nodded, since she couldn’t do
otherwise. Her blood was already tingling at the realization of how many things
they would be consulting on, and of how many hours that would require they
spend together.
    “We’ll try to report back on that
the same evening we watch the video, if possible,” Ken said, dismissing them.
    Ken thought Lili had really
handled it all very well. He watched her say goodnight to each and every one of
her employees. He could tell a lot about a boss from how the employees felt
about him, and this group obviously cared about the Adams family.
    However, it was clear already
that they resented his buyout. During the meeting, one of the men sitting
somewhere behind him had commented in an undertone, “You work for years,
thinking you’re getting somewhere, and what happens? Some millionaire
corporation buys you out and walks off with it all. There’s no justice in this
world, I say.”
    When Ken had turned to see who
was talking, all the employees seemed to be paying attention to Lili, and he
didn’t know their voices well enough to tell who had spoken. He wondered if the
comment had been meant to be overheard. If so, there was at least one person
who resented him besides Lili who had made hers clear from the start.
    Up-front resentment he could deal
with. It was the covert kind that could prove dangerous.
    If only Robert had told her of
the sale ahead of time as Ken had urged him to do. If Robert had introduced Ken
to his wife and daughter and convinced them it was the way he wanted it. Then
maybe, just maybe, Lili would not have this resentment toward him.
    But business was business and Ken
wasn’t going to allow her to lay a load of guilt on him for buying what had
been offered on the open market. He’d paid what Robert had asked without any
haggling. If he hadn’t bought the store, someone else would have. Someone who
might not have paid as much, or who wouldn’t have let Lili stay on, or who
might have taken over personally.
    Not that running Adams’ Foods
personally was a bad idea. He thought of working with Lili every day, side by
side, seeing those long blond lashes sweep up to reveal her clear blue eyes
looking at him throughout the day. Just thinking about her was enough to make
him need a cold shower.
    Of course, anything more than
thinking was impossible. He had a rule against getting involved with employees,
and a corporation to run. If Lili couldn’t handle the job of manager, he’d have
to bring in a capable second-in-command from one of his other stores.
    He walked Lili to her car.
Wanting to prolong the evening, he thought about that slim yet luscious body in
the pool last night and had an unnerving desire to see it that way again. He
could imagine his hands sliding down her arms, curving along soft shoulders,
and perhaps sliding lower— “I’m not in the least sleepy,” he said. “How about a
swim ? ”
    She tossed him a surprised glance
as she unlocked her car.
    “Oh, are you staying over again ? ”
    “Yes, I have an appointment in
the morning.”
    Looking away, she said in a
neutral tone, “I think I’ll pass tonight, Ken. I’m really tired. Thanks again
for the nice dinner.”
    “You’re welcome. I’ll see you
next Wednesday then.”
    “Good night.” Smiling at him, she
put her car in gear.
    Disappointment curled in his
stomach. Lifting a hand in farewell, he watched her drive off. He’d pushed too
fast. He had to give her time to get used to the changes in her life, the
emotional upheavals, before he could expect her to enjoy spending time with
him. She was making his blood sing, but he had no reason to think she felt the
same way. He went back to the motel and swam laps in the empty pool until he
was exhausted enough to sleep.
    The next morning