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anytime if you have things to do.”
    “He’s not coming today.”
    He eyed her, and she sensed he was waiting for an explanation.
    “He doesn’t live in Michigan.” She grew silent, thinking about Hal and what he wanted.
    Nick remained quiet for a moment and studied her. “You’re absorbed in something.”
    “Thinking about my brother. I wish I knew what’s going on.”
    “Has he wanted a handout before?”
    Memories flooded Steph—times when she convinced Doug to bail him out of a problem and other times she slipped him money rather than ask Doug. That was when she had money to squander. Hal’s loans were really handouts.
    “I didn’t mean to meddle.”
    Nick’s voice cut through her thoughts. His face filled with concern.
    The look squeezed against her heart. “You’re not meddling. It’s nice to have someone to talk with.” She’d talked with Molly so often about her problems, the kind of funtalking like they’d done earlier that day. She winced, realizing how lonely she’d become without having Molly to herself. Today at the boutique had made the change all too vivid.
    Nick was still leaning against the doorjamb, and Steph found her manners. “Let’s sit.” She motioned toward the living room as she moved ahead of him. “By the way, thanks for the rescue Thursday.
    “You’re welcome.” He followed her through the archway.
    She gestured toward the sofa. “I don’t expect you to bail me out every time I have a run-in with Martin.”
    A grin brightened his face as he settled into an easy chair. “You looked as if you needed rescuing.”
    She curled her legs up on the sofa. “Maybe I did. I might have dug myself into a deeper hole than Fred made. With all that anger, he could have a stroke.”
    Nick’s face blanched, and Steph knew she’d struck a negative cord. Why did she seem to say the wrong thing everywhere she went today? She’d upset Molly, too. “I’m only kidding.”
    “I know, but he could if he keeps it up.” He fell silent a moment, then thrust his back from the cushion. “When I walked up Thursday, I could see you’d put Martin in his place. That’s why he became angrier. But he needs people to talk back to him or he’ll never learn.” He looked uncomfortable for a moment. “I’m too close to the problem to do any good.”
    “I have the same situation with Hal. I’m his sister, and it’s difficult being objective.”
    Nick gave his head a shake. “Speaking of brothers, Martin’s at some kind of a shindig, and he asked me to walk Suzette. As usual, I didn’t say no.” He gave her a hangdog look. “So I dropped by to see if you’d like to take the dogsfor a walk? We could pick up a sandwich or carryout somewhere and eat dinner in the park.”
    Steph weighed the possibility. “That sounds nice, Nick. I don’t enjoy eating alone.”
    “Me, neither.” His smile lit the room.
    She pushed herself from the sofa. “While you go for Suzette, I’ll get ready.”
    “It’s a date,” he said.
    A date. Molly’s question flew into her mind. Steph didn’t move, watching him stride across the room to the foyer and walk out the door. Doug had been gone for over four years, and this was her first date. A sandwich in the park.

Chapter Three
    N ick sat at his office desk, sorting through his mail. As he shifted the piles that needed attention to various slots, a small envelope slipped onto his desk. He placed the new mail into its box, then picked up the invitation and looked inside the envelope, recalling he’d mailed the RSVP card. He’d accepted.
    Nick eyed the calendar. Brent Runyan’s wedding. June 6. A jaded feeling settled in his chest. Since Cara had walked out, weddings never seemed the same. The usual joyful occasion left a bad taste in his mouth. How many weddings had he attended since that day? How much self-doubt had he pondered without an answer? What’s more, he hated going to weddings alone. He felt like a drill without a bit. But excuses