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kids, needed to feel like a woman and not just a mom.
    Carly relaxed on a high barstool behind the counter, leafing through the latest copy of Architectural Digest Geoff left out.
    A few couples strolled in while walking off dinner, locals she greeted warmly even though they probably had no intention of actually buying anything. They appreciated seeing the new pieces Geoff had acquired, so she let them browse and dream of the day they might somehow be able to invest in a pricey piece of art.
    The place was empty again when she smiled over a sticky note tucked into the magazine. In bold marker script Geoff had written, “FABULOUS. FIND FABRIC.” He’d even highlighted a headboard upholstered in faux leopard.
    She was about to add her opinion on a Post-it and leave it for him to find when the chime over the door signaled another arrival. She set the magazine down, looked up and realized with a jolt that she was staring into the eyes of the very same man she had noticed at Sweetie’s that afternoon.
    Her heart tripped and then, as it slowly rocked back into place, she chided herself for being ridiculous.
    The way he was looking at her made her unconsciously press her palm against the scooped neckline of her wine-colored jersey dress. When she realized her fingers were trembling she dropped her hand and clasped it tight in the other.
    She remembered to smile as he walked from the doorway toward Geoff’s high, granite sales counter. An embarrassing flush suffused her cheeks as his gaze slowly traveled over her face, down her body and snapped back to her eyes. The distance between them was eaten up by his long, slow stride. He walked like a man who never rushed, but moved with a purpose and a plan. A man on a mission.
    His face was tan, with strong features evenly placed. His hair was dark and wavy. Up close, she saw that his eyes were the rich midnight blue of lapis, a color that called to mind ancient jewelry from faraway places with exotic names.
    Gone were the casual jeans he’d worn earlier. Tonight he had on pressed khaki slacks and a long-sleeved black sweater shirt that fit him like a glove. His shoulders were wide, his abdomen flat. He was well over six feet tall.
    Noticing that he had to be aware of her gaze sliding over him from head to toe, she swallowed, forced herself to meet his eyes. She found them so clear and intense that she was almost convinced that if she looked hard enough she could see the secrets and shadows of his soul.
    The truth hit her hard when she realized that she hadn’t been this attracted to a man since she had met Christopher’s father. Rick Saunders was just as handsome, but he’d been fair with blond hair and blue eyes. Sure of himself and so very charming that he’d swept her off her feet with his first hello. After that it hadn’t mattered that what they had between them was only temporary, that they had come from two different worlds or that he would be leaving Borrego in a month.
    By now the stranger had reached the desk. His eyes appeared not only deep blue, but also guileless. Everyone had something to hide.
    He smiled a slow, easy smile as he held out his hand. She took it automatically and almost closed her eyes. She had expected nothing more than a casual handshake, but the moment her flesh touched his, something akin to lightning jolted her. She nearly jerked her hand away and looked up in shock, but apparently, he hadn’t been affected at all.
    His touch was warm, reassuring until he said, “Carly Nolan? I’m Jake Montgomery.”
    The moment he said her name, her radar sounded and she went cold as ice. Shaken, she couldn’t pull her hand away or even move.
    She swallowed and then asked, “Do I know you?”
    “We’ve never met but I was in earlier and spoke to Geoff. He told me you’d be working tonight. I’m interested in seeing anything you might have done that’s comparable to the painting of the sunset over the cove that was pictured in the Budget Traveler