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 wasnât there. Kit was surprised to feel a tremendous sinking in her heart; she hadnât realized she was as anxious as she was to spend time with him. No, she told herself firmly. It wasnât the man who intrigued her so much; it was her own past. She wanted to know more about her mother.
âHe isnât coming!â Jen said with dismay, looking around. She glanced at her watch again. âWe are late,â she murmured disgustedly.
âJen, donât worry, if he doesnât show, I have his card.â
Jen grinned at her. âIâm not getting any younger, standing here. I need you to get me to Florida. And when you do, Iâm going to meet an incredibly handsome Latin American, marry him and live happily ever after.â
Kit laughed. âIâm glad youâve got it all planned out.â
âThere!â Jen said. She lowered her voice. âHere he comes.â
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. âSorryâwho would have figured? Wildlife photography is big again this year.â He noted Jen. âHello, again.â
âDavid, you said you had a car hereâor 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
âAbsolutely,â he said. âLetâs head out, huh? Make our way through the gauntlet.â
He started on ahead of them. Jen looped her arm through Kitâs. âOh, Kit, he is a keeper!â
âHeâs still a stranger!â Kit whispered back.
âAll strangers are just friends waiting to happen,â 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.
âChampagne!â she said delightedly, noting the ice bucket and glasses arranged in a nook on the limoâs inner right side. Then she did look abashed. âOh, sorryââ
David laughed. âObviously, itâs there to be enjoyed. Please, let me.â
As the limo took off, he leaned forward, smoothly popping the cork, and pouring three glasses.
âIs this how they do it in Miami all the time?â Jen asked, leaning back.
âActually, 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 thatâs big and needs transport,â he told her. His eyes were on Jen. He smiled slowly. âIs something wrong?â he inquired.
âWrong?â Jen said. âNo, this is great!â
âYou keep staring at me,â David said, smiling.
âOh, sorry.â She winced. âI just think itâs such a great storyâ¦that Kit has an extended family she doesnât even know, or doesnât remember. And the place sounds incredible.â
âBougainvillea?â 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. âIt is great. Hang on, you can see it.â
Jennifer was sitting on the long seat that ran vertically along the carâs length while Kit had found herself next to their host on his left. He leaned past her and Jennifer, pulling a large, coffee-table book from the
Angela Conrad, Kathleen Hesser Skrzypczak