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whispered, "I'm hoping to get my husband's help with a secret dream of going into business on my own."
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    Karina gasped. "That's what I want to do, too."
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    With a much better understanding of each other's problems, it made for a productive and fun session.
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    As they headed toward the luncheon, Karina was overtaken with a strange foreboding. Her breath caught in the back of her throat as she recognized the square set of shoulders and antagonistic angle of a man's chin, far ahead of them in the crowd. She tugged Susan to a stop.
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    "Look, Susan. That's the man from last night."
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    "How can you tell? It was so dark and rainy last night." Susan twisted, trying to catch a better view of the stranger through the throngs of people in the lobby. "Besides, so what if it is him?'
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    "He came into the seminar room this morning too. I don't know what it is, but he gives me the creeps." Karina kept shifting to track the man's movements. "He looks like he's searching for someone."
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    "We can go ask him if he needs help."
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    "No. I don't want to talk to him, but I'll mention it to Mark or Brian."
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    "They're both standing over there." Susan pointed out the two men waiting their turn at the buffet. "They probably can't even see him for the crush."
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    "Let's go talk to them." Karina led the way through the sea of people, trying to keep one eye on the stranger's whereabouts. Finally reaching her goal, Karina reached up to tap Brian on the shoulder. He turned quickly, accidentally knocking into her. A quick save on his part stopped her from falling.
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    He held out his arms and, after a quick intake of breath, she walked into them for a short, gentle hug. "I'm sorry about that, Karina."
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    "It's okay." Karina's eyes drifted shut and she held Brian to her for a heartbeat too long. It was too tempting to stay in his embrace, too exciting to feel the firmness of his chest and the muscles in his back. She gave him a gentle squeeze before withdrawing.
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    Karina caught Mark's assessing gaze and warmth filled her cheeks.
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    "Oh, you were just trying to sneak into line, weren't you?" Mark winked at her, diffusing some of the tension in the air.
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    She smiled gratefully at the big man. "Not at all," she protested. "But I did want to speak to both of you. Remember that creepy man standing in the rain last night? I think he was just here again. He acted like he was looking for someone."
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    Brian turned to look over the crowd. "Where did you see him?"
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    "I saw him over by the door when we first came in." Unconsciously, she rubbed her arms as if to ward off a chill. "I think it was him, but can't be positive."
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    Mark eyed her curiously. "He really disturbs you, doesn't he?" At her nod, he added, "Okay. I'll go talk to him. I'm sure a few answered questions will help you feel better."
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    "Thanks, Mark." Karina released her pent-up breath. Maybe she was just being foolish. So not her normal self. But she couldn't help the way the stranger was making her feel. "Sorry, I'm not usually so nervy, maybe some food will help. Let's find a table and wait for Mark there."
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    "Not a lot of choice, is there?" Brian, using his height advantage, pointed to a small table for four off to one side. The seminar crowd was having lunch in one sitting. "There's an empty one that looks good. Quiet and out of the way."
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    Brian regarded her wan face. "We can take a plate of appetizers with us, while we wait."
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    "Really, I'm okay. I'm hungry though, so maybe I should grab… Oh look! He's back already." she pointed toward the doorway where Mark was standing. He quickly made his way over to them.
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    "Karina, the people at the front desk saw him and offered their assistance. Apparently, he wasn't very friendly but he did say that he was meeting someone." Mark shrugged, running his fingers through his dark hair. "They didn't have any real reason to question him further, but they told me,