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memory of their very first kiss came back slamming him in his chest. There was nothing more he wanted at this moment than to see her, touch her, and hear her voice…taste her lips and enjoy their first sweet kisses all over again. But he’d have to wait. He’d have to convince her he was worthy of her. After all, he knew her better than anyone else, didn’t he? And he also knew that, when riled, Kate Clark had a stubborn streak to outmatch a nest of angry bees. He needed a quiet place where they could sit and talk, away from prying eyes, attentive ears and interruptions. Where they could catch up on the last ten years. Where he could convince her to give him a chance. Maybe, just maybe, he’d go out, buy a bag of candy hearts, and start wooing her again—just like old times.
    “What time do you close?” he asked.
    “Seven on weekdays.” Melanie handed him the coffee. When he removed his wallet to pay, she waved him away. “Our new customer rule. First cup of coffee is always on the house.”
    “Thank you.” Tappe took a sip and waited while Melanie helped a young mother with a small curly-haired toddler to make their selections. She moved farther down to the cash register and expertly packaged some donuts and drinks, sending the duo on their way before returning to the counter. “Anything else?”
    “Yeah,” Tappe said. “Can you do me a favor, Mel? Could you just interrupt Kate long enough to ask her if she’d meet me for a quick bite after work?”
    Melanie sighed. “Kate distinctly told me she didn’t want to be interrupted.”
    “Come on, Melanie. It’s me. Tappe. Two seconds. It’ll take two seconds of your time to ask her.”
    Hands on hips, Melanie regarded him with a suspicious gaze. “I know she has plans for tonight, and tomorrow she’s making strawberry jam out at her aunt’s place. Oh, what the heck.” She turned, cracked the office door wider and relayed the information. Tappe saw Kate shake her head.
    Melanie returned to the counter. “She said she doesn’t have time.”
    “To eat?” Tappe’s eyebrow rose in disbelief.
    “Hey, buddy, I asked the question. Don’t give me grief about the answer.” This time she gave him a less than friendly stare.
    “Then ask her about tomorrow. Before she goes out to Fay’s house.”
    “That’s more than one favor.”
    “Melanie, please.” Pouting, he tried his best sad puppy dog face.
    “Oh, all right.” Within a minute, Melanie relayed the information to Kate and returned, shaking her head. “She says the jam-making will take up all her time and most of the night. Sorry.”
    “How about putting a good word in for me?” he asked. “I could use some inside help here.”
    Melanie stiffened at his request and folded her arms across her chest. “I’m warning you, Tappe Vanderberg, if you start a relationship with Kate again and waltz away and break her heart, I’ll break your knees.”
    “Wow, Melanie. Someone’s in a black mood today.”
    She glowered at him and shook a finger inches from his nose. “Look, she’s my best friend and business partner. I don’t want to see her hurt. Get it?” Without waiting for a reply, she turned, dismissing him, indicating their conversation was finished. She greeted a gray-haired older man who had sauntered up to the counter. “Can I help you, sir? Coffee? Tea? Or some delicious treats?”

Chapter Four
    Tuesday morning, coffee and vanilla cappuccino in hand, Tappe strode half a block up the street to Benton’s Seaside Realty Office on Canal Street where Violet Meyers worked as a receptionist. The office was quiet, without any customers, when he entered. Violet looked up at him, two deep lines of worry appearing above her dull red-rimmed eyes. Her stringy brown hair, tied back into a sloppy ponytail, looked little better than a used string mop head. She seemed dull-looking, unkempt and almost fatigued. Her blouse, once white, was now gray and was so rumpled it looked as if she’d slept in