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hall into a small, neat office where they chatted briefly. The job amounted to simple filing and a three-day workweek. Mrs. King’s staff consisted of her daughter and the mortician, Steve Abbott. Her laid-back personality was endearing, and Catherine surprised herself in trying hard to get the job.
    “Then I’ll leave you to fill out the application. Give it to Judy on your way out.” Mrs. King handed Catherine some paperwork. “I’ll let you know something by tomorrow.”
    Catherine thanked her and dug out the necessary information. An hour later, she walked out into the heat. The sign on the bank across the street read one-hundred-four degrees.
    Waves of heat came up from the pavement and made breathing difficult. When she opened the car door, hot air billowed up, scorching her face as if she’d opened an oven. In her grandmother’s day, they rolled down the windows. Catherine could do the same.

Chapter Four
    Monday, July 31st, 6:00 p.m.
    Catherine’s door opened, and the smile on her face convinced Matt he’d made the right decision by calling her. He hadn’t planned to ask her for a date. It was just going to be a courtesy call. The minute he’d heard her voice, things took off in a different direction.
    “Is that look for me?” he asked.
    She laughed. The sound was magical, pulling him into her good mood. Being around her helped him forget how alone he was, except for the dog he couldn’t pet.
    “Come in. Susan King called right after you did. I start tomorrow. I’ll work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.”
    Matt entered her house and stepped into her scent. He breathed in the faint whisper of vanilla. “Congratulations.”
    “It’s filing and working the front desk, but that’s fine with me. I’m never going in the back.”
    A fleeting look of sorrow darkened her face. She’d told him over burgers she was a widow. Did the funeral home bring back painful memories of her dead husband?
    “The King family has a reputation for being the best. It takes a special calling to run a funeral home.”
    She tucked a red curl behind her ear and frowned for a second. “A special calling. I didn’t think of it that way.”
    “You ready?”
    “I am. Let me get my purse.”
    He followed her outside and opened the door to his pickup. She stepped up and in with ease. His mouth went dry while his eyes feasted on long legs. Good Lord, they ran on and on. His groin tightened, followed by a deep ache. She’d think he was some kind of perv if he didn’t get his libido under control.
    “Will you back out slowly? Emma likes to know when people come and go.”
    “Sure thing.” After she buckled up, Matt forced his attention away from her extremities, slid behind the wheel, and started the engine. “How about I cook a couple of steaks at my place? I haven’t been home more than a few hours in the past couple of days.”
    “I’d love it. Someone else waiting on me will be a nice change after the weekend.”
    “Sorry I haven’t had time to check on you. Everything going all right at the bar?”
    “The job’s okay. I had a few dust-ups with a couple of drunks. Thankfully, JC keeps a close eye on the waitresses and Marty.”
    Matt wasn’t about to analyze why the idea of some guy hassling her, or JC looking out for her, sizzled a nerve. “Good. Make sure he walks you to your car or at least watches until you drive away.” He frowned at her raised eyebrows. “Don’t go all I-can-take-care-of-myself on me.”
    “The news reported you haven’t found the missing woman. Not a good sign, huh?”
    “No, it’s not.” Matt parked in his driveway and turned toward her. “Look. I’m not trying to scare you or boss you around. Just want you to be aware.”
    He opened her door and wrapped his hands around her waist when she started out of the pickup. He lifted her and helped her to the ground. “Pay attention to your surroundings, okay?”
    “Okay.”
    She’d never know how close he came to kissing her.