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And
just as Melissa had avoided meeting Tom in the evenings, Travis Stillman had
arranged this outing during the day.
    No mention of picking her up beforehand or eating dinner
afterward. He’d even gone so far as to say he didn’t want to interfere with her
evening plans. That didn’t surprise her. The last thing he’d be looking for—if
he were looking—would be a woman who reminded him of his wife.
    Where Casey was concerned, she had to remember that children
could be manipulative. He liked getting presents and it wasn’t beyond the realm
of possibility that he was hoping to wangle one more out of her. That was why
she would show up empty-handed.
    Melissa worked through until four-twenty, then left for the
movie theater. The minute she climbed out of her Jeep, she heard her name being
called. And there was Casey, running up to her. No one would know he’d ever had
a broken leg.
    His father, striking in a black polo and khakis, stood back
with his hands on his hips. She noticed he’d drawn the attention of several
women, not just her.
    Casey broke into a smile. “That’s an awesome Jeep.”
    “Thanks. I love it.”
    “I wish I could ride in it sometime.”
    “Maybe you can. It’s up to your father. How’s school?” She
started walking toward his dad. Casey kept up with her.
    “Pretty good. Thanks for the cupcakes.”
    “You’re welcome. Thanks for asking me to come to the movie.
After being at work all day, this is a treat.” She lifted her gaze to find a
pair of midnight-blue eyes staring down at her. They weren’t quite as frosty
this afternoon, thank goodness. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Stillman.”
    “Casey and I are pleased you could come. We’d better go in. The
previews have probably started.”
    He held the main door open for them, and they passed through
the lobby to the theater itself. She was careful not to brush against him, but
even without touching, she was aware of him. The place wasn’t crowded yet,
though the previews were on. Casey took the lead and walked down the aisle to an
empty row. “Can we sit here?”
    “I was just going to pick it,” his father said.
    Melissa moved ahead so Casey would be sitting between them.
    “I’ll get us some popcorn and be right back,” Travis
murmured.
    “Thanks, Dad.” When he’d gone, Casey turned his head to look at
her. “Do you like Spider-Man?”
    “I think he’s amazing the way he swings around on his web,
looking for bad guys.”
    “Except he’s not real. But my dad is.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “He looks for bad guys.”
    Melissa didn’t know what to say to that, for fear she’d bring
up something painful. His father might have moved to Utah, but he’d never give
up the search for the criminal who’d killed his wife. “You mean a long time
ago.”
    “No, now. He’s a P.I. You know—he looks for people doing bad
things.”
    She blinked. Travis Stillman was a private investigator? “Here
in Salt Lake?”
    “Yup. At Lufka’s.”
    Lufka’s? She’d seen that name
written somewhere, but not in Casey’s patient file. “I didn’t know that.”
    Just as the main feature started, his father returned with a
tub of popcorn and passed it down. Throughout the film she munched on it, but
her mind wasn’t on the film. While Casey sat there totally absorbed, she was
thinking about what he’d told her. Until people got up to leave, she didn’t even
realize the movie was over.
    “I wish we could watch it again,” Casey said to his dad.
    “I know, but we can’t. We’re due at your aunt Pat’s for dinner.
Let’s go.”
    Melissa filed out of the row after them. They made their way
through the lobby and outside. Without looking at his father, she patted Casey
on the shoulder. “Thanks for inviting me. I loved the movie and the popcorn. Now
I have to go or I’ll be late for my dinner date.” In this case she hoped she
could be forgiven for a small white lie.
    “I wish you could come with us.”
    “But she