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maneuvers that would terrify and subdue an entire company of marines, much less a lone IRS agent. “I do not need someone to take care of me. I have a home—”
    â€œSuch as it is.”
    Victoria shot her a reproachful glance. “I have a business—”
    â€œWhich you run like a front yard lemonade stand.”
    â€œAnd I have my friends—”
    â€œWho are all nuttier than you are.”
    â€œMother, I’m so glad you are on my side.”
    Katherine Marshall beamed at her, ignoring her sarcastic tone. “You should be dear. But I won’t be around forever, and I’d like to know there’s someone who’ll look after you and keep you out of mischief when I’m gone.”
    â€œYou’re healthier than I am, so I don’t think that’s something we need to worry about today. Now could we drop this subject and get over to the shop? You may be missing a sale.”
    â€œOh, dear. Of course, you’re right.” She put the jacket back on the chair. “But Victoria, I want you to promise me that you’ll bring this young man of yours over to meet your father and me.”
    â€œMother, I solemnly swear that if this man ever becomes my young man , you and Dad will be the first to hear. Just so you know, though, you will not have the power of a veto.” Not that that was likely, she thought dryly.
    When they pulled into the driveway at the shop a few minutes later, the young man in question was pacing around the barn much to her amazement and dismay. His very neat and very flattering navy pin-striped suit looked totally out of place in the rural setting. Victoria wondered curiously if he even owned a pair of blue jeans. Then she caught sight of the mud caked on his expensive leather shoes and winced. If Tate planned to keep up these visits, he obviously needed to get a new, more practical wardrobe before he destroyed the one he had.
    â€œIs that the young man?” Katherine Marshall hissed, as her daughter opened the car door and got out. Victoria rolled her eyes heavenward. These were not the circumstances she’d had in mind for a second meeting with Tate McAndrews.
    â€œDo you always show up for work an hour late?” he was demanding irritably, a scowl on his handsome face.
    â€œI have an ‘in’ with the owner,” she responded tartly, as she unlocked the door and stalked inside.
    â€œThat is no way to—”
    â€œRun a business,” Katherine Marshall chimed in. “I’ve been telling her that very thing myself. Hello. I’m Victoria’s mother.”
    She held out her hand and waited expectantly. Tate took it, then looked in amazement from this trim, tidy woman with the firm handshake and no-nonsense style to Victoria in another one of her outrageous getups. He’d never have believed it. This woman seemed perfectly…normal. She would never keep her bills in shopping bags.
    â€œTate McAndrews,” he told her. “I’m from—”
    â€œTate is a friend from Cincinnati,” Victoria interrupted quickly, shooting him a warning glance. “I’m surprised to see you again so soon.”
    â€œI needed to talk to you about—”
    â€œDinner.”
    â€œOh, is Victoria making you dinner tonight, Tate?” Katherine Marshall asked cheerfully. “How lovely. Why don’t the two of you drop by the house for dessert?”
    â€œMother!”
    â€œWe’d love to, Mrs. Marshall.”
    â€œAre you out of your mind?” Victoria snapped at him, marching into the back room with Tate trailing after her.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you? I was just trying to be polite.”
    â€œDon’t you realize that if we go over there for dessert tonight, my mother will have the church reserved by next weekend? She already thinks we’re involved,” she told him, her brows lifting significantly. “That’s in capital letters, by the