Ask Anyone by Sherryl Woods Page A

totally off-guard.
    As his entire staff feigned a sudden interest in the food preparation that was already under control, he turned slowly. “Back already, Jenna?”
    â€œWhat can I say? I felt so welcome here, I rushed right back. Can we talk?”
    â€œNot now,” he said emphatically. He tucked a hand under her elbow and escorted her back to the dining room. “No one besides staff is allowed back here.”
    She peered around his shoulder for one last glimpse of the kitchen. “Don’t want the customers to see what you’re doing to their food? Are you using some preservative that will eventually kill them all?”
    He scowled at her. “That isn’t even mildly amusing. No one is allowed back here, first, because I say so, and, second, because it’s dangerous. They get in the way. They can get burned. Fair warning, Ms. Kennedy.”
    â€œDuly noted,” she said, not looking the least bit chastened. “When can we talk?”
    â€œWhere are you staying? I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    â€œI meant tonight,” she said.
    â€œI’m sure you did. Tomorrow will have to do.”
    Her gaze met his. “Is everything between us going to be a battle?”
    â€œPretty much,” he said unrepentantly. “It’s your choice to be here. I can’t ban you from the town, but I don’t have to deal with you on your terms.”
    â€œBut you do have to deal with me,” she said just as emphatically. “I’m not going away until you do. What time do you close?”
    â€œOn a weeknight, the last of the customers are gone by ten, except at the bar. I’m finished cleaning up in the kitchen about an hour later.”
    â€œI’ll be here,” she said, her gaze unflinching.
    Bobby had to admire her grit. Most people would have wilted and accepted his terms. Most would have seen the sense in giving him a tiny, albeit meaningless, victory. Jenna apparently didn’t intend to give an inch.
    â€œWhatever,” he said, resigned. He headed for the kitchen.
    â€œAnd don’t try sneaking out the back door,” she called after him.
    Bobby flushed guiltily at that. It was exactly what he had been contemplating. He turned back slowly and, as if the thought had never crossed his mind, said, “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
    She laughed. “Then you aren’t half as sneaky as you’ve wanted me to believe. I’ll see you around eleven.”
    â€œI wish I could say I’ll be looking forward to it,”Bobby retorted, then pushed open the kitchen door and retreated.
    Safely inside, he leaned for a moment against the counter, drew in a deep breath and prayed for patience.
    While he was at it, he added a little prayer for help in resisting temptation, because for the last ten minutes—ever since Jenna Kennedy had appeared in his kitchen—all he’d been able to think about was kissing the annoying woman senseless.

6
    J enna felt triumphant as she went back to the table where Darcy was waiting, her expression sullen.
    â€œThere’s nothing on this menu I like,” Darcy complained as Jenna sat down.
    â€œYou love crabcakes,” Jenna said, refusing to be goaded into an argument. “And hamburgers and French fries.”
    â€œNot anymore,” Darcy insisted in the lofty tone of someone twice her age.
    â€œThen sit there while I eat.”
    Darcy stared at Jenna with a shocked expression. “You’re going to let me starve?”
    â€œYou won’t starve if you miss one meal,” Jenna said, holding firm for once. “Besides, it’s your decision not to eat, not mine.”
    Her daughter seemed taken aback. “Mommy, what’s happened to you? You never used to be like this.”
    â€œI developed a backbone,” Jenna said, realizing that it was true. For too long she had catered to Darcy’s every whim—to say nothing of Randall