Summer on the Cape by J.M. Bronston Page B

you’ve probably been living on canned spaghetti and Twinkies.”
    “Not at all.” Even her mother had never nagged her like this, she thought. “You know you had the kitchen up on the Cape stocked with all sorts of good things. I’ve been eating very well.”
    “I’m glad to hear it. Nevertheless, I am going to be sure that tonight, at least, you get a good meal. I’ve had Maurice whip up some of that superb salmon mousse of his and he’s chilling a good Chablis to go with it.”
    Salmon mousse and Chablis, indeed. Allie knew she was supposed to be appreciative, but some fried clams and a Coke would have been just as good. Maybe better. She also knew that Adam had successfully deflected her challenge, and she was going to have to wait to find out what he had up that well-tailored sleeve of his.
    The car pulled up in front of the unpretentious door that was the entrance to the Silver Dove. A casual passerby would never have realized that this was one of New York’s most expensive and exclusive restaurants. Inside, they were greeted with quiet enthusiasm by Oscar, the maître d’, who led them to a quiet corner table where soft lighting and banks of flowers created an air of comfortable privacy. As Oscar held Allie’s chair for her, she looked around the room, noticing several faces that were familiar on movie and television screens. She tried to preserve an air of sophisticated unconcern as she sat down. Oscar moved over to Adam’s side of the table.
    “Maurice has prepared the mousse as you requested, in the light dill sauce. I think you will be pleased.”
    Without another word, he vanished, leaving Allie and Adam alone.
    Allie settled uncertainly into the brocaded chair, beginning to feel a thin edge of tension. Making an effort not to fidget, she smiled pleasantly at Adam, who was studying her face closely.
    “I have not mentioned,” he said, “that you look wonderful. Tanned and healthy. Cape Cod apparently agrees with you.”
    “I suppose it’s because I’ve been working outdoors so much. I don’t get much chance to do that when I’m working in New York.”
    “Well, it’s done wonderful things for your coloring.” He examined her face with his expert eye. “You have that natural golden color to begin with and the sunlight has put some highlights in your hair. The tan has brightened you up delightfully. It brings out the different tones in your eyes. I always like hazel eyes. They have such rich possibilities for variety.”
    What’s all this about my eyes? What’s he getting at?
    “I had no idea you paid so much attention to my eyes.”
    “My dear, I pay attention to everything. That’s why I’m so successful.” He paused and then added slyly, “That, together with a very large inheritance which I have had the intelligence to manage with great skill, care, and patience.”
    She wasn’t sure if he was being serious. She knew Adam was a very wealthy man and had come from a very wealthy family, but she couldn’t imagine why he was telling her this. She was also embarrassed by his close scrutiny, and was glad the waiter arrived just at that moment to take their order. She decided to allow Adam to choose for her, partly because she knew he would do it so well—“Something cool I think, something cool on this hot day; the cucumber soup will do nicely, and a light salad”—and partly to give her a chance to collect her thoughts and prepare for whatever surprises he had in store.
    When Adam and the waiter finished fussing about the details of their dinner, the waiter left and Adam turned his attention back to Allie.
    “You were about to say—”
    “I was about to say, we have other things to talk about besides my eyes and my hair. Why don’t we get right to it?”
    “Ah, the sweet impatience of youth.” Adam was smiling at her indulgently. “We do, indeed, have all sorts of serious and interesting things to talk about. But not now. Not yet. Not until we’ve eaten a bit and had some