To Catch a Thief by Sherryl Woods

down at her, then grinned. “It sure is. Do you like trains?”
    Caitlyn nodded. “But I like dolls better. Aunt Gina is going to buy me a Barbie if they have the one I want.”
    Rafe’s gaze shifted until it met Gina’s reflected in the window. “Is that so?”
    “It’s not an expensive toy,” Gina said defensively.
    He frowned at her. “Did I suggest it was?”
    “No. Never mind. Come on, Caitlyn. Let’s see if they have the doll you want.”
    The little girl gazed up at Rafe. “You can come, too, if you want,” she said politely. “I’ll bet they have lots more trains inside.”
    “Maybe I will take a look,” Rafe said, ignoring the frown Gina directed at him.
    Inside, Nell Henderson rushed out from behind the counter to give Gina a hug. “And this is your family,” she enthused. “How lovely that you’ve brought them in.”
    “Actually, this is Emma’s daughter, Caitlyn. You remember Emma, don’t you?”
    “Well, of course. The two of you were in here often enough, right along with Cassie, Lauren and Karen.” She beamed at Rafe. “They were some of my best customers, at least until they discovered boys. Then I lost them to the cosmetics counter over at the drugstore.”
    “I can’t imagine why,” Rafe said. “They’re all beautiful enough without makeup.”
    Nell chuckled. “Oh, honey, you have found yourself a jewel.”
    “Rafe and I are not married,” Gina said irritably. “We’re not involved. We’re not anything.”
    That threw the older woman for little more than a heartbeat. “Well then, you should work on changing that. A gallant man is a rarity these days. You should hang on to him if you’re lucky enough to find one.”
    “Something to keep in mind,” Rafe said, regarding her with amusement.
    Bored with the adult conversation, Caitlyn wandered over to the dolls. She was back in seconds, clutching a Barbie in a fancy ball gown.
    “This is the one I’ve been wanting and wanting,” she announced to Gina.
    Gina hunkered down beside her. “She is beautiful,” she agreed. “You’re sure this is what you want?”
    Caitlyn’s head bobbed, then she cast a shy look at Rafe. “What do you think? Isn’t she beautiful?”
    But Rafe’s gaze was locked on Gina, not the doll, when he murmured, “Yes, she certainly is.”
    Gina’s cheeks burned. “I thought you wanted to look at the trains,” she grumbled.
    “I’ll come with you,” Caitlyn offered, tucking her hand into Rafe’s. “I’ve been here before. I can show you where they are.”
    Gina watched the two of them disappear at the end of the aisle, then sighed. When she looked up, Nell Henderson was grinning.
    “Can’t say that I blame you for sighing over that one. If I were thirty years younger, I’d give you a run for your money.”
    “There is nothing between Rafe and me,” Gina repeated very firmly.
    Nell shook her head. “Then that’s a real pity, especially since the man looks at you as if you were the most fascinating creature he’s ever come across. I haven’t seen a look like that since the night my Herbie, God rest his soul, swept me off my feet.”
    Gina recalled belatedly that Herb Henderson had died just over a year ago. “You must miss him,” she said sympathetically.
    “Every day of my life,” Nell agreed. “But I have my memories. That’s something you ought to think about. Grab as many memories as you can, Gina. They’re what carry you through during the difficult times. Otherwise, all you’ll have are regrets. You don’t want the last two words you whisper on your deathbed to be if only.”
    Gina heard Caitlyn’s giggle, then Rafe’s lower rumble of laughter. They were sweet sounds. She was already regretting that she had no claim to Rafe or to any family of her own, for that matter. Lately, she’d had no time to think about any future outside of Café Tuscany. With the restaurant’s fate so much in doubt, she was forced to face the fact that without it her life would be