Make-Believe Beau. Keli Gwyn

his spoon into his ice cream, paused and asked the obvious question. “What makes sense?”

      “Why Jessie got the job, of course. She turned your head. You created a position so you could offer it to her.”

      Jessie inhaled sharply. She longed to set the insufferable fellow straight, but the words lodged in her throat.

      Flynt lifted the bite to his mouth, took his time eating it and set his spoon on the table. When he spoke, his words were cold, much colder than the dessert. He enunciated each one. “You’re mistaken. I hadn’t even met Jessie before her interview. Her exceptional work is what got her the position.”

      Kurt scoffed. “I might not be as bright as you seem to think she is, but I know what I saw. Well, you can carry on your little tryst, but when Corby hears about it, he’s not going to be happy.”

      It took every ounce of restraint she possessed not to laugh. If only Kurt knew... “Why are you out to undermine me? We’re a team.”

      “We were a team, and then you showed up. And now you’re fraternizing with Flynt. I should tell Corby. Cross me and I will.”

      Flynt rested his fisted hands on the table and responded with a believable show of concern. “I’d rather you didn’t, but if you feel it’s your duty, I understand.”

      Jessie played along. “Are you sure you should be encouraging him?”

      “I trust Kurt to keep what he’s seen to himself.”

      The younger man gave a wry smile. “I’ll keep mum. For the present. Why blab now when the information could better serve me later?” He wheeled around and left the shop without ordering any ice cream.

      Flynt shook his head. “That young man has some lessons to learn. Give him time and he will. I was feeling my oats when I was his age. The last six years have taught me a great deal. What about you? Did you have all the answers when you were twenty-one?”

      “That’s when I arrived in California, confident but naive. The past three years have been humbling. I bounced from job to job the first two, doing anything from lettering funeral programs to drawing sketches of pipes for a sewer company’s catalog. I didn’t get my first drafting position here in California until Mr. Bishop hired me a year ago.”

      “He said you received your training in Chicago. How did that come about?”

      She chose her words carefully, lest she divulge too much. “An engineer came through town when I was eighteen. He saw a drawing I’d done and offered me a position in his firm. The first year I swept floors, emptied dustbins and the like. Mr. Fullerton taught me after hours. I spent my free time practicing until I was good enough to do tracings. I did those for a year and a half before I was assigned my first drawing. I had to redo it three times before Mr. Fullerton signed off on it.”

      Flynt finished his ice cream and dropped his spoon into his dish with a clink. “Sounds like he was a stickler for details, an admirable trait in our field.”

      She savored her last bite and licked the spoon.

      He grinned.

      “I’m sorry. That wasn’t very ladylike, was it?”

      He winked. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

      A delicious sense of contentment washed over her, far sweeter than the treat they’d enjoyed. Flynt Kavanaugh wasn’t just handsome, knowledgeable and considerate. He was fun to be with. She could get used to his company. Perhaps this arrangement had its advantages.

      The arrangement! How could she have forgotten? He was just playing a part.

      She dropped her gaze to her lap and rolled the edge of the red-and-white gingham napkin. The silence stretched until she could stand it no longer.

      “So what did you want to talk—”

      “I thought we should talk—”

      Their words collided. She laughed, a nervous sound quite unlike her. She’d dealt with hordes of men through the years, but Flynt was different. He was a gentleman through and through.

      He gave her a reassuring smile. “It seems you’re eager to clarify things, too. Let me start by saying how sorry I am that I couldn’t come up with a better solution than this.”

      Her chest tightened, making drawing a breath difficult. He didn’t want to spend time with her outside of work?

      No. Of course he didn’t. Why would he? She was his colleague and nothing more. “I know it’s not ideal, but I’m prepared to do my part.” Doubts gnawed at her. “Unless you’ve changed your mind, that is?”

      “Not at all. I agreed to Corby’s plan.”

      He had. And he’d been quite gallant about it. “Thank you. No one’s ever done anything like this for me.” The admission had slipped out unchecked. Where was her customary self-control? She pressed her lips together to keep any more words from rushing out.

      “It’s my pleasure.”

      It wasn’t, but it was nice of him to say so. “So, what do we do next?”

      “I’ll pick you up at half past seven Saturday evening, and we’ll head to the theater. The Placerville Philharmonic Society does a fine job. As much as you love music, you’re sure to enjoy the concert.”

      “How do you know I like music?” She did, very much, but she hadn’t said anything to him.

      He toyed with the spoon resting in his dish. “I, um, heard you humming while you work.”

      “Oh. I didn’t realize I was. It’s an old habit. I’ll work on breaking it.”

      “It’s not a problem. You didn’t disturb me. I like hearing the hymns.”

      Flynt recognized them? He must be a churchgoing man. Although he might view it as prying, she had to know. “Do you attend services?”

      He sent her another of those warm smiles of his that caused her stomach to flutter. “I do. Across the street from your boardinghouse at the Church of Our Saviour. Will I see you there Sunday?”

      “I plan on attending, yes. I’ve heard good things about the reverend and his messages.”

      “Mr. Parks is wonderful. I’m sure you’ll like him.”

      She tilted her head. “Mr. Parks? He doesn’t use the title?”

      Flynt shook his head. “He’s not like other ministers. I would be happy to introduce you to him. That is, if you’ll allow me to escort you. As your beau, it would be expected.”

      True. The thought caused her to smile. While she couldn’t allow her feelings to become engaged, she would enjoy Flynt’s company over the next few weeks. As long as she didn’t allow herself to entertain dreams of a future with a kind, thoughtful man like him, she would come through this with her heart intact. Wouldn’t she?

      * * *

      Where had he put that pin? Without it his cravat wouldn’t stay put.

      Flynt rummaged through his bureau drawer, not stopping until he found the elusive pin hiding beneath the stack of freshly laundered handkerchiefs. He opened the jewel box. As was the case every time he did so, memories of his mother rushed in. She might have given him up to be raised by another, but she hadn’t forgotten him. The only money she’d ever sent him had shown up when he turned eighteen. Three years later the pin arrived.

      The first had been accompanied by a letter from his mother’s lawyer telling him that she wanted him to use the funds for college. The latter had included a note in her own handwriting, the only one he’d ever received.

      He unfolded the slip of paper and read the few words.

      My Dearest Son,

      Widow Hagerty tells me you’ve earned an engineering degree and that you dream of designing irrigation