His Perfect Woman (Harlequin Superromance) by Kay Stockham Page A

didn’t want to pick up, but why?
    Ellen’s comment about husbands not wanting their wives under the same roof as him bounced through his head. Would the same apply to Melissa’s police chief father? Hal hadn’t liked the antics Bryan and Melissa had gotten into as kids: letting the air out of Melissa’s piano teacher’s tires at the grocery so the woman would have to cancel and Melissa wouldn’t have to stop playing; climbing the old oak tree inthe park with backpacks full of snacks so it couldn’t be cut down. Fun times. Great memories. But big trouble for the chief.
    The phone rang a third time. “Want me to get that?”
    Groaning softly, she snatched the receiver from the base. “Dr. Booker’s office. Hi, Dad. Yeah, things are okay. No, I’m—we’re ordering lunch here.” She glanced at Bryan before turning away. “No, we’ve only just taken a break for lunch… Dad, no. Yes, I appreciate the offer, but… No, I can’t make it… Yes, I’m sure…” Her voice lowered. “Because we’re working… I know it’s right next door,” she said cryptically, shooting him a wry look over her shoulder. “No, I don’t have time right now… Yes, that’s really why… I’m sure. Goodbye, Dad. Goodbye . I’m hanging up now,” she stated firmly before she pressed the button.
    Bryan raised a brow, impressed. “Did you just hang up on the chief of police?”
    Amusement lit Melissa’s features. “No, I just hung up on my dad.” She released a weary huff and replaced the handset. “And I said goodbye, so that doesn’t qualify as hanging up.”
    â€œRight. Well, don’t say no on my account. Lunch with Ellen sounds like a good way to get to know each other better, and she’s a great cook.” That comment earned him a glare. “I take it you’re not okay with him marrying her?”
    He could see her struggling with an inner debate. “I never said that.”
    â€œBut you don’t want to go over for lunch?” He watched while she bustled around the desk grabbing more pencils and pens, Hi-Liters, staple removers and paper clips. “For what it’s worth, she’s a nice person. If you give Ellen a chance you might like her.”
    Melissa’s teeth sank into her lower lip while she openedvarious drawers and began tossing the items. “It’s not—” She broke off with a groan. “I know I need to go. From the way it sounds it’s practically a done deal.”
    â€œShe does have a ring.” That got him another glare.
    â€œShe’s taking advantage of him, of his loneliness. Why can’t he see that?”
    â€œMaybe she’s not,” he suggested mildly. “Maybe she’s in love with him. Either way, there’s only one way to find out and that’s by spending time with them together. See how they are around one another.”
    Her shoulders slumped and she was silent a long moment. “I suppose if I went now, it would mean a short visit. I’d have to finish up what I started here, right?” She paused, obviously considering her alternatives. “It would give me an excuse to leave, rather than getting stuck there indefinitely on another day when I have no schedule to keep.”
    He couldn’t stop the smile that formed. “Melissa, she doesn’t bite.”
    She looked up at him, staring at him as though she’d momentarily forgotten he was there—and then was suddenly glad he was. Unease had him straightening. “What?”
    â€œNothing… I’m just glad you feel that way. Remember when you ran into Mrs. Borwick’s rose planter and broke it? When your grandfather caught us, you made me go with you to tell her you were sorry.”
    â€œSo? That was a long time ago.”
    â€œDoesn’t matter,” she informed him, “because