With a Little Help by Valerie Parv Page B

stopping in front of a small café she hadn’t noticed when they set off. The Flying Fox Café was lettered across the front of what had been a worker’s cottage in the time of the old bridge and the trams. Now the charmingly restored building opened onto a deck with a view of the bay. A rustling sound in the thick greenery besidethe cottage drew her eye upward to a group of flying foxes preparing to set off in search of their night’s meal, making it obvious where the café got its name. She smiled, enjoying the presence of wildlife so close to the city.
    â€œHungry?” Nate asked over his shoulder as he strode toward the cottage.
    â€œA little,” she admitted.
    â€œYou’ll like this place,” he said, leading her through the front door into a modern eatery with polished wood floors and pale wood and chrome furniture. The tables were far enough apart for privacy, and concertina glass doors opened the opposite wall to the view beyond. “You and Angie Fox should be on the same wavelength. She’s an amazing cook.”
    Did Nate think of Emma in that way? Good, it should help her professionally, she thought, pushing away an unwelcome rush of gratification. An attractive blonde woman straightened from behind the counter where she’d been arranging exquisitely decorated cupcakes. “Nate,” she said warmly. “You must have radar. Today’s special is your favorite, gazpacho.”
    â€œAngie Fox, this is Emma Jarrett. Food is her specialty, too.”
    Emma saw questions in the other woman’s eyes as they exchanged greetings. Either Emma was the latest of many females Nate had brought here and Angie wanted to know more, or the situation wasnovel enough to make her curious. While Emma suspected it wasn’t the latter, she didn’t want to suggest a personal interest in him, so she avoided saying anything. Instead, she chatted to Angie about her work, leaving a card when the other woman wanted to know if she supplied small businesses. She hadn’t so far, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t.
    Angie waved toward the deck where early diners were already seated. “I’ll bring your food over. Outside or in here?”
    She didn’t ask what Emma wanted to eat and neither did Nate. “In here is fine. We have some business to discuss.”
    She should welcome the reminder of why she was here, Emma told herself. The deck was too romantic for a business meeting, although her whole body vibrated with an energy that had nothing to do with work.
    Emma felt Nate’s probing amber eyes looking at her from under long, silky lashes as she seated herself across from him.
    A squeal and the sound of running feet short-circuited Emma’s thoughts as a little girl of three or four came racing up, a picture book clutched in her hands. “Dr. Nate.” Seeing the stranger with him, the child stopped short, tucking herself close to Nate for reassurance.
    He wrapped an arm around her in a hug. “Natalie, this is my friend, Emma.”
    Emma smiled. “Hello, Natalie. What are you reading?”
    â€œI can’t read, but I like dinosaurs,” the child said. She shoved the book toward Nate. “Mummy says this is a terry duck tail.”
    The well-worn book was open at a colorful cartoon of a pterodactyl, Emma noticed, suppressing a grin. Terry duck tail was close enough. Nate thought so, too, because he let the child ramble on, seeming in no hurry to be rid of her. The sight of his cropped dark hair close to Natalie’s blond curls as he gave her his full attention made Emma’s stomach knot. She switched her attention to the cell phone he’d placed on the table when they sat down. That was reality. Even the child recognized him as “Dr. Nate.” Emma should do the same.
    Angie came to the table carrying a tray with brimming bowls of chilled soup and side plates of grilled, marinated prawn sticks. The aroma of