One More Kiss by Kim Amos Read Free Book Online

taking a hit to combat some gossip.”
    Betty shrugged. “Pauline down at the diner said something about folks boycotting me. Red Updike is telling me suddenly he’s praying for me. I’m trying to avoid any more weirdness. I figure a ten percent payout is better than a fifty percent cut across the board that might never end.”
    Behind her, sunlight slanted through his office window, lighting fragments of dust. It looked for all the world like Betty was wearing a halo. He took it as a good sign.
    “Of course,” he said. “I’m happy to do whatever it takes. I can put something in the next church bulletin, advertising the arrangement. Feel free to put a sign in your store window.”
    The lines around Betty’s eyes relaxed slightly. “Thank you,” she said. “That means a great deal.” Randall wanted suddenly to pull her to him, to tell her it would all be okay. His fingers twitched at his side.
    He would do no such thing . That would be too much.
    Instead, he ran a hand along the back of his neck. “We should meet tomorrow,” he said, “to discuss the logistics of the arrangement after I’ve had a chance to make some calls.”
    “Logistics?” Betty asked. “I appreciate your help, but is it that complicated?”
    “There are details to work out,” he said, nodding, even though she was seeing right through him. He just wanted another excuse to visit with her again. And soon. “Let’s meet at your store Friday, say four o’clock, and we can determine our next steps.”
    “All right,” she said, agreeing even as her eyes were studying him, perhaps wondering why it was necessary to meet at all. Maybe she could see the conflict raging inside him—the push and pull of wanting her but not wanting the falling, out-of-control sensation he feared would go right along with it.
    She walked to the door and he eyed the small of her back. His muscles tightened. He wanted to reach out and place his fingertips against the delicate curve, guiding her gently. Betty was a strong woman who didn’t need to be steered, but maybe she wanted to know someone was there right alongside her, going in the same direction.
    He set his jaw and kept his hands to himself. “See you tomorrow,” he said, hating the stiffness in his own voice.
    He hated even more that it didn’t even seem to faze her. She walked away like she hadn’t heard him at all.
    *  *  *
    Betty could barely concentrate that Thursday at the recipe exchange. Her apple cinnamon bread was perfectly arranged on the table, the top of it a thick white sheet of icing. Around it were dishes from all her other friends—an apple cider bratwurst casserole from Willa, a fall salad from Anna, cornbread from Stephanie, and lovely, buttery yams from Audrey. It was a feast, but Betty couldn’t focus on any of it. All she could think about was her store—and the fact that Randall Sondheim might be the only person who could help her save it.
    She couldn’t decide whether she was delighted…or terrified.
    “Was it that bad?” Willa asked, frowning at Betty’s untouched plate. “The bratwurst casserole was a new recipe. I confess I didn’t—well, I didn’t have a ton of time to spend on it.”
    Betty smiled at Willa’s flushed cheeks and her shining green eyes. Willa had just become engaged to Burk Olmstead, her former high school flame and her recent house contractor. No doubt Willa hadn’t spent much time on the casserole—Betty was certain Willa and Burk were keeping themselves occupied in other ways.
    “I’m sure you and Burk were busy reading cozy mysteries and drinking tea,” Betty said, laughing when Willa blushed more deeply. “Besides, the casserole is fine. I’ve just got my thoughts elsewhere.”
    “On that awful banner?” Audrey asked. Her knowing gaze caught Betty’s across the wide red table in the back room of Knots and Bolts. “Valerie Lofgren was at the high school today to volunteer, blathering to anyone who would listen how she was the