Sam turned away from the light blue convertible he’d been examining. He liked the sleek lines and the classic style of the SLK, but fifty-five thousand dollars for a car, any car, was more than he cared to spend.

“Hi.” Some of Marjorie’s composure had returned, and she greeted him with a careful smile. She didn’t want to appear overjoyed to see him, although her heart felt as if it were doing somersaults inside her chest.

Sam couldn’t take his eyes off her. She looked wonderful. If he’d found her attractive before, it was nothing compared to the way she appeared to him now. To think he’d once pictured this woman as a lost kitten trapped in a storm. This kitten wasn’t an ordinary, run-of-the-mill stray. She was of the highest pedigree.

Without even realizing what he was doing, Sam gave a low wolf whistle. He couldn’t stop looking at her and finally managed to say, “I see you’ve recovered.”

“You promised I’d live and love again.”

Sam grinned and, still a little bemused, rubbed the side of his jaw, unable to carry on the conversation.

Marjorie knew that men found her attractive, but what amused her was the shocked look on Sam’s face. “I didn’t think the brochure had time to reach you,” she said, her gaze holding his.

“Brochure? What brochure?” He suspected he was beginning to sound like an echo.

“I mailed one off to you yesterday afternoon,” she said, and casually crossed her arms over her double-breasted tweed jacket. “You’d mentioned something about wanting a Mercedes, and I extended an invitation for you to come in and take a test drive.”

“I’d enjoy that,” Sam murmured, glancing toward the sticker on the side window of the car he’d been inspecting.

“Perhaps it would be best if I explained the different models,” Marjorie continued, her gaze following his. “Our cars start in the range of fifty thousand dollars,” she said in an even, smooth voice, “depending, of course, on the options you decide on.”

“Naturally.”

Leading the way into her office, she turned back and asked, “Would you care for a cup of coffee?”

“Please.”

Marjorie’s thoughts were racing as she directed him toward a chair. From the corner of her eye she happened to catch a glimpse of Lydia, who flashed her a triumphant grin and the universal signal for okay.

Once Sam was comfortably seated, she poured him a mug of coffee. Although she remained outwardly poised, her heart was pumping so fast that she felt dizzy and a little shaky. She knew her face was flushed.