“Of course. We work out first, and then both of us go to Roger’s Classic Body Sculpting class.”

Mike eyed her appraisingly. “You look like you lost a little weight, Hannah.”

“I do?” It was Hannah’s turn to look pleased.

“Definitely. Your face looks thinner.”

Her face? Hannah had all she could do not to groan. If her face was the only place she’d lost weight, she’d never get thin enough to fit into her Regency dress!

“It takes a while to start losing,” Mike said, the man who was all muscle, no fat. “How long is your class?”

“Half an hour. But I’ve got classes in the afternoon, too.”

“Good for you! Which classes are you taking?”

“Every one of the ones that Ronni used to teach.”

Mike looked puzzled. “Why are you doing that?”

“To find out if any of the other class members had a grudge against her. I’m exercising, but I’m listening, too. Ronni wasn’t exactly complimentary toward some of the ladies she taught, and they’re still talking about the things she said.”

“Oh, but that was just Ronni. I don’t think anybody thought that much about it. Do you really think that some woman she insulted in class got mad enough to kill her?”

“It’s a possibility.”

“Maybe, but it’s a real long shot. Seriously, Hannah…it won’t do you any good to nose around out at Heavenly Bodies. There’s nothing to learn out there, and you’re just wasting time. You’d be a lot better off reading those books I gave you and improving your investigative techniques.”

They’d reached the front door, and Hannah opened it. She could hardly wait for Mike to leave. She was sick and tired of everyone telling her how she should spend her time.

“Night, Hannah,” Mike said, and then he pulled her into his arms for a kiss.

Conflicting emotions assailed Hannah. On the one hand, she was irked at Mike for telling her how to run her investigation, her weight-loss program, and her life in general. On the other hand, he was the best kisser in the whole county, perhaps even the whole state. Hannah felt the tingles spread up from her toes and travel all the way to the top of her head. They made the return trip from head to toes as the kiss went on for second after delicious second.

“I’d better let you get some sleep,” Mike said at last, breaking their embrace. “See you soon, Hannah.”

Hannah nodded. She was incapable of further speech. As she closed the door behind him, she thought that perhaps she wouldn’t mind Mike’s high-handedness quite so much if he’d kiss her like that more often!

Chapter Twenty-Three