Rich’s head bobbed. “Good, that’s one of the things I was thinking about. It is time to meet each other’s family, beyond Nate and Loren. Thinking of hosting a barbeque at my house not this weekend but next. Are you available?”

“I think so, let me check.” She dug out her cell and called up her calendar. “Yes. What can I bring?”

“Yourself and Loren. I was hoping you’d come right after church and help me get ready.”

“Really?”

“If you don’t mind.”

The glow that warmed her insides seemed to be spreading. “No, I don’t mind. I’d love to. What else can I bring?”

“Let me think on that.” He turned off the highway at the sign and followed a paved road that curved around with lovely trees and flowering shrubs to the parking area. Of course the restaurant overlooked the lake.

“Do you golf?” she asked.

“Yes, but not as often as I’d like, just too busy, and I’d rather sail. I use both golf and sailing to entertain clients sometimes. We have the contract for furniture and furnishings for the new hotel in Green Bay.” He parked and turned to look at her. “There is so much I want to tell you about my life and learn about yours. Do you ever handle business properties?”

“I have, but I specialize in private homes.”

He came around the car and held out his hand to assist her. How long had it been since a man helped her in and out of a car?

Their table overlooked the lake with bright-sailed boats tacking back and forth across the water.

“Ah, perfect, thank you, Mark.” The man seated Roxie and laid her white napkin in her lap. “I have your order all under control, Mr. Owens. Your server tonight is Julian, and in the meantime, may I get you anything else?”

“Not that I can think of, thank you.” Rich turned his attention to the lake. “Perfect wind, see how the sails billow? If the wind is like this tomorrow, I’ll be taking my boat out. You want to come?”

“I have a meeting with a client in the morning, but after that I could.” She stared out over the amazing calm of the lake. How peaceful. “Swee’Pea!”

“What?”

“Jeff has his little peapod out on the lake. It’s finished and in the water! Look!” She pointed.

He watched the tiny craft a few moments. “Well, I’ll be. So he did finish it. It’s a cute little boat, just right for one person. Spritsail and rudder. Must be fun to sail.” Rich studied her with what looked like admiration. “All right, so you make people’s lives better by finding them the perfect home. But your good works go in all sorts of directions. Like that one. I’m proud to know you.”

What could she say? She sat kind of thunderstruck. She managed a “Thank you.”

Thank heaven he changed the subject. “Our dinner is all ordered, but would you like a glass of wine now or a mixed drink?”