“Here you are.” The strains of “My Funny Valentine,” from the Ahmad Jamal Trio CD, drifted through the French doors as Burke came out onto the balcony. At the sight of her rigid back, he turned and closed the latch softly behind him. The music fell to a hush that blended with the clink of crystal and the muffled sound of voices.

“Is everything all right, honey?” She felt his big, strong hands slide around her waist. Allison had fallen in love with those hands, just as she’d fallen in love with his cobalt eyes, his close-clipped platinum hair and the dimple in his jutting chin. She hadn’t been looking for an older man, let alone a wealthy one; but from the moment he’d stepped into her small California gift gallery to buy a silver mermaid charm for his daughter, she’d felt as if they were meant to be together.

What had gone wrong?

“Allison?” He drew her back against him, his lips brushing her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.” She nodded, not wanting to spoil things for him. “Just getting a breath of air.”

“Tired?”

“It’s been a long day.”

“Quite a shindig you’ve put together. The gang’s impressed, I can tell.”

Sure, they are. Just ask them about your little trophy wife. “I wanted your birthday to be special,” she said.

“Any night with you is special.” He pulled her closer, his arms moving to cloak her shoulders. The scent of the expensive men’s cologne she’d bought stole into her senses. She knew he’d only worn it to please her, but she still liked it. “I’d have settled for burgers at Stumpy’s and an early bedtime,” he murmured against her hair. “You know that, don’t you, Kate?”

Allison went cold in his arms. It had been six years since Burke’s first wife had died of cancer. Still, when he was distracted, hers was the name that popped out of his mouth. Allison knew it wasn’t intentional. Often, like now, he didn’t even seem aware of what he’d said. But one would think, after so much time . . .

She pulled away from him. “We’d better go back inside. Dinner should be ready in a few minutes.”

“I can’t stay for dinner.” He blocked her path to the doorway. “That’s what I came out here to tell you. I just got a call from Max at the theater. The Mayweather Family Gospel Singers are opening tonight. Two hours before the show, Mrs. Mayweather found out her husband was cheating. They had a big blowup. She blacked his eye, and now she’s refusing to perform with him. The audience is getting restless. If there’s no show, they’ll be wanting their money back. I’ve got to drive into town and straighten out the mess.”