“So for these and many other reasons, we can’t see each other anymore. I’m sorry, Kate. The last thing in the world I want is to hurt you, but this is wrong.”

If his pained expression was any indication, his words were hurting him as much as they were hurting her.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” he asked with his hands on his hips.

She chewed on her bottom lip and studied him. “Does this mean we aren’t going to Graceland tomorrow?”

He let out an exasperated sigh. “Honestly, Kate, that’s all you have to say?”

Realizing her nonchalance was getting to him, she shrugged. “You got me all excited last night to go to Memphis, and then you kissed me and freaked out. That doesn’t seem fair, does it?”

“First, you kissed me. And I did not freak out. I’ve just had a chance today to think about it. This isn’t what I want.”

She didn’t believe him for a minute. “I guess I’ll just have to get to Graceland some other way,” Kate said, biting her thumbnail to give the impression she was in deep thought about Elvis when what she really wanted was to shriek. He can’t end it now! Not when I’ve only just discovered that I love him.

Reid put his jacket back on and whipped up the zipper. “Fine. If all you care about is Graceland, be at the house at seven.”

She smiled. “Seven it is.”

He shook his head, stormed down the stairs, and slammed the front door behind him.

As she heard his car start, she lamented that her fancy underwear had gone to waste. “Oh, well. There’s always tomorrow.”

When Kate arrived at Reid’s house the next morning, he came out to meet her wearing a dark blue suit and tie, carrying a briefcase and another bag. Kate had worn jeans, a pink sweater, her new cowboy boots, and a sheepskin coat.

“I feel underdressed,” she said, admiring how sexy he looked in the suit.

“I had to dress for my meeting, but I have jeans with me for later.” He held the door to the Mercedes open for her.

She noticed he went out of his way not to look at her as he closed her door. To Kate’s surprise, they drove around the house rather than down the driveway. “Where are we going?”

His knuckles tightened on the wheel in apparent irritation.

“You know what? Why don’t we just forget about this? I can tell you don’t want me here.”

“I said I’d take you, and I will.”

“Gee, don’t do me any favors.”

They drove in tense silence for several miles on a dirt road until they reached a large white metal building. He parked the car and came around to open her door. Even when he was angry, he was courteous.

“What’s this place?”