Sully glanced at his watch. “Violet, breathe. We have a half hour until we have to be at the theater.”

“Really?” Violet asked as she sank into a nearby stool. “Oh, bother.”

Nancy slapped the bar to get Ian’s attention. “Two cosmopolitans, Ian, and make them doubles.”

“Is that wise?” Lindsey asked.

“You’re right,” Nancy said. “I probably should have ordered triples.”

Sully and Lindsey exchanged a grin and dug into their food. For a few brief moments, Lindsey felt as if everything in her world was okay. She was with Sully and they were surrounded by their friends. Then the door to the Blue Anchor banged open and in strode Sterling Buchanan.

23

“Definitely should have ordered a triple,” Nancy said. She took the drink Ian handed her and downed half of it in one swallow.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Violet snapped. “What the hell are you doing here, Buck?”

The entire restaurant went quiet as everyone glanced from Violet to the man in the suit.

Lindsey leaned close to Sully and said, “An old boyfriend of Violet’s.”

“What is it with old boyfriends coming to Briar Creek?” Sully muttered. “Violet, do you want me to show him the door?”

“And me,” Ian chimed in. “It’s my restaurant. If someone needs tossing, I’ve got dibs.”

“Spoilsport,” Sully said.

“Enough you two,” Violet said. “Answer me, Buck.”

“It’s good to see you, Vi,” he said. His gaze seemed to drink in the sight of her.

Violet La Rue was a beautiful woman. Her dark complexion was rich and exotic. She had large brown eyes and a gently sculpted face with high cheekbones, a square jaw and a generous mouth that gave her cheeks deep dimples when it curved into a smile. She was wearing her usual flowing caftan, but it clung to her curves and managed to look sexy instead of matronly.

“Really?” she asked. “You are not the type to get sentimental, so what is it that you want?”

“You know what I want,” he said. “Another chance for us.”

“Uh-huh, so you’ve said,” Violet replied. “How does your wife feel about that?”

“She understands that a man has—”

“Oh, shut up!” Violet interrupted him. “I know exactly what you’re doing, what you’ve been doing with your fancy bouquets of flowers and all that garbage. You’re trying to woo me back in hopes that Charlene will give you a chance. Well, forget it. I’m not buying the long-lost-love bit.”

“So cold, Vi,” he said. His voice was reproving, and Violet arched an eyebrow as if to say she so wasn’t going to play games with him.

“Spill it,” she said.

“As the father of your child—” he began.