Lauren felt another wash of cold air. She looked at the clock. Noon. The lunch rush had begun, and she couldn’t recall ever waiting this long for a sandwich. She thought of asking Ruby to pack it to go, but then it might be obvious that the man seated beside her was having an effect on her. At least, she thought it would.

“You’re new in town,” she said, then took a sip of her coffee.

“I’ll be around just for a few days. I’m here on business.”

Lauren couldn’t possibly imagine what a man from New York City could do as a profession that would bring him to Fallen Springs on a business trip. “That’s nice.”

“It is somewhat of an inconvenience. I’m here only as a favor to my business partner. I needed a break from the city, though.”

“Then you must be staying at the Langdon House.” That was the only place to stay in Fallen Springs.

“No, I’m at the Biltmore.”

“That’s not very convenient.” Lauren’s words flew out of her mouth. She thought about Brent Ludmore, what he said about drugs, and wondered if this slick, handsome guy was a drug dealer. No way was she going to ask him what type of business he was in. Obviously, from his appearance and the amount of money he’d spent at Razzle Dazzle, he earned a decent salary.

“No, it’s not, but I like the place. My driver doesn’t seem to mind.”

He has a driver?

“That’s probably a good thing, then, especially since the roads have been so icy. We don’t usually have harsh winters.”

“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard. Personally, I like the snow, at least in small amounts. We have plenty of the stuff in the city, but after a day or two, it’s nothing but a messy gray slush.”

“Here ya go,” Louise said, placing her soup and sandwich on the counter.

“Smells good. I’ll have what she’s having,” John said to Louise.

“Ya know, I thought you was just here to stay out of the cold, maybe flirt a little with Lauren. Give me three minutes, and it’s on the house.”

Lauren prayed for an earthquake, anything to take her away from the utter humiliation she was feeling.

He laughed. “Thanks, and a coffee too, please.”

Louise poured him a coffee and also refilled Lauren’s cup. Lauren took a bite of her grilled cheese, feeling self-conscious eating with this man beside her. It was how she used to feel in college when she was on a first date.

Three minutes later, Ruby brought John’s soup and sandwich to him. “As my sister said, it’s on the house.” She winked at him, and Lauren laughed. Ruby was a flirt.

“So what kind of night life do they have around here?” John asked her.