Janet shook her head. “This is the oddest brand of punishment I’ve ever seen.”

He shrugged. “So I’m lenient, sue me. Any more excuses?”

She was about to muster the last of her resolve and say no when she took a good, long look into his eyes. They were bright with excitement. He genuinely wanted to do this for her. How could she possibly disappoint him, when he’d already been so good to her and to Jenny? Besides, an unplanned trip to Dallas was exactly the sort of impulsive act she’d indulged in far too rarely.

“Okay, let’s go for it,” she said at last.

At the same time, she swore that she would do everything in her power not to take advantage of him. Lunch was one thing. A party outfit was something else entirely. She would buy that for herself, if she could convince herself that one of the dozens of cocktail dresses already in her closet from what seemed like another lifetime wouldn’t do.

For a man who claimed not to know much about shopping, Harlan guided her around the best shops in Dallas with the ease and familiarity of an extravagant tour guide. He seemed to have his heart set on a particular kind of dress and, after trying on dozens, all she knew for certain was that it wasn’t baubles, bangles or beads he was looking for.

“I think I know just the place,” he said at last, and led her to a boutique carrying designer Western wear. He gazed around at the fancy Western-cut shirts and rhinestone-studded jeans and nodded in satisfaction. “Yep, this is it.”

Janet shook her head. “You knew all along this was what you wanted me to wear, didn’t you?” she accused.

“I wasn’t sure,” he claimed.

“Harlan, there is no comparison between those cocktail dresses and this,” she said, gesturing to the displays. “Why’d you waste three hours taking me to those stores, so I could try on silk and lace?”

“I thought all women liked to dress up in pretty clothes. Besides, I thought you might find something you couldn’t resist.” He shook his head. “You’re a tough nut to crack, though. I never once saw a glimmer of longing in your eyes.”

“Because I wore those kinds of dresses to more social functions than I care to recall back in New York. My closet is crammed with them. If I never wear another one, it will be okay with me.”

He chuckled at that. “That’s another thing I love about you. You’ve long since figured out who you are.”