"Now this is what I call sightseeing," Ross mused. "A comfortable chair, a delicious drink, and an ocean sunset ready to begin before my very eyes."
"Californians," Aunt Doris scoffed, only half joking. "Lazy hot-tub-loving no-accounts."
"Unlike New Englanders," teased Ross. "Who use credit cards only to hold up uneven table legs, would never drive when they could walk, and claim to enjoy an invigorating swim in an ice-laden stream at least once a day- and never let you forget any of it."
"Darn right," Aunt Doris said, just barely holding back her grin. "I may live in the city, but I'm New England through and through."
Charity watched the two of them as they bantered back and forth. Aunt Doris was enjoying Ross. Things were working out so well, Charity was almost tempted to pinch herself to make sure it wasn't all a dream.
Ross was won derful with the older woman. In fact, he was pretty won derful, period. All day he'd been there, strong and ready to take over when the situation called for it, but never ar rogant, never bossy, never the domineering male. The ideal husband.
Good Lord, it was true! she realized. He was perfect.
No, she thought as she watched him, the cynicism of her experience coming in to protect her once again. No, there was no such thing as the perfect man. Sooner or later the truth always had to come out. Surely Ross had flaws, and eventually they would surface. Somehow that thought was strangely comforting, if a little sad at the same time.
"I'm off to freshen up," Aunt Doris said, rising from her seat. "Don't change tables while I'm gone."
"We're too tired to do any such thing," Charity chided. "Unlike you. You look like you could keep this pace up all night if you could find someone to join you." She shook a stern finger at her aunt. "Now don't you run off with a doorman."
Aunt Doris chuckled and disappeared into the crowd. Charity turned to find Ross smiling at her.
"How'm I doing, boss?" he asked softly.
She nodded slowly, her eyes sparkling. Happiness filled her. "Great. Really great. I can hardly believe we're not really married myself."
His grin was cocksure. It was obvious he was getting his energy back.
"I expect to be well paid, you know," he went on, his voice low and suggestive. "By the way, did I mention that I require payment by the day?"
She controlled her smile with difficulty. "I'll send daily checks to your agency."
He raised an accusatory eyebrow and moved closer to ward her. "What about my bonus?"
She widened her eyes innocently. "What bonus?"