Free Finding Love in Payton by Shelley Galloway Page B

lips. "Dessert?"
    "I don't know what to fix. I don't know what he
would like. Any ideas?"
    Priscilla sipped her coffee as she studied Dinah over
the rim. "A couple. Fancy or simple?"
    "Simple."
    "How about ice cream sundaes?"
    "Really?"
    Priscilla laughed. "Why do you look so shocked?"
    "Well, you've got this amazing reputation, I was
expecting you to say crepes Suzette or Baked Alaska,
or something."
    "I could suggest those, if you wanted to cook all
day, but I think simple desserts are sometimes best.
Crush up some Oreos, pecans, a candy bar. Have out
a topping or two. Your guest is going to love it!"
    "That's all you would do?"
    "Sure."

    "Really?"
    "Well, if I was showing off, I'd make the ice cream
and the sauce, and put it all in some kind of fancy
bowls. But it's the same thing. Anyway, I have a feeling that your guest isn't coming over for dinner to
critique you," she said, smiling at Dinah.
    "I don't think he is," Dinah confided.
    "And why would he? You're adorable."
    Dinah laughed. "Thanks." Then, because talking
about it with someone who wasn't related to herself
or Jeremy felt so good, she said, "Speaking of my
guest ... Well, he's younger than me."
    Priscilla raised her jet black eyebrows a fraction.
"Now that's interesting."
    That didn't sound good. "Do you think that's bad?"
    "Not at all. I think if you have found someone who
you like being with, and he feels the same way, you
should hold onto him tight."
    Dinah laughed. "Ever felt that way?"
    She raised a shoulder. "Once or twice."
    "And ... now?" she prodded, recalling the
fireworks that Jeremy had said had been going on between Payton and Priscilla.
    Priscilla looked taken aback. "Now? Gosh, who
knows. I'm enormously attracted to a guy who dresses
better than most women, who can lie at the drop of a
hat, and who has the whitest teeth of anyone I've ever
met."

    "That's quite a lot to deal with."
    "Tell me about it! And ... he follows me around
and gives me compliments."
    Dinah wrinkled her nose and tried to sound appalled. "I'd hate that."
    Priscilla chuckled. "I know. He sounds perfect,
doesn't he? If only he hadn't lied to me about Payton.
Then I might give him a chance."
    Intrigued, Dinah leaned forward. "Well, what did he
say?"
    "He led me to believe Payton, Ohio was completely
different than it is. That it was progressive, and upbeat." She rolled her eyes. "Those things it is not."
    Dinah felt vaguely sad to hear her hometown derided. "It really is a good place to live."
    Priscilla looked stricken. "Oh, don't get me wrong,
I'm loving it here. It's just ... well, I was hoping to
make a name for myself. To go back to Houston,
Texas a hot-shot chef, and use my reputation to start
my own bistro." She shook her head. "No offense, but
it's not going to happen here."
    Dinah wasn't offended. "What are you going to
do?"
    "At first I was just going to quit. But now ... I don't
know. I'm liking the club a lot. And the board members, with all their motherly and fatherly advice, have
kind of grown on me. And then there's Payton Chase."
    "You know, I've always liked him. He was really sweet to me when my husband died. I don't know
what I would have done without friends like him."

    Priscilla stared at her in surprise. "I'm sorry about
your husband."
    So was she. "It's okay. It was a few years ago."
    "So this dating stuff is pretty new, huh?" Priscilla
asked, her voice kindhearted.
    "Yeah. Yes, it is."
    "Would you like me to make something spectacular
for you?"
    "Thanks, but no. I'm actually looking forward to
the sundaes. And I think Jeremy will like them too."
    Priscilla's smile became full-fledged. "Jeremy
Reece?"
    "Yes."
    "Oh, Dinah," Priscilla said with a sigh. "He's practically dreamy. You're going to have a wonderful
time."

     

Dinner was going to be a disaster. Bryan was crying, the salad from the bag looked wilted, and even
after an hour, the potatoes still weren't soft. Dinah
frantically wondered if Jeremy would