Free The Dakota Man by Joan Hohl Page B

Maggie thought. She wondered if Ben’s attention was personal in nature or mere curiosity at Karla’s obvious pregnancy and equally obvious lack of a wedding ring.
    “Karla, Ben will be in town a couple of weeks on vacation,” Mitch said. “I told him you had some brochures for the local attractions you could give him.”
    “Oh, sure, have a seat,” she invited, tearing her gaze from the man to reach for the bottom desk drawer.
    “Thank you, ma’am,” Ben said, lowering his long frame into one of the chairs in front of her desk.
    “I’m going to get back to work, Ben,” Mitch said. “Stop by anytime, and good luck at thetables.” A slow grin curled his lips, and Maggie’s toes. “Except mine, of course.” With a casual wave of his hand, he turned away.
    Beginning to feel like the third wheel on a bicycle, Maggie moved to go to the small table she had used the previous week to fill out the job application.
    “Oh, Maggie, is there any coffee left?” Mitch asked, turning back into the doorway.
    “Yes.” Maggie glanced at the pot, noting that it had been sitting, with the warmer plate on, since that morning. “But it must be bitter by now,” she added. “Would you like me to make a fresh pot?”
    “Yes…if you don’t mind?” His tone and one arched brow had a sardonic cast.
    “Not at all,” Maggie said.
    “Thank you.” He again turned from the door.
    “You’re welcome.” Crossing to the coffee-maker, Maggie could hear Karla explaining to Ben Daniels the self-explanatory information contained in several different brochures.
    The two were still discussing the pros and cons of the various sights of interest when, a few minutes later, Maggie carried a fresh cup of coffee into Mitch’s office.
    “That smells good, thank you,” Mitch said asshe set the cup close to hand on his desk. Inner amusement gave his gray eyes a teasing glimmer. “But I miss the caffeine kick.”
    Maggie laughed aloud. “I know what you mean. I fortified myself with two cups of the real thing at lunch.”
    “Lucky you. I guess that’s what I should have done.” He took a careful sip. “But this’ll do.”
    Taking that as a dismissal, Maggie nodded and turned to leave. “If you want a refill just…” she began, breaking off when she suddenly remembered the earlier call. “Oh, yes,” she said, turning back to face him. “Ms. Crane left a message requesting you return her call.”
    In the process of taking another sip of coffee, Mitch muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a suggestion as to what Ms. Crane could do to herself.
    “I beg your pardon?” Maggie said, positive she had not heard him correctly.
    “Never mind.” The glimmer in Mitch’s eyes took on a devilish glint. “I really don’t think you’d want to hear the remark repeated. I wouldn’t want to shock your delicate sensibilities.”
    So, she hadn’t misheard him, Maggie thought,giving him a droll look, and a dry-voiced response. “I suspect I’ve heard worse.”
    “Hmm,” he murmured, around the rim of the cup he’d raised to his mouth. He swallowed deeply and held the cup out. “Did you mention something about a refill?”
    “Yes.” Stepping forward, she reached for the cup. The tips of her fingers brushed the backs of his. The brief touch of his skin against hers caused a prickling sensation. It took all Maggie’s will to keep from pulling her hand back, out of harm’s way. “I’ll…er…be back in a minute,” she said, grasping the cup and hurrying from the room.
    Maybe it was her imagination, but Maggie could have sworn she heard the rich sound of his muffled laughter.
    To her surprise, Karla and Ben were still deep in conversation. Moving quietly, Maggie crossed to the coffeemaker and refilled Mitch’s cup. To her amusement, neither Karla nor Ben appeared to take notice of her as she returned to Mitch’s office.
    Once again, Maggie walked to his desk and set the cup close to hand, her spine tingling in response