Free Absolutely, Positively by Jayne Ann Krentz

proper parenting.

    “I just need to design a filter.” Kelsey studied the ruins of her spice dispenser. “That shouldn't be too difficult.”

    Molly glanced around the office. “First you'd better figure out a way to clean up this sage powder.”

    “Don't worry, I'll use the vacuum robot I installed in here last year.” Kelsey reached for a screwdriver. “What did T-Rex think of Duncan Brockway's dippy idea for generating power from moonlight?”

    Molly sighed. “You knew it was a dippy idea?”

    “Brockway's proposal was based on wishful thinking, not good science.”

    “That's pretty much what Trevelyan said. Why didn't you tell me the proposal was unsound?”

    “I didn't want to rain on your parade. I figured that was Trevelyan's job. It's why you pay him.”

    “Thanks a lot,” Molly muttered. “You'd rather I look like an idiot to Harry than clue me in?”

    “I'm sure he doesn't think you're an idiot. He knows that technology isn't your strong point.” Kelsey looked up from the injured motor. “Hey, what's this? You're calling him Harry now? For the past month he's been T-Rex, Savage Predator. Destroyer of grant proposals.”

    “I'm trying to break that habit before I go out on a date with him. It could be embarrassing.”

    “A date.” Kelsey stared at her. “You're going out on a date? With T-Rex?”

    “His name is Dr. Harry Trevelyan,” Molly said primly. “And he's taking me out to dinner tomorrow night.”

    “I don't believe this.”

    The phone warbled before Kelsey could recover from her shock. Molly sneezed as she reached for the receiver. “Abberwick Tea & Spice.”

    “Molly, dear, is that you?”

    “It's me, Aunt Venicia.” Molly sniffed into the tissue.

    “You don't sound well. Do you have a cold?”

    “I'm fine. Kelsey had a little accident with her new ground-spice dispensing device.”

    “No harm done, I take it?”

    “My sinuses will never be the same, but other than that, everything's okay.”

    “Well, that's all right then.” Venicia dismissed the incident with the ease of long practice. She had, after all, been married to an Abberwick for thirty years before being widowed in the accident that had killed Molly's father. “I wanted to ask you what you thought of green and gold?”

    “Green and gold what?”

    “For the wedding colors, dear. Aren't you listening?”

    “I'm listening. Green and gold sound lovely.”

    “Silver might be better.” Venicia paused. “But somehow I can't see green and silver together, can you?”

    “I've never actually thought about it.” Molly brushed sage powder off the morning mail and began to sort through the stack of envelopes and sales brochures.

    Venicia launched into a detailed analysis of the virtues of pairing gold rather than silver with green. Molly listened with only a portion of her attention. She was very fond of her aunt, but it was quite possible to do two things at once when Venicia talked about the plans for her upcoming wedding.

    Kelsey gave her a sympathetic grin when Molly carefully slit open an envelope.

    “…I told Cutter that would be fine,” Venicia said. “There's no problem, is there, dear?”

    Molly realized she had missed something. “What's that, Aunt Venicia?”

    “I said I told him that I was quite certain you would be able to join us for dinner on Friday night. Weren't you listening, dear?”

    “Yes, of course I was.” Molly exchanged a wry look with Kelsey. “I was just checking my calendar. It looks like I'm going to be busy on Friday.”

    “At night?” Venicia sounded startled.

    “I know, it's a shock to me, too, but I've actually got a date.”

    “Why, dear, that's absolutely wonderful. I'm so pleased. Anyone interesting?”

    “Harry Trevelyan.”

    “Your consultant?” Much of the enthusiasm vanished from Venicia's voice. “I thought you didn't care for Dr. Trevelyan.”

    “I've discovered there's more to Trevelyan than I first