“Tell me,” he coaxed.

“Well…there’s a hint of dark chocolate. And vanilla bean. Then a little burst of fruit-like sweet cherry, maybe, or that sweetness in the skin of a ripe purple grape? But there’s still something else.” She took another lick, closed her eyes, thought. “A crunch. Like maybe just a pinch of almond. It’s all there, in the smells, the tastes, the textures. Like putting every fabulous flavor in the universe together in one ice cream. Yet it’s subtle.”

She looked at him, as if to make sure he wasn’t bored by her analysis. He wasn’t remotely bored. He was beyond interested. He was prepared to listen to her all afternoon-at least until the kids started piling in.

“Are you in town for long?” he asked.

“Just the summer. I used to live here when I was a little girl. I just came back…to see what I remembered.”

“Bring your husband and kids with you?”

She wagged a finger at him. “You’re good.”

“Beg your pardon?”

“You already looked, so you know I don’t have a wedding ring. But I’m only here for eight weeks-for absolute sure, not a minute longer. And I think you’ll find, after a few days, that I’m not a friend you’ll want to have.”

“Come again?”

“I strongly suspect people won’t appreciate my being in town. Still. Unless you ask me not to, I’ll be back for more ice cream.” She stood up, pulled the strap of her purse to her shoulder. “Can I ask your name?”

“You bet, cher. Griff Branchard.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “So it’s yours? Griff’s Secret?”

“All mine. And I’m easy to find, so when you get the urge the next time-well, the next one’s on me.” He couldn’t imagine her doing anything that would offend people. Her eyes were as honest as sunshine; the way she walked and moved was characteristic of a woman easy within herself. Except for the greed and lust thing of course, but that was about temptation. “And you are…?”