"Forget it," he smiled. "You can give me everything while we're having a drink." He escorted her to her car. "I'll park it for you."

He climbed in and started the motor, then eased the car forward, cut off the motor, and locked the car door after climbing out.

"You stand right here and don't move," he told her. "I'll park my car and we can have that drink."

Barbara stood next to her parked car, forbidden thoughts going through her head. He was good looking, tall, and muscular, with strong hands. She blushed, her cheeks burning. Her thoughts drifted to her husband, Carl, and she moaned to herself; he would have a fit when he found out. She shook her husband from her mind and decided to concentrate on the handsome stranger. There would be plenty of time for annoying thoughts later. Right now, that drink would be nice. Some attention would be nice, too.

"You ready?" he asked, his deep pleasant voice confident, sure. He took her arm. "There's a nice quiet little place in the mall. Most people don't even know about it." He escorted her through the parking lot, into the crowded mail, and into the lounge on the upper level.

Barbara settled into the leather, booth and accepted a martini. She felt exhilarated, almost like a kid. An eager light came into her emerald eyes as she gazed at the handsome stranger.

"I don't even know your name," she said as he eased in beside her.

"Jeff, Jeff Childs." He pressed his leg against hers, happy she didn't move away. Things were looking up. "What does your husband call you?" He touched the wedding ring on her slender finger.

"When he has the time, he calls me Babs," She looked uncomfortable at the mention of her husband.

"Busy man, I take it."

"Too busy." She drank her drink in silence, enjoying the pressure of his leg against her thigh. In a sudden rush of candor brought on by the tension of the accident and the settling effect of the quiet lounge and her martini, she turned to Jeff, her expression serious. "He thinks I'm getting too old."