Kate Welsh - Home to Safe Harbor

“You certainly get royal treatment. Harry’s reserved booth, no less,” she teased, as Matt put down her coffee and dumped a handful of creamers on the table.

He chuckled. “One of the perks of the job. They didn’t bother to list it, but it might have made my decision easier.”

“In that case, I’ll have to eat with you more often.” Justine could have bitten her tongue right off. Her face heated and she began studying the contents of her purse.

“Now, there’s a possibility to make a man look forward to Harry’s every day. It’s a deal.” Matt checked his watch. “I’ll see you here at twelve-thirty tomorrow, then.”

“I was only kidding,” she said, more flustered than ever.

He looked crestfallen. “Oh. And here I thought I’d discovered the cure to afternoon indigestion.”

“First off, Harry only serves sandwiches at lunch, and, appearances to the contrary, he’s a wonderful cook.”

Matt gave a dramatic sigh and leaned back. “Found out. Truth is, it’s a little lonely eating by myself every day. I could eat in my office, but I come in here to stay visible and accessible. People will often stop to lodge a minor complaint that I doubt they’d ever call or stop at the station to talk over. I’ve always thought irritations were more easily solved than altercations.”

“That’s a very wise policy.”

“But it’s still lonely. Lately my conversations either revolve around schoolwork with the girls or who bought the Harbor Quay apartment buildings. Everyone has an opinion on what’s going on with all the renovations at the complex, and they all want me to investigate. One person swears it’s the mafia come to destroy our town.” He grinned appealingly and took a sip of his coffee. “So, are you going to take pity on me?”

What could she say? More importantly, what did she want to say? Matt wanted a friend, he’d said. He’d made no romantic gestures, so she doubted he shared her attraction for him. That made friendship with him safe because she had no intention of ever becoming romantically involved with a man, no matter how trustworthy he seemed. Her father had been a war hero and had still destroyed her mother’s life with his desertion. So what harm could a few lunches and a little companionship cause?

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