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through the open door of the general store, for Matilda Candy stood at the counter. With her hair still in long braids, and attired in a plain brown dress that was a couple of inches too short, and wearing worn leather boots that laced up her ankles, she was still somehow charming. She laughed at something Charles Fox said in a lowered voice, and handed the shopkeeper a small jar he quickly scooped up and deposited under the counter.
    She placed a large wicker basket on the counter, and Fox rifled gently through the contents. Several loaves of bread were visible on the top of the basket, but the contents beneath were hidden. They seemed to delight Fox, though.
    "Oh, those wonderful caramels," Fox said. "And sugared pecans. And candied lemon peels." He shook his head. "You're a marvel, Miss Matilda."
    Declan remained silent and still, but as he stood there watching, the young woman turned her head to look directly at him. She did not smile or say a single word, but Fox must have noticed something, for he lifted his eyes from the goodies in the basket.
    "Mr. Harper," he said enthusiastically, a fitting greeting for a good customer. "What can I get for you today?"
    "Cigars," Declan said, entering the store and walking toward its lackluster tobacco section.
    "You must try some of Miss Matilda's sweets," Fox said as Declan grabbed a handful of cigars.
    "Sweets?" Declan asked as he approached the counter.
    Fox nodded. "Mr. Harper, this is Miss Matilda Candy. Every Friday morning she brings me sweets and breads to sell. You must try her caramels."
    The woman remained silent, waiting for him to respond. It would be a bad idea, he imagined, to let on that he already knew her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Candy," he said with a small, curt nod.
    "Oh, the pleasure is all mine, Mr. Harper."
    Was he the only one who heard the humor in her voice? The air practically dripped with it.
    Fox handed over several coins and an empty basket he'd had stored beneath the counter, and with a smile the woman left the other basket and bid them both goodbye.
    As she reached the door, something unexpected overcame Declan. A compulsion, a yearning, a need to make this moment last. "Miss Candy," he said calmly, "do you, perhaps, make hard molasses candy?"
    She turned. With the sun behind her he couldn't see her face. Just as well. She was probably grinning, flashing that knowing, witchy smile his way. "Not normally, Mr. Harper, but I believe my grandmother had that recipe. Perhaps I can find it and try my hand at something new."
    Declan left his cigars on the counter and stepped toward her. "It was a childhood favorite of mine. I'd like to purchase some from you, if you find the recipe and have success with it."
    She turned away from him. "I must start for home, Mr. Harper, since I have a long way to go and much work to do today. But if you'd like to walk with me for a few minutes we can make arrangements for your order."
    "Splendid," he said, feeling strangely light-headed as he joined her in the doorway. "Splendid."

 
     
     
    Chapter 3

     
    Matilda was accustomed to people pretending not to know her, pretending that they didn't come to her for cures under darkness of night, so she shouldn't be upset. But she was. Why had she expected more of Declan Harper? Why were her feelings just a teeny bit hurt because back in Fox's General Store he'd acted as if he'd never seen her before? She did not quicken her step to accommodate his longer stride, but stubbornly walked slower than usual.
    He lowered his head slightly as they walked down the street. "Have you had any luck?"
    "Finding the formula for your love potion?" she asked, not bothering to lower her voice. "No, not yet."
    Again he looked almost the gentleman, in his fine gray suit. He did try, she had to give him that, to appear civilized and ordinary, but he couldn't quite pull it off. There was a restlessness about him, an intensity in his eyes and the set of his jaw that placed him apart from