One week later:

Della pulled up to the drugstore and took a deep breath. She had planned so carefully for this day. After working hard all week in Los Angeles, she had woken up at 5am and driven to Rosewell before the sun was up because Paul's operatives (whom he had stationed around town to keep an eye on Perry) had reported that the drugstore was usually devoid of customers in the early morning. She had also traded her usual tailored clothes for a plain green cotton dress. She was going to try to strike up a conversation with a man who believed himself a hired shopkeeper, and he would probably be more talkative if she came across as a down-to-earth, modest girl rather than an elegant city woman with expensive taste.

She walked into the store, and as she had hoped, it was deserted except for Perry. Giving him a warm smile, she sat down on one of the bar stools by the soda counter and said,

"May I have a butter pecan milkshake, please?"

Slight surprise seemed to spring into Perry's eyes, but he nodded. Noticing his expression and guessing the cause of it, Della laughed.

"I know it is only seven o'clock in the morning, but I can eat anything at any time of the day. It is a skill I have had for years."

Perry chuckled and reached for his ice cream scoop.

"Will it only be one milkshake, or will your husband be joining you?"

Della nearly fell off her stool.

"My husband!" she exclaimed, staring at Perry. Was his damaged mind in some moment of particular confusion? Had he mistaken her for someone else?

"I apologize if I made some incorrect presumptions, but the first time you were here you came in with Mr. Paul Drake. I noticed that his arm was around you when you tripped and nearly fell, and then you both drove off in the same car after you left the store, and I naturally assumed that you were man and wife."

"Oh!" Della exclaimed, understanding, relieved. "You noticed all that? Even my slight loss of footing?"

"Yes, I seem to be good at noticing many things," Perry said quietly, his pupils suddenly taking on an introspective look. It only lasted a few seconds, and then his piercing blue eyes focused on her again.

"Paul and I are not married or involved in any way, we are just old friends. We work together very closely in Los Angeles, and if anything, we are like a brother and sister who like to tease each other."

"In that case, I am very sorry for Mr. Drake," Perry said with a dimpled smile as he scooped a generous amount of butter pecan ice cream into a tall glass.

Della immediately blushed at the not-so-subtle compliment. However, trying not to let her imagination run away with her, she immediately set to deflecting the comment.

"I would not feel too badly for him. He has his share of dates, most of them stunningly attractive."

Perry seemed as if he were going to say something else, but checked himself and occupied himself with mixing the milkshake. After a moment, he said,

"Mr. Drake has been here several times this week, buying newspapers and chatting about the murder cases which are being tried in Los Angeles. I understand that he is a private detective. You have just said that you work closely with Mr. Drake – are you part of his detective agency?"

"No," Della said, shaking her head. "I am the confidential secretary of a defense attorney who is good friends with Paul and who often hires him to check on the backgrounds of the witnesses and other people who were involved in the crimes his clients are accused of. Our offices are also in the same building, so we naturally see a lot of each other."

"I see," Perry said, placing the delectable milkshake in front of his customer. "As secretary to a defense attorney, you must see and hear a lot of fascinating things, Ms…."

"Street," the woman supplied. "Della Street." She reached out her hand across the counter. "And you are?"

"Tom Hatfield," the drugstore employee said, giving her a strong, warm handshake.

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Hatfield."

"I am known as just plain Tom around here, Ms. Street."

"And I am just Della, if you don't mind."

Perry's eyes sparkled at the prospect of using her first name.

"Della, then. How do you like working for a lawyer?"

"I like it a great deal," she replied, smiling sadly at him. "My employer is very considerate, and a very good man. Things have been a little difficult lately, however, as he has been…indisposed. Keeping the office running without him has been a challenge."

"That sounds understandable. I hope that your boss will be well soon, and able to return to his job."

"So do I," Della responded. She gazed at Perry's handsome face, her heart breaking due to his rather blank expression. They were discussing his own livelihood, and he had not the slightest clue. It reminded her of all those times that he had put on a poker face in court and questioned witnesses as if he were completely ignorant of their motivations and of the fact that they were the murderer. But this time, he was not bluffing. His ignorance was real.

The man behind the counter sensed that this topic was a painful one for her, and trying to spare her any distress, immediately changed the subject.

"May I ask what brings you to Rosewell?"

"I sometimes find it a nice change of pace to visit the more rural areas of the state on the weekends. As for Rosewell, I thought it was a charming small town when Paul and I drove through it last week, and I have a weakness for soda fountains, drugstore counters and good milkshakes. I made up my mind right then and there that I would come back and see what sort of butter pecan milkshake Martin's Drugstore could offer." She took a sip of the concoction. "This is delicious! It was worth the trip."

"Thank you, I am flattered," Perry said, leaning back against the wall with a relaxed air and a satisfied smile. "It seems that we not only have the best peanut brittle in California, but the best butter pecan milkshakes as well!"

"Indeed you do! Speaking of the peanut brittle, I will buy another pound before I leave."

Perry instantly went to the candy counter and measured out a pound of peanut brittle, wrapped it, and brought it back to her. He also brought back a small piece of peanut brittle separately and handed it to her.

"This treat is on the house."

"Oh, thank you!" Della rewarded him with a grateful look. For a few moments, she simply enjoyed her milkshake and candied nuts. Then she asked, "Do you have any other recommendations regarding things to do in Rosewell?"

"If you like walks in the countryside, we have plenty of pretty paths around here. One goes by a delightful duck pond. There is a good public library, and a few shops that might interest a lady. And the Rosewell Diner has rather good food if one desires a substantial meal." He paused, and then in a very serious tone, added, "I have next Sunday off, and if it would be convenient for you to come back to Rosewell at that time, it would be my honor and pleasure to show you around town, and if you would like, we could have dinner together at the diner at the conclusion of our tour."

Della felt her breath being squeezed out of her lungs. Perry…Perry was interested in her! He was proposing a date. She suddenly felt like a schoolgirl again.

"That would be very, very nice," she said, blushing. "I can come next Sunday."

"Splendid. Shall we say five o'clock, in front of the drugstore?"

"That sounds perfect." She opened her purse and pulled out the money to pay for the peanut brittle and milkshake. "I will see you then, Tom."

"I am looking forward to it, Della," he said with a dimpled smile.

She placed the money in his hand, and with one last look, took her leave.

She walked out of the drugstore and put a hand over her pounding heart. Aside from a full return of Perry's memory, this was the best thing that could have happened. If she were dating Perry, she would have even more excuses to frequent Rosewell and Martin's Drugstore. She could keep an eye on him whenever she wished. And if she were to be honest, the prospect of finally being able to speak of and display her feelings towards him instead of keeping them perpetually hidden inside was quite pleasant.

Thank you all for the lovely reviews. Keep them coming, they encourage me to write more!

Next up…the date!