CHAPTER 3

Lee didn't want to see Conrad again, but he knew that trouble always followed Conrad Barnhill. The last thing that Lee wanted was for Amanda to get mixed up in whatever problem Conrad brought with him.

Besides, Lee enjoyed Amanda's company, and he wanted to be the one to have lunch with her, not some shoe salesman who couldn't even fix his own necktie. Lee knew that Conrad wasn't right for Amanda. Actually, he probably wasn't right for anybody, but Lee didn't want to take any chances.

"I'm so glad you can meet Connie with me!" Amanda exclaimed, placing her hand on Lee's sleeve. "It'll be like our own family reunion. Well, actually, not a family reunion. You and I aren't related to Conrad. So it can't be a family reunion. It'll be more like a friend reunion." Her smile broadened as she spoke. "Lee, can you imagine being related to Conrad? I know you're not or anything, but wouldn't that be something?"

"That... that would be something, Amanda. Kind of like my own personal version of 'Nightmare on Elm Street'," Lee replied as he rubbed his chin.

Amanda laughed and gave Lee a big grin. She looked so beautiful, sitting there and smiling at him.

"So, where are we meeting Conrad Barnhill for lunch?" Lee asked, raising his eyebrows.

"I suggested the deli across the street," Amanda replied. "I just love those sandwiches. My boys also love the food there. Mother and I have tried making sandwiches at home like they do, but they just don't taste the same." She shrugged her shoulders. "I can't seem to get their secret sauce right." After a pause, she added, "I guess that's why the sauce is called 'secret'."

Amanda laughed at her own joke. Her laughter was genuine and happy, and Lee wished he could hear more of it.

"Well," Lee said, giving Amanda a wink, "I bet your sandwiches taste even better than the sandwiches at the deli."

Amanda's eyes widened in surprise at his comment. Lee knew that she was a bit embarrassed by his statement, but it was true. It meant a lot to him for her to know how much she impressed him.

Amanda didn't say anything for a moment. "Aww," she responded softly, looking down at the papers on her desk. "That's really very sweet. Thanks a lot."

"You're welcome," Lee said, his voice gentle. "So, I guess I'll meet you here after the staff meeting in Billy's office. We can walk to the deli together." He looked at her ankle again. "Are you sure you can walk, Amanda?" He pointed at her bandage.

"Oh, yeah," Amanda said while Lee stared at her ankle. "No problem. I may be a little slower, but I'm... I'm fine." She nodded her head up and down. "It'll be as good as new in a few days. Mother told me that she has this eighteen step family secret for sprained ankles. It's guaranteed to fix any type of sprain in just a few days."

"As long as you get your ankle seen by the doctor, you go ahead and do whatever family secret your mother has planned," Lee replied gently. He looked at his watch and stood up. "I'd better get going. Billy will be coming for my head if I'm late for the meeting." He gave her his most dashing smile. "See you in a few hours." Then, his expression turned serious. "If you can't walk on that ankle, let me know."

"Let you know? What are you going to do if I can't walk, Lee?" Amanda's eyes smiled at him. "Carry me?"

"Why not?" Lee replied, lifting his head a touch higher. "I have before."

Amanda felt a warmth rush through her at Lee's words. He smiled at her tenderly before turning and walking towards Billy's office. She knew that Lee was only a friend to her, but sometimes she felt herself yearning for so much more.

TBC