A Coral Kiss by Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

fair, though, he reminded himself that the last time it had all been for real. He and Elaine had actually set a date and the future had looked good. But then things had changed and he had learned not to look too far ahead.
    "What Jed really does well," Amy declared, "is make bird cages. The most beautiful bird cages in the world. I think he ought to consider making a full-time career out of it."
    Jed was surprised by her tone. She sounded as if she meant it. "And when I consider doing that," he said mildly, "I can also consider learning to live on an income that wouldn't provide enough loose change to buy wimpy white wine, let alone decent Scotch."
    Gloria Slater spoke before her daughter could reply. With the grace of years of experience, she smiled and changed the subject. "Where does your family live, Jed? California?"
    He should have known that question would follow right behind the financial status quiz, Jed told himself.
    He glanced at Amy and saw the small frown between her eyes. She had never asked him about his family. It was one of several subjects they had silently agreed not to discuss for the past three months.
    "My parents are dead. Killed in a plane accident a long time ago."
    "Any brothers or sisters?" Gloria persisted gently.
    "I had an older brother." Jed took a long swallow of his wine. "Andy died about eight years ago."
    "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that."
    Gloria's comments, although well intentioned, were only the conventional reaction to old deaths in the family, Jed decided. It was Amy who looked stricken. She was sitting there in her bright turquoise trousers, yellow shirt and white woven belt with an expression of genuine shock on her face.
    She didn't know anything about Andy or his parents and now she was beginning to think about how many other things she didn't know about him, Jed decided. Why was it bothering her? It hadn't seemed to worry her for the past three months. Probably had something to do with bringing a lover home to meet the family, he thought. That was bound to make a woman view a man through different eyes.
    All things considered, Jed realized, he was handling this traditional little scene better than Amy. But then, she hadn't brought him here with the intention of running him through the old-fashioned gauntlet to secure parental approval. She'd brought him here for reasons of her own. Jed wondered how long it would be before she told him what those reasons were.
    "Well, Amy," Gloria announced, getting to her feet in a graceful movement, "I think it's time we sent the men to the barbeque while you and I retire to the kitchen."
    Amy glanced uncertainly at her father and Jed wanted to laugh. He knew she was wondering what other personal question Douglas Slater was going to ask when she was out of earshot.
    "Don't worry," Jed murmured for her ears alone as she walked past his lounger, "I'll yell for help if I get in over my head."
    "I'm glad you think it's funny. Oh, Jed, I'm sorry about this. I told them you were a friend."
    "I know. Two bedrooms. Forget it, Amy, I won't leave you in the lurch. I'm not going to get scared and take to my heels just because your dad's asking me the same kind of questions I get from the IRS. I'm made of stronger stuff than that."

    She batted her long lashes and dropped her clear voice into its huskiest range. "You're so wonderfully macho. A woman could just swoon."
    At least she wasn't looking nervous any longer. "You don't think it takes guts to chat casually with a man who knows you're sleeping with his daughter?"
    Amy stopped batting her lashes. "Dad doesn't know we're—that we once—uh..."
    "The hell he doesn't." Jed reached out and patted her turquoise clad thigh with absent possessiveness.
    "Run along and chop lettuce or whatever it is you're going to do in the kitchen. Leave the barbequing to the male of the species."
    Amy stifled a groan. "I'm beginning to wonder if I made a serious error when I invited you here."
    "Nope. It was probably one of