But-


    Standing just outside the privatekeside dining room,n paused behind the beaded curtain. Through a gap, he could see Eleanorughing and chatting with a man he didn''t recognize.


    The man looked young, every movement radiating that unmistakable military bearing.


    He was leaning in, listening intently to whatever Eleanor was saying, admiration shining inly in his eyes.


    And there it was on Eleanor''s face, a lightness, a smilen hadn''t seen in a long time.


    "Eleanor."


    Theughter died instantly.


    Eleanor looked up. When she sawn stride in uninvited, her expression turned cold. "Is there something you need?"


    Mansfield Ellington''s gaze lingered between the two of them. He''d spent most of his life on the base, andn was so low-profile that even he hadn''t met him before. He turned to Eleanor for rification. "And this is...?"


    "My ex-husband," Eleanor answered, crisp and direct.


    Mansfield stood and offered his hand. "Mansfield Ellington."


    "Ian."n crossed the room and shook his hand with a brief, firm grip.


    A barely perceptible frown creasedn''s brow. Ellington?


    He recalled the way Mayor Ellington had treated Eleanor so warmlyst time, and now here was another Ellington, exuding that unmistakable air of a serviceman.


    "Friends," Mansfield replied without hesitation, his demeanor steady andposed.


    He may not have metn in person before, butn''s reputation in business circles was well-known. Andtely, with all the news surrounding Eleanor''s divorce,n''s name hade up more than once.


    "I''ll leave you to your dinner."n nodded slightly, ncing at Eleanor. "Is Evelyn at home?"


    "That''s none of your concern." Eleanor''s reply was frosty.


    The room fell quiet for a moment. Mansfield Ellington didn''t press her about the divorce; instead, he stood and poured her a cup of tea.


    Eleanor quickly brought both hands to receive the cup, her fingertips identally brushing his. Both of them froze for a split second.


    She withdrew her hand in a fluster, only to notice the tips of Mansfield''s ears turning red.


    He smiled and sat down. "Miss Sutton, see if your tea''s gone cold."


    Eleanor managed a small smile. "It''s fine. Sometimes cold tea''s just what I need to clear my head."


    Half an hourter.


    Eleanor and Mansfield finished their meal and stepped outside the restaurant. Out of the corner of her eye, Eleanor noticed someone standing nearby.


    She turned and sawn alone under the portico, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers.


    "Careful with the steps," Mansfield murmured, his hand hovering politely at the small of Eleanor''s back.


    "I had a few drinks tonight," Ian said coolly. "Would you mind giving me a ride?" Eleanor hadn''t expectedn to ask for a favor. She turned her face away, her voice chilly. "You can call a cab."


    She''d driven herself, but she had no intention of letting him tag along.


    Mansfield spun his car keys around his finger. "Which way are you headed, Mr. Goodwin? I can drop you off."


    Eleanor didn''t want to take him, but she was even less willing to trouble Mansfield. She shotn an exasperated look. "Wait here."