Regan Jantz took a flute of champagne from a circulating waiter then made her way to an alcove from where she scanned the mix of Japanese businessmen and local industry identities.

'You look like you don't want to be here.'

Startled, she swung towards the deep male voice. It's owner smiled down at her. Being smiled down on wasn't exactly a first but it was unusual enough to make Regan give him more than a cursory glance. She hadn't realised there was someone already occupying the vantage point she'd chosen.

She pasted a professional smile on her face and at the same time, took in the expensive suit, confident stance and clean-cut lines of the man's face. 'I'm sorry?'

He leaned forward and spoke softly. 'You don't look as if you're enjoying yourself.'

'Oh.' Regan stepped back. He might be tall and good-looking, and have a nice, gentle voice, but she didn't know him.

She saw understanding in his face and for an instant, wished she could undo the automatic reflex. He was only trying to be friendly after all.

'I've only just got here,' she said in answer to his remark. 'I was running late.'

Glancing at her watch, she said, 'I'm hoping it won't go on too long.' She had to get home before her sons went to bed. 'But I'm sure I'll enjoy it,' she finished with a smile, just in case the handsome stranger had an involvement in the event's planning.

He took a sip from his glass and surveyed the guests filing into the function room. After a brief silence, he said, 'Do you think it's a good idea - the tourist trail?'

'Oh, yes, I do.' The enthusiasm in her tone was genuine.

The purpose of the cocktail party was to launch a new initiative of the state government's tourism department - packaging South Australia's Eyre Peninsula into an activity-filled holiday experience aimed specifically at Japanese tourists and marketed to the Japanese travel industry.

'I think it's a great idea,' she said and not just because he might have been instrumental in developing the concept. She paused, tempted to leave it at that, but something about the keen interest in his face made her go on. Most people at these events made polite small talk and avoided showing real interest in anything.

'I'm not completely convinced that I should be getting involved with it, though.'

'Why not? What's your business?'

'I run a tuna farm.' She sipped her champagne, studying his eyes as she spoke. He had kind, brown ones - not as dark as her Italian ex-husband's eyes which both her children had inherited, but a warm reddish-brown. Like the rich red-gum honey that her son Cory loved on his toast fingers.

'I can see why tourists would want to visit the seahorse farm,' she went on. 'It's a real novelty. And at the oyster farm, they can sample the product which is a treat, but when they come to visit us, well, all they'll get to do is ride out to the pontoon in a boat and see the fish in captivity. And hear us talk about the process. It doesn't compare, does it?'

'I'm sure you'll make it interesting.'

She shrugged. She wasn't so sure that was possible, but she'd do her best, of course. 'So, what about you? Why are you here?'

'I'm here on behalf of friends. They run trips for tourists at Leo Bay, taking them out to swim with the sea lions.'

She nodded, smiling. 'The trail's a perfect opportunity for them. They couldn't make it tonight?'

He lowered his voice. 'I owed them a favour. They don't like functions like this.'

'And you do?'

He gave a slight grimace. 'No. That's why I was hoping I'd found a kindred spirit when I saw you slinking over here.'

'Well, I admit it's not my favourite part of the job, but it has to be done.'

He gave her a rueful smile. 'I'm out of practice.'

'At what?'

'Small talk. With adults.'

The age lines around his eyes and mouth were just what his face needed to give it definition, she decided. Men had an unfair advantage when it came to such things.

Two vertical lines above the bridge of his nose told her he'd spent a lot of time frowning - or deep in thought. She could relate to that.

His hair too, was a lighter, warmer brown than Giacomo's. Its casual style didn't go with the sharp image he presented in all other respects.

Overall, he was the most attractive man she'd seen in a long time. Suddenly, she realised he'd stopped talking and she was still staring.

Embarrassed, she glanced away. 'Um, my main reason for coming tonight was to practise my Japanese,' she said. 'So, I'd better go and mingle.'

'It was good to meet you. I'm Chase, by the way.' He held out a hand. 'Chase Mattner.'

She shook hands with men all the time since it was a necessary part of her business, and she'd experienced all sorts of handshakes from the bone-crunching squeeze to the wet lettuce leaf effect. Sliding her hand into Chase Mattner's, however, was...different.

For a split second, she enjoyed the warm strength of his hand enfolding hers. Enjoyed the strange mixture of comfort and excitement that filled her.

But that was a ridiculous reaction. She didn't have time to go around enjoying handshakes and besides, someone so attractive couldn't possibly be unattached.

Not that she wanted to know.

'Regan Jantz,' she said. 

'Maybe we'll bump into each other again later.' The gleam in his eyes told her he hoped they would

With a nod, she walked away from him. It was only then that she registered he'd said something about a lack of adult conversation. So, he had children. She should have known someone so attractive couldn't be unattached.

Not that it mattered.