Читать книгу A Lone Star Love Affair / Falling for the Princess: A Lone Star Love Affair / Falling for the Princess - Sara Orwig - Страница 11

Tony entered the walnut-paneled study at his parents’ mansion to greet his father, looking into brown eyes as dark as his own. It was a typical Sunday evening with a quiet house, the staff at a minimum, his mother at a friend’s playing bridge. “You called and wanted to see me. What’s up?”

“First, let me pour you a glass of wine. Have a seat.” “Make it a small amount,” Tony said, not interested in wine, but aware it would please his father if he would sit and have a drink with him. Tony took a business call while Grant Ryder poured two goblets with white wine from a crystal decanter. He carried one to Tony, who replaced his phone. “How was the Morris party?”

“Fine. Everything went smoothly. I think the transition will be easy.”

“You achieved the impossible, Tony, getting Morris to retire.” “I think he was ready and wanted to retire. I was in the right place at the right time.”

“Don’t be modest. It gets you nowhere.” Grant sipped his drink and lowered his glass. “Where’s your sister? Your mother and I haven’t been able to get in touch with her and she hasn’t returned our calls.” Grant turned to face his son.

“I think Sydney is studying,” Tony said.

“When did you last talk to her?”

“Yesterday, as a matter of fact.”

“She has as much told me that she doesn’t care what I threaten, she’ll see who she wants to see,” Grant said, his thick dark eyebrows emphasizing his frown. It always surprised Tony that he was over four inches taller than his father. When he was a child, he thought his father was extremely tall.

Tony nodded. “I’m not surprised.”

“She’s talked to you, hasn’t she?”

“Yes. You know she usually does,” he said, knowing from past experience his father was growing more angry. His words became clipped.

“Six months ago I would have urged you to try to persuade her to drop that Dylan person. Now I suspect it might be useless to try to ask you to do anything you don’t want to do.”

“You’re right,” Tony remarked with a faint smile, surprised his dad was even hinting at defeat in his attempts to control.

“So, it comes to that. I was afraid it might because you’ve always been strong-willed.” His father sat in a chair and swirled his wine, looking at it for a long time before he sipped.

“Well, you’ve acquired sufficient wealth to ignore my influence in your life,” Grant continued. “I could threaten to disinherit you as I have Sydney, but I’m afraid at this point, you would pay no heed. You’ll do as you damn please because you don’t need my money.”

“That’s right, Dad. It’s worth every hour of work I put in,” Tony admitted, relishing the feeling of being free from his father’s attempts to dominate his life. He sat relaxed, enjoying the moment he had relished for years.

“You don’t need to look so smug,” Grant grumbled. He shook his head. “I’ve met my match in my son. If I have to meet it, I can’t think of anyone else I would prefer to best me.”

“I wasn’t trying to ‘best you.’ I just want to live the way I want to live.”

“So what do you think of this artist, this Dylan ‘someone’ your sister thinks she is in love with?”

“First, my sister probably knows whether or not she is really in love with Dylan. Next, my opinion of Dylan—he’s a nice guy. From all indications, he’s good at what he does. What’s more important, I trust Sydney’s judgment, Dad. Dylan hasn’t had the advantages I had or you had. Sydney is bright and sharp. Frankly, if I were you, I would trust Sydney’s judgment.”

“Love is blind, Tony. We don’t want Sydney to ruin her life.”

“Chances are, she won’t.”

“How do you know this fellow isn’t after Sydney’s money? Someday she will be immensely wealthy. That may be his reason for showering his attention and affection on her. Have either of you considered that possibility?”

“Again, I trust her judgment. Besides, Dylan has told her he doesn’t want to ruin her life, so he doesn’t think they should see each other anymore. He’s sticking by that and he wants to cut all ties. Sydney does not want him to. You’ll have to admit that’s someone who is putting Sydney first.”

“Damn smoke screen. I doubt if he means it. It sounds good, but wait and both of you will see. My guess is that he will let her talk him into coming back into her life.”

“Maybe,” Tony said. “Time will tell on that one.”

“I’m glad he’s done this for now, but I don’t expect it to last. She can’t put herself through medical school,” his father remarked dryly. “I do have leverage with her even if I don’t with you.”

“No, Sydney can’t put herself through school, but I can help her,” Tony said, savoring the moment. His father’s head whipped around and his eyes narrowed.

“Damnation. You’ve already told her you would, haven’t you?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “So you nullified one of my immediate threats.”

“Yes, I did, because I love my sister. And I’m not cutting her out of my life. You and Mom can spend your holidays together as you see fit. I’ll see Sydney.”

“I never thought I’d see this day. I knew it was possible. Especially these last few years when you’ve had success after success. Dammit, Tony.”

Tony smiled and sat in silence, still reveling in his triumph, recalling dreams as a boy of moments like this.

“So you’ll help Sydney. Therefore, my threats are losing their punch. No wonder she’s not taking my calls. Dammit, Tony,” he repeated.

“If you try to cause Sydney trouble when she graduates—and I imagine you will—all you’ll succeed in doing is driving her to move away. You’ll lose her completely—and any grandchildren she might give you. She is already looking into where she can live when she finishes school. The places she’s considering are far from here.”

“I have to hand it to you. I’m impressed. I never thought I would see the day you could successfully tell me what to do and I would have to think about doing it.”

“Learned how from you,” Tony remarked casually. Silence fell and Tony sat swirling the glass of wine he had barely touched. He let his father ponder the transfer of power.

“Well, it’s a new concept to think I might have to back off. You know it’s a notion I don’t like. Your mother may be another matter. She doesn’t want this young man in our family.”

“Does she want Sydney in our family?”

“Of course she does.”

“I’ll repeat—if you keep this up, you two will never know your grandchildren. You’ll cut Sydney out of your life. Dad, for years to come, I have no intention of getting tied up in the demands of marriage, so don’t think I’ll give you grandchildren. You better make that clear to Mom.”

A muscle worked in his father’s jaw. He clenched his fists and walked to the window to stare outside. As silence filled the room, Tony recalled Isabelle informing him that her goal was to marry by thirty and have children. Her goal would have nothing to do with him except make her reluctant to have an affair, but he expected to get beyond that easily. And soon.

Finally Grant turned around. “You present a good argument. I don’t like it one damn bit, but I have to be proud of you. You’ve outfoxed me, Tony. I suppose I’ll have to consider your suggestions. With your opposition, I assume I’ll lose a lot if I keep Sydney from marrying this fellow.”

“That’s good news, Dad. Frankly, I think in years to come, the whole family will be much happier if you accept Sydney’s choice.”

“If this young man doesn’t break Sydney’s heart.”

“If he does, she will have only herself to blame. Not you or Mom. I better go, but I’m glad you’re at least listening. Sydney’s your child. You two will really miss her if you go ahead with your threats.”

“Even if I capitulate, I don’t know that your mother will.”

“She will if you talk her into it.”

“Go celebrate your victory.”

“It isn’t a war, Dad,” Tony said. “Sydney and I just want to live our own lives now. We’re adults. It’s time you let go a little.”

“If you ever are a father, Tony, you’ll understand.”

“I hope to hell I learn to let go when any kids I might have reach adulthood, much less in their thirties,” Tony said quietly, feeling the clash of wills. He saw the flash of fire in his father’s eyes and red flooding his face. “Don’t let thoughts of losing control cause your blood pressure to rise,” Tony added. “Just let go a little and trust us to make good decisions. Sydney is plenty smart.”

“This Dylan person knows nothing of how we live. No telling what kind of life he will give her. I hope you remember that when you look for a wife and get someone from your own kind of world.”

“Dad, as far as Sydney is concerned, she has told you what she will do. I’ve told you no marriage for me for years. You and Mom have to decide what you’ll do. We all live with our choices.” Tony looked at his watch. “I’ve got to run. I’m meeting my friends for dinner.”

Grant followed Tony across the room. “Think about Sydney, Tony. You may be helping your sister to lose a lot.”

“Sure. I’ll think about her.” Tony left the room in long strides, already making a call by the time he reached the back door, thoughts of family forgotten as he talked to one of his vice presidents about the coming trip.

After he finished his call and drove away, images of Isabelle returned. What was she doing now? He was tempted to contact her, but he expected another business call soon. When he talked to Isabelle, he didn’t want interruptions. He called his pilot to arrange to fly to San Diego next Friday. He would surprise Isabelle Friday evening. Next weekend couldn’t come too soon.

Twenty minutes later he entered the country club where his family had had a membership since the club’s founding. Crossing the thick red carpet in the darkened bar, he joined his closest friends, men he had known from childhood, Jake Benton and Nick Rafford, who greeted him. “Where’s your brother?” he asked Jake.

“Gabe should be here any minute. We might as well get our table,” Jake said as the two shook hands briefly.

Tony turned to Nick. “Thanks for coming. I know this takes you away from Michael and Emily, as well as Grace.”

“Actually, Emily fell asleep early, and Michael will soon. With the kids asleep, my wife will probably be happy for some solitude.”

It still surprised Tony that Nick and Jake were married. They had been as committed to bachelorhood as he was. Both men seemed wildly in love and happy with their wives. Nick amazed him the most because he now had two small children. He thought well of Grace, but he saw no plans for any kind of serious commitment in his own life.

As soon as they were seated at a large, linen-covered table, Nick reached into his blazer pocket. “I know you’re a confirmed bachelor, Tony, and you’re a newlywed, Jake, but you’re both going to see Michael’s and Emily’s latest pictures.”

As pictures were passed around of his toddler girl and son, who was almost two, Gabe Benton walked up to join them, sitting across from his older brother with the family resemblance showing in the firm jaws, straight noses, thick brown hair and startling blue eyes. Gabe stood out from the others because he was the only one wearing Western hand-tooled boots with his slacks and dress shirt. All of them paused when a waiter arrived to take their drink orders. As soon as they each had a glass of wine, Tony raised his. The others gave him their attention. “You look like the cat that ate the mouse,” Nick remarked to Tony.

“I’ve already made arrangements with the maître d’,” Tony stated. “This dinner goes on my account. We’re celebrating because now we have all ended our controlling fathers’ manipula tions. Nick, you have because you gave your dad the grandchildren he wanted. Jake, you have because you married and settled, and Gabe, you have the good fortune to have escaped, thanks to your older brother.”

“Amen to that,” Jake said as he exchanged a look with Gabe, who grinned.

“So what’s happened with you?” Nick asked Tony. “You just said all of us.”

“That’s right. I’m including myself. Dad has admitted he has to stop interfering with me,” Tony said.

There was mild applause and low cheers. “I’m set to make more money than he has—in short, I don’t need his money, so I can do as I please and he has no leverage to use on me. Tonight he admitted it.”

“Congratulations!” Gabe and Jake said together, as Nick reached out to high-five Tony.

“Way to go, Tony!” Nick said, raising his goblet. “Here’s to freedom from interfering fathers.”

“We’ll all drink to that one,” Jake remarked dryly. “Mine threatening to disinherit me if I didn’t marry—that is the biggest interference of all.”

Nick lowered his drink. “I think Tony’s dinner should be on us.” He paused while Gabe and Jake agreed. “We want to treat you because you’ve earned it. That’s tremendous. Something the three of us have wanted since we were about nine years old.”

“Younger than that,” Tony remarked and the discussion momentarily ended while the white-coated waiter took their dinner orders.

“I figured we’d celebrate your acquisition of Morris. That’s probably what turned the tables with your dad,” Gabe said.

“He realizes he no longer has any hold. He can suggest, but not threaten. Unfortunately, now he’s focused on my sister.”

“Don’t tell me that,” Gabe said. “Our dad has always concentrated on Jake. I hope he doesn’t switch to me. So far, he hasn’t.”

“I don’t think he will,” Jake stated. “No habit established. Your investments are going so well, Dad has to be impressed.”

“I’ve never said a word to him about them,” Gabe replied.

“I have,” Jake said. “I’ve told him you’re handling my personal investments and some friends’ investments.”

“That probably shocked him.”

“Besides, you’re the baby and they’ve always spoiled you,” Jake said with good nature, and Gabe’s smile widened.

“Don’t think I haven’t enjoyed it, brother,” he said, and the others laughed.

“Will Morris pan out like you expected?” Jake asked Tony.

“Far better,” Tony replied, thinking about Isabelle and wanting to cut the dinner short and call her. Tossed green salads were placed in front of them.

While they ate, Nick lowered his glass of water. “This is a monumental day. A time we’ve dreamed about and I began to never expect to have happen. I insist you let this dinner be on us,” Nick continued. “You’ve accomplished the miracle with your dad and you recently hosted us at a tropical retreat because of the bet you won as the last holdout for marriage.” Nick glanced at Gabe. “You would never even enter the bet, so your bachelorhood doesn’t count.”

“I know that. I didn’t want any part of the bet.”

“My tag-along brother won’t think about marriage,” Jake remarked.

“I have no regrets about my lack of participating in the bet,” Gabe said.

“Besides, Gabe, you would have had a distinct advantage since you are younger than the rest of us.”

“We insist, Tony, on buying dinner,” Jake added. “Since we were little kids, all of us have dreamed and schemed to rein in our control freak fathers and we’ve finally succeeded.”

“Thanks. It’s a great feeling to finally get free and to best him. Don’t ever put Michael in competition with you, Nick,” Tony said, thinking about Nick’s son.

“Don’t worry,” Nick said. “I don’t think any of us will ever do that to our sons.”

“Or daughters,” Tony added with his own sister in mind.

All agreed. After dinner they left the dining room to go to a club lounge, where they sat and talked until ten. Finally, it was time to head home. Nick was parked the nearest to Tony and before they parted he turned to clasp Tony on the shoulder. “Congrats, again. I never thought we’d see this day come for all of us. When we were kids we never thought it would happen.”

“I enjoyed myself tonight. Maybe a little guilty for doing so, but damn, it was satisfying to hear my father admit he couldn’t try to run my life any longer.”

“I know it was. With Jake and with me, it all ended peacefully—at least I assume it’s ended. I feel sure my dad won’t ever interfere again. Besides getting older, he’s wound up in Michael and Emily, the grandkids he finally decided he wanted. Who knows with Jake and Gabe? You’re in the clear now. Sorry your sister isn’t.”

“I hate it. I’ll pay for medical school for Sydney and I’ll see her on holidays, but I can’t do anything if Dad goes ahead with his threat to cut her out of his will. I can share what I get, but she’ll fight taking it.”

“Don’t worry about it now. Your dad may change. My life with my dad is so different. Sometimes I can’t believe he’s the same man.”

“Actually, my dad doesn’t give up easily. I expect him to think about our conversation and come up with a new threat, but he knows he’s lost any real leverage. If I help Sydney, I think he’ll threaten to cut my inheritance. I won’t be in the least surprised.”

“That doesn’t worry you?” Nick asked.

Tony shook his head. “I don’t like losing a huge fortune, but I’ll get along without his money and so will Sydney. He can do what he wants. I’m doing what I want.”

Nick shook his head. “I admire you for deciding to stick by your sister no matter what. If it comes to losing your inheritance, let her know what you’re sacrificing.”

“The realization that I’m free to live my life the way I want to is like freedom to someone who has been imprisoned for a lifetime. No way am I giving in to him. His fortune isn’t worth yielding again.”

“Maybe it will never come about. Gotta run. See you, Tony.”

“Night, Nick. Thanks again for dinner. I really think all of you should have let me treat.”

“Forget it. You earned it.” While Nick walked to his car, Tony climbed into his.

Tony wanted to call Isabelle, but it was late. “To hell with it,” he whispered, and pulled out his cell phone to make the call before driving. The minute he heard her voice, his pulse jumped. He wanted to be with her. Next weekend seemed eons away.

Isabelle planned to spend the week trying to finish projects carried over from Morris. Tony left town after the Monday morning staff meeting and she didn’t expect to see him until the following Monday.

She worked until nine Monday before going home. To her surprise Tony called. Several times she started to end the call, but he would always draw her back into talking. In spite of her better judgment, he kept her on the phone for over an hour with his humorous stories about work and interesting conversation. When she finally ended the call, she stared at the phone, looked at her watch and shook her head. “Isabelle, you’re losing it. Say no to him,” she whispered in the empty room.

Tuesday night when she arrived home, she found a large heart-shaped basket with a mixed assortment of spring flowers on her doorstep. Smiling and shaking her head, she carried them inside to read a card that was simply signed, “Happy Valentine’s, Tony.”

He called a short while later. “Thank you for the gorgeous flowers.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said. “Wish I could be there to take you out.”

“I’ll enjoy my flowers immensely.”

“That isn’t the reply I was hoping for.”

“That’s about as personal as it will get, Tony. We don’t know each other all that well.”

“I beg to differ,” he said. “I remember clearly—”

“Stop right there,” she said, laughing. “I walked into that one.”

“I do wish I were there.”

“I’m sure you could come home if you really wanted to,” she said, amused because he owned the company and could get someone else to take his place. She glanced at her watch, remembering she was going to cut him short.

“You’re right, probably. Maybe I micromanage. I hope to hell I don’t though. My dad did enough of that when he ran the business before it passed on to me.”

“Tony—” she said, starting to tell him goodbye.

“Tell me what you know about the new ad campaign that was started just before I stepped in. The one regarding the East Texas hotels.”

She told him how the campaign was going, what her department had done. She was on familiar ground. Eventually talk shifted away from business and she listened to Tony as she kicked off her shoes and took down her hair.

“You can tell me all about the San Diego opening when I see you. That’s a great town.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Better than where I am in the frozen north. Now if I had you here to keep me warm—”

“Tony,” she interrupted, smiling and feeling tingles in spite of trying to avoid them.

“I’m just telling you what’s on my mind. It really isn’t ad campaigns or hotels. I don’t want you hanging up on me when I’ve waited all day to get to talk to you.”

“I know better than that,” she replied, remembering all the business calls he had taken the night they had been together. It was over an hour later when she finally ended the call. She stared at the phone a moment, thinking about him. She should firmly end the calls from him. Or even avoid them in the first place, because she had caller ID. She took the call tonight to thank him for the flowers he had sent. But once she was on the phone with him there was no hope of cutting it short, because he always talked her into listening or answering.

Flowers, phone calls, a terrific job so she would stay. Where was she headed with him?

Wednesday night Isabelle waited for her close friend, Jada Picard, a Morris attorney, for their plans to work out at their health club.

When Jada climbed into Isabelle’s car, she shook short, straight black hair away from her face and turned gray eyes on Isabelle. “Sorry, I got delayed.”

“It’s fine. I did, too. I’ve just been in the car a minute or I would have driven to the door to pick you up.”

“After the workout, let’s go eat. You can pick the restaurant so we can also celebrate your new job with Ryder Enterprises. How was your dinner last week with our new boss?”

“I’ll have to admit, it was a great evening.”

“Now that he remembers who you are, I imagine you’ll have more excellent evenings,” Jada remarked.

“No, I won’t.” Isabelle stopped for a red light and glanced at her friend. “I’m not accepting another invitation from him. So far, he’s been out of town and when he returns this weekend, I’m away on business in San Diego. I’m staying an extra day just to enjoy the city.”

“You’ll have a wonderful time. I love San Diego. When you return, I predict you’ll go out with Tony again,” Jada said.

“A relationship with Tony won’t happen,” Isabelle said, remembering his kisses and being held in his arms, not mentioning the flowers and phone calls.

“Sounds like it could easily happen.”

Isabelle moved in traffic, keeping her eyes on the road. “No, it won’t. He’s not for me,” she said, despite how she had been dazzled by his kiss and unable to forget him ever, still recalling the long-ago night in as vivid detail as the recent evening with him. “I just couldn’t resist the invitation to celebrate and it was beginning to sound like a big deal if I refused to go out with him. Otherwise, it was nothing and I won’t go out with him again,” she stated, trying to convince herself that she could say no to him.

“Doesn’t sound like ‘nothing’ to me,” Jada remarked.

“He’s not my type,” she added. “Jada, we’re both twenty-eight this year. We’ve both agreed we want marriage and a family. For me, the time has come. Our new boss definitely does not want marriage or a family to interfere with his ambition. He’s already married to his work. Friday night he had calls all evening long.”

“Calls are not a big deal. His not wanting to get married—there you may have a stumbling block.”

“I promise you, the man’s work comes far ahead of anything else in his life. He’s every inch the workaholic. I don’t ever want to tie my life to one of those. Growing up, I watched my best friend’s dad live that way and her mom had to cope without him. He was practically a stranger to his family. That’s not for me.”

“Yeah, if you grew up around a workaholic, you know what it means.”

“Lucy’s dad never saw her at any of her games, at recitals, at anything. She had nicer things than I did and a fancier home, but she would have traded some of the comforts for having her father around. My family was really close and she saw that. She loved to come to our house and she told me that was one reason why.”

“How sad,” Jada said.

“The quality of life is important. Fortunately, Tony is supportive of his sister. Their parents are giving her grief over the man she’s been seriously involved with. They don’t think he’s good enough for her. I’ve told you about him—my friend Dylan.”

“I remember meeting Dylan. He’s a nice guy with a good job. What kind of parents does Tony have? In spite of his looks and money, I’d say two strikes against Tony. A workaholic guy with a snobby family. Be careful.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve seen the last of evenings out with Tony Ryder.”

“I’d still say to watch out. Sounds as if he might be a heartbreaker. He has the looks for it.”

“That he does,” Isabelle agreed, envisioning Tony’s sexy dark brown eyes and his thick, curly hair. “Have you ever gotten your interview appointment with him?”

“Not yet, but I’m not anxious about it. I’ve got really good offers now,” Jada said. “I won’t mind moving on.”

“That’s the way I felt. Having a place to go makes the future look much rosier. I knew you would get some promising job offers,” Isabelle said, turning into the fitness center parking lot. “I need this workout.”

“So do I,” Jada said, climbing out of the car and getting her things to walk inside with Isabelle.

Soon they were both running on treadmills and conversation was impossible. Then each moved on to other machines. After they had showered and dressed, they left to drive to an Italian restaurant.

In spite of the workout and Jada’s company, Isabelle couldn’t keep memories of Tony from distracting her.

After a leisurely dinner she dropped Jada off at the office parking lot, where Jada could get her own car.

“Thanks again, Jada. The dinner was delicious.”

“Have a super time in San Diego. I’ll see you next Monday. Bring back pictures.”

“I intend to. I haven’t had many trips.”

Isabelle waited while Jada climbed into her car and then she drove home. As she unlocked her door, her cell phone rang. When she answered, she heard Tony’s voice. With a racing heartbeat, she shook her head while she listened to him, even though each phone call involved her more deeply with him.

“How’s my most beautiful vice president?”

“Tony! That is so politically incorrect,” she chided with a smile.

“First of all, I’m talking to you. Secondly, this isn’t a business call and you surely never considered it as such. Third, it’s definitely the truth.”

She laughed, unable to be annoyed or take the question seriously. “So for now this call is not one between an entrepreneur and his employee.”

“Definitely not. A man calling a woman he wants to be with, take out, make love to …”

“Stop right there. You always move too fast,” she complained breathlessly, imagining his dark eyes holding their seductive look, aware for this moment she had his full attention.

“Always? Is everything too fast?” he asked, changing her meaning and stirring memories of standing in his arms while he kissed her slowly and thoroughly. “I’ll have to work on that one,” he said as if talking to himself.

“You know not always and not everything,” she replied, knowing she sounded even more breathless than before. “Sometimes I would describe you as slow and deliberate,” she said in a sultry voice, drawing out her words and enjoying flirting with him in return, even though she knew better and even though he was far away and not as much a temptation.

She heard his intake of breath. “We would have hundreds of miles between us,” he said in a thick, husky voice, echoing her thoughts.

“You began this,” she replied sweetly. “Maybe we should talk about business. Or far more safe, end this call that I really never intended to take.”

“Business is the last thing on my mind now,” Tony replied. “I have appointments tomorrow or I’d fly home earlier. Unfortunately, I can’t. Why wouldn’t you take my call?”

“We’re headed nowhere, Tony. This friendship should not be pursued for some basic reasons.”

“A minute ago you were enjoying our conversation.”

“It was nothing but harmless flirting that you started.”

“Harmless is not a good description. You set me on fire.”

“You brought it on yourself.”

“I tried to call you earlier when I had a break in my meeting. I missed you.”

“Sorry, I switched the phone to vibrate and had it in my purse. I worked out and then ate dinner with Jada, one of my friends from work. You probably don’t know a lot of the people yet.”

“I know some. Jada Picard, lawyer?”

“Right,” she said, surprised and wondering how many of the employees he could identify and if he learned only the names of those he planned to retain.

“I’m glad you weren’t working late again.”

“You did,” she reminded him.

“That’s also different. If I can get out of here a little earlier tomorrow, I’m going to. Snow is predicted and I don’t want to get snowed in.”

“No danger on my Dallas to San Diego flight,” she said. She kicked off her shoes and carried the phone to a favorite chair to sit and relax while she talked, taking her hair down and combing her fingers through it, promising herself she would end the talk in ten minutes as she glanced at her watch.

It was half-past twelve when she wondered why she couldn’t bring herself to cut him short on his calls. Even though she wasn’t seeing him, they were getting to know each other better with the long phone calls.

“Tony, I have to say good-night. I was only going to talk a few minutes. It’s after midnight.”

“So you’re enjoying this call as much as I am. We have a great time together, Isabelle. Let me hear you admit it.”

“Not now or tomorrow or anytime after that,” she replied, laughing.

“Just wait, I’ll prove it to you. Let me tell you how—”

“Good night,” she interrupted and broke the connection, laughing again. “Unfortunately, Tony Ryder, you’re right,” she admitted to no one.

Before dawn Thursday she was at the airport, looking for her colleagues in the waiting area at the gate. Since joining Morris she had worked closely with Nancy and George and she looked forward to traveling with them.

It was easy to spot Nancy’s red hair and tall George’s thick, wheat-colored blond hair. As they waited for their flight to board, she listened to them talk about their kids, thinking about Tony’s determination to avoid marriage, preferring his work to a family.

“Lucky you,” George kidded her, “you slept peacefully last night while Nancy was up at three with one of hers and my Billy had a basketball game, then dinner, then homework which included a project he needed help with so I had four hours’ sleep.”

Isabelle smiled with them. “What was the trouble with Molly?”

“Nightmares. She’s going through a stage,” Nancy replied.

“That’s one thing—it should be quiet in the hotel. Nancy and I have dreamed of the few hours we’ll be the only one in our rooms and absolutely no demands after midnight,” George said.

“Once we’re free tonight, I’ll bet both of you spend the evening calling home and talking to your families,” Isabelle said, knowing they kept in close touch. Their smiles confirmed her statement.

“After a call home,” Nancy said, “I’m taking a swim in the pool. We’ve seen a hundred pictures as they built the hotel and the pool looked gorgeous. Either of you want to join me, feel free to do so.”

“I will,” Isabelle said, thinking how much a swim would be welcome as a relief in her busy schedule.

While they flew, Isabelle went over appointments and brochures, names of California people she would meet. When they came into San Diego she gazed eagerly at the blue ocean below. Her anticipation grew. She looked forward to this trip for several reasons, business and personal, thankful for the experience and excited to see the city, the hotel and the ocean.

It was an opulent hotel, with a glassed-in lobby that had glittering crystal chandeliers, a plush deep blue carpet and a waterfall that spilled into a pool made of black marble. They went to the VIP lobby to check in, then headed to their rooms.

She spent the rest of the day touring the hotel, meeting the hotel executives, attending a meeting with them and then having dinner and enjoying a reception that included some VIP guests from the area who got a preview before the next day’s activities.

It was eleven when she returned to her suite from the pool. The luxurious suite opened onto its own beachfront. When Tony called, she settled in a chair on the deck, switching off the lights so she could see the whitecaps while they talked for the next two hours.

Later, in bed, she gazed into the darkness while she thought about seeing Tony again Monday. She fell asleep thinking about him and dreamed of him.

Friday, her schedule was booked and included a dinner with media people that ran until after nine. They finally broke up and people left the banquet room.

In her suite she changed to her swimsuit, slipping into a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. She headed up to the grand rooftop pool, stepping out onto a well-lit deck with a bar beyond the crystal blue pool. A man near the bar played a guitar, the music clear in the night air.

She put her things on a beach chair and slipped into the water. When she reached the opposite end she turned to see a man enter the area. Her heart missed beats as she paused breathlessly because Tony stood at the other end of the pool.