turn around a failing business and warrant this man’s faith in her.
“Why are you hiding behind four feet of wood? What’s wrong, Mary Lou?”
She wanted more than his faith, that’s what was wrong. “I think we should stick to surnames, don’t you?”
His surprisingly dark eyebrows lifted and fell. “Funny. Last month you called me John in this very office. If you insist on formality in front of the staff that’s one thing, but after two years of working together—”
“We don’t work together. I work for you. No, that’s not right, either. I work for your portfolio. I’m a weak investment, remember?”
His mouth quirked. “I’d hardly call you weak. You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. Quite unusual for a beautiful woman, in my experience.”
Hot pleasure spilled through her veins. It was the first time he’d stepped from a traditional employer’s role, other than to brag about his college-age daughter. She reminded herself sternly he was out of her league.
“Do you take such a personal interest in all of your investments, Mr. Chandler?”
“It depends on the potential for return, Ms. Denton.”
She licked suddenly dry lips. “And what kind of return do you expect from me?”
“I expect nothing. I speculate that patience with you would be well rewarded in the long run.”
Oh, God. “What if you’re overestimating my abilities?”
“I don’t believe I am. I’ve given it a lot of thought.”
Her heart was thumping like diesel-pump 9. “You have?”
For an instant his eyes blazed. “Oh, yes, I have.” He lowered his lashes and tweaked the crease in hispants. “Perhaps we should discuss this more fully over dinner tonight.”
She wanted to say yes more than anything she’d wanted in a very long time. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“You’ve got to eat, don’t you? When was the last time you had dinner in a nice restaurant?”
She smiled briefly. “I think I’m insulted.”
“Don’t be. I know how hard you work, that’s all I meant.”
What else did he know about her? “Mr. Chandler…John,” she conceded, amazed at the fierce triumph that crossed his face. “Thank you for the invitation, but I really don’t believe in mixing business and pleasure.”
His eyes widened innocently. “Did you think we would have fun? That this would be a date?” He wagged his head and hand. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’d like to discuss the quarterly profit-and-loss report if you don’t mind. And there’s an interesting treatise about the effect of religious cults on the price of oil and gas I’d like you to look at. You can take a peek over dessert if you’re a fast reader.”
By this time she was chuckling. He made her fears seem ridiculous. Still…
“You can pick the spot. What do you feel like eating? Chinese? Italian? You name it, you’ve got it.”
His boyish eagerness was irresistible. With a rush of defiance, she caved in. “Any place is fine with me—as long as it doesn’t smell like grease!”
CHAPTER FOUR
C ATHERINE MEASURED coffee, poured water and started the automatic brewer in her father’s spotless white kitchen. Her new tenants had moved into the garage apartment the day before. Joe was due at nine o’clock for his “orientation” session. She’d no sooner returned from her morning swim about eight than she’d heard his Bronco back out of the driveway. Round trip, the drive to Allie’s softball camp at the Y shouldn’t take more than forty-five minutes.
Father and daughter were very close from what Catherine had observed. Still, something about their relationship had nagged at her in the hours after she’d shown them the apartment. It wasn’t just that Allie called her father by his first name, although that indicated a disturbing equality between the two. No, there’d been something else. An interaction she’d recognized and responded to on a deeply personal level.
Then last night an image had
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