Sutherland’s Pride by Kathryn Brocato Page A

wanting to give up any of his power to his son. Privately, she thought Flynn had been wise to leave the company for a while.
    “I suppose you would remember,” Flynn said, in dry tones. “We get along much better now.” He paused and studied her face. “Are you holding a grudge against my parents?”
    “Heavens, no. You heard your father. He likes me.”
    “They mourned your departure for weeks,” Flynn said, to her surprise. “Dad was of the opinion that I should have married you and treated the baby as my own.”
    “On the grounds that you aren’t able to have a child of your own and adoption is ridiculously difficult?” Pride managed a smile and gripped her hands together in her lap. “Now that’s an idea. Gee, why didn’t I think to suggest that?”
    Flynn started to say something, but apparently thought better of it when he caught her gaze.
    Their waiter arrived with food, and Pride breathed a sigh of relief. Flynn had ordered her a steak marinated in a French herb sauce. Too bad she had totally lost her appetite for the succulent dish. Worse, Flynn kept staring at her every time he thought her attention was focused on the food.
    When their plates were removed at long last and cups of steaming coffee were set before them, Pride curled her fingers around her cup and let herself relax a little. Surely, the evening was almost over.
    “You still haven’t explained about my inheritance,” she pointed out. “We seem to keep getting off the subject.”
    Flynn smiled. “I’ve told you, but you don’t seem to believe me. Why don’t you come to the office in the morning and I’ll show you some of the paperwork, and what you can expect in terms of income.”
    Pride thought about it. Maybe she’d better go and get it over with. “All right. What time?”
    “Eleven. Prepare to have lunch with me. I want to show you a new boat I’m thinking about buying, then we’ll take Gloria and the kids sailing.”
    Pride stared at her cup, dismayed at the fierce longing that arose inside her. “I don’t know about this, Flynn.”
    “Gloria and the kids will enjoy the outing. This is a family boat we’re going to see.”
    “Oh, yes? Is there such a thing?”
    “Of course. If the children don’t fall overboard, I’ll buy the boat. How’s that?”
    “I’d call it a good test,” Pride agreed.
    She wanted to go, she realized, astonished at herself. She longed to see the marina again. She’d thought Flynn was kidding, when he claimed he’d take everyone out on his boat.
    Johnny would love it, which was, of course, the only reason she even considered it.
    Flynn smiled. “Then I’ll expect you tomorrow morning at eleven. You and I will need to spend about half an hour together then we’ll pack up the children and drive to Galveston. You’re going to love this boat.”
    “I’m sure I will.” The only things Pride knew about boats were the things Flynn had taught her.
    “I’ve been thinking about a motor yacht,” Flynn said.
    “You? A motor yacht? A stinker? A noisemaker?”
    “I’ve been … considering something that would be comfortable for a family,” Flynn said slowly. “My old sailboat is too small, and it definitely isn’t a family-type boat.”
    “A family,” Pride repeated. Was Flynn thinking about marriage and adoption? “Well, I’ll tell you what, Flynn. When Johnny gets aboard, you’ll have a very good test of its child-worthiness. He’s in an exploring stage right now.”
    “Great,” Flynn said. “I’ll count on Johnny. Are you ready? I want to show you another place I discovered recently.”
    “I’d rather go home, if you don’t mind. As I told your dad, it wasn’t fair of me to leave Gloria alone with the kids.”
    “It won’t take but a minute.” He stood and helped her rise. “You’ll enjoy it. Would you mind speaking to my mother before we leave?”
    Pride couldn’t think of a good reason for avoiding Flynn’s mother, much as she’d have liked to. She allowed