Winter Magic: 4 (The Hawks Mountain Series) by Elizabeth Sinclair Page A

can give you an accurate estimate as to the cost of this affair.”
    He shook himself mentally to get back on track. “Uh, I can have a fairly accurate head count for you in a couple of days. The invitations went out three weeks ago, and the responses are coming in. The cut-off date is next week. I can give you an exact count then.” He heard himself talking, but he wasn’t sure what he was saying. He just hoped it was the right thing and that it made sense.
    This inability to focus on business was so totally unlike him. He didn’t seem able to drag his attention away from Andi. The way her skirt insisted on riding up her shapely thigh. The way her chest rose and fell beneath the pink silk of her suit jacket every time she took a breath. The sound of her voice.
    She patted at the clasp holding her hair at the nape of her neck. “That’ll be fine. I’ll get my theme suggestions to you, and when you settle on what we’re going to use, we can gear the food, the decor, and the table centerpieces to carry through in the same style.”
    What in heaven’s name was wrong with him? He tore his gaze away from her and started taking notes. “Fine.”
    “What about the hotel? Will there be a problem because you’re using an outside caterer? Will our caterer be able to utilize their kitchen facilities?”
    “I’ve already arranged for the kitchen to be at the disposal of your caterer. Normally, the hotel doesn’t allow that, but I’ve made it clear that if we can’t use their kitchen, I’ll find somewhere else to hold the event.” He paused, glad that he’d at last found his focus and concentration. “As for a theme, that will have to wait until I see what you come up with. But I’d like to use something far removed from those we’ve used in the last few years.”
    “Which were?”
    He frowned, and after a moment’s thought, said, “Nothing, actually. Just lots of flowers strewn about in vases, and an orchestra.”
    “Who will benefit from the contributions? That may help us zero in on a theme.” She glanced at him, then quickly averted her gaze to the clipboard. “Using a theme makes everything easier. Decorations fall into place, as well as the food, and everything else.”
    “The raised money occasionally goes for a variety of causes, such as the fundraiser we did for abused women with Becky Hart and Catherine Daniels a few months ago. However, it also goes to several children’s charities. Each year, we pick one charity specifically.
    “The donations from this year are targeted to build additional rooms at The Wishing Place. It’s something of a half-way house for kids. Among other things, it’s a house where parents stay while their children undergo medical treatment, and for children to receive outpatient attention until hospital space becomes available.”
    Andi’s face brightened. Her smile turned radiant. “I know of The Wishing Place, and they badly need more rooms for parents.”
    The Wishing Place had been his brain child and held a special place in his heart. Her intense interest snagged his attention. “You’re familiar with it?”
    “I do volunteer work there a couple of times a week.”
    “Really?” Another surprise that he never would have attributed to the woman he’d met last week, but for some reason it fit perfectly with the woman she displayed today.
    “How do you feel about doing something really different with the gala that involves the children who would benefit, assuming we are able to obtain permission for them to be part of it?”
    He considered it for just a moment and then nodded. “As long as the hospital staff okays it, I’m open to suggestions.”
    She was staring at him, her bottom lip caught thoughtfully between her teeth. Jonathan sucked in his breath sharply. He couldn’t recall ever seeing anything so sexy before in his life. He swallowed hard.
    Business, he told himself firmly. Business . “Do you have something specific in mind?”
    Andi shook her head.