“You think . . .” Haley prompted.
Amanda stroked the beads and returned her focus to Haley, who looked like a lost puppy. Nate couldn’t remain single forever. Even if he didn’t marry this new mystery woman, he’d undoubtedly marry soon enough. If Nate was married and Haley was harnessed to the farm and Roger, Amanda would be left with no one. She pinched at the beads.
“I think . . .” she repeated and reminded herself she needed to focus on what was best for Haley. Amanda envisioned her kind friend being consumed by the responsibilities of farm life. She saw her working in the fields like a slave with no hope for deliverance. She could never believe the gentle-spirited soul would ever be happy with such an existence.
“Roger . . . I do—do believe he r-r-eally cares for me,” Haley stammered.
“But so does Mason,” Amanda replied.
“Oh no!” Haley rubbed her temples with her fingertips. “I forgot all about him. What would I ever tell him. This has all gotten so complicated!”
“Well, if you aren’t certain . . .” Amanda paused.
“If I’m not certain,” Haley opened her eyes and shook her head from side to side, “I should . . .”
Amanda always prided herself on never telling people what to do unless they absolutely forced her to the point. This was undoubtedly one of those situations. She would simply have to tell Haley she should not marry Roger and be done with it.
“You should—” A telephone’s ringing stopped Amanda and sent Haley to her feet.
“That’s my phone,” Haley said and stepped toward her office.
“No.” Amanda nudged her secretary back to the couch. “You stay here. I’ll answer it this time.”
“But—”
“Whatever it is, I can handle it,” Amanda asserted and wagged her index finger from side to side.
Haley’s face relaxed. She once again claimed her perch on the love seat’s edge and continued with her worried staring.
Amanda stepped to the phone on her desk, picked up the receiver, and pressed the blinking button that connected her to Haley’s line. “Wood-Priebe International,” she said while never taking her concerned gaze from Haley.
“Amanda!” Mason Eldridge’s voice floated over the line. “I didn’t expect you to answer.”
Six
“You were expecting Haley, I assume?” Amanda questioned.
Haley jerked her attention toward Amanda. “Is that Roger?” she whispered, her face tightening.
“No—Mason,” Amanda mouthed and wiggled her eyebrows for effect.
“Mason!” Haley silently replied with no change in her stressed demeanor.
“Haley’s right here. Did you want to speak with her?” Amanda prompted and hoped Mason’s voice might influence Haley to make the final and correct choice.
“No. That’s perfectly fine,” Mason replied. “I really called to talk with you.”
“With me? Whatever for?” Amanda laid her hand on her chest and exchanged a curious glance with Haley.
“Well . . .” Mason began, “I have a big surprise for you.”
“For me?”
“And for Haley, too, I guess,” Mason added.
“A surprise for Haley?” Amanda returned and directed a thumbs-up to her friend.
“I was wondering if you were going to be home this evening,” Mason hurried.
“Yes. As a matter of fact I am,” Amanda replied. “We’re going to be having dinner guests, but as always, you’re welcome to join us, Mason. I can make certain Haley comes, too.”
“Perfect!” Mason exclaimed. “What time?”
“Does six o’clock work for you?”
“Absolutely!” Mason replied. “I’ll be counting the hours.”
“Good,” Amanda said. “I’m sure someone else will be doing the same,” she finished in a singsong voice.
“And you have no idea how good that makes me feel,” Mason replied before bidding adieu.
Amanda hung up the telephone and grinned from ear to ear. “Mason has a surprise for you!” she cried before rushing to Haley’s side. She plopped onto the sofa beside her friend, laid her arm along Haley’s shoulders, and squeezed.
“For me?” Haley echoed.
“Absolutely! And he said he was counting the hours until six tonight when he’ll be at my house to give you the surprise.”
“He really said that?” Haley gasped.
“Yes! Upon my honor, he said it.” Amanda lifted her right hand. “Now all you have to do is decide what you’re going to wear! What about that cobalt blue cropped jacket and dark jeans and—” she glanced at Haley’s horrid clogs—“shoes to match. He hasn’t seen you in that outfit, has he?”
“No,” Haley replied and stared into space. “I’ve been saving that outfit for . . . for . . . R-Roger.”
“Roger? Who’s he?” Amanda quipped.
Haley snapped her gaze back to Amanda.
“Oh yes, I remember him.” Amanda tapped her temple with her index finger. “He’s the boring guy who proposed by email, and who wouldn’t know a surprise if it bit him on the nose.”
Haley giggled. “I guess you’re right.” She sighed. “Mason is so much more . . . well, he’s better looking, and he’s . . . uh . . .”
“A much better match for you!” Amanda patted Haley’s arm.
Haley nodded. “Maybe you’re right. I guess I’ll just email Roger and politely decline.”
Smiling, Amanda toyed with her crystal watch’s clasp and thanked heaven she never had to tell Haley to reject Roger’s proposal.
“Oh!” Haley rapidly blinked. “I won’t be intruding on your dinner guests tonight, will I?”
Amanda stood. “Absolutely not!” she assured. “It’s just going to be Angie and Wayne West. They’ll be thrilled to see you!”
Nate steered his Mercedes convertible along Highland Beach’s scenic drive. The cold wind whipped at his face while the evening sun simmered toward the mountainous, western horizon and promised a bejeweled setting. When Nate had lowered the convertible’s top, he’d hoped the white sand and October’s nippy air would calm his temper. So far the plan had failed.
The smell of saltwater that stretched to the base of the northward mountains brought to mind the water’s icy embrace. Despite his shiver, he gripped the leather-wrapped steering wheel, gritted his teeth, and pressed the accelerator. Not even thinking of the frigid water could cool his temper. The vehicle jumped to his command. The music thumping over the speakers beat in sequence with his increasing pulse.
Nate hadn’t been this riled in years. And he’d never been so angry with Amanda. Looking back, he couldn’t ever remember being incensed with her, for that matter. Any mild irritations had always been wrapped in big-brother indulgence.
This afternoon when he called her to talk about the issue, she’d been distant and claimed she didn’t have time to chat due to dinner guests on the way. So Nate had told her to set another plate for dinner. He was coming, and they needed to talk.
“Whether you want to or not, missy,” Nate mumbled while navigating a curve in the road.
He slowed the vehicle and turned into the twisting lane that began the Wood-Priebe Estate. Amanda’s grandparents, the Woods and Priebes, were once coastal neighbors. They had shared the neighborhood and had also been business partners; they founded Wood-Priebe International Travel when their children were young. When the Wood daughter married the Priebe son, they linked the Wood and Priebe estates, fortunes, and the international travel group where Amanda now served as CEO.
The statewide magazine, Tasmania Today, had even featured an article on Amanda last year. She was supposed to be the youngest CEO in Australia these days. The article’s author had commented on her level of maturity and her solid business knowledge. Of course, Amanda had cleaned her desk before letting that guy come for the interview—if you could call cramming all the clutter into a box and stuffing it into the coat closet cleaning her desk.
Nate had caught her in the
act and laughed the whole time he helped her shove the closet door shut. But not even that memory could lessen his irritation today. All he could think about was poor Roger and his broken heart. How in the world Amanda has time to serve as CEO when she’s meddling in everyone else’s business has to be a national enigma!
He rounded the last curve and accelerated for the final stretch. The massive stucco home that came into view sat on the peak of a rocky point that overlooked the Tasman Sea and offered an unforgettable view. Nate drove the Mercedes around the circular drive lined in ferns, and parked behind an Audi he recognized. Apparently Angie West, Amanda’s former governess, and her new husband were the dinner guests. A Honda Eclipse Nate had never seen sat in front of the Audi.
He scanned the horizon for any signs of an evening storm and saw no clouds. Nate turned off the ignition without raising the car’s roof, opened the door, and climbed out. He wrestled with the knot in his tie, whipped off the tie, and tossed it into the passenger seat. After checking his gold watch, Nate unbuttoned his shirt’s top button and slipped out of the sports coat. He welcomed the chilly coastal breeze that penetrated his sweater vest and decided to put the coat back on only if the other guests were so dressed. The tie wasn’t going to happen under any circumstances. He needed the breathing room.
Nate strode up the brick passage, canopied in hemlock trees. When he was mere feet from the home’s front door, he glimpsed movement out of the corner of his eyes. A threatening growl and hiss suggested the presence of his archenemy, Cuddles. Nate glanced toward the cat as she streaked to the front door to protect her territory. The Siamese blinked a threat before hissing again.
“Oh no,” Nate groaned, “not you.” The last time Nate came to the Wood-Priebe Estate, this cat had wrapped herself around his leg and inflicted some serious scratches that took two weeks to heal.
Amanda had found the poor creature on the side of the road. Nate vowed the thing was emotionally marred and needed a psychiatrist. Amanda, however, had bonded beautifully with the creature and teasingly told Nate he was the one with the problem. She always had been a fool for strays.
The cat lowered her ears and snarled. Nate backed up and raised both hands.
“Okay, mate,” he soothed, his anger with Amanda swiftly replaced with the primal need to survive. “I’m not here to cause any problems. Just let me ring the doorbell, you hear?”
The knob clinked, and the massive door sighed inward. Amanda’s strained smile greeted Nate. “I’ve been watching for you,” she explained. “The table is set, and we’re all waiting.”
“Just trying to get past the welcoming committee,” Nate explained, glancing from the cat to Amanda, and back to the cat. Experience had taught Nate that Cuddles had some fast moves that would put a few mongooses to shame.
Her tail hair standing out, the Siamese scurried into the house.
“Oh no, you,” Amanda fussed and lunged for the cat. Before Cuddles darted up the stairs, Amanda captured her. Securing her in a tight hold, Amanda turned back to Nate.
“I’ve got her. I won’t let her down until you come in.”
Cuddles glared at her enemy.
Nate waved and smiled his victory. “I won this time, ol’ girl,” he taunted as he entered the home’s foyer.
The cat arrogantly lifted her nose and appeared less than impressed. Amanda released her outside and swiftly closed the door.
When she turned back toward Nate, he realized what he hadn’t noticed in the middle of the cat threat. Amanda looked as good tonight as she had two weeks ago when she’d impishly thrown him that kiss from the shadows. Her “Cleopatra” hair swung near her chin like burnished copper. Her green eyes and creamy skin couldn’t have been more exotic in the sun’s evening rays pouring through the window. And she smelled as good as she had in O’Brien’s.
Nate’s irritation wavered in the face of a blatant attraction that started in his gut and consumed his mind to the point that he forgot why he was even here.
“Are you okay?” Amanda queried. She leaned toward him and scrutinized his face like a researcher examining a rare form of fungus.
Nate jerked away and stumbled into the banister. The pain shooting up his spine jolted him back to the reason for the visit—not to admire Amanda, but to chastise her.
“Actually, I’m not okay!” Nate snapped and doubted the wisdom of jumping into the subject so early in the evening. He’d actually planned to have a discreetly quiet, yet intense, conversation with Amanda after dinner.
Amanda’s face stiffened. She backed away and crossed her arms. “What—”
“Nate! Great to see you!” Angie West’s melodious voice cut off Amanda’s question. “I thought that was you I heard!” Angie, a petite blonde with more energy than three men, bounded toward him. She clasped Nate in a platonic hug that peeled away the years and ushered in many memories.
Angie, who became Amanda’s governess twenty-two years ago, had been more of a doting older sister than a mother figure for both Nate and Amanda. She’d set aside her own aspirations of a home and husband and been better to Amanda than three moms. Now at the age of forty-five she had finally found matrimonial happiness.
As the hug ended, Nate said, “You’ve never looked better,” and clasped both of Angie’s hands. “Looks like married life is agreeing with you.”
“Oh absolutely!” Angie enthused, her blue eyes taking on the violet hue of her blouse. “You should try it! Maybe Amanda could fix you up, too! I can’t thank her enough for introducing me to Wayne!”
Amanda sputtered over a cough, and Nate tried to ignore her.
Angie moved to Amanda’s side and placed her arm along her waist. “Amanda seems to know what’s best for all of us,” she bragged.
Nate fleetingly wondered if Angie’s doting was part of Amanda’s problems now. After her mother’s tragic drowning, her father had overindulged her and had plenty of support from Angie in the endeavor. The result was a young woman who didn’t know when she’d crossed personal boundaries.
A very beautiful young woman, Nate added and wondered exactly how long Amanda had been this beautiful. How long have I been so blind?
“Well, let’s all eat, then, shall we?” Amanda questioned as if she were reading out of a book of manners.
Nate felt as awkward as Amanda looked. Nevertheless, he followed her and Angie down the hallway of the home that had been modeled after the European villa Amanda’s parents spent their honeymoon at. The nineteenth-century antiques, stylish yet simple, completed the home’s romantic appeal. And Nate idly pondered if it was any wonder that Amanda was such a matchmaker. She’d grown up in a home that looked like the setting for the best in romantic drama.
Their heels tapping along the Italian tile, Nate noted the dark jeans both women were wearing and decided he could safely hang his sport coat on the coat-tree at the corridor’s end. With that chore complete, he stepped into the dining room, replete with a table that seated twenty. Amanda called for the other guests in the great room.
The smells of Sarah’s specialty—baked cod in lemon sauce—sent a rumble through Nate’s stomach. Even his dilemma with Amanda paled in the wake of his sudden hunger. He’d skipped lunch more often than not in the last couple of weeks, working through that “Amanda hour” like a mad man. His loosening slacks suggested he should enjoy a double portion at tonight’s meal. Nate salivated over the steaming asparagus and dinner rolls the cook was adding to the antique sideboard. Even though he heard the other guests shuffling into the room, his attention was fixed upon what his stomach dictated.
“Great to see you again, Nate!” A vaguely familiar male voice broke through Nate’s salivating and jostled his memory. He turned to offer a greeting toward the man, but his smile stiffened as he recognized Mason Eldridge. While Nate acted the part of the polite acquaintance and shook Mason’s hand, he noticed Haley standing close by, chatting with Amanda. For once, Haley looked nearly as lovely as Amanda in a bright-blue jacket that matched the ocean
and brought out the blonde highlights in her brunette hair.
Mason, dressed in a flashy sport coat and slacks, wasted no time on Nate. As soon as the polite greeting was finished, he wedged himself between Amanda and Haley like the cream in a sandwich cookie. And no cream had ever looked so ecstatic. Mason first gazed at Amanda, then Haley, then back to Amanda. At this vantage, Nate was hard-pressed to determine which woman interested Mason most.
Furthermore, the masculine hunger in the music minister’s eyes raised Nate’s hackles. His suspicions from the O’Brien’s meal were confirmed. A primeval male intuition insisted this was not a person Nate would want dating his sister.
What is Amanda thinking? Nate asked, then answered himself. She’s not thinking!
From there, Nate pieced together the whole scenario. This little dinner party was nothing more than another opportunity for Amanda to push Haley into Mason’s lap and out of Roger’s heart. With Mason absorbing every nuance of Haley and Amanda’s words, Nate gripped the back of the high-backed dining chair and forced himself to project a calm persona.
He and Roger had been more than cousins; they’d been good friends since childhood. In some ways, Nate was closer to Roger than to his own brother. Roger had been so blasted by Haley’s emailed rejection this afternoon, the poor man had called Nate and cried. Nate had never seen Roger cry—not even at a family funeral. The man was made of stone, or so it seemed . . . until now.
Nate was thoroughly convinced that Roger loved Haley—the real Haley—not the polished new dame settling into the chair beside that smooth-talking Mason Eldridge.
After adjusting Haley’s chair for her, Mason made a monumental task of pulling out Amanda’s chair and even placing her napkin in her lap like a tuxedoed waiter at an upscale restaurant.
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