Meet Mr. Prince

by Patricia Kay

  “That’s probably true.”

  Cornelia seemed to consider, then quietly said, “Maybe you should think about applying for the job yourself.”

  Georgie sighed. “Mother, honestly, you couldn’t be any more transparent.”

  “What do you mean?” her mother said innocently.

  “You know exactly what I mean. But you might as well put that idea out of your head, because I have no interest in applying for the job. I work in the field. I love working in the field. I have no intention of giving it up.”

  For a long moment, her mother didn’t say anything. When she did, her voice was resigned. “You’re so stubborn, Georgie. You’d cut off your nose to spite your face.”

  Georgie opened her mouth to retort, then decided it was useless. She and her mother were miles apart in their thinking. They would never agree. So why waste her breath?

  And yet…there was something about her mother’s suggestion that had, just for a brief moment, seemed extremely appealing.

  But why would she want to give up her lucrative position as a field agent, with all its challenges and freedom, to be cooped up in a small office in New York? Especially when she’d already figured out that any kind of relationship with Zach was out of the question.

  It might be different if he were free…single and unencumbered. But he wasn’t. So even though it made her feel bad to think about leaving so soon, just as she was beginning to enjoy being here awhile, Georgie knew that the best possible thing that could happen would be for Zach to hire the man he was interviewing in the morning.

  Then she could go back to Seattle and forget about New York…and everyone in it.

  Friday morning Luke Peterson showed up for his ten o’clock interview fifteen minutes early. Zach liked that. It showed the man was eager. Slim and athletic-looking, Luke was an all-American type with thick, sandy-colored hair and friendly hazel eyes. He had a firm handshake and a nice smile. Zach liked him immediately and knew he would be a good people person—an essential characteristic for a job like this.

  Luke had a terrific background. He would be an asset to the office, any office. He was just the kind of candidate Zach had hoped they would get but was afraid they wouldn’t. Ten minutes after they began talking, Zach knew he’d found his new assistant. But he went through the process, anyway, because it wouldn’t be right not to.

  “C’mon, I’ll introduce you to the others,” Zach said when they’d finished going over the responsibilities of the position. First he took Luke out to formally present him to Deborah, who, after talking to Luke for a while, gave Zach a thumbs-up behind Luke’s back.

  Zach smiled and then took Luke to Georgie’s office. Zach felt a pang at the realization that finding Luke meant losing Georgie, but if he was being realistic, he knew Georgie—no matter how appealing—could never have been a permanent part of either the New York office or Zach’s life. Their worlds were simply too far apart.

  “Georgie, I want you to meet Luke Peterson,” he said. Georgie got up from her desk and walked around to shake Luke’s hand. Zach noted that she looked particularly nice today in a black pencil slim skirt and white silk blouse.

  “What do you think of New York so far?” she asked Luke after they’d chatted a minute or two.

  He smiled. “I like it. Of course, I’ve spent quite a bit of time here in the past, so it’s not like it’s new to me. When I was with United Way, I came to New York often for meetings.”

  “So this won’t be a stretch for you.”

  “No, not at all.”

  Georgie’s eyes met Zach’s, and he could see she approved of Luke. Again, he felt that pang. He would miss her. She hadn’t been there long, but already she was an integral part of the place. He would miss her a lot.

  Back in his office, he said to Luke, “I’ll need to verify your references, but if everything checks out the way I expect it to, the job is yours if you want it.”

  Luke nodded. “I’m very interested. But I have to be honest with you. I have two other interviews—one this afternoon and one on Monday.”

  “I see.”

  “Right now, though, you’re at the top of the list.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Do you have any more questions?” Zach smiled. “Anything at all I can tell you that might help our case?”

  “I’m sure I’ll have more questions. Let me think about everything, read through the literature you’ve given me and I’ll call you.”

  Zach had no choice but to leave it at that. He thanked Luke for coming in, told him again how much they liked him and how much he’d like to have him on board, then said goodbye.

  Afterward he asked both Deborah and Georgie to come into his office. “What did you two think of him?” he asked.

  “I liked him,” Deborah said. “I think he’d fit in.”

  “Yes, I liked him, too,” Georgie said.

  “Are you going to offer him the job?” Deborah asked.

  “If his references all check out. However, he’s interviewing for a couple of other positions, as well.”

  Deborah frowned. “Where?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t feel as if I could ask, and he didn’t volunteer the information.”

  “That’s too bad,” Deborah said. Her frown deepened. “Just about everyone else pays more than we do.”

  Georgie cocked her head. “Is that still true? I thought the board was raising administrative salaries.”

  Zach grimaced. “Unfortunately, it’s still true. Although you’re right, the board is considering raising salaries to be more competitive. But it’s tough. The foundation doesn’t have enough funds to do everything we’d like to do as it is, and putting money into administrative costs isn’t high on anyone’s list.” He looked at Deborah. “Sorry, Deb. Nothing personal.”

  “I know. Jack is constantly telling me I’d make more somewhere else. But I love this place and I believe in what we do. Money isn’t everything.”

  Georgie felt the same way. She, too, could probably make more money elsewhere, but she loved working for the foundation. She wouldn’t give it up for anything.

  “Luke did say we were at the top of his list,” Zach said.

  “That sounds encouraging,” Deborah said.

  Zach shrugged. “I hope so. Anyway, let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope he’ll decide in our favor.”

  As Deborah got up to leave, Georgie said, “Zach, do you have a few minutes? There’s something I wanted to run by you.”

  “Sure.”

  When Deborah was gone, Georgie said, “I know I’m supposed to be concentrating on the Fielding Institute application since they’re top of the list, but I came across something else that really intrigues me.” He raised his eyebrows.

  “It’s not a formal application,” she went on. “It’s a letter and some photos sent by a music teacher at one of the public schools here in the city. With the help of an alumnus who plays the violin with the New York Symphony, this teacher—her name is Shawn O’Malley—has begun a special program at her school. She’s managed to get some donated violins, and between her and this alumnus, they’ve been teaching kids to play, with huge success. Apparently, it’s made an enormous difference in the kids’ attitude toward school and in their grades. Unfortunately, though, the program is running out of money, and the O’Malley woman is hoping we might be willing to fund the project.”

  “We’ve never done anything quite like that before,” Zach said. “As you know, we generally steer the bulk of our funds toward providing food and medical supplies or medical research.”

  “I know. But I’m really interested in this, and I’d like to look into it further. It seems very worthwhile to me.”

  He nodded. “Can’t hurt anything. Sure. Go ahead.” He shuffled some papers on his desk, then his gaze met hers again. “Georgie, if Luke Peterson accepts our offer, I’d still like you to stay on for at least another month, maybe two. Would you mind?”

  “No, not at all.” Funny how just a week e
arlier, she would have minded a lot.

  “Luke will need to be brought up to speed on the way we do things as well as on the individual applications. I particularly want you to accompany him in the field for at least the first two or three projects. He’s got a great background but no field experience.”

  “Would the Appalachia project fall into that group?”

  Zach nodded. “Yes.” He fiddled with a paperclip, seemed to be thinking.

  He was silent so long, Georgie began to feel uncomfortable.

  Finally he said, “I wish Luke’s coming didn’t mean your leaving.”

  Georgie swallowed. “I wish that, too,” she answered softly. Her heart picked up speed as their eyes locked.

  Again, a long moment passed. “We’ll miss you,” he said.

  We’ll miss you. Not I’ll miss you. Georgie nodded and stood. “Thanks. I’ll miss you guys, too.”

  And then she turned and went into her own office, quickly, before her eyes or expression revealed any of her conflicting emotions.

  “It looks like I’ll be coming back to Seattle soon.”

  “Really?” Joanna said. “What happened?”

  “Zach interviewed a guy today that he really liked, and he plans to offer him the job.”

  “Well, that should make you happy.”

  “Yeah. It’s what I wanted.”

  “Then why don’t you sound happier?”

  “I don’t know. I was just kind of getting used to the office. And there are a couple of things I’m working on that I’d like to see finished.” She wasn’t about to admit how confused she felt. Not even to Joanna.

  “Well, I’m sure he’ll have to serve out a notice somewhere. That should give you some time to wrap things up.”

  “No. No notice. He and his wife have moved to New York from D.C. and he’s currently jobless.”

  “Still…he’ll need someone to train him, won’t he?”

  “Yeah.” Georgie knew she should be happy about Luke. But dammit, she wasn’t.

  “Something’s wrong, girlfriend. I can hear it in your voice.”

  “No, nothing’s wrong.”

  “C’mon, I know you better than that. Tell me. I tell you everything.”

  Georgie sighed. Should she? If she gave voice to what she was feeling, wouldn’t it make it all the more real? And what was the point, really? Nothing was going to change, was it? Zach would always be a Mr. Fixed-in-Place-Family-Man. Forcing herself to sound upbeat, she said, “No, seriously, nothing’s wrong. This is a good thing. I will have to train him—you’re right about that—in fact, Zach’s already asked me to. It’s all going to work out perfectly.”

  “You’re sure you’re telling me the truth?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. But I do have some other news.” And she proceeded to fill Joanna in on her mother’s visit to New York.

  “Will wonders never cease?” Joanna said. “And you say they’ve gone on to Key West?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sounds great, doesn’t it? I could do with some margaritas, sunshine and warm weather myself.”

  “But you have wonderful Chick to keep you warm,” Georgie said dryly.

  Joanna gave a throaty chuckle. “Yes, there’s that.”

  “Sounds like everything is going well.” Maybe Georgie was wrong about Chick. Maybe he really did love Joanna.

  “Oh, Georgie, he’s just perfect,” Joanna said. “I know you had your reservations about him, but I’m so happy.”

  “I’m glad for you, then,” Georgie said. “I hope it all works out the way you want it to. Listen, I’d better let you go. And hey, when you see Bobbie again, tell her to call me once in a while.” Joanna was always running into Bobbie at the coffee shop they both patronized. “I mean, surely she can tear herself away from her husband long enough to say hello to her sister.”

  “I don’t know. She’s head over heels.”

  “That’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

  “You’re just jealous.”

  Yes, she hated to admit it, but she was. After they’d hung up, Georgie thought how much she’d like to be “head over heels.” She might not want to be married—or even tied down for any length of time—but she sure could use some T.L.C.

  And some sex.

  Even the thought of sex made her shiver.

  Although she knew this was not a place she should go, even in her mind, she couldn’t help wondering what kind of lover Zach would be. Well, you can wonder all you want, but you’re not going to find out. Mr. Out-of-Bounds, remember?

  Later, in bed, lying in a pool of moonlight and listening to the sounds of traffic below, she reminded herself that the faster Zach got a yes from Luke Peterson, the better off she’d be.

  Cornelia loved Key West. The city was exactly the way she’d imagined it would be. Harry had booked them into a two-bedroom ocean-front cottage at the Sunset Key Resort located on a private island only a ten-minute boat ride from downtown Key West. It was absolutely gorgeous, but then, she hadn’t expected anything less. Nothing but the best for Harrison Hunt.

  She’d been afraid that staying in the cottage might be awkward, but Harry made it easy for her, saying she could choose which bedroom she wanted. She decided to let him have the master with the king-size bed. After all, Harry was six feet, four inches tall. He needed leg room. Besides, the second bedroom had a queen, which was more to her liking, anyway. She was grateful that Harry didn’t seem to expect her to share his bed, because she wasn’t ready.

  Cornelia wasn’t a prude. Not at all. But she’d been a virgin when she married George, and there hadn’t been anyone else since. Maybe hers was an old-fashioned sentiment, but she wanted to do things in the proper order. First a wedding ring, then sex. Her daughters saw things differently, and that was fine. She wasn’t judging them. They had their ideas; she had hers. And thank goodness, Harry seemed to respect that. His attitude was definitely a point in his favor.

  She still hadn’t said anything to him about Greg and his new job. But she would. She was just biding her time, waiting for the right moment. She was no longer upset with Harry. In fact, now she was amused. He must really have been worried or he wouldn’t have gone to so much trouble to get rid of Greg. She smiled. Good. She was glad he’d been worried. It was about time he worried about losing her. After all, it was his own fault she hadn’t been his long ago.

  That night, after a lovely dinner in the resort dining room, and an even lovelier shared bottle of champagne on the screened veranda of their cottage, where they listened to the sound of the waves, Cornelia slept better than she’d slept in years.

  The next day proved to be one of the best Cornelia had ever had. They began early, with a wonderful breakfast served to them on the verandah. They drank orange juice and ate strawberries and papaya and scrambled eggs and muffins to the accompaniment of ocean breezes and sparkling water. Afterward, they took the shuttle boat into the city and toured the Little White House—Harry Truman’s home—in the morning, had a fabulous lunch at the Pier House Restaurant (the conch fritters were to die for!), then visited the Ernest Hemingway Museum in the afternoon.

  Cornelia was enchanted by all the cats at the Hemingway Museum. They were everywhere! Behind trees, under bushes, lying in the grass—just everywhere. Cornelia counted over twenty that she saw personally, and she knew there were many more.

  “I think I’ll get a cat or two when I get back home,” she told Harry after encountering a particularly beautiful calico, who was sleeping under a stone bench.

  Harry gave her a funny look. “A cat…or two?”

  It was only then that Cornelia remembered Harry didn’t like cats. He was more a dog person. She smiled inwardly. This would be a true test of his devotion. “Yes. I’ve always loved cats, but for some reason, I just haven’t thought about getting one of my own.” She gave him an arch look. “Is that a problem for you?”

  “Ah, no, of course not. Whatever you want, my dear, is what I want.”

  She g
ave him a beatific smile. “Thank you, Harry. That means a lot to me.”

  That night they dined at a small French restaurant owned by someone Harry knew, and they were treated like royalty. Afterward, Harry took her to a club where they listened to music until after midnight. Finally, when Cornelia could not stop herself from yawning, Harry suggested they go back to their cottage and get a good night’s sleep.

  “After all,” he said, “we’re not as young as we used to be.”

  “Speak for yourself,” she said tartly.

  Cornelia sat in the curve of his arm on the boat ride back. “It was a wonderful day. Thank you.”

  Harry’s arm tightened around her. “Every day from now on can be just as wonderful, Corny, if you say yes.”

  Cornelia smiled. “I know.” But she still wasn’t ready.

  “But I can wait,” Harry said. “I can wait for as long as it takes.”

  When they got back to their cottage, Harry drew her into his arms and kissed her. Cornelia closed her eyes and kissed him back. It felt so good to be held close like this, to be kissed like this. She had almost forgotten how good a kiss like this could be.

  That night, as she lay in her solitary bed, Cornelia wondered again if she were being foolish. Was it really wise to make Harry wait like this? He’d said it himself. They weren’t as young as they used to be.

  But the next morning, she was once again sure of her path. She had also decided it was time to talk about Greg. So, after breakfast and over their second cup of coffee, she said, “Harry, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

  “Before you do, I have something for you.” He reached behind him, where a long, flat gray suede jeweler’s box lay on a small side table. “Open it,” he said, handing it to her.

  Cornelia stared at him. “Harry…”

  “Open it,” he said in a softer voice.

  Sighing, she opened the lid. “Oh…” Lying there on a creamy silk lining was a delicate bracelet of small, perfectly matched rubies. Nestled inside the bracelet were two ruby teardrop earrings. They were exquisite. Looking up, she saw the tenderest expression on his face.