“Just put it on the table,” she ordered. Michelle stood there rigidly while he did as she said, then turned to the door.
Jonathan paused with his hand on the knob, looking at her with unabashed male interest. “I apologize for walking in on you unexpectedly, but I’d be lying if I said I’m sorry it happened.”
He left before she could say something withering. Which was just as well. It would only have given him more time to ogle her like a teenager with raging hormones. Although that was hardly an accurate description of Jonathan. He was an adult male who knew how to make women respond to him—even women like herself who knew what a shady character he was. A dangerous adversary, Michelle thought soberly.
She would have been surprised to hear that Jonathan was just as wary of her. A frown replaced his smile as he walked down the corridor to his own room.
He’d met a lot of scheming women—wealth seemed to attract them like metal shavings to a magnet—but none had possessed Michelle’s awesome arsenal of weapons. She had the face of an angel and a body that promised heaven on earth. What man could resist that mixture of innocence and sexuality? Worse yet, if even he found her irresistible, how could he convince Lucky that she and her mother were very clever fortune hunters? His uncle was in no mood to listen to warnings. He had to be presented with something concrete.
Jonathan paced up and down his room, looking for a solution. Perhaps there was something unsavory in their past. What was their source of income, for instance? He didn’t buy the story of a widow with a modest inheritance and a daughter who worked for a living. It was just too pat.
After worrying the problem from every angle, Jonathan picked up the phone and punched out a number. When a man answered, he said without preamble, “I’ve got a job for you, Joe. Something I want you to get on right away. You can reach me at a resort called Shorehaven. I’ll give you the phone number.”
“Can it wait until tomorrow?” the man asked in a raspy voice indicative of time spent in a lot of smoke-filled rooms. “There’s three hundred dollars in the pot and I have the first decent hand I’ve had all night.”
Joe Henderson, a big man with a lined face, was one of the best private investigators in the business. He had almost as many informants as the police department, so there was little he couldn’t find out.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your poker game, but you should be glad I’m offering you a job.” Jonathan grinned. “You’ll need it to pay your losses. If I got taken to the cleaners as regularly as you do, I’d give up the game.”
“And put seven guys on unemployment?” Joe joked. “You could be sharing the wealth if you were here instead of lolling around some fancy resort.”
Jonathan’s jaw set grimly. “I’m not on vacation. I came here to see that Lucky doesn’t do anything foolish, and I met a girl who might become a problem. That’s why I called you. I want you to find out everything about her and report back to me A.S.A.P.”
“What can you give me to go on?”
Jonathan repeated everything Michelle had told him about herself. “None of it is necessarily true. She does live in New York, however. I saw the airline tag on her luggage.”
“That’s a starting point. Give me a description.”
“She’s in her mid-twenties, long black hair, big blue eyes fringed with thick lashes, classic features and a figure you don’t forget.”
Joe whistled. “What more could you ask?”
Jonathan preferred to take him literally. “I want you to check on her mother, too. She says the woman is her mother and I can see a family resemblance, but don’t take anything for granted.”
“You’re talking to a pro, my friend. Gorgeous gals don’t affect my judgment.”
“You’ve never seen this one,” Jonathan commented dryly. “Get back to me when you have something. If I’m not here, leave a message and I’ll return your call.”
After giving the detective his phone number, he hung up slowly. It had to be done, but Jonathan felt a curious reluctance to learn the truth.
Michelle awoke the next morning and flexed her foot gingerly. There was no pain and the slight swelling in her ankle was gone, as the doctor had predicted. That was a relief! She needed all of her faculties to deal with Jonathan.
Michelle had just gotten out of the shower when her mother phoned from her room.
“Did you have a good time last night?” Evelyn asked without giving her a chance to answer. “Isn’t Jonathan the handsomest man you ever saw? The single women here have been tripping over each other trying to get him to notice them.”
“Yes, I met one of them last night. A rather plain girl with mousy brown hair. She wanted him to play bingo with her and a friend.”
“That must have been Winnie. Poor thing, she’d never have a chance with a man like Jonathan, but you’d never know it by the charming way he treats her.”
“That charm is automatic,” Michelle said evenly. “It’s programmed to kick in when any female gets in range, no matter what she looks like.”
“You don’t care for Jonathan? That’s a disappointment. I was hoping the four of us would have a nice time together this week. Lucky had all kinds of things planned.”
“I didn’t say I don’t like Jonathan,” Michelle said quickly. If she disapproved of not only Lucky, but his whole family, her mother would think she was being unreasonable. “I just meant that a man that handsome must be used to women making a fuss over him.”
“He is rather spectacular looking. What did you two do last night?”
“We took a walk around the grounds and he showed me the exercise room.” Michelle changed the subject abruptly. “What would you like to do today? Shall you and I check out those boutiques you mentioned?”
“The four of us can do that. Lucky wasn’t just being polite. He does like to shop. I don’t know about Jonathan, but if he’d prefer to do something else, the three of us can go and we’ll all meet back here later for a drink.”
“That’s a good idea. It would be foolish for him to spend all afternoon being bored.” Michelle felt a lot more cheerful, knowing she wouldn’t have to fence with Jonathan all day.
“Well, we’ll discuss it at breakfast,” Evelyn said. “I’ll meet you in the dining room in about fifteen minutes.”
The other three were already at the table by the time Michelle arrived. Lucky greeted her pleasantly, but Jonathan looked her over critically—as usual.
“How’s your ankle this morning?” he asked.
Evelyn frowned. “What was wrong with it?”
“Nothing,” Michelle answered quickly.
“Then why did Jonathan ask?”
“I tripped over a coil of rope in the gym last night,” Michelle explained reluctantly. “It was no big deal.”
“The doctor confirmed that it wasn’t anything serious,” Jonathan said.
“You called a doctor?” Now Evelyn was definitely concerned.
“It was Jonathan’s idea. I kept telling him I didn’t need one.” Michelle shot him a look of annoyance.
“I wanted to be absolutely sure,” he answered smoothly.
“You did the right thing,” Lucky said. “If there’s a problem, it’s always best to take care of it before it becomes serious.”
“That’s my philosophy.” Jonathan gave Michelle a derisive smile.
She picked up a menu. “Shall we order? I’m famished.” During breakfast they discussed plans for the day. “What would you ladies like to do today?” Lucky asked.
“Why don’t we just sit around the pool and relax?” Evelyn suggested.
“I thought we were going shopping,” Michelle said.
“That was before I found out about your accident. You shouldn’t walk around on a twisted ankle”
“It’s perfectly all right. The doctor even said so. You don’t have to change your plans for me.”
“It doesn’t matter. We can go tomorrow instead.”
“Your mother is right,” Lucky agreed. “We were
going to stop at Pirate’s Cove along the way and it might be too strenuous for you today.”
“Besides, the hotel is having a dinner dance tonight,” Evelyn said. “I want to have my hair done this afternoon.”
“They couldn’t make you look any lovelier than you already do,” Lucky said gallantly.
She turned to the other two with a smile. “Now do you see why I love this man?”
Her mother was only joking, Michelle told herself, hoping it was true. Jonathan wasn’t any happier about the situation. His jaw set grimly, but he didn’t comment.
The day wasn’t as bad as Michelle had feared. Jonathan couldn’t be his usual unpleasant self in front of his uncle. He even went for long periods of time without aiming veiled barbs at her. Or maybe the warm weather made him lethargic, she thought cynically.
He didn’t look sluggish. Although his long frame was relaxed on a chaise, he was like a resting tiger, capable of springing into action in an instant. Michelle had watched him in the pool, unwillingly admiring the complete coordination of his lean body.
“Why don’t you put on your bathing suit and go swimming with Jonathan?” Evelyn asked her.
“I’m not in his class,” Michelle answered. “He’s a real pro.”
“We don’t have to compete at everything,” he said mildly.
“Jonathan swims all year round,” Lucky said. “It’s natural for him to be good at it.”
“You’re both very fortunate,” Evelyn remarked. “The weather is so beautiful here. I hate to think of going back to the ice and snow.”
“Then don’t go back.”
“You make it sound so easy,” she answered with a smile.
“It is. You’re in the enviable position of being able to do anything you want.”
“My father planned it that way,” Michelle said evenly. “He’d be very upset if she did something risky.”
“Life is a gamble, my dear,” Lucky answered. “If you demand a guarantee that everything will work out, your safe little world can turn into a prison.”
Evelyn slanted a glance at her daughter’s tense expression. “It’s much too nice a day to discuss anything more serious than what we should have to drink,” she said lightly. “Although it isn’t cocktail time yet.”
“You know the old saying. It’s five o’clock somewhere,” Lucky said. “I’ll join you. What would you like?”
“I’d love to have a Planter’s Punch. They taste like fruit juice, but they pack such a wallop. I don’t know if I should.”
“Go ahead, indulge yourself. I promise not to take advantage of you.” Lucky grinned.
“Would you put that in writing?” Michelle tried to make it sound like a joke.
“That’s an excellent idea,” Jonathan said, joining the group. “I think they should both sign an agreement, so there are no misunderstandings.”
Lucky gave him a level look. “This isn’t a business matter. I hope you’re more diplomatic when you do talk business.”
“I’m sure Jonathan is very astute,” Evelyn said.
“He’s been a big help to me,” Lucky agreed grudgingly.
“I’ll bet he has,” Michelle commented.
“What exactly do you do?” Evelyn asked Jonathan. “Are you an inventor, also?”
“No, I’m an engineer,” he replied. “I see that Lucky’s inventions are produced cost effectively and then marketed.”
“As the C.E.O. of Richfield Enterprises, Jonathan runs the company,” Lucky said proudly. It was obvious that he was very fond of his nephew, in spite of a small difference of opinion now and then. “He started to work for me when he got out of college. It was his first and only job.”
Michelle looked at Jonathan with only partially concealed scorn. “So you never even tried to get a conventional job.”
Lucky gave her a puzzled frown. “I don’t understand what you mean by conventional.”
“She means working for someone other than family,” Jonathan explained.
“I can assure you that he earned every promotion he got,” Lucky said. “Jonathan started at the bottom and learned the business thoroughly before advancing to his present position. As a matter of fact, I’ve had one devil of a time keeping him. Other companies try to steal him away regularly. When money and stock options aren’t enough, I appeal to his family loyalty,” Lucky joked.
“He certainly must be a valuable asset,” Michelle commented.
Evelyn detected the derisive note in her voice. “People shouldn’t automatically assume it’s nepotism when someone rises to the top of a family company,” she told her daughter reprovingly.
“The ones who know him intimately are aware of his capabilities,” Lucky said.
Jonathan’s eyes glinted mischievously. “I tried to convince her of that, but she’s a hard sell.”
“The consensus seems to be that I’m wrong,” Michelle remarked lightly.
“But you’re not ready to admit it yet. That’s okay. I like a worthy opponent.”
“I hope you don’t consider yourselves adversaries,” Evelyn protested.
“Only in the ongoing battle of the sexes,” Jonathan answered smoothly.
“That’s utter nonsense!” Lucky stated. “Why shouldn’t men and women be able to get along? I don’t understand you young people today.”
Jonathan laughed. “I believe Socrates said something like that around 400 B.C.”
“And if it’s any consolation to you, we’ll be saying the same thing to our children,” Michelle agreed with a grin.
“If you ever have any,” Evelyn remarked. “When I was your age I’d been married for five years.”
“That’s another thing that’s different today,” Lucky said. “The kids don’t get married young and settle down like we did.”
Jonathan swung his long legs off the chaise and stood. “I think this is a good time for me to go for another swim. I’ve heard this lecture before.”
“Me, too.” Michelle picked up her tote bag and sunglasses. “I’m going to my room and read a book.”
“I didn’t mean to drive them away,” Lucky said as he watched the young couple go in opposite directions. “I suppose I shouldn’t be so outspoken, but I worry about Jonathan. He’s like a son to me.”
“It’s too bad you didn’t adopt children when you discovered you and Agatha couldn’t have any of your own,” Evelyn commented.
“We probably would have if Jonathan and his sister hadn’t come to live with us after their parents were killed so tragically in that car crash. The children were young and confused. They couldn’t understand why their mother and father had left them. We tried to make them feel secure by giving them all the love and attention they missed.”
“You did a good job. Jonathan is a fine young man and he obviously adores you. Do you have as good a relationship with his sister?”
“Shelley couldn’t be more devoted if she were my own daughter. She married a dashing Frenchman and lives in Paris, but she phones me at least once a week. You’re very fortunate, too. Michelle seems quite concerned about you.”
“Sometimes too much so,” Evelyn answered dryly.
Lucky smiled. “They do have a tendency to think we need looking after.”
“As though good judgment evaporates with age,” she agreed with a touch of annoyance. “Suddenly your children think they’re your parents.”
“It’s easier than raising their own children.” Lucky laughed. “I’m surprised Michelle isn’t married by now. A beautiful girl like that must have had lots of proposals.”
Evelyn nodded. “She has, but something was always wrong with them, according to her. Still, I’d rather she waited and found just the right man.”
“It seemed like a good omen when Michelle and Jonathan both came to Shorehaven at the same time. I thought something might develop between them, but they don’t seem to like each other much.”
Evelyn smiled. “They’re like two strange dogs circling each other warily.”
“I wouldn’t say that. I sense a definite chemistry between them.”
“Something like the components of T.N.T.?”
“Possibly. We’ll just have to wait and find out.”
He reached over and took her hand. “That’s what I like about our relationship. We don’t have to play games.”
“Yes, it’s nice that we’re so comfortable with each other.”
“That isn’t the word I’d use to describe my feelings,” he said in a deepened voice.
Michelle stretched out on her bed and propped a couple of pillows behind her head before opening her novel. It was an unaccustomed luxury. Usually at this time of day she’d be fighting her way through rush hour crowds, on her way home to fix dinner for herself.
The book was engrossing, but after a short time, her eyelids began to droop. She hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before, thanks to Jonathan. Long after he finally left her room, she was still awake, staring up at the ceiling and thinking of cutting remarks she could have made. Gradually her eyes closed and she fell asleep.
It was late when Michelle awoke. She had to rush in order to change clothes and meet the others at the time they’d agreed upon. Instead of a nice relaxing bath she took a quick shower, then applied makeup sparingly. Only lipstick, and a touch of mascara on her long, naturally thick lashes.
Deciding what to wear took almost as long, although she didn’t have much choice. Michelle hadn’t planned to do anything more exciting than go to the movies, so she’d brought only casual clothes—and not very many of those. Certainly nothing fancy enough for a dinner dance. It didn’t matter, she told herself. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone.
The others had already ordered a drink when she joined them in the bar.
“I was just about to call your room,” Evelyn told her. “What kept you so long?” She looked disapprovingly at her daughter’s printed cotton skirt and sleeveless blouse. “It certainly didn’t take all this time to put on that outfit.”
Lucky In Love (Harlequin Special Edition) Page 4
