Mixing Business...With Baby by Diana Whitney

Author:Diana Whitney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Who would have thought that a machine the size of a small microwave could eat two hundred quarters in thirty minutes without so much as a burp?”

Rick paused to scoop a small pinecone out of the snow. “In all fairness, the machine in question did offer an occasional resupply of coin, which a certain wild-eyed woman jammed back into the slot with a passionate abandon that was, by the way, incredibly sensual.”

“Okay, okay, so I bought into the entire package. Flashing neon, coins chinking into the payoff tray, bells, whistles and visions of riches beyond my wildest dreams…all pretty heady stuff for a country gal.” Turning her head so the breeze blew the hair out of her face, Catrina tucked her hand beneath Rick’s arm. She gazed at the cedar silhouetted against a radiant moon. “I had a lovely time this evening. In fact, the past two days have been magnificent. I can’t recall ever having had so much fun.”

“I’m glad.” Illuminated by moonlight, his smile flashed like a beacon. He bounced the small pinecone in his palm, then flipped it into the darkness. “I hope it made the seminar drudgery easier to endure.”

“Actually the seminar was fascinating. That software interface is more complex than any I’ve worked with before. Frankly, I’ve been scared spitless that my technological ineptitude would land me back in the unemployment line. I simply couldn’t understand how the budget and design functions meshed into billing and revenue forecasting. Fascinating stuff.”

“I still don’t understand it.” He slowed his pace, used his free hand to caress the tips of her fingers that were curled around the crook of his arm. “Fortunately, most of the talented folk who work for me do and are kind enough to cover my posterior on a routine basis.”

“You really like your employees, don’t you?”

“Of course. A business is basically an extended family. Courtesy and respect go a long way toward creating a pleasant environment for all concerned.” He glanced sideways at her. “Why, is there someone at the office you’re having difficulty with?”

“Hmm? Oh, heavens no. Everyone has gone out of their way to be helpful and supportive. It really is a wonderful place to work, Rick.”

He expelled a breath, his relief evident. “I’m glad to hear that. I want you to be happy.”

“You want everyone to be happy.”

“Is that wrong?”

“No. A little naive, perhaps, but it’s certainly not wrong.”

“Naive? Me?” His laughter was robust, genuine, but with enough of a nervous twinge to imply that she might have hit a nerve. “Nobody has ever accused me of naïveté before. An interesting observation.”

Shifting, he slipped her hand from his arm, laced his fingers with hers and led her to the edge of a slender creek.

As she followed him, she studied his profile, and found it strong, angular, without a trace of softness. It seemed incongruous, out of character for a man whose eyes glowed with caring warmth and whose generous mouth was always curved in the hint of a smile.

Rick Blaine wasn’t really a soft man, nor was he a hard one.

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