High Stakes by Barbara Dunlop

Author:Barbara Dunlop
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

7

AS CANDICE STEPPED BACK from Derek on the dance floor, the hum in her body notched up a hundredfold. She couldn’t believe she had done it—or rather was going to do it.

A foot apart, their gazes held, breathing in sync.

Candice pointed to the room in general. “I have to…”

Derek nodded. “I know.”

She took another step back. “There are people I need to…”

“Go.”

“Okay,” she said nodding.

“Later.”

“Right.”

She made her way back to the table in a daze.

“Well?” asked Jenna as Candice sat down.

“I did it.”

Jenna let out a little shriek. “You propositioned him?”

Candice nodded. “We’re meeting later.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

“You didn’t think I’d do it?”

“No…Yes…” Jenna grinned. “I’m so proud of you.”

“This is a one-shot deal. You’d better keep him away from me after this.”

“No problem.”

“I’m serious.”

“You are a wild woman.”

A silly giggle escaped from Candice, and she slapped her hand over her mouth. “I can’t believe I did it.”

Jenna giggled in return.

“Candice Hammond?”

They both looked up, instantly sobering when they saw it was Myrna West.

“Uh, yes,” said Candice, coming to her feet.

The woman held out her hand. “Myrna West from the Seattle Historical Society.”

“Of course,” said Candice, shaking Myrna’s hand. “I heard you speak last month at the chamber of commerce. This is my partner, Jenna Reeves.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Jenna.”

“Would you like to sit down,” Candice offered, quickly moving water glasses out of the way and pulling out one of the leather-upholstered chairs.

“Why, thank you,” said Myrna, accepting the seat.

Candice sat down next to her, smoothing her sequined dress in her lap.

“I have to tell you, the board is very impressed with the results you’ve achieved,” said Myrna. “I’ve been authorized to open discussions on having the Lighthouse designated as a heritage site.”

Candice felt her eyes go wide, and a tingle worked its way up her legs. She was momentarily robbed of the power of speech.

Jenna squeezed her hand under the tablecloth.

“We’re honored,” said Jenna.

Myrna sat back and smiled. “Now normally, we’d approach Derek Reeves, as representative of the owners group. But…Well…As I’m sure you understand, his objectives have not always been in sync with the objectives of the Society.”

Candice nodded. That was a polite way of putting it. Altruism wasn’t exactly Derek’s middle name.

“We’re hoping,” Myrna continued, “that Canna Interiors might smooth the way for the Society. If you can get Derek to agree to make some changes to the restaurant and formally apply for heritage status, I’ll do my best to make sure the board gives the application a favorable hearing.”

Candice didn’t know what to say. A heritage designation? On their first major contract? It would boost their reputation and open serious doors in the heritage-renovation community. It was a dream come true.

“We’ll do our very best,” she assured Myrna. “And thank you so much.”

Myrna smiled and glanced around the room. “It’s lovely. Just lovely.”

She stood, and Candice and Jenna stood with her.

“Pinch me,” Jenna whispered in Candice’s ear as Myrna walked away.

“You pinch me,” said Candice, sinking back down into her chair. “But how in the heck are we going to convince Derek?”

Jenna dropped back down in her own seat.

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