Heart's Reward by Donna Hill Read Free Book Online

soon.”
    â€œGreat.” Melanie pushed up from her seat and stood. “I’m going to get back to my party list. Let me know when Mr. Lawson arrives.” She returned to her office and attempted to get back to where she’d left off. Her annual holiday party was the event of the season at the Harbor. Everyone who was anyone was in attendance. It was always a spectacular affair and plenty of fun, but it was quite the task to put it all together.
    She continued compiling her list from her electronic address book, and her thoughts continued to drift to Claude. Her fingers slowed then stopped as she found herself staring out the window, watching the late-day waves crash against the shore. It was serene and turbulent all at once. The overhanging muted orange of the impending evening created a feeling of solitude, an aloneness within her. AndMelanie realized with a start that it was what she was feeling inside, and meeting Claude had stirred the lonely beast within her.
    Melanie shook her head, dispelling the images and the marauding thoughts. Since when had she become so reflective? She laughed lightly and crossed the room to the small cabinet built into the wall. She opened the wood door and took out a bottle of white wine and a glass. Returning to the window she sat down on the cushioned bench, tucked herself into the corner and sipped her wine. She leaned back against the embracing frame and momentarily closed her eyes, savoring the flavor of the wine.
    One day she would turn the business over to the family, she mused, the way it had been done for generations. She’d be much older, hopefully wiser and comfortably wealthy and she wondered if she’d wind up spending her sunset years alone.
    A light knock on her door scattered her thoughts.
    â€œYes, come in.”
    Jessica stuck her head in the door. “Mr. Lawson just arrived,” she said, her eyes sparkling and a commercial perfect smile flashing. “He’s gorgeous,” she gushed. “His pictures do him no justice.”
    Melanie smiled benignly. If nothing else could be said about Rafe Lawson it was that he was worth the time spent looking at him.
    Melanie put her glass down but didn’t get up. “Very good. Get him settled and get started. Let me know when he’s ready to leave.’
    Jessica’s eyes widened. “Aren’t you going to come and say hello?”
    Melanie pressed her lips together before speaking. “Ill be sure to see him before he leaves.”
    Jessica frowned for a moment but knew better than to push her aunt. She shrugged her left shoulder and backed out of the door.
    Melanie exhaled slowly. She knew from her first meeting with Raford Lawson that it would be best for all concerned if she limited her contact with him. However, Rafe was used to getting what he wanted and moments later he made his wants clear. Veronica was at the door.
    â€œYes, come in.”
    â€œAunt Mel,” she began as a tight line of annoyance tugged her brows closer together. “Mr. Lawson insists on only dealing with you.” She planted her hands on her hips.
    â€œDid you tell him I was busy?”
    â€œOf course. And I told him that you don’t deal with preparing the profile—I do. He acted like I’d told him the biggest joke.”
    Melanie bit back a smile. She knew how seriously her family took their jobs and Veronica in particular.
    Melanie switched off her computer. “I’ll be right out. Have him wait for me in the small conference room and ask Evan to bring us some refreshments, please.”
    Veronica huffed and did as she was asked.
    Melanie opened her desk drawer, took out her compact and dabbed away the shine from her nose, added a splash of lipstick, then went out to join Mr. Lawson.
    When she walked across the wide foyer to the intimate office space that only comfortably sat four, she found Raford with his back to her perusing the artwork on the muted candy-apple-red