Love 'N' Marriage by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online Page B

life was business, with little room for fun and games. If Stephanie had accepted what she saw on the surface, Jonas would have frozen her out completely. But she’d seen a rare glimpse of the man inside, and she’d been intrigued.
    The afternoon session was both complicated and challenging. Stephanie noted that Jonas was cool to the point of being aloof, as though what they were discussing was of little consequence to him. Like a gambler, he placed his money on the line for the pleasure of tossing the dice. He enjoyed the thrill, the excitement, and had poured his whole life into it.
    During the long afternoon session, Adam Holmes drifted in and out of the room, returning with one document and then another.
    It was early evening when the meeting came to an end. Jonas and his French counterpart stood and shook hands.
    “We’re breaking until morning,” Jonas informed Adam outside the conference-room door. “Did you locate that paper on the export tax I asked about earlier?”
    “I have them with me,” Adam responded, tapping the side of his briefcase.
    “I’ll want to look them over tonight.’’
    For her part, Stephanie was exhausted and hungry. After no breakfast, she’d barely had time to touch her lunch and her stomach protested strenuously.
    Once they were back in the hotel suite, Stephanie immediately slipped off her shoes. They were new, and pinched her heel. Sitting on the sofa, she crossed her legs and rubbed the tender portion of her foot, suspecting a blister.
    On the other side of the room Jonas was drilling Adam about one thing or another. She couldn’t have cared less. But she had noticed that his gaze rested on her slender legs. When he realized she’d caught the direction of his glance, he turned his head. He looked tired, worn down. She wanted to suggest that he take this evening to rest, but after her comment that morning about his cane, she realized she’d be pressing her luck. She was too weary to fight with Jonas now.
    “I’ll get that statement for you as quickly as possible,” Adam said, rising to his feet.
    “Thanks.”
    The room seemed oddly quiet after Adam left.
    “Miss Coulter, order a car.”
    Stephanie couldn’t believe it. The man was a slave driver. Reaching for the phone, she contacted the desk and asked that they have a car available. “How soon do you want it?” she asked, holding the receiver to her breast.
    “Immediately.”
    She glared angrily at him. Not everyone was accustomed to his pace. She was tired, hungry, and not in the most congenial mood.
    “Will you be requiring my services?” She didn’t bother to hide the resentment in her voice.
    “Naturally, I’ll need you to translate for me.”
    “Do you mind if I eat something first?” she asked as she reached for her shoes.
    “Yes, I would.”
    Her gaze narrowed with frustration. “What is it with you? Maybe you can work all hours of the night and day, but others have limitations.”
    His mouth thinned, revealing his irritation; he picked up his cane. “Then stay.”
    As much as she would have liked to do exactly that, Stephanie couldn’t. Reluctantly she followed him. “Miss Coulter—” she mimicked his low voice sarcastically “—you’ve done a wonderful job today. Let me express my deepest appreciation. You deserve a break.” She paused to eye him. The stone mask was locked tightly in place. “Why, thank you, Mr. Lockwood. Everyone needs a few words of encouragement now and then, and you seem to know just when I need them most. It’s been a long grueling day, but those few words of appreciation seem to have made everything worthwhile.”
    “Are you through, Miss Coulter?” he asked sharply as they stepped into the elevator.
    “Quite through.” Her back was stiff and straight as they descended. She was tired, her feet ached, and she was hungry. For the last eleven hours, she’d been at his beck and call. What more could he possibly expect from her now? Apparently she was soon to discover