One Touch of Moondust by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online Page A

business.”
    Curious about her unemotional tone and the flat, empty look in her eyes, he said, “Why do you do it?”
    â€œI trained for it. It’s what I do. You hammer and paint. I sell stocks and bonds.”
    â€œWhy?”
    She ignored the question as they were finally led to a table. As soon as she was seated, she buried her face behind the menu. It didn’t take a genius to figure out she was avoiding the question. As soon as their orders had been taken, Paul persisted. “Why, Gaby? What is it about the stock market that turns you on? Is it the money, the power, the risks? What?”
    Her gaze narrowed defensively. “You sound as though you disapprove of making money.”
    â€œHey, what’s to disapprove of? Money’s great and it’s none of my business what you do with your life. I just see a woman who’s existing on nervous energy, who can’t sleep at night, who’s living in an apartment she considers to be not much better than a slum—”
    â€œI never said that.”
    â€œIt’s in your eyes, sweetheart. They’re thewindows to the soul, remember. They’ll give you away every time.”
    She immediately looked chagrined. Rudeness apparently was inconceivable to someone of her unfailingly polite Southern upbringing. Every time she crossed the boundaries of what she considered polite conversation, she looked guilty. And apologized.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said, right on cue.
    â€œHell, you don’t have to be sorry on my account. I like where I am. I like who I am. What about you? What does it take to make you happy, Gabrielle Clayton?”
    â€œSuccess,” she said instantly, but that trace of uncertainty was back in her eyes.
    â€œHow do you measure success? By the number of shares of stock you’ve sold? By the size of the portfolios you handle? By the take-overs you’ve manipulated? When you played Monopoly, were you only happy when you’d bought up all the real estate?”
    She looked uncomfortable with the question. “I wanted to win, if that’s what you’re asking. Don’t you?”
    â€œSure, but I only compete with myself. I don’t have to conquer the world.”
    â€œWe’re all entitled to different goals.”
    â€œDon’t patronize me, Gaby.”
    She flushed guiltily again. “That’s not what I was doing.”
    â€œWasn’t it? I’m sure you think it’s just terrific that I’m content when the paint goes on smoothly. Isn’t it nice that Paul can be happy with so little?” When she started to deny it, he shook his head. “Those eyes again, sweetheart. They say it all.”
    â€œAnd what about your eyes?” she snapped back. “You’ve jumped to a few conclusions about me, too. Rich. Spoiled. What else, Paul? What labels did you stick on me at first sight?”
    He slumped back in the booth and grinned ruefully. “Touché. Maybe we ought to start all over again without any preconceptions.”
    â€œWhy?” she asked softly. “In a few weeks I’ll be out of your life. What we think of each other won’t matter at all.”
    â€œAre you so sure of that?” he responded just as quietly, not sure why he was so quick to defend the possibility of a future for them.
    He saw the heat rise in her cheeks, caught yet another glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes. “Never mind. We’ve gotten entirely too heavyfor an outing that was meant to relax you. Let’s play hooky for the rest of the day and just have some fun.”
    â€œBut the apartment, all those boxes, you promised to get the medicine chest and the towel rack…”
    He heard the token resistance in her voice, saw the wavering resolve in her eyes and wondered how long it had been since she had allowed herself the simple pleasure of an afternoon off.
    â€œTomorrow will be soon enough, Gaby.”
    A spark of