The Tycoon's Perfect Match by Christine Wenger Read Free Book Online Page A

she was about to pick up her reports that she’d laid on his desk, just as he did the same. Brian’s hand brushed against hers and lingered. It was warm and strong—just like him. She pulled away reluctantly.
    â€œCan I give you a ride to Mel’s?” Brian said.
    â€œThat’s not necessary. I can drive myself.”
    â€œLet me pick you up, Mari. Then you won’t have to worry about finding her house, and you can enjoy the ride.”
    â€œOkay,” she relented. “I’m looking forward to it. And I can’t wait to see her new baby, and everyone else for that matter.”
    But she had to admit to herself that it was Brian that she really couldn’t wait to see again.
    Outside, she stopped to watch the girls playing jump rope. She remembered being one of the best jumpers in Boston.
    â€œJump in,” said the girl whose turn it was next.
    Mari hesitated. “It’s been a long time.”
    â€œYou can do it. My mother does it.”
    Sheesh. “Okay.” Mari put her purse on the lawn. She couldn’t help but glance up and see Brian standing at the window. He gave her a thumbs-up.
    She grinned and shrugged. “Ready?” She watched the rope go round and round, and found herself swaying like she used to, waiting for the perfect opportunity to jump in. Then she was off. But the rope hit her foot.
    â€œTry it again, lady,” said the other rope twirler.
    She did, and this time she succeeded. She jumped in the middle of the rope and lost count of how many times. She turned around in the middle, and the girls went a little faster…then faster.
    She kept up, laughing, until she made the mistake of looking over at Brian. They locked gazes, and she lost her timing. She stumbled as the rope snagged the tip of her shoe, throwing her off balance. Catching herself, she could see that Brian had started toward her, obviously concerned that she might have been hurt.
    When he saw that she was okay, he waved and smiled.
    Breathing heavily, she thanked the girls, then turned again to Brian. He was clapping. She did a curtsy, picked up her purse and walked to the van, feeling happier than she had in a long time.

Chapter Five
    B rian pulled into the driveway behind Sherwood Lodge and saw Mari sitting on the patio, staring at the lake. Beside her was a plastic bin overflowing with brightly wrapped gifts.
    She turned and put a finger over her lips. He walked quietly over to her and sat down.
    â€œAren’t they cute?” she whispered, pointing at the beach.
    Six ducklings were huddled around their mother, taking a nap in the sun.
    He was so used to the cycle of life around thelake, he usually took it for granted. “Cute,” he agreed, looking at the mother and ducklings and seeing them through Mari’s eyes. “I think she could be the duck who dived at you. She must have been in a hurry to get back to the family.”
    â€œI thought she looked familiar.” Mari chuckled. “I could watch them all day, but we should probably get going.”
    As if on cue, the ducks woke up and waddled off toward the lake.
    Yet Mari didn’t make a move to leave.
    Brian noticed that, during her brief time here, Mari was looking better already. She seemed to have more energy, more color in her cheeks.
    â€œMari, why did you really come back to Hawk’s Lake?”
    She folded her hands in her lap. “I told you. I needed a vacation.”
    â€œBut what else? Did something happen in Boston? Are you okay?”
    â€œWell…” She looked down at her ring finger, then up at the sky, as if the answer was written there. “I’m okay.”
    He waited, but she didn’t elaborate. “Is there anything I can help with?”
    She sighed. “If anyone could understand, Brian,it’s you. You work in your family’s business, just like I do. You take care of the books at the garage and all, and—”
    He nodded.