This Time, Forever by Pamela Britton Read Free Book Online

figure off to advantage. It was black with a neckline that showed enough to snag a man’s interest, but not so much that it could be deemed unprofessional.
    â€œYou look nice,” he said.
    â€œThank you,” she said, looking around for Sharon, who obviously hadn’t arrived yet. “You look nice, too,” she added.
    He wore an off-white button-down shirt that turned his skin a honey brown. He had smile wrinkles near the corners of his eyes, she noticed, and a tiny scar on his forehead. Was it from the accident?
    â€œShould we go on in?” she asked, because whenever she thought of what he’d been through, her stomach twisted. No matter how much she’d tried to loathe him over the years, she’d never quite managed to pull it off. And so when she’d heard about the wreck, she’d been overcome by emotion. She wouldn’t wish something like that on her worst enemy.
    â€œI don’t see why not,” Linc said. “We can ask the maître d’ to show her to our table.”
    Perhaps they should wait, Marley found herself thinking, but Linc was already off arranging matters. She wouldn’t mind sitting down. She hated standing around making small talk. At least if they were seated, she could pretend to be interested in her menu.
    â€œOff we go,” Linc said when he returned a few moments later.
    What other scars did he live with? she wondered. Besides the limp and his inability to sit in a passenger seat? But then she caught a glimpse of the room they were entering and she almost drew up short.
    â€œWow,” Marley said as they were shown to their table. A number of heads turned as they crossed along the lush carpet, but Marley wasn’t certain if that was because of Linc’s good looks, or because he was instantly recognizable to NASCAR fans.
    â€œThis looks great,” Linc said, taking a seat opposite her.
    â€œIt does,” Marley echoed, instantly using the huge menu to shield her face. But as it turned out, they didn’t have long to wait.
    â€œDon’t you just love this place?” Sharon announced as she approached.
    Marley heard Linc say, “It’s beautiful, Sharon. And the food smells scrumptious.”
    â€œWell, you better order champagne to go with your meal because I have some terrific news.”
    And Marley’s heart stopped. She set her menu down.
    â€œLinc,” Sharon said after she took her seat and pulled closer to Linc. “I just got off the phone with ourchairman of the board. It’s unanimous. Shelter Home Improvement has agreed to a two-year sponsorship.”
    Marley felt her breath catch.
    But she wasn’t prepared for the emotion she saw in Linc’s eyes. There was such a profound look of gratitude—and relief—that Marley felt tears come to her eyes.
    â€œCongratulations,” Sharon said, having obviously spotted the same thing because she leaned in and squeezed his upper arm. Her nails were painted bright red, Marley suddenly noticed.
    â€œThank you,” Linc said.
    When the champagne came, they lifted their glasses, clinking them and making the crystal ring.
    â€œTo a long and successful business venture,” Marley said.
    â€œI’ll drink to that,” Linc said.
    Perhaps it was relief. Perhaps it was how horribly she struggled with keeping her emotions in check, but for whatever reason, she found herself drinking a bit more than usual. She was pretty fuzzy-headed by the time they finished dinner. That was unusual for her because she never, ever drank during business dinners. It was unprofessional.
    â€œI think I should probably have some water,” Marley said when Sharon tried to pour her another glass.
    â€œDon’t be silly,” she said. “Let’s drink this down,” but she had eyes only for Linc.
    â€œActually, I think I’m going to retire for the evening. We have to head back to town early tomorrow morning and so I think I