Ready for Marriage. Debbie Macomber

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СКАЧАТЬ hello, Evan,” Mary Jo said awkwardly.

      Jessica’s gaze pleaded with her to believe she hadn’t arranged this accidental meeting.

      Andy let out a piercing cry, and Mary Jo decided the toddler had the worst sense of timing of any baby she’d ever known.

      Jessica excused herself, and Mary Jo was left standing next to the dishwasher, wishing she were anyplace else in the world.

      “What are you doing here?” he demanded the minute Jessica was out of earshot.

      “You showed up at my family’s home. Why is it so shocking that I’m at your brother’s house?”

      “I was invited,” he reminded her fiercely.

      “So was I.”

      He looked for a moment as if he didn’t believe her. “Fine. I suppose you and Jessica have decided to become bosom buddies. That sounds like something you’d do.”

      Mary Jo didn’t have a response to such a patently unfair remark.

      “As it happens,” Evan said in a clear effort to put his anger behind him, “I was meaning to call you this afternoon, anyway.”

      “About my parents’ case?” she asked anxiously.

      “I’ve talked with my colleague about Adison Investments, and it looks as if it’ll involve some lengthy litigation.”

      Mary Jo leaned against the kitchen counter. “Lengthy is another word for expensive, right?”

      “I was prepared to discuss my fee with you at the same time,” he continued in a businesslike tone.

      “All right,” she said, tensing.

      “I can’t see this costing anything less than six or seven thousand.”

      She couldn’t help a sharp intake of breath. That amount of money was a fortune to her parents. To her, too.

      “It could go even higher.”

      Which was another way of saying he wasn’t willing to handle the case. Mary Jo felt the sudden need to sit down. She walked over to the table, pulled out a chair and plunked herself down.

      “I’d be willing to do what I can, but—”

      “Don’t lie to me, Evan,” she said, fighting back her hurt and frustration. She’d come to him because he had the clout and the influence to help her family. Because he was a damn good attorney. Because she’d trusted him to be honest and ethical.

      “I’m not lying.”

      “Six or seven thousand dollars is far beyond what my parents or I can afford. That may not be a lot of money to you or your family, but there’s no way we could hope to raise that much in a short amount of time.”

      “I’m willing to take payments.”

      How very generous of him, she mused sarcastically.

      “There might be another way,” he said.

      “What?”

      “If you agree, of course.”

      Mary Jo wasn’t sure she liked the sound of this.

      “A summer job. You’re out of school, aren’t you?”

      She nodded.

      “My secretary, Mrs. Sterling, is taking an extended European vacation this summer. I’d intended to hire a replacement, but as I recall your typing and dictation skills are excellent.”

      “My typing skills are minimal and I never took shorthand.”

      He grinned as if that didn’t matter. Obviously, what did matter was making her miserable for the next two months.

      “But you’re a fast learner. Am I right or wrong?” he pressed.

      “Well…I do pick up things up fairly easily.”

      “That’s what I thought.” He spread out his hands.

      “Now, do you want the job or not?”

      CHAPTER FOUR

      “MR . DRYDEN’S a real pleasure to work for. I’m sure you won’t have any problems,” Mrs. Sterling said, looking absolutely delighted that Mary Jo would be substituting for her. “Evan’s not the least bit demanding, and I can’t think of even one time when he’s been unreasonable.”

      Mary Jo suspected that might not be the case with her.

      “I could have retired with my husband, but I enjoy my job so much I decided to stay on,” Mrs. Sterling continued. “I couldn’t bear leaving that young man. In some ways, I think of Evan as my own son.”

      “I’m sure he reciprocates your feelings,” Mary Jo said politely. She didn’t know how much longer she could endure listening to this list of Evan’s finer qualities. Not that she doubted they were true. For Mrs. Sterling.

      Thus far, Evan had embarrassed her in front of her family and blackmailed her into working for him. She had a problem picturing him as Prince Charming to her Cinderella. As for his being a “real pleasure” to work for, Mary Jo entertained some serious reservations.

      “I’m glad you’ve got the opportunity to travel with your husband,” Mary Jo added.

      “That’s another thing,” Evan’s secretary gushed.

      “What boss would be willing to let his secretary go for two whole months like this? It’s a terrible inconvenience to him. Nevertheless, Mr. Dryden encouraged me to take this trip with Dennis. Why, he insisted I go. I promise you, they don’t come any better than Mr. Dryden. You’re going to thoroughly enjoy your summer.”

      Mary Jo’s smile was weak at best.

      Evan wanted her under his thumb, and much as she disliked giving in to the pressure, she had no choice. Six or seven thousand dollars would financially cripple her parents. Evan knew that. He was also well aware that her brothers weren’t in any position to help.

      With the slump in the economy, new construction starts had been way down. Jack, Rich and Lonny had collected unemployment benefits most of the winter and were just scraping by now. Bill and Mark’s automotive business was barely on its feet.

      She was the one who’d gone to Evan for help, and she was the one who’d accepted the financial responsibility. When she’d told her parents she’d be working for Evan, they were both delighted. Her mother seemed to think it was the perfect solution. Whether Evan had planned it this way or not, his employing her had helped smooth her father’s ruffled feathers about Evan’s fee. Apparently, letting her pick up any out-of-pocket expenses was unacceptable to Norman Summerhill, but an exchange of services, so to speak, was fine.

      Evan, who could do no wrong as far as her parents were concerned, came out of this smelling СКАЧАТЬ