The Marrying Kind Read online

  “No, just three brothers. But I expect to be informed of another one on the way at any time.” John looked at her. “You don’t have any siblings?”

  “No. I was a mistake they didn’t want to repeat,” she said, and then regretted her words. “Forget I said that. Now, you want to put a million dollars in my hands to invest?”

  “Yes. I think you’ll do a great job for me.”

  “I need to know what you expect. I can’t promise gains by leaps and bounds, but I can guarantee growth. Is that what you’re looking for?”

  “Of course. I simply want to put that much money aside so I’ll never go broke. It’s a safeguard.”

  “Where is the money now?”

  “It’s in an account.”

  Diane stared at him, a slight frown on her face. Something didn’t seem right. “Have you made investments before?”

  “Yes, several times, but I’ve lost money, too. I think it’s better for a professional to handle my investments instead of me trying to do that as well as handle my business projects.”

  While Diane couldn’t argue with that logic, she proceeded with caution. “We’ll need to discuss the kind of investments you have an interest in,” she said slowly.

  John nodded and flashed her a wide smile. “But first, why don’t we order some drinks?”

  After the waiter took their requests, Diane hesitated returning to the subject of John’s investments. She’d been in the business long enough to develop a sixth sense about a potential client.

  This time that sense was telling her to run as far and as fast as she could.

  JOHN WAS AMAZED at how much trouble he’d gone to to convince Diane they should… Should what? Become business partners? Friends? Lovers?

  Yeah, that was what he wanted. Even though she wasn’t a beauty at first glance, not playing up her natural assets, the longer he knew her, the more beautiful she became.

  He wanted to take out the pins holding back her long blond hair, and run his hands through it. He wanted to hold her against him, to feel her breathe, to kiss her just below her ear. To inhale her subtle scent. He wasn’t sure why she appealed to him so much. Maybe it was because she wasn’t chasing him. In fact, she seemed downright elusive.

  That remark she’d made about her parents made him eager to question her about her childhood. The two of them might have a lot in common.

  Throughout the evening he watched her carefully. Her every move was so graceful, nearly poetic. He wondered why she was alone.

  That thought stopped him. Was she alone? There could be a man in her life. What would John do if there was?

  At a pause in the conversation, he asked her, “Should we have invited your, uh, significant other?”

  She lowered her eyes. “No, that’s not necessary.”

  “Because there isn’t anyone?” he pressed.

  Her eyes speared him with a sharp look. “Because it has nothing to do with our conversation!”

  Mark immediately intervened. “No, of course not. This is a business dinner. It’s a chance to discuss your investment strategy with the professional you’re giving the opportunity to handle your money.”

  “Of course,” John agreed. He knew Diane wasn’t going to make it a social situation. He was beginning to wonder if she even had a social life.

  Abruptly, he said, “Do you snow ski, Diane?”

  She stared at him. “In Texas? I don’t think that ever happens.”

  “But Colorado’s not that far away. Maybe you go there on vacation?”

  “No, I haven’t tried skiing.”

  “I go several times a year.”

  “We went last year and took the kids,” Mark interjected. “We hired a high school student to come help with them.”

  “That was my idea,” Elizabeth pointed out. “I didn’t want to stay in the room and take care of the kids while Mark went skiing every day.”

  “Yeah. Sometimes I forget children require so much work, but Elizabeth reminds me by going off shopping on a Saturday. By the time she gets home, I’m desperate to get out of there,” Mark assured them.

  “Elizabeth is a great mother. Not every woman is. My father seems to have a talent of picking wives without that quality.”

  “You think it’s something a woman is born with?” Diane asked.

  “Oh, yeah. And pity the poor kids who have the wrong mother.” John grinned at her.

  “I don’t agree,” Elizabeth said. “I had to learn to be a good mother. I had friends who helped me, and my mom. She taught me a lot.”

  “I agree,” Diane said. “They even offer parenting classes for those who doubt their abilities.”

  John seemed unconvinced. “Yeah, but you have to be interested in learning. My stepmothers only wanted a child to ensure that they got more money when the divorce came along.”

  “You’re assuming they went into the marriage knowing it would end in divorce,” Diane commented.

  “Honey, my dad’s famous for his marital problems. He chooses a woman by her beauty. He keeps her until she turns into a wife and bugs him about things he doesn’t want to do. That’s when he discovers she’s not the woman for him. By that time, a baby has come along, and the alimony and child support payments soon follow.”

  “That’s a very cynical outlook, John,” Diane protested.

  “I’ll have to introduce you to my father. Then you’ll understand.”

  Annoyed, she turned to Elizabeth, looking for some safer conversation. “How old are your kids now?”

  “One and a half, four and six.”

  “They must require a lot of energy,” Diane guessed. “My friend Jennifer Carpenter—now Jennifer Barry—adopted three little girls close to those ages.”

  “Three at once?” Elizabeth asked, her voice rising. “How brave of her!”

  “Yes, but they’re so sweet. The three are sisters who were split up when their parents died. They’re so glad to be back together now.”

  “Oh, yes, that’s wonderful,” Elizabeth said, tearing up just a little. “I can’t imagine my children being separated.”

  Mark reached for his wife’s hand. “That won’t happen, honey. Remember, your sister and her husband said they’d take care of our kids if anything happens to us.”

  Diane watched the tender way Mark looked at his wife, and it made her heart ache. What would it be like to have someone who understood, who cared, who prepared for the future?

  Elizabeth straightened her spine. “I’m sorry, Diane. Sometimes I worry.”

  “No need to apologize!” she exclaimed. “I found myself tearing up over my neighbor’s little girls. I’m just glad they found such a great home.”

  John joined the conversation. “So Jennifer is a good mother?”

  “Yes. She wasn’t sure she would be, so she took a parenting class. But she’s doing fine.”

  Mark looked at John. “You sound like you know her?”

  “I know about her. My father wanted to set me up with her.”

  “She sounds like a catch,” Mark said. “Why’d you refuse?”

  “Actually, I didn’t. I was too late. That’s how I met Diane.”

  “Yes,” Diane hurried to add. “And it was a mistake.”

  John turned to her, a smile dancing on his lips. “But not one I regret.”

  Chapter Three

  How could she be alone with him?

  The dilemma had kept Diane awake all night, and still plagued her this morning. She couldn’t walk away from a million-dollar investor, yet she couldn’t honestly accept John’s invitation to lunch.

  Last night, after his incendiary comment at dinner, he’d kept the conversation light and general—till he leaned in close to invite her to discuss his “portfolio” at lunch tomorrow. From the rumbling sound of his voice, she wondered what he really had in mind.

  Maybe she’d invite Mark to join them. He’d be the perfect buffer to keep them on a strictly professional basis.

  After she worked up some prelim
inary projections for John’s investment, she called her coworker and made the offer. “I think John would be more at ease with another man there,” she added, hoping that would seal the deal.

  But Mark didn’t fall for it. “I don’t think so, Diane. I got the idea he was determined to take you to lunch alone. He certainly didn’t mention inviting me when we were together last night.”

  “He probably thought I would object, but I wouldn’t, Mark. I promise.” She fought to keep the desperation out of her voice.

  “What’s up with you two, anyway?”

  Diane froze. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I mean…well, why is he so determined to be with you, while you’re so reluctant?”

  “It’s business, Mark, that’s all.”

  “Well, I’m free for lunch, but you need to ask John if he wants me to come. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll know I was right.”

  “Fine,” she conceded. “But I’m sure he’ll change his mind.” Then she hung up the phone.

  “About what?” John asked, leaning against the open door to her office.

  Diane gasped. Then she took a deep breath and said calmly, “Hi, John. You’re a little early. I didn’t expect you until noon.” Since it was only eleven-thirty, he was actually a lot early.

  “Were you talking about me?”

  “Yes, I called Mark to see if he wanted to come with us.”

  John raised one eyebrow as she watched in fascination. “What did he say?”

  “He said he didn’t think you wanted him along.”

  “Smart man. Are you ready to go? I thought we should beat the lunch crowd.”

  “John, I don’t mind if he comes, in case you don’t like eating alone with me,” Diane insisted.

  “But I want to eat alone with you. I don’t want Mark with us.”

  Just as she’d feared.

  “By the way, you look great in that color, whatever it is.”

  “Th-thank you.” The color was a rosy beige that no doubt paled in comparison to the blush on her cheeks now, thanks to his compliment. She’d deliberated over her choice of clothing for a long time that morning, finally settling on a black pinstripe suit and the pastel blouse she hardly ever wore.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, but—All right, we’ll go. I made a reservation for twelve o’clock.”

  “I know. I changed it to eleven-thirty.”

  Diane bent to get her purse, then stood. When she came around the desk, John took her hand.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, snatching her arm away.

  “I was holding your hand.”

  “I know, but I’m your banker, not…a woman.” As soon as she said it, she knew it had come out all wrong. “I mean, I bet you don’t hold Mark’s hand.”

  He grinned, that white-toothed, wolfish smile. “No, I’ve never swung that way, honey. I’m strictly a ladies’ man.” He ushered her out of her office, whispering to her back, “And just for the record, Diane, you’re all-woman.”

  HER CHEEKS STILL BURNED when they finally exited the building. She’d never been so grateful for fresh air.

  “My car’s right over there,” she said, pointing to the left.

  “Nope, we’ll take mine,” John said. “I know I’m being arbitrary, but I prefer to drive.”

  After pausing a moment, she gave in. That was easy to do, and it would please him. She might have to be stronger on things that mattered, so she should store up some good credit in the meantime.

  When they reached the restaurant, the maître d’ greeted them both by name. “I have your table ready. Right this way.”

  He led them to the most secluded table in the restaurant. Diane supposed it would be good for private business talk, but she didn’t like feeling so isolated with John.

  When they’d placed their orders, she launched right into business. “Now, I’ve laid out a plan—”

  “Good. But I want to ask you something.”

  “Yes, of course,” she agreed, thinking he wanted to ask about her philosophy in investing.

  “Why did you say your parents considered you to be a mistake? Surely they don’t think so now.”

  Diane just stared at him, aghast. She couldn’t believe he’d asked such a personal question. No way would she answer it. Instead she began outlining her investment plans.

  “Wait. You didn’t answer my question.”

  “John, we’re here to discuss investing.”

  “Look, I know about investing. I just don’t have time to do it myself. Invest half of it in quality stocks that will grow slowly. Invest a quarter in strong stocks that might go up or down, and monitor them closely. And with the rest of it, try a few flyers. Now can we talk about you?”

  She blinked in surprise. “If you already knew what you wanted, why did we need to meet to discuss it?”

  “Because I wanted to get to know you.”

  “But—”

  “Isn’t a million enough? I don’t think I can pull out more right now, because I’m starting a new project, but—”

  “John, you don’t pay to get to know someone! That’s outrageous!”

  “But you seem resistant to the idea.”

  “But I’m not the kind of woman you like to date.”

  “I know, but I’ve gotten tired of those kind of women. Look, I asked about your parents because I think we may have something in common, that’s all. Is that so bad?”

  “No, of course not, but—” The conciliatory look on his face stopped her protest, softened her just enough. “Okay, you win. My parents are Alexander and Karen Black, quite famous archaeologists who teach at Southern Methodist University. They didn’t intend to have children. I was an accident. They’re very self-absorbed people. They hired someone to take care of me and, basically, abandoned me. I sometimes think I might’ve had a better life if they’d let someone adopt me when I was a baby.”

  “But aren’t they proud of what you’ve achieved?”

  She avoided John’s intense blue gaze. “I doubt they even know. They teach all year and travel all summer. I sometimes have Christmas dinner with them, unless they’re having too big a party. Then they don’t invite me.”

  John continued to stare at her. “That’s it? Once a year? They don’t call you?”

  “No.”

  “Doesn’t that hurt?”

  “It used to, but I’ve come to accept it.”

  “But that’s inhumane.”

  “No, they fed me and paid for someone to keep me safe. The nanny who stayed the longest…I keep in touch with her.”

  “How did you get through college?”

  “I got to go to SMU free because they were such widely respected professors there. They gave me a small allowance above that. So I did just fine.”

  “I think I’d like to punch them in the nose,” John snapped.

  She didn’t want to admit that his words meant anything to her, so she asked about his situation. “What about you? Where’s your mother?”

  “She died when I was four. Dad always says she was the love of his life, but I figure they would’ve divorced if she’d lived.”

  “You don’t believe in love?”

  “I can’t say no. I see people like Mark and Elizabeth and they appear to be in love, but my dad doesn’t seem to understand that. I certainly don’t intend to marry and bring children into the world.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “You intend to marry? After what you’ve been through?”

  “I don’t know. It depends. But I would like to have a child, to give my love to a child.”

  “Just think before you do that. It’s a total commitment.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Tell me what you like to do for fun.”

  “I…I—” Truthfully, she didn’t do much for fun. Lately there was only work. “Sometimes I read, watch television. I go to an occasional play if it sounds interesting, or the SMU guest series.”

  “How about th
e movies?”

  “No, I haven’t seen a movie in years. Most of them seem silly.”

  “A little silly now and then doesn’t hurt anything.”

  “I suppose you’re right. So you go to movies a lot?”

  “Yeah. I get to hold hands in the movies.” He sent her a mock leer.

  “You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?”

  “Well, you did get a little bent out of shape about that.”

  “How would it look if you were taking a woman out on a business luncheon and she insisted on holding your hand?”

  “Hmm, you’re right, that wouldn’t be appropriate. But if it was you, I wouldn’t say no.”

  The waiter delivered their meals, interrupting their conversation, which Diane felt was a good thing. She began eating, keeping her gaze on her plate.

  “Is your food good?” he asked.

  “Yes, of course, and yours?”

  “Perfect, just like my dining companion.”

  Her eyes shot up, to find him staring at her. “Are you flirting with me?” she demanded.

  “Of course I am. Did you just now realize it? I must’ve lost my touch!”

  “I don’t find that appropriate behavior at a business lunch.”

  “I think it depends on whom I’m having lunch with. I never flirt with Mark.”

  “Good.”

  “But I’ll always flirt with you.”

  “Why? Don’t you respect me?”

  “Absolutely, but I also want to sleep with you.”

  “You’re being ridiculous!”

  “Did I shock you?”

  “Yes. I’m not beautiful. You have all these beautiful women pursuing you. Why would you flirt with me?”

  “I’ll admit, at first it was because you rejected me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I suppose it was the shock of that happening.”

  He laughed. “Yeah. But then it was because you didn’t expect compliments or anything like that. You expected respect.”

  “And that was so odd? Surely—”

  “Most women I know would sell their soul for a rich man. In fact, they usually do. Those are the kind my father marries. I knew instinctively you wouldn’t do that.”