Read Online Amazing Love by Mae Nunn - Free Book Online

of stills and video depending on the opportunity, not to mention a producer to direct the shots. It seemed Today’s Times left nothing to chance, even taping clips for their cable news show as the situation allowed.
    A pro before an audience, Claire made easy work of waiting on customers, giving the shop tour and explaining the unique design behind the Southern Savage while O’Malley and two photographers followed her every move.
    As she had a thousand times during her publiclife, she wondered if the man who had soiled her childhood would be among those who’d see her pictures. The thought made her flesh crawl, but at least she didn’t fear he’d do anything to reveal her shame. He’d been silent for well over a decade, and she knew the coward would remain that way for a lifetime.
    â€œI have to ’fess up to something,” Claire confided once she and Art were settled alone in her office for the interview. “I haven’t read the ‘Out of the Spotlight’ feature in several years. When that Olympic triathlete who’d spent most of his life in and out of rehab hospitals was exposed, I decided those stories weren’t for me.”
    Art accepted the soft drink she offered him, settled it on the table beside his chair and uncapped a gold monogrammed pen.
    â€œThen why did you agree to do this?”
    She glanced down, politely cleared her throat behind her hand and finally met his eyes.
    â€œMoney.” She was blunt.
    â€œAhh, the great motivator.” He nodded.
    â€œI investigated the cost of national advertising. There was no way I could afford the campaign I wanted to do. I’ve sunk most of my budget into newspaper marketing and the rest is earmarked for the Sturgis bike rally.”
    â€œSo my arrival two days ago was actually a good thing.” He held his soda aloft in a salute.
    She raised her drink and prayed the sinking feeling in her stomach wasn’t an omen she’d live to regret.
    The afternoon passed smoothly as Claire shared her journey from teen titles to graduate school to entrepreneurship. She lightly skimmed over her trip to the Miss America finals but took time to dispel the common myth that behind every beauty queen is a stage-struck mama. Mary Savage had been anything but a pushy woman living vicariously through her child. Together they’d strategically selected and prepared for each competition with Claire’s educational goals uppermost in mind. Yes, it had been a life of sacrifice and discipline, but the end justified the means.
    The intercom on her desk beeped to signal Justin was transferring an important call. Art glanced down and discretely reviewed his notes as Claire took a moment to confirm her special-order parts would be shipped by overnight express.
    â€œI’m sorry for the interruption,” she apologized. “But I’ve been holding my breath for that information. We took a chance on an independent parts distributor. He’s had trouble delivering our order and I refuse to use a foreign vendor.”
    â€œTell me more about your American-only policy?”
    Claire warmed to the subject of American-made products, something she’d focused on during her months in graduate school.
    â€œI take it you won’t have any objection to Today’s Times using your position on this subject as a central theme in the article.”
    â€œNot as long as that theme is flanked by an opening and closing mention of the Southern Savage’s unveiling in Sturgis.” She emphasized her priority hoping her opinion mattered. Claire realized her drive to see her project succeed could be the closest she’d ever come to parental pride. She was determined to enjoy every baby step along the way.
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    â€œMiss Claire’s in the parking lot and there’s a camera crew with her!” Zach shouted.
    Luke watched as the kid tossed his head, giving his dark curls that freshly mussed look the girls