Read Online Love Songs by Barbara Delinsky - Free Book Online Page B

WallMar, which had earned its reputation as a quality company with a number of paper products. Making notes to herself as Brian spoke, she offered her spontaneous advice, with promises of more specific information later in the day.
    After the trio’s departure she helped herself to a cup of coffee from the department supply, then returned to her office, shut her door and spent twenty minutes studying the proposal from her next three visitors, who arrived promptly. They were scientists, men with whom she had already met on three separate occasions. The project they presented was risky, but did have the potential, in her eyes, of developing into a lucrative venture for WallMar Enterprises. Alanna eagerly briefed Jake Wallace on the meeting as soon as the scientists had departed.
    “It’s a fascinating proposition, Jake,” she began, taking a seat close by his own desk chair. Her folders were on his desk; as she needed papers from one or the other she reached easily for them. “We’ve never ventured into this particular field before.”
    Jake Wallace stroked his clean-shaven jaw. “Umm. Biotechnics. Sounds very complex. Do you understand it?”
    “Yes. It’s really very simple. These men want to be able to apply modern biological techniques to make highly accurate tests for diagnosing various diseases. What interests us, obviously, is that they need our money. The total amount we’re talking about is roughly one percent of our assets, so our risk is a reasonable one. With this money they can put together and—with our help—produce and market kits for diagnosis.”
    Jake nodded, listening intently as he skimmed the page of figures Alanna had placed before him. His ability to listen and read simultaneously always amazed her, yet he did both well. It was as though his mind was able to soak up information much faster than most; Alanna admired and envied the talent.
    She sat back silently as he read the rest of the information she had compiled. When he lifted his head he smiled and she knew she had cleared the first hurdle. “Think you have another winner, Alanna?” The twinkle in his eye hinted at a touch of paternal pride.
    “I think we’ve got another one, Jake. I haven’t steered you too far wrong yet, have I?”
    “Since you’ve joined us, my dear, you’ve had miraculous success. If it hadn’t been for that small matter of desktop computers—”
    Alanna grinned, sensing his teasing. “I’ll never live that down, will I?”
    “Well, blast it, girl, you keep doing everything else right. It’s only fair that you make a mistake or two—and that we can know that we’re not the only ones who make them. You do know,” he sobered abruptly as his train of thought shifted, “that the board meeting is coming up next week? I’m proposing you for Executive Vice-President.”
    “Executive Vice-President?” Alanna’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Jake, isn’t that a little too much?”
    Jake Wallace let loose one of his famous guffaws. “You’re the only one in this corporation who would question her own promotion, and there’s no one who would deserve it more.”
    “I don’t know.…”
    “What don’t you know? Jim Callahan is retiring and you’ve already been doing most of his work for the past few months.”
    “I know.…” She stood to walk around the room. It was ironic; when she should be thoroughly pleased she had reservations. Jake was, fortunately, someone to whom she could talk freely. If the promotion did come through she would present a face of total confidence to the company. Now, however, if there were matters to discuss, she could consider both the pro and the con.
    “This is awfully close on the heels of my move to Vice-President for Development. Don’t you think so, Jake?” She turned to face him.
    “That was over a year and a half ago,” he reasoned gently. “You earned the position then; now you’ve earned a chance at this new one.” He studied her closely. “What is it