Read Online The Tycoon's Perfect Match by Christine Wenger - Free Book Online Page A

fascination, wondering if she had the skill to paint it onto one of her pieces.
    Quietly, she walked onto the porch, found somepaper and sketched the bird, getting the result she wanted with her fifth attempt.
    Excited, she decided to make a couple of dishes on the wheel. She’d paint the heron on a flat surface first.
    Just as she picked up a bag of clay, she heard a car coming down the road.
    It had to be Brian coming to fix the window.
    Her heart raced. Then she felt torn. She had to admit that she liked his company, yet it was a perfect day to be alone, to lose herself in her art.
    But he’d said that he wouldn’t be long. She went to the porch door and waited for him.
    Wearing a perfectly tailored suit, he went into the boathouse and came out carrying a ladder. Wasn’t he going to change?
    â€œGood morning,” she said, opening the porch door.
    He grinned. “Foggy morning, you mean. Too bad you’re not getting some sun today.”
    â€œI love it.” She took a deep breath. “Doesn’t it smell good?”
    He imitated her intake of breath. “It smells like fish.”
    â€œThere you go again.” She shook her head. “It does not smell like fish. It smells like…the lake.”
    â€œAnd where do fish live?” He raised an eyebrow. “I rest my case.”
    â€œYou are impossible.” In spite of his comments, she had to grin. “Are you going to fix the shutter looking like you’re going to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange?”
    â€œI didn’t bring extra clothes, and I have some calls to make at the garage today. Later, I’m closing a deal for Jack in Lake George, where I’m going to wrap up another deal on a rare 1908 Tulip Cadillac for Melanie this afternoon in Glens Falls.”
    â€œWhat are Melanie and Jack doing this fabulous misty morning, that you have to pinch hit?”
    â€œJack is flying to Talladega to hang out with some racing friends. Melanie is speaking to Kyle’s class this afternoon about what she does as an antique car restorer. Apparently, it’s Career Day for second-graders. That leaves me to pick up the slack.” He shrugged.
    â€œDo you always pick up the slack?”
    â€œOf course. They’re my family.”
    It seemed like they stared at each other for minutes, hours. Then Brian turned away.
    â€œWell,” he said. “I’d better fix the shutter and get out of your hair.”
    â€œWould you like some coffee?”
    â€œI’d love some if it wouldn’t be any trouble.”
    â€œNo trouble. It’s all ready.” She looked down at his perfectly polished dress shoes. “I hate to be a mother hen, but those don’t look like the best shoes for walking on a roof. Won’t you slip? It’s pretty damp up there.”
    â€œI’ll be careful.” He took off his suit coat and handed it to her.
    Men. Could they be any more hardheaded?
    He began to climb the ladder in business attire—burgundy tie, pressed white shirt with a “BH” monogram on the pocket. Only Brian would have a monogrammed shirt.
    Mari went inside and poured him a cup of coffee and refilled her own. She put milk in a creamer, refilled the sugar bowl and put it all on a tray she’d found in a cupboard. Then she put some cookies she’d bought at Clancy’s on another plate.
    She heard footsteps on the roof. Brian must be okay still.
    Grabbing a roll of paper towels, she carried the tray to the patio and wiped down the furniture so his expensive suit wouldn’t get wet.
    Brian walked toward her, ladder in hand.
    â€œAll set.” He set the ladder down and took a seat next to her.
    She set down a mug of steaming coffee in frontof him and pushed the tray toward him so he could fix it the way he wanted.
    They sat in uneasy silence for a while, then Mari turned toward him. “Can I ask you something?”
    â€œFire