Read Online Yesterday's Bride by Susan Tracy - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Susan Tracy
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down the street, they came to a drugstore, and knowing that Jody was anxious to spend her nickles and dimes, Leigh ushered her inside. There Jody found a whole shelf full of items in her price range. With careful deliberation, she chose a tiny rubber baby doll in a wicker carriage, a string of orange plastic beads and a grape lollipop. Leigh, in order to be prepared for rainy days, bought some crayons, coloring books and water paints after she had helped Jody pay for her purchases.
According to Jason's directions, his building was several blocks away, down streets, Leigh found, that had character, where the old rubbed elbows with the new. She especially liked the red brick Victorian buildings they passed, with their elaborate false fronts that made them seem taller than they actually were.
Jody got tired before they reached their destination, so Leigh transferred the two small parcels to one hand and swung the child up on her hip until they reached a small park. There they bought lemonade and a bag of peanuts from a vendor and sat on an empty park bench to rest and feed the pigeons that hovered nearby. They didn't linger long, however, because Jason had made it plain that he was busy.
The address to which he had directed them proved to be an imposing modern structure of glass and brick that blended in well with its surroundings. Letters cut into the stone above the entryway proclaimed it to be the Randall Building. Leigh was slightly shocked. She had had no idea that Jason owned an entire building.
His office was on the top floor, the reception area a wide expanse of champagne-colored carpeting that stretched to a wall of glass. Somewhat intimidated by the grandeur, Jody crept behind Leigh while retaining a tight hold on her hand.
"May I help you?" inquired a cool voice.
A woman of exceptional beauty sat behind the desk, her jet black hair pulled severely back to reveal perfect features in a creamy magnolia complexion.
Leigh's hand went up to smooth her own hair, and then to brush at her dress. She knew she was rumpled from carrying Jody about.
"I'd like to see Mr. Randall, please."
The woman nodded and lifted a perfectly arched brow. "Did you have an appointment?"
"No, er…" Before Leigh could explain, the woman spotted Jody, who was peering around from behind Leigh.
"Why Jody, darling," she said, rising from her chair. The cool tones became a shade warmer. "What are you doing here?"
Suddenly the woman was looking directly at Leigh, her blue eyes narrowing. "You must be the new Mrs. Randall." She extended her hand. "I'm Paula Knight, Jason's secretary."
Leigh shook hands, painfully conscious of her own dishevelment under the scrutiny of this perfectly groomed woman.
"I'll tell Jason you're here. He's been overloaded this morning, so it may be a few minutes. Why don't you and Jody wait over there." She directed them to a grouping of black leather chairs at the side of the room and disappeared through heavy double doors.
Before Jody had time to bounce more than twice on the soft leather seat, the woman was back.
"Jason will be out as soon as he finishes a telephone call. In the meantime, may I get you some coffee?" she offered politely.
At Leigh's refusal, she hesitated a moment and then gracefully leaned against the arm of one of the chairs, carefully arranging the folds of her deep pink skirt.
"May I offer my, ah, congratulations, Mrs. Randall," she said in a careful way that had Leigh wondering if her slight breach of good manners had been deliberate, for she had congratulated Leigh rather than extending her good wishes.
"The wedding was rather sudden, wasn't it?"
Leigh took a deep breath. "No," she answered calmly. "Jason and I have known each other for quite some time."
"I see." Paula Knight was studying Leigh closely, assessing the direct look in her clear gray eyes, the sweet mouth, the seeming fragility of her slender figure.
"I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long," said Jason in a
According to Jason's directions, his building was several blocks away, down streets, Leigh found, that had character, where the old rubbed elbows with the new. She especially liked the red brick Victorian buildings they passed, with their elaborate false fronts that made them seem taller than they actually were.
Jody got tired before they reached their destination, so Leigh transferred the two small parcels to one hand and swung the child up on her hip until they reached a small park. There they bought lemonade and a bag of peanuts from a vendor and sat on an empty park bench to rest and feed the pigeons that hovered nearby. They didn't linger long, however, because Jason had made it plain that he was busy.
The address to which he had directed them proved to be an imposing modern structure of glass and brick that blended in well with its surroundings. Letters cut into the stone above the entryway proclaimed it to be the Randall Building. Leigh was slightly shocked. She had had no idea that Jason owned an entire building.
His office was on the top floor, the reception area a wide expanse of champagne-colored carpeting that stretched to a wall of glass. Somewhat intimidated by the grandeur, Jody crept behind Leigh while retaining a tight hold on her hand.
"May I help you?" inquired a cool voice.
A woman of exceptional beauty sat behind the desk, her jet black hair pulled severely back to reveal perfect features in a creamy magnolia complexion.
Leigh's hand went up to smooth her own hair, and then to brush at her dress. She knew she was rumpled from carrying Jody about.
"I'd like to see Mr. Randall, please."
The woman nodded and lifted a perfectly arched brow. "Did you have an appointment?"
"No, er…" Before Leigh could explain, the woman spotted Jody, who was peering around from behind Leigh.
"Why Jody, darling," she said, rising from her chair. The cool tones became a shade warmer. "What are you doing here?"
Suddenly the woman was looking directly at Leigh, her blue eyes narrowing. "You must be the new Mrs. Randall." She extended her hand. "I'm Paula Knight, Jason's secretary."
Leigh shook hands, painfully conscious of her own dishevelment under the scrutiny of this perfectly groomed woman.
"I'll tell Jason you're here. He's been overloaded this morning, so it may be a few minutes. Why don't you and Jody wait over there." She directed them to a grouping of black leather chairs at the side of the room and disappeared through heavy double doors.
Before Jody had time to bounce more than twice on the soft leather seat, the woman was back.
"Jason will be out as soon as he finishes a telephone call. In the meantime, may I get you some coffee?" she offered politely.
At Leigh's refusal, she hesitated a moment and then gracefully leaned against the arm of one of the chairs, carefully arranging the folds of her deep pink skirt.
"May I offer my, ah, congratulations, Mrs. Randall," she said in a careful way that had Leigh wondering if her slight breach of good manners had been deliberate, for she had congratulated Leigh rather than extending her good wishes.
"The wedding was rather sudden, wasn't it?"
Leigh took a deep breath. "No," she answered calmly. "Jason and I have known each other for quite some time."
"I see." Paula Knight was studying Leigh closely, assessing the direct look in her clear gray eyes, the sweet mouth, the seeming fragility of her slender figure.
"I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long," said Jason in a
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