her to sit and scan his computer files, not make small talk, which she’d never ever been able to comprehend.
‘Flat white for me and lemonade for Ken, thank you. I came in to take care of him while my wife and daughter saw a specialist, took a punt that Matt might be free. Ken has a game pad, and I have a magazine to read so we won’t be a bother.’
He reached for the satchel he’d placed on the floor and opened it.
It’s no trouble,’ she lied.
His expression said he didn’t believe her, and knew exactly how she was feeling. He’d be a formidable opponent in a boardroom. She turned away, heart hurting, stomach churning. Still the same tongue-tied girl she’d always been. Always would be.
Mr Ford was settled into a chair and Ken sitting cross-legged on the floor when she brought the drinks over. The boy was frowning as she put his on the low table.
‘Thank you. Granddad, the frog won’t jump.’
Without hesitation she dropped down alongside him.
‘Show me.’
He studied her with narrowed eyes, assessing if she could be trusted with his new favourite toy. He gingerly handed it over, shuffled closer and didn’t take his eyes off the screen as she read the game rules and started tapping.
* * *
Matt couldn’t remember breaking a mirror or running over a black cat but he sure as hell was raking in bad luck. At least there’d been some positives in his inspection of a new recommended site today.
Duncan Ford was a man reputed to be fair and honest in business, a trustworthy partner and an admirable opponent. A man he’d met on a number of occasions over the years, usually with his father. Lately through a business acquaintance and his own initiative.
If Lauren had managed to keep him happy, he’d have a chance to pitch his proposition in the near future. If he secured a deal with Duncan Ford on the development of a vacant factory, it would go a long way to solving the company’s present dilemma. Unfortunately ifs weren’t solid happenings.
He strode towards his office, his heart sinking. No sound, no voices. Until, as he reached the open door, he heard a triumphant ‘yes’ in a child’s tone.
The man he’d hoped to impress was sitting in one of the armchairs reading a magazine. Lauren and a young boy were kneeling by the coffee table, heads bent over a bright yellow pad.
‘Matt.’ Duncan stood, and came forward to shake hands. After putting the cardboard tube containing site plans on his desk and his satchel on the floor, Matt willingly complied.
‘I apologise for not being here, Duncan.’
‘Hey, it was an off chance. Lauren’s been the perfect hostess.’
Matt flashed a grateful smile in her direction. He’d thank her properly later. The daggers she sent back warned him he’d have to grovel, big time. To his surprise he found the prospect stimulating rather than daunting.
‘I got a call late yesterday to say this particular site goes on the market next month. I couldn’t refuse the chance to inspect it.’
‘We’ll schedule a meeting when you’ve finalised your proposal. My coming into town was unexpected and I should be hearing from my daughter any minute. Once she and young Ken are on their way home, I’d like you and Lauren to join my wife and me for lunch.’
‘Me?’
Matt’s head swung at the panic in Lauren’s voice. Exactly the same as earlier, yet, whatever her fears, she’d obviously impressed Duncan, which didn’t surprise him. She certainly fascinated him.
‘My treat for keeping Ken amused.’
‘Thank you but no. I have work to do and I’ve brought my lunch.’
Her agitation was clear in her voice, and, though she managed to keep her features calm, Matt saw the plea in her wide-open eyes. And that intangible niggle flicked in his memory, and was gone just as fast.
The gentleman in him leaned towards letting her off the hook. The desperate male striving to secure a solid future for the company and its employees won.
‘It’ll keep ’til tomorrow, Ms Taylor. Never refuse a chance to eat out in Adelaide.’
If she was about to protest, Ken forestalled her, patting her arm and holding up his pad.
‘Your turn, Lauren.’
She knelt to attend to the child. The chagrined look she gave Matt ought to have annoyed him, as she’d be wined and dined in style. Instead he was already planning ways to help her relax with the Fords.
CLAIR FORD AND her daughter were Lauren’s idea of true corporate wives, dressed in the latest fashion and groomed to perfection. If their greetings and appreciation hadn’t been so sincere and friendly, she might have cut and run.
With young mother and son safely on their way home, the remaining four walked to the Fords’ chosen restaurant. They led the way, allowing for private discussion.
‘I owe you big time for today.’ Matt’s voice was low and subdued, proving the tension he was under.
‘I’ll keep tally, Mr Dalton. This counts too. What do I have in common with Mr Ford and his wife? The nearest I come to their world is walking past executive offices.’
‘Under the current circumstances, Lauren, I think you should call me Matt.’
Lauren. Matt.
This made it personal, more familiar.
She’d liked the way he’d remembered the pronunciation of her name from her first phone call. She wasn’t so sure about the butterfly flutter in her belly as he said it or the pleasurable shivers over her skin every time he guided her past oncoming pedestrians.
‘I don’t understand. You meet and deal with new people all the time. Why the reluctance?’
How could he understand how she felt? He oozed confidence and charm, would have no qualms on walking into a room full of notable people he’d never met. He’d been brought up to meet and greet strangers with ease.
‘I can’t do small talk. My family are all outgoing, garrulous, and at ease with anyone. I was shy. I’d freeze up and hide in my room. I...’
Duncan turned to check where they were as he and Clair turned off towards a waterside restaurant. The warm glow to her belly from Matt’s gentle squeeze at her waist eased her misgivings. The tingles from his hot breath as he bent to her ear generated entirely different reservations.
‘She’s a down-to-earth mother and grandmother who enjoys serving on charity committees. He’s into football and car racing. Trust me, Lauren, I’ll be right beside you.’
They were escorted to a round table
