A Little Surprise for the Boss (Mills & Boon Desire) (10 page)

Eyes narrowing, he studied her. “What is it you really want, Diane?”

A smile curved her silicone-plumped lips. “That, my dear, depends on what
you
want. Maybe we can strike an agreement.”

“I’ll tell you what I want,” Buck said. “I want you to leave Quinn here and forget this nonsense about suing for custody. You don’t even want her full-time. Summers, when she’s here with me, you’re as free as a bird. You like it that way.”

“Perhaps. But if it’s in Quinn’s best interest to be with me full-time…” She left the words dangling, the threat implied.

Buck struggled to cool his temper, knowing that if he exploded, the standoff would be lost. “All right,” he said. “Tell me what it would take for you to back off.”

Her calculating expression didn’t change. “Another thousand a month in alimony might make a difference. Along with an additional two percent of the company.”

Buck exhaled in disgust, knowing she’d planned this all along, and that short of giving up his daughter or going through months of legal wrangling, there was little he could do other than concede. “What the hell,” he growled. “However it’s split up, it’ll all go to Quinn after we’re gone. I’ll have the papers drawn up.”

“Don’t bother.” She unzipped her briefcase. “I have them right here. All you need to do is sign.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I know.” She smiled and held out a pen. Buck bent over the desk, scanned the document to make sure it held no surprises and scrawled his name. He could try to bargain her down to less, or even fight this in court if he had to, but right now all he wanted was to have her leave—without taking Quinn.

“I’ll have Bob witness my signature and make a copy when he comes in, which should be any minute,” he said.

“Where’s Terri? Doesn’t she usually handle that sort of thing?”

“Her grandmother passed away. The funeral’s tomorrow.”

Diane shrugged. “I suppose you can always fill her in later. She’ll make sure the paperwork goes where it should. You wouldn’t really trust Bob with it, surely?”

“I’m going to have to,” Buck admitted through gritted teeth. “Terri will be back after the funeral, but she’s put in her notice.”

“Terri’s leaving?” Diane’s laugh was a derisive snort. “I can’t even imagine that, after the way she’s always mooned after you. Maybe she’s finally come to her senses and realized she wasn’t your type.”

“What are you talking about?” Buck stared at his ex as if she’d just doused him with cold water.

Diane laughed again. “Are you blind? Don’t you know the poor thing’s been in love with you for years? Even when you and I were married, I could see it in the way she looked at you. I’m just surprised you haven’t taken advantage and given her the thrill of a roll between the sheets.” She cocked her head, gazing at him like a curious bird. “Good Lord, you haven’t, have you?”

Heat flooded Buck’s face. He turned away, hoping she wouldn’t see the rush of color.

“Well, have you? Have you slept with that poor little plain Jane?”

Buck was tempted to put Diane and her superficial assumptions in her place. But telling her the truth would just open himself and Terri up to more ridicule. But really, Terri, a plain Jane? Not hardly.

Buck was saved from a lie by the sounds of Bob and the temps arriving for work. He opened the inside door of his office and called the young man inside to witness his signature and take the document to the copy machine.

“I’ll be taking Quinn out for brunch before I leave,” Diane was saying. “And maybe I’ll fly in again for the gala. I’d love the chance to dress up and mingle. How would you like to be my escort?”

Buck stood in the doorway, waiting for Bob to return with the copy. “Sorry,” he said, glancing back at her. “I already have a date.”

“Oh, really?” Her eyes widened. “Who?”

Buck thought fast. “Terri.”

* * *

Harriet Cooper’s graveside funeral was sparsely attended. At ninety-one, the old woman had outlived most of her friends and family. Terri was there, of course, in a simple black knit dress and a black straw hat with a ribbon that fluttered down her slender back. Also in attendance were a couple of people from Canyon Shadows, the funeral director and the pastor of her church, who gave a eulogy and led the prayer.

Buck, who’d taken the chance and sent a spray of pink roses for the casket, had brought Quinn to the service. Since he’d dismissed Mrs. Calloway the day before and was wary of hiring anyone new who might also report back to Diane, he’d had little choice except to keep his daughter with him. Quinn, who’d never been to a funeral, had been curious enough to come along. Besides, she’d wanted to be there for Terri. Looking fresh and pretty in her white sundress, she’d stood quietly while the casket was lowered into the grave. She was bound to have questions later. Maybe they could have a good talk over lunch.

During the eulogy, Buck’s gaze was drawn again and again to Terri. She stood at the graveside, hands clasped in front of her, eyes masked by her sunglasses. She looked tired and fragile, but all the same, he was struck by her beauty—a beauty of strength and integrity that went bone deep.

Are you blind? Don’t you know the poor thing’s been in love with you for years?

Diane’s cutting words came back to him as he studied the woman who’d been at his side for more than a decade. Was that why she’d allowed herself to be lured into his bed—because she loved him?

Knowing Terri as he did, it was the only reason that made sense. Not that it could be allowed to make a difference. Whatever her feelings for him—and his for her—the past was unchangeable. Too much water under the bridge, as Harriet would have put it.

The service had ended. Terri walked toward her Jeep, then, as if remembering her manners, turned and came back toward Buck and Quinn. Buck hadn’t spoken to her since their awkward parting at her house. Maybe it was time for some fence-mending. And maybe he really
should
invite her to the gala as his date. In the past she’d always worked the gala behind the scenes, making sure everything ran smoothly. This year, her last time, she deserved to put on a pretty gown and enjoy herself. Getting her to say yes might take some persuasion. But at least having Quinn here should make the asking easier.

“Thank you both for coming.” She was polite, if cool. “And thank you for the flowers, Buck. You didn’t have to do that, but I know grandma would have loved them. Pink roses were her favorite.” Looking down at Quinn, she smiled. “You look so pretty, Quinn. Would you like a rose to keep for yourself?”

Quinn hesitated, as if thinking. “Thanks. But could I take two? I know what I want to do with them.”

At Terri’s nod, Quinn walked back to the grave and slipped two long-stemmed pink roses from the spray of flowers. As Buck and Terri watched, she carried them down the row of graves, paused and laid one rose next to Buck’s mother’s headstone. Then, crossing to the next row, she laid the other at the base of Steve’s.

Buck could almost feel his heart being crushed. Terri’s breath caught. Her fingers crept into his hand. He clasped them tightly as the memories slammed into him—his mother watching him walk away for the last time, and Steve, wounded and bleeding in his arms, the light fading from his eyes.

I’m sorry, Mom. And I’m sorry, Steve. Oh, God, so sorry. That should be my grave, not yours, Steve, your child, not mine. If only I could take your place now, like you took mine back then…

Before Buck could continue the thought, Quinn came dancing back to him, a smile on her face.

“That was a lovely thing to do, Quinn,” Terri said, and pulled her hand away from Buck’s. “Thank you for remembering my brother today—and your grandmother, too.”

“Daddy told me Steve was his best friend,” Quinn said.

“That’s right.” Biting back his emotion, Buck laid a hand on her small, suntanned shoulder and changed the subject. “Quinn and I were about to go to lunch at the Ledges. Why don’t you come with us, Terri?”

He sensed a flicker in her eyes. He’d been pretty hard on her yesterday. He wouldn’t blame her if she said no.

“Please come with us, Terri,” Quinn begged, tugging at her hand. “It’ll be lots more fun with you there!”

Quinn could be irresistible when she wanted something. Right now, Buck was grateful for it. Terri gave in with a smile. “All right. Come to think of it, I’m pretty hungry—starving, actually.”

* * *

The Ledges was an upscale restaurant on the road out of town. Its floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as an outside deck, let customers enjoy a stunning panorama of towering red-and-white sandstone cliffs while they dined on organic gourmet meals. Since Buck was part owner of the place, he and his guests could expect VIP treatment.

Terri scanned the lunch menu, pondering the soup-and-salad combos. Beside her, Quinn was chattering nonstop.

“Now that Mrs. C. is gone, Daddy says that if I behave I can come to work with him and help out—run errands, keep the break room neat, stuff like that. It’ll be like having a real job. Maybe I’ll even get paid.” She cast a plaintive look at her father.

“That’s open to negotiation,” Buck replied with a mock scowl.

“I can help you, too, Terri,” she said. “Daddy always says you’re his right-hand woman. Maybe I can be his right-hand girl.”

“That sounds like a fine idea,” Terri said, thinking Buck must not have told his daughter she was leaving in two weeks. How her going would affect Quinn would be one more issue to deal with—and a reason to be glad she hadn’t just walked away.

The server took their orders and brought their drinks. Sitting across from Terri, Buck took a sip from his glass, then cleared his throat. “Terri, I brought you here with an ulterior motive,” he said. “I have a favor to ask, and I hope you’ll say yes.”

Terri’s instincts prickled. “That depends on what it is.”

“It’s about the gala,” he said. “Every year you’ve worked behind the scenes and done a terrific job. This year I’d like you to come out front and cohost the event with me.”

Terri’s first reaction was a mild panic. She had her share of experience mixing with wealthy politicians and celebrities when they came to the resort as guests. But her role as part of the staff always provided a bit of a barrier. Cohosting the gala, that barrier would be gone. What if she made a fool of herself? She scrambled for excuses.

“Have you thought this through, Buck? How can I do my job if I’m out front socializing?”

“Bob can manage things if you show him what to do. You’ll have two weeks to train him.”

Terri shook her head. “I don’t know if he can do it. Besides, I don’t have anything to wear.”

“That’s an easy fix,” Buck said. “Buy yourself an outfit. Charge it to the company. It’s a legitimate work expense.”

Quinn had been all ears. “Take me shopping with you, Terri! I’ll help you pick out a dress! You’ll be like Cinderella at the ball!”

Two against one. Terri could feel herself folding. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea,” she said to Buck.

“You’ll do fine. Now stop worrying and eat your salad.” His eyes twinkled. “That’s an order.”

CHAPTER NINE

W
ith three days to go, Terri’s plans for the Seventh Annual Bucket List Gala were falling into place. The hotel’s convention facilities included a large elegant ballroom where the party would be held. The restaurant staff would provide the food and drinks, an updated version of the customary gala menu that would include a few surprises. The music and entertainment had been booked more than a year in advance, the RSVP invitations mailed out six weeks earlier.

Bob had been carefully trained to coordinate everything behind the scenes. It would be a huge responsibility. Terri was already running him through his paces like an army drill sergeant. The young man was bright and capable when he put his mind to the task. She only hoped she could trust him to stay focused and do his best.

Between the gala preparations and her regular office duties, Terri had scarcely thought of the one urgent task that remained—shopping for a gown.

It was Quinn who reminded her. “We can go today after work,” Buck’s daughter said, taking charge. “Can I invite Ann Marie to come with us?”

“Sure. We’ll make a party of it. Ice cream for all when we’re done,” Terri said. Ann Marie, Evie Redfeather’s nine-year-old grandniece, was visiting for the summer. She and Quinn had become fast friends. They’d be having a sleepover at Evie’s the night of the gala.

When Buck heard about the plan he insisted that they leave work an hour early. They picked up Ann Marie at Evie’s and headed for the outlet mall where Terri had taken Quinn earlier to buy clothes. Buck had given her carte blanche on choosing a gown, but Terri was too practical to spend a lot of money on a dress she’d wear only once. At the mall there was a discount shop that sold bridal and formal wear. With luck, it wouldn’t take too long to find something suitable.

But she hadn’t counted on trying to please two little fashionistas. Quinn and Ann Marie, seated on folding chairs, insisted that Terri try on and model every gown in her size.

They shook their heads when she walked out in a plain, modest black sheath that Terri might have bought if she’d been there alone. And they hooted with laughter when she showed off a purple bridesmaid dress with big puffy sleeves, followed by a strapless, ruffled pink prom gown. The next dress wasn’t bad style-wise, but the lime-green color made her look ill. By the end of an entertaining hour, all three had to admit there wasn’t a wearable gown in the place. Now what?

“I know,” Quinn said. “There’s a boutique in town where my mom likes to shop. Let’s look there.”

Terri suppressed a groan. She wasn’t keen on anything that might look like Diane, and she could just imagine what a dress from that place might cost. But with two pairs of small hands tugging her toward the Jeep, she gave in.

Most of the gowns at the boutique, though beautiful, were too flashy for Terri’s taste. But when she tried on a simple, soft teal silk that draped her body like mist, her two little critics jumped up and cheered. She’d found her perfect dress. But when she checked the price, she almost fainted. It was the most expensive gown in the exclusive shop.

She was handing it back to the saleslady to put away when Quinn gave her ribs a none-too-gentle nudge. “Go for it, Terri!” she ordered. “Daddy said you could buy anything you wanted on the company credit card. Besides, you’ve earned this.”

Absolved of guilt, Terri reached into her purse and pulled out the plastic. She had a pair of dangly gold earrings at home that would look fine for the night. And although the dress begged for new gold sandals, she knew she’d be on her feet a lot. Covered by the long skirt, her comfy black pumps would barely show.

Terri paid for the dress and came back to find the girls whispering together. “We want to do your hair for the party,” Quinn announced. “Come to Ann Marie’s before you get dressed. Don’t worry. We’re
really
good!”

Terri had planned on going to the hotel beauty shop, or even just washing her hair and letting it hang loose. But the two little girls looked so eager and excited to play fairy godmother. What could it hurt? Why not let them have fun?

“Sure,” she said. “Now let’s go get ice cream.”

* * *

After dropping both girls off at Evie’s, Terri drove home. The day had been a long one, and for some reason, trying on all those gowns had left her exhausted. All she wanted was to curl up on the bed and go to sleep. But she still had things to do, and resting now would only keep her awake at night.

Entering the spare bedroom she’d converted to an office, she switched on her computer. Bringing up her email, she scanned the messages—mostly junk, but one jumped out at her. The managers of a big ski resort in Park City wanted to hire her. Since they needed someone right away, they wanted her to come and make arrangements at the earliest possible date.

The drive to Park City and back could be made in one very long day, or two shorter days. But there was no way she could go before the gala. She composed a reply to the message, suggesting a time early next week. It would be an ideal situation for her. Park City was a fair-sized town in a picturesque setting, with year-round social and cultural activities. She’d never skied, but she could learn.

She clicked the send button and put the computer in sleep mode. She really should finish checking her emails. But she was worn out tonight. The idea of getting into her pajamas, washing her face, brushing her teeth and watching a couple hours of mindless TV sounded like just what she needed.

Barefoot and dressed in her sweats, she pattered into the bathroom, wiped off the little makeup she wore and reached for her toothbrush. She’d thrown away the crumpled, empty toothpaste tube that morning, but she’d bought a fresh tube a couple of weeks ago and put it in the bathroom closet.

Opening the closet door, she scanned the shelves. There was the toothpaste, right next to…

Her heart dropped as her eyes fixed on the unopened box of tampons—the box she’d bought the same time as the toothpaste and expected to have needed before now. She’d never been 100 percent regular, but unless her calculations were off, her period was almost ten days overdue.

Lord have mercy, could she be pregnant with Buck’s baby?

* * *

It was stress, that was all, Terri told herself as she drove to work the next day. Between the river trip, losing her grandmother, the upcoming gala and the unsettling situation at work, she was a bundle of nerves. The anxiety could have delayed her period. That, or she’d just lost track of the days and her count was off.

If she had serious concerns, she could always buy a home pregnancy test. But surely it was too soon for that. Any day now, her period would start, and she’d know she’d been worried for nothing. Meanwhile, if she could, she’d put it out of her mind. She was dealing with enough right now.

She’d arrived ahead of the staff, but the inside door to Buck’s office was standing open. As she walked past, he stood, walked around his desk and motioned her inside.

“Have a seat, Terri. The restaurant just brought coffee. Let me pour you a cup.” He picked up an insulated carafe from the silver tray on the credenza. “Cream with no sugar, right?”

“You should know by now.” Terri settled into a chair facing the desk and took the steaming porcelain mug he offered her. The coffee was hot and good, but it failed to warm the cold spot in the pit of her stomach. In a few days’ time, this job and this man would be part of her past. She should be excited at the prospect of a new life. But right now the thought of not seeing him every workday, perhaps not seeing him ever again, made her feel as if she was lost without a compass.

One decision had been made in the dark of last night. If she really did turn out to be pregnant—which she almost certainly wasn’t—she would leave town without telling him. She’d had a front-row seat for his miserable shotgun marriage to Diane—and she’d seen how the woman continued to manipulate him, using Quinn. For Buck to marry yet another woman out of duty to his child, a woman he didn’t love, would be unthinkable, both for her and for him.

Buck sat down again. “You look a little frayed. Is everything all right?”

“Fine,” she lied.

“How are plans for the gala going? Quinn told me you finally bought a dress.”

“Yes, I did. It’s beautiful. And I’ve agreed to let Quinn and Ann Marie do my hair.”

“You’re one brave lady.” A smile lit his sky-blue eyes and deepened the dimple in his cheek. If she really was pregnant, her baby had won the gene pool lottery, Terri mused, then quickly banished the thought.

“They were so excited about helping me get ready, I couldn’t refuse,” she said. “If my hair looks a little strange, I’ll just call it a fashion statement.”

“If you don’t like it, you can always take it down before the gala.”

“No way. I’ll wear it proudly.”

His gaze warmed. “I can’t imagine any other woman doing that,” he said. “You’re amazing.”

He was getting to her. Terri squelched a rush of emotion. “Have you told Quinn I’m leaving?” she asked, changing the subject.

“I thought I’d let you do that.”

Coward
, she thought, then spoke. “Quinn might take it hard. I’ve always been here for her. I can tell her, but you’ll want to give her some extra TLC just to make sure she’s all right.”

“We could always have a farewell dinner before you go, just the three of us,” Buck said.

“I may not have time for that.” She told him about the job offer in Park City. “They want somebody right away. If I decide to take it, I’ll barely have time to pack my things and put the house on the market.”

“So soon?” He looked stunned. “I’ll give you a great recommendation if they ask, of course. But it’s still sinking in that you’re really doing this.”

“For me, too,” Terri said, then rose before he could strip away her fragile self-control. “I think I just heard Bob come in. Time for me to crack the whip.”

* * *

Buck watched her walk out of his office, painfully aware that soon she would walk out of his life. Lord, what would he do without her? How would it feel the first time he came into work and it hit him that she was really gone?

In so many ways, Terri was irreplaceable. Where else would he find a woman who looked spectacular coated with river mud, a woman who could navigate a rapid, pack a parachute, skydive out of a plane and guide novice hikers through a slot canyon—a woman who would trust two little girls to fix her hair for a formal event where she’d want to look her best?

And what other woman would wake him out of a drug-fogged sleep with loving as tender and passionate as any he’d ever known? He would never forget the morning Terri had stolen into his bed. But he was less sure how and when she’d also crept into his heart.

* * *

Buck backed his black Jaguar out of the garage and drove down the canyon to pick up Terri for the gala. It was raining—not a cloudburst but a fine mist that cooled the summer darkness and softened the lights along Main Street. In this desert country, rain was always welcome, even on the night of the biggest charity event of the year.

Terri had insisted that this was work, not a date. So why did Buck feel like a high school boy on prom night as he rang her doorbell and waited on the covered stoop for her to answer? He’d driven himself a little crazy trying to imagine Terri in an evening gown. In the years he’d known her, she’d worn mostly jeans or school clothes, or her khaki work uniform. Even the black dress she’d worn to her grandmother’s funeral had been little more than a long T-shirt with a belt. But she was a beautiful woman. In the right dress she would look stunning.

He rang the doorbell again. There was a rustle of movement on the other side; then the door opened. Terri stood before him wearing a black nylon rain poncho with the hood covering her hair. He exhaled in disappointment. The unveiling would have to wait.

“Sorry the yard’s such a muddy mess,” she apologized. “You could’ve stayed in the car, honked me out and saved your shoes.”

“I’ve never honked a girl out in my life,” Buck said. “And I never will. You deserve better than that.”

“An old-fashioned gentleman! Who’d have thought?” She flashed him a dazzling smile as she locked the door. “You look smashing in that tux, by the way.”

“I’ll return the compliment when I can see more of you.” He ushered her into the Jag, closed the door and went around to the driver’s seat. “We should get there just in time to check everything over before the guests start arriving.”

She snuggled into the soft leather seat. “I just hope Bob will be all right. Otherwise, I’ll have to take over and help him.”

“Don’t even think about it. He’ll do fine. Your job tonight is to charm our guests and talk them into extra digits on their donation checks.” Closing the door he gave her a sidelong glance. All he could see was the hood of her poncho and the tip of her nose just visible past the edge. “It isn’t raining in the car,” he said, hoping she’d take the hint.

“But it might be raining when we get to the hotel.” Was she teasing him? If so, it was working. He was wild to see her out of that blasted poncho. He only hoped he could keep his hands off her.

They pulled up to the hotel’s covered main entrance, where a valet was waiting to take the car and park it. Buck took Terri’s hand to help her out of the car. The light grip of her fingers recalled that moment after the funeral when Quinn had placed a rose on Steve’s grave. He remembered how Terri’s fingers had crept into his palm, so trusting, as if seeking comfort. How he’d wanted to give her that comfort and more. But he couldn’t have done that without lying to her.

He wanted this woman, damn it—wanted her in his bed and in his life. But it was useless to hope. She was already moving on, and the tragic truth he’d be honor-bound to share before he could even attempt a real relationship with her would destroy any chance of lasting happiness.

Still covered in her poncho, she crossed the hotel lobby with him. The coat check window was next to the ballroom entrance. Buck paused, turned to face her and, without a word, unfastened the snap at her throat and swept the poncho off her shoulders.