Free The Surprise of His Life by Karen Keast

marriage, even if the marriage is that of my parents. Don't tell me that
I should pack my bags and go back to London."
    "I
thought you were going to Timbuktu."
    Lindsey
could hear the grin that nipped at Walker's lips. "I'm going there only if
you'll go with me."
    "After
today, I'm tempted. Believe me, I'm tempted." Even as he spoke, the
endless phone calls rang in his head.
    "Well,
actually, that's what I'm calling about," Lindsey said, adding, "And
I'll bet you thought I called just to whine."
    "That
never crossed my mind."
    "Well,
maybe it should have, because that's what I did. And I'm sorry."
    "Don't
ever apologize for sharing with me how you feel. You're my—" He started to
say godchild but, for reasons he didn't acknowledge, he chose another word.
"You're my friend."
    Lindsey
had no problem with that description of their relationship. She wanted to be
his friend. The only problem was she wanted to be something else, as well.
Some- thing like his lover. In due time, she thought, she'd test the waters.
She no longer wanted to live in a state of limbo. Even if it meant losing
Walker completely, she had to know if they had a future.
    For
now, she'd settle for "friends." "You're right. We're friends.
Listen," she added, "did you find anyone to fill in for Gerri?"
    "I
called the temporary-help agency, but the woman I needed to talk to was at
lunch. She didn't return my call—not that she could have gotten through."
    "Why
don't you let me help you out? I'm going to be here and I do know my way 'round
an office."
    "Are
you serious?"
    "Absolutely.
I'll even work for free."
    "Oh,
I think we can do a little better than that."
    "Does
that mean, yes, I'm hired?"
    Walker
chuckled. "I'd be crazy to refuse that kind of offer."
    "Then
it's settled. I'll see you at eight in the morning."
    "Thanks,"
Walker said, his mood sober.
    "You're
welcome." There was a slight pause before she added, "I'll see you in
the morning."
    "Lindsey?"
Walker said, sensing that she was about to hang up.
    "Yes?"
    "I
wasn't going to caution you about interfering. I was just going to tell you not
to expect a miracle."
    "Oh,
but I do," she said. "They happen only if you expect them."
    And
that, Walker thought minutes later as he once more lazily swam the length of
the pool, might very well define the difference between youth and middle age.
Youth still expected miracles, while middle age dared them to happen.
     
    In
the days that followed, Lindsey and Walker each made a heretofore unknown
revelation. Lindsey learned that her father's list of excuses for spending any
extended time with her was endless, while Walker learned that the office of
Gal-Tex was smaller than he'd ever imagined.
    As
for Lindsey and her father's excuses, she tried to be patient and
understanding. She knew that he was uncomfortable around her. This fact
saddened her, primarily because they'd always been so close, but she understood
that that very closeness was now working against them. He knew that Lindsey
wanted answers, but answers were something that he couldn't, or wouldn't, give.
This pressure to explain was always there when they were together. As was a
certain guilt. At the core of everything, Lindsey sensed that her father felt
guilty about hurting her as he most assuredly was.
    On
the other hand, Walker was beginning to envy Dean his list of excuses for
staying out of the office, although he never truly formalized the thought. That
would have been too telling, too troubling. That would have forced him to ask
some questions that he knew he was avoiding. Questions like: Why was he
suddenly aware of Lindsey's least little movement? Why was he going out of his
way to avoid any physical contact with her? When had the office shrunk to dimensions
more appropriately represented not by feet squared against feet, but rather by
the fragrance of her perfume squared against her lilting voice?
    "Mr.
Dowell won't be able to return your call until tomorrow, these are the figures
you asked for, and