Free Best Laid Plans by Elaine Raco Chase Page B

thought." Lucas found he didn't
have to feign uncertainty. He was afraid Amanda would say no.
    "Let me be the judge," she
insisted. "Come on, while we walk to the shop you can dazzle me with a
very well-rehearsed proposal."
    Arms locked together, they left the Café
du Monde and headed into the Quarter. Lucas was deliberately quiet, his
emotions still in a state of confusion. He had lain awake last night trying to
decipher exactly why his motives had changed. Initially he had wanted Amanda to
come to Dallas for a vacation. Vacation? Hell, that idea had been pushed aside
by other thoughts. Amanda could no longer be his buddy. His pal. Or be equated
with his sisters. Lucas realized his feelings had undergone a change - a change
that had nothing to do with a glandular reaction to oysters or a designer gown.
    The ghost of Amanda Wyatt had been an
invisible specter that shadowed all his relationships. Unconsciously he had
measured all women against her and found them wanting. He had even been drawn
to Kitty because she was like a young Amanda.
    Last night they had laughed about
searching for Mr. and Ms. Right. Lucas realized the laugh was on him. He
already possessed the treasure he was constantly seeking. Now Lucas felt it was
essential to bring Amanda more solidly into his life. Her feelings had to change. Her feelings had to echo his own.
    Amanda paused in front of the
Pontalba Buildings that flanked Jackson Square. "Lucas," she said,
jiggling his arm, her voice low and inviting. "I won't bite your head off
if I don't like your idea. Give me a chance?"
    "All right, Mandy." Lucas
disengaged her arm, jamming his balled fists into the pockets of his tan twill
pants. "I am going to say this straight out. No sugar coating. No mincing
words. No –"
    "Dammit, Lucas!" Her
vanilla pump stamped against his leather boot; her mouth twisted into an
impatient scowl.
    Laughing, he leaned against the
cast-iron railing that fenced off a marigold and geranium apartment garden.
"I came here to offer you a month-long vacation at my ranch. I thought
you'd enjoy horseback riding, new scenery, meeting new people. I also have
quite a nest egg put aside for furniture, wallpaper, paint, accessories - all
the little things that will make my house a home. I know of no one who could do
that better than you."
    Lucas held up a peremptory finger,
halting her words. "Yesterday you said, 'I'm already at my peak. I've
accomplished my goals. What else is there?'" He took a deep breath,
praying his logic would find favor. "I know how emotionally involved you
are. It's hard to make a move away from what's safe and secure. I also know
that you don't have any idea what you want to move on to. The ranch would be a
perfect transition point. It could be the little step you need to identify a
new challenge."
    Her gray eyes surveyed his intense
features. "Lucas, what a wonderful compliment. I'm deeply honored that
you'd want me to contribute to your home." Amanda scratched her cheek.
"The idea of a vacation, even a working one, is appealing. But a
month-" She shook her head. "That's a long time to leave the
shop."
    "You said yesterday that you've
been coming to work and having little or nothing to do," Lucas reminded.
They resumed walking, sidestepping an antique-looking popcorn wagon, the
butter-coated, exploding kernels sending a fragrant message into the morning
air.
    "Yes, you are right." She
exhaled a frustrated sigh. "I guess I just don't want it proved that I'm
not needed. Dammit, Lucas, instead of adding harmony and serenity to my life
you've aggravated the situation." Amanda directed him around the corner to
Dumaine Street. "One part of me wants to rush home, throw my jeans into a
suitcase and run off with you. Another part is screaming, 'Don't be a
fool!'"
    Suddenly, Lucas felt the fool. His
dark gaze studied the intricate lace balconies that were the most exquisite
specimens of wrought-iron work in the French Quarter. The complexity of the
grill artistry