Free Reflected Pleasures by Linda Conrad Page B

childhood has made me ashamed that I have not done more for your lost children. If you will excuse me for a few minutes, I will remedy that situation by tearing up the original check and writing a new one. I think perhaps Maria, looking down from heaven, would not be pleased unless I gave twice the amount that you and I discussed.”
    With that, Mike turned and smiled at Merri. “You are quite a lady, senorita. I hope Tyson appreciates the outstanding gem he has in you.”
    Mercy. Tyson did in fact appreciate the gift he had been given in Merri. More every minute. He’d watched her as she charmed his old friend. He had been enthralled with her genuine interest in Mike’s tales and by the kind way she had urged him to tell only what he could manage without becoming too morbid.
    Merri whispered her thanks and Mike disappeared into his study.
    â€œI’ve never heard that story about Maria,” Ty told Merri when they were alone. “You completely captivated him. I think with a little more encouragement you might’ve had him confessing every sin he’d ever committed. You are amazing with people, darlin’.”
    She blushed a delightful shade of pink and shook herhead. “I like Mike. It was easy to listen to his stories. But he’s giving to the Foundation because of you and the respect he has for what you are trying to accomplish…it has nothing to do with me.”
    Ty wasn’t so sure about that. He knew that, if asked, he would gladly give her anything—everything.
    He had to find a way to make sure she stayed with him—uh—with the Foundation. In fact, he’d found himself giving serious consideration to making her the head of the entire charity instead of just the head of Development. She was so much better at this charm business than he was.
    Maybe she should become the public face for the Lost Children’s Foundation? Yeah, her face was bound to be better suited for that sort of thing than his was.
    Hmm. Not a bad idea at all.

Six
    T he old gypsy woman narrowed her eyes and scowled down at her crystal ball. Fool!
    It was hard to believe Tyson Steele was smart enough to have made so much money in his life. He certainly seemed too stupid to be descended from a great lady like Lucille Steele. Bah!
    The gypsy steepled her gnarled fingers and sat back in her chair. Her father had been clear enough with his last instructions. The needy members of Lucille’s family were to receive the magic gifts made specifically for them. Tyson Steele’s gift had been the magic vision.
    Twisting her fingers through the silver strands of hair that poked out from under her favorite scarlet scarf, she shook her head and scowled. What was she to do with such an idiot? She had placed the magic in hishands, hadn’t she? She’d even told him how to use it. All he had to do was pick up the glass and look.
    But so far, he’d only managed to wade ever deeper into a fog of hazy confusion. With his heart’s desire near enough for him to reach out and grasp, he ignored the magic. Even now he considered moving ahead on a very dangerous course instead of following her advice.
    There was nothing the gypsy could do to make him see. Her hands were tied. She was not allowed to interfere. The magic only worked if he used it of his own volition.
    Sighing, the old woman shook her head again and raised her eyes. Could it be possible that the man would never see? That he would let his stubborn disbelief cause him to lose his one chance?
    Stupid. Stupid. She would continue to observe him in her crystal, but she wondered if she could stand watching Tyson Steele lose everything. It would be the ultimate disrespect for the memory of Lucille Steele.
    The young fool!
    Â 
    Walking across the steaming asphalt parking lot, Merri felt as if she were wilting. Could this really be just early spring? What would the weather be like in the heat of the summer?
    â€œI think you’re