Free Always and Forever by Beverly Jenkins

now,” he said, indicating the contract.
    “But suppose I disagree with this, ‘last word’ of yours?”
    “Unless you can bring me around to your way of thinking, then we’ll agree to disagree, but my way goes.”
    Grace wasn’t sure she liked this high-handed attitude, but she had hired him for his expertise. “Fine, but please know that if and when I disagree, I intend to say so.”
    “Wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, I’m betting we wind up arguing a lot.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you’re probably not used to a man ordering you around.”
    She wondered if he were deliberately baiting her. “I’ve no trouble being instructed by someone with more knowledge, Mr. Blake, be they male or female. Now, are you signing on or not?” Grace was trying her best to keep her temperature under control.
    He signed, and then signed another copy she’d had drawn up for him to keep for his own records. When the formalities were over, she said politely, “Thank you, Mr. Blake.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    Luckily, at that moment, Tulip came in carrying the promised coffee. Her entrance seemed to drain some of the tension.
    “Here you are,” she called out cheerily, as she set the tray with its silver service down on the small Queen Anne table near the windows. “How’s the planning coming?”
    “Quite well,” Grace answered. “Thanks for the coffee.”
    “You’re welcome. The kitchen’s all clean, so Dahland I are retiring to our rooms. We hope to see you again soon, Mr. Blake.”
    He stood. “I hope so, too. It’s been a pleasure, Mrs. Mays.”
    “Good night, Grace.”
    “Night, Aunt Tulip. I’ll look in on you when I’m done here.”
    Her exit left them alone once more. “Would you care for coffee, Mr. Blake?”
    “Sounds good.”
    Grace walked over to the table and poured them both a cup. He joined her and took the cup she offered.
    “There’s cream and sugar.”
    “No, I take it black.”
    He sipped and found it not bad, for “back east” coffee. Out west, coffee had strength, character. Here it tasted civilized.
    Grace took a few sips. “How much feed do you think we’ll need for the animals during the trip?”
    He responded by saying, “Relax for a minute. Drink your coffee. Are you always so diligent?”
    Her answer came easily. “I try to be. A woman in business has much to prove. If we aren’t diligent, we aren’t taken seriously.”
    “I see. Well, you don’t have to prove anything to me. I took you seriously the moment you hit me with that weapon you call a handbag.”
    She had the decency to look embarrassed. “I was trying to protect myself.”
    “So you said,” he replied, his manner light.
    “Well, it isn’t often I’m tumbled into a strange man’s bed. You startled me.”
    “I promise, I’ll give you fair warning next time.”
    The promise in his eyes made her hand shake enough to send her coffee sloshing over the top of the china cup.

    “Oh dear,” she said, eyeing the drops of coffee dotting the bosom of her gray dress.
    Blake extracted a clean handkerchief from the inner pocket of his vest and handed it to her.
    Grateful, she began blotting the dampness. “Thank you.”
    “My pleasure.” He spoke wondering if she knew how fascinated he was by the sight of her slowly dabbing his handkerchief over her lovely curves. Realizing he was becoming aroused by the innocent yet intimate display, he turned his back and drained his cup. To further distract himself he poured himself another cup and drank it while he focused on the night scene outside the window.
    “I’ll have this laundered and returned to you,” she pledged, indicating his handkerchief.
    “That would be fine.”
    What would be finer, he mused, would be for him to forget about desiring her, because it would lead nowhere. Women like her had no business with men like him. “Do you have a beau?”
    The question caught Grace off guard. She raised her eyes to his. “No,” she answered quietly.
    Her