Yes, he did, he said. Winthrop owns a small share in the corporation, you see, but hes the silent partner. He doesnt care for desks and boardrooms. Dad left him the ranch, which is worth a mint, and I have an equally small share in that. Hes primarily a cattleman, and Im a businessman, so we each have what we like most. Hes something of a loner.
But as long as we keep out of his way, we wont have any trouble.
That sounded ominous. She looked at the green-lined white steno pad in her lap. A month is a long time, she said slowly.
Come on, Nicky, what have you got going that you cant walk away from? he chided gently. No boyfriends, no evening classes. A month in the country would do you good. If that wealth of potted plants you surround your desk with is any indication, you must be a country girl at heart. Or at the very least, a frustrated gardener.
She laughed. I do love plants. And, yes, Im a country girl. I was born and bred in Kentucky, she confessed, and I guess I do miss it sometimes. My people were farmers, she added, tossing off the white lie as easily as she twirled the pen in her slender hand. That was the story she told people, anyway, and it prevented a lot of embarrassing questions about why shed given up all that money.
And farming isnt the best profession to be in these days, he agreed with a fond smile. I can see why you came to the big city. But since you do like the country, I presume, wheres the problem?
She sighed. Its not quite orthodox.
No, little puritan, it isnt, he agreed. But for the next month, youre my private secretary and Ill even increase your salary to make it more acceptable.
Oh, but thats not nec she began.
Certainly it is, he countered, waving a lean hand at her. Im tired of the rat race, Nicky. I need rest or this ulcer is going to put me in the hospital. Well both benefit from some mountain air.
Its October, she reminded him. Late October. Doesnt it snow in Montana in late October?
Oh, frequently, he agreed. And the ranch is way up in the Rockies, near the Todd place he paused, glancing at her with an odd expression you remember Sadie, dont you?
Yes. She was very nice. A nurse, in fact, and Nicoles taciturn young boss had dated her and had been devastated when she left several months ago to take care of her invalid mother. Hmm, Nicole thought, that was about the time his health problems reared their ugly head.
Anyway, the ranch is near the Todd place, he continued, and we used to get snowed in a good bit. But we always get a chinook when we need one, and we can dig our way out. Stop worrying.
Whats a chinook?
A warm wind that comes unexpectedly to melt the snow, he said, smiling. Youll love it there, Nicky. I promise.
I hope so, she thought. All at once she wondered if he had more than just health reasons for wanting to work at home. Sadie had managed to drag him out of his shell, and there had been a tangible something between them before her abrupt departure. It might turn out to be an interesting trip. All right, Ill go, she agreed. But youre sure your brother wont mind?
He looked vaguely disturbed for a second. Then he smiled. Of course Im sure.
Nicky wondered later about that hesitation. Mr. Christopher had hardly ever mentioned his brother in all the time shed worked for him. But through the office grapevine there had been some small bit of gossip about the Montana rancher, something someone had whispered just after his brief visit. If only she could remember it.
Becky, a blonde and vivacious woman who worked for one of the vice presidents, breezed into the office after Mr. Christopher had left for the day.
Whats this I hear about some exotic vacation youre taking with the big boss? she teased.
Nicky laughed. If you call the backwoods of Montana exotic, then I guess its true. She sighed as she covered the computer. I do hope youll come to my funeral. I have visions of being eaten by a puma or carried off by a moose.
You might be carried off by Winthrop. Becky grinned. Or havent you heard the grizzly tales about him?
Nicole turned, her eyes wide and curious. Is he terrible?
A wild man, from what we hear. They said some society girl threw him over a few years back, and he actually went to her engagement party with a Hollywood movie stara girl who turned out to have been a school friend of his and owed him a favor. He called up the friend and paid her expenses all the way from Hollywood, just for the occasion. Ruined the event, of course, since the movie star got all the attention. He used to be a ladies man and hes always been well-to-do, and he traveled in those very ritzy circles. But since then, hes pretty much given up his playboy status and turned to the great outdoors. They say his experience with the blonde heiress has soured him against rich women in a big way. Cant blame him too much, can you?
He sounds interesting. Nicky chose her words carefully; it wouldnt do to show her fear.
Looks that way, too, except for the
scars and the limp. Although the scars had faded nicely the day he was in here. She grinned at Nicky. He sure gave you a look, but you were so busy you didnt even notice him.