Mad About The Man Read Online Free Page B

stood, looking down at her neck. "You're hostile." Let her decide what to do next.
    "Am I?"
    "I think so. I came here to be pleasant. You're giving me the brush-off and I want to know why."
    "You're imagining things."
    "I don't think so." His height had many advan tages, not the least of which was his vantage point on her now. Her neck was smooth and slender, a dra matic contrast to the heavy braid of black hair that fell to the middle of her back. And between the pale swell of her breasts lay deep and enticing cleavage. "I have no intention of doing anything that won't be a benefit to the people of this town … to you. Do you think you could help me make that understood?"
    "What exactly are you proposing that I make un derstood?"
    He bent a little to see the side of her face. "That I don't intend to take business away from them. You do know that? I certainly don't intend to undermine your business, Gaby." Not that he could imagine her having any business in Goldstrike.
    "I thought your business was candy, Mr. Ledan. Do you make hats, too?"
    He smiled. "Very amusing. I think you know what I mean."
    Gaby looked up at him and his breath stuck in his throat. She was beautiful—completely unexpectedly and absolutely gorgeous.
    "Could we get together, Gaby? Maybe for dinner at the house?"
    Her arched brows rose. "I doubt it."
    Only with difficulty did he stop himself from touching her. "Think about it and I'll get back to you. What I'd like to do is explain exactly what I have in mind for this town. It's evident from our first direct contacts that some people may have the wrong im pression. You could help me change that."
    "I really don't think so."
    Didn't think so, or didn't want to think so? "What I've observed in the past few years—since I've spent more time at La Place—is the almost total absence of young people here. They're moving out, and who can blame them? There has to be something for them to do, something to get excited about. With an infusion of money into the area and opportunities for good- paying jobs, the younger generation will stop leaving, and some who have already left will come back."
    Gaby walked away. When she reached a desk on one side of the shop, she faced him. "Is that the carrot you intend to hang in front of us?"
    "Why — " He advanced, then stopped. This lady was sending mixed signals. Her words said she didn't trust him and didn't want anything to do with him— something he couldn't begin to figure out. Her body language spelled a very different message. She wasn't any more unaffected by their meeting than he was. "Revitalizing Goldstrike is my aim. I do plan to lure the younger generation back—or encourage them to stay, whichever is appropriate. And I intend to bring new people into the area. Isn't that already understood here?"
    "What's understood is that you have plans to open a resort hotel and buy up any suitable properties for shops."
    He nodded. "That's part of it."
    "And you're trying to design some sort of displays with leprechauns."
    "Roughly." He narrowed his eyes. "Do you know everyone around here?"
    "Yes, I do."
    "Are they worried about what may happen?" He'd never intended to do anything but help. All that would be necessary would be to gain the people's confi dence.
    Gaby McGregor wasn't saying anything.
    "Rita said you were thinking over the idea of mak ing caps for us."
    Still she didn't speak.
    "She told you we'd have to move to a bigger outfit when we need to produce in large numbers?"
    Gaby averted her face.
    "Look, it won't be the end of the world. When that happens I'm sure arrangements could be made for you to have the exclusive sales outlet for the caps here."
    She made a strangled noise.
    Damn. "Everything will work out for the best. Leave it to me."
    "Will you excuse me?" She turned her brilliant eyes on him once more.
    What could he say? "Of course. But I'm not giving up on that chat."
    "You should."
    In the soft afternoon sunlight streaming through the window,