Sharing Sunrise Read Online Free Page B

course she didn’t. He said, “Wanted, SWF, sexy, cheerful, eager for experiences. Must like outdoors, sailing, hiking, skiing. Some culture okay.”
    “Some culture?”
    “Yeah. You know, a little bit intellectual, but not overdone. I’d hate to spend all my time in museums and art galleries or attending the symphony, though those are fine sometimes. And she’d need to like books and movies, but not just high-brow stuff. The real things that real people read and enjoy. Spy stories, mysteries, romance, adventure. You know. Escapism.”
    “So a brainy woman is out.”
    He shot her a sharp glance, remembering just how brainy she, herself had proved to be. A dull woman wouldn’t have achieved a business degree backed by one in sociology in addition to multiple languages. “I didn’t say that. There’s nothing wrong with intelligent women. I’d just prefer one who didn’t take herself too seriously all the time. I like a woman with a mind of her own, one who doesn’t let other people make decisions for her.” He hesitated, drawing his brows together. “Unless they’re the right decisions, of course.”
    “Of course,” she said dryly. “Such as the ones you’d make for her.”
    He pondered, then laughed shortly. “I guess you’re right about that. But I believe most women secretly like the idea of the man’s being the man, being in charge, at least of … some things. You know, I’ll be the captain, you be the mate.”
    “Me Tarzan, you Jane.”
    He shrugged. “Something like that. Not that it matters. I don’t think my ideal woman exists and if she did, she wouldn’t want me. What about you? What kind of man are you looking for?”
    Tall, lean, blond and green-eyed. Somewhat blind when it comes to what’s good for him. Stupid, you could say, at least about some things, things that should be staring him right in the face.
    “What makes you think I’m looking for a man?”
    “Every single woman is looking for a man.” His tone was impatient, as if he were stating the obvious for an idiot.
    “I’ve been married.”
    He rolled his eyes. “I remember. You broke your parents’ hearts with that little episode, baby-doll. Elopement from college and six weeks together! What kind of marriage was that, anyway?”
    “One that taught me a great deal.”
    “Like what?”
    “That he was much too old for me, that some of the things he thought were normal I found disgusting, and that my taste in men was as lousy as my judgment.” And he taught me never to show a man exactly how much I love him, to tell him how desperately I want him, until I know those feelings are returned one hundred percent. A man has too much power over a woman that way.”
    “I’m assuming that must have changed in the what … three, four years since you were married?”
    She shook her head. How come she’d paid so much attention to his life when he had no idea what hers was all about? “Eight years, Rolph! I was twenty. He was twenty-eight. We were worlds apart, even in—We weren’t compatible. And yes, of course my taste and judgment have both changed, but I’m not certain that means they’re any better, either of them.” How can they be, when I can’t help being attracted to a man who treats me with the all affection he’d offer a St. Bernard puppy?
    Rolph was surprised, and in an odd way, touched by the genuine uncertainty in her tone. “You’re young and beautiful,” he said gruffly. “You shouldn’t have any trouble finding the right guy.”
    “Maybe not,” she said teasingly, “except that my boss makes it difficult.”
    He stiffened, got off her desk and straightened a framed lithograph of Earle G. Barlow’s White Ghost on the wall. “I didn’t mean to make things difficult for you,” he said, returning to his own desk. “I simply reminded you that we were meeting with clients that evening.”
    “Funny,” she said, propping her chin on her fist as she gazed at him. “But neither the clients nor I