Tracie Peterson Read Online Free Page B

past ten.
    “If you’ll excuse me, Mel, I have to check on dinner.”
    Tess hurried away before the man could reply and rolled her eyes heavenward at the thought of spending the entire evening with him anywhere nearby.
    But worries about having to keep company with Mel soon faded as the evening progressed. Justin arrived with a bouquet of flowers for Tess and a new tan, which suggested he’d spent some R and R time at the beach.
    With Justin to her left and Bartolo Aznar on her right, Tess found herself pleasantly occupied. She learned all about Aznar’s Cuban and Spanish background, as well as his avid interest in building a retirement community on some newly held property to the north. Justin was just as good company as Aznar. He talked of his vacation to Marco Island and a long-overdue visit with his parents. Tess was glad to hear that things were going so well for him.
    Brad, too, seemed pleased with the turn of events. From time to time he looked to her and smiled. He seems so content , she thought. Almost as if their inability to conceive had never been an issue. The weight of that reality suddenly weighed heavy on her shoulders.
    Smiling tolerantly as Justin related some amusing story about jellyfish, Tess struggled to take her thoughts captive. This dinner was important to Brad and she didn’t want to ruin it for him by appearing less than happy and full of confidence.
    When dinner concluded, and Esperanza and Tess had cleared away all but the coffee and dessert, the men got down to discussing the details of their business. Tess knew very well how these things could go into the wee hours of the morning, and so after paying Esperanza, she dismissed the woman and saw to the final kitchen work herself.
    “You are not interested in what we stuffy old businessmen have to say?” Aznar questioned as he came up behind Tess unannounced.
    She turned and shook her head. “There’s always some new angle to Brad’s work in tourism. I’m sure to hear all about it after the meeting concludes.”
    “I had hoped we might speak more on your business,” Aznar replied. He waved Tess off when she offered him coffee. “I would very much like for you to consider a proposition I’d like to make.”
    “Related to your planned retirement community?”
    “Somewhat,” he replied. “You see, not only would I likefor you to help me to arrange clientele for the community, but I’d like to propose an expansion of your business.”
    Tess cocked her head back a bit and raised a brow in question. “An expansion?”
    “Yes. I realize you currently run everything out of your home, but I would like you to consider allowing me to invest in your business and see it grow. I have the perfect rental property that would make a wonderful location for your business and allow for additional staff.”
    “I like working out of the apartment,” Tess replied. “I don’t want to keep hours and answer to someone else.”
    He chuckled. “I would imagine you are already answering to a great many someones in dealing with your numerous newspaper ads. Brad was saying that you often get called in the middle of the night.”
    It was true, Tess had to admit. People were not always very considerate of the time zone differences. The multiple ads she ran in northern metropolitan city newspapers across the nation gave her a variety of customers, as well as calls at all hours of the day and night.
    “It just seems to come along with the business,” Tess replied.
    “With my proposal, you needn’t disturb your sleep,” Bartolo said with a smile. “I only ask that you consider my proposition. We could further discuss the details, and you could of course continue to name your own hours and responsibilities.”
    Tess shook her head. “I don’t see it working that way. Whenever you add staff, there are always added problems. Right now, when someone calls with a need, I know what I can and can’t do for them. I won’t have some overzealous