Lambert's Peace (14 page)

“If you wanted a job with HBS, Taylor, you could probably get one.”

She snapped her head up. “What?”

“He asked about you. I told him that you were only consulting.”

“Thank you, but I know some things about HBS internally. Not my cup of tea. They make a great product, but I wouldn't want to be on the inside.”

He nodded.

“Thank you, anyway, again.” She looked down when their eyes met.

“You're welcome,” Will said then left.

Taking her wide desk chair, Taylor felt disappointed with the simple, straightforward business conversation she'd just had with Will. Was she crazy or did she really want him to pursue her? Never mind her continuous song of “I'm not available”?

Her phone rang just as she reaffirmed, again, that falling in love with Will did not fit her agenda. “Taylor, it's Indiana.” She smiled. “I was going to call you.”

“I have a job lead for you.”

She stood, shooting her chair across the hardwood floor. “Really? Where? What?”

“Boswell Global in Sacramento is looking for a CFO.”

“You're kidding.” Boswell Global was a hot new dot-com company.

“A friend, Alex Cranston, is their human resource director. We were talking, and he wanted to know if I knew any qualified financial officer candidates.”

Taylor sank toward her seat, which she realized wasn't there, so she perched on the edge of the desk. “Did you tell him about me?”

“I did. They're looking for young, chic, savvy executives. You're perfect for the job.”

“Indiana, that's incredible,” Taylor said. She asked several questions about the position, jotted down Alex Cranston's e-mail address, and thanked Indiana one last time.

“I wouldn't recommend you if I didn't think you were qualified, Taylor.”

They talked a few more minutes about old job acquaintances and then said good-bye. Taylor felt as if she were flying. She balled her fist and allowed herself one controlled squeal.

By the hearth, Harry lifted his head and whined.

“I'm fine, Harry,” she said, her hand pressed to her forehead. “Lord, I can't believe You answered my prayer with Boswell Global.”

Without wasting any more time, Taylor launched her e-mail program and composed a warm, but brief letter to Alex Cranston and attached her résumé.

California, get ready to meet Taylor Hanson.

At Peri's, Will ordered and took a stool at one of the high, round tables. He waved when his grandparents came in holding hands. “What are you young people doing?”

Grandma laughed. “Having lunch. Your grandpa is addicted to Peri's sweet coffees.”

Grandpa shook Will's hand. “Hardly fair to call it coffee with so much whipped cream floating on top.”

Will nodded in agreement. “How are things down in the shop?”

“Good. But I'm looking forward to Grant's return. I retired for a reason, you know.”

Will shook his head. “You volunteered.”

“I did. And I've enjoyed it.” Grandpa held Grandma's chair for her. “But I'm ready to be home with your grandma again and puttering around the basement, working on my own projects.”

“Ethan said Grant will be back after Thanksgiving.”

Grandpa nodded. “He deserves some time off.”

Grandma tapped Will on the hand. “What's going on with you?”

Will sat in the spare seat across from his grandparents. “We just signed a deal with Hayes Business Systems. Couldn't have done it without Taylor.”

“What does that mean for the business?” Grandma asked.

Will grinned. “It's a major software upgrade. We launch our e-business as soon as the installation is done and live. Selling furniture over the Internet … did you ever imagine that, Grandpa?”

Grandpa shook his head. “No, but the Lord is really blessing the business, isn't He?”

Will nodded. “He amazes me every day. The fact Taylor was available with the talent and experience we needed is a miracle.”

Grandma tapped his hand. “What is going on with you two? Elizabeth and Kavan drove by the park Sunday afternoon and saw you two playing basketball.”

Will laughed. “My cousin, Elizabeth, the romance reporter. Remember when she met Kavan and practically despised falling in love?”

“She's a changed woman,” Grandma said with a low laugh. “So, how goes the plan to win Taylor? Did you let her beat you in basketball?”

“I'm executing it one day at a time, just like you told me.”

“Will, your order's up,” Peri called.

Grandma pointed at him. “Don't let her go this time.”

Will frowned as he stepped over to the counter and picked up his grilled chicken sandwich. “I'll try not to, Grandma. But she has her own plans.”

“What's next on the wooing Taylor agenda?” Grandma asked as he took his seat.

Will shrugged. “What should it be?”

Grandma's expression told him it should be obvious. “Flowers.”

At four o'clock Will walked into Taylor's office. He gently grabbed her arm and lifted her from her chair.

“Come on,” he said, guiding her toward the door.

“Will, wait. I'm in the middle of something. Where are we going?”

“It's Friday afternoon. Time to cut out for some fun.”

“I'm having fun working. Markie and I came up with a great plan to move the data from the old system.”

“Good. But it's quitting time.” He tugged on her arm again.

“You want to tell me what's up?”

He grinned. “Football.”

She headed back to her desk. “Oh, no. Not me.”

“Lambert's Furniture needs you.” He bent over her, hands pressed on the arms of her chair. “Ethan challenged Creager Technologies in a touch game, and we can't lose.”

“Will, I have work to do.” She'd calculated the time it would take to get the office ready for a new system, then change over from the old one, and she needed several more weeks of intense effort. If Boswell hired her, she didn't want to leave Lambert's in a bind.

Besides, spending her free time with Will was dangerous to her heart.

“It's Friday at four, Taylor. Stop and smell the roses.”

“I, um, just don't want to …” He moved a little closer. She cleared her throat and looked away. “… to fall behind.”

“Next week you can work to your heart's content. But for now, play football with us. The company needs you.”

Grrr
. He was hard to resist. “I thought Sunday was football day.”

“This is a special game. We have a little friendly sporting rivalry going with the engineering firm.” He reached for her purse and took her hand. “Come on, Taylor. Think of your Lambert's Furniture coworkers.” He furrowed his brow, apparently attempting to look pitiful.

She broke. “Fine, but that's the worst pity face I've ever seen.”

“I'm new at this.”

She slipped her hand from his and walked with him to the door. “But this is the last time, Will.”

He stopped and faced her. “Why does this have to be the last time?”

She gathered her fortitude, stepped into his personal space, and said, “Because you are dangerous, and I'm not putting my heart on the line.”

He didn't hesitate. “Well, I am.”

Her heart stopped beating for a second. What? She gathered herself and quipped, “I wouldn't if I were you. The lifeguard isn't on duty.”

“I can swim.”

Will was dead serious, and it petrified her. She took her purse from him and headed down the hall. “Give me twenty minutes to go home and change.”

“See you at the park.”

Taylor hurried through the kitchen and up the back staircase to her room.

“Taylor?” her mother called up the stairs. “It's been a busy day around here for you.”

“Me?” she asked, poking her head around the door.

“Yes, you. Come down.”

“I'm playing football in the park. I need to change and get over there.”

“Oh, Taylor, again? You're thirty-three. When are you going to start acting like a lady?”

Taylor laughed and looked down the stairs at her mother. “When it becomes as much fun to be a
lady
as it is to play football.”

Mom's willowy hand muffled her dainty chortle. “Come down.”

“In a minute.” Taylor changed quickly for football, leaving her jeans and oxford shirt on the floor, her thoughts fractured between a job opportunity thousands of miles away and a handsome quarterback in a little flag football game two miles away.

Taylor bounded down the stairs. “Okay, what's up?”

“Didn't you see?” Mom asked.

“See what?” Taylor glanced at her mother's piquant face.

“Flowers.” Mom motioned to the dining room table.

Taylor walked to the adjoining room where she found the most beautiful bouquet of red roses she'd ever seen. She reached for the card.

She trembled as a geyser of emotions erupted from deep within. What? Will, no!

Her eyes burned and her jaw tightened. Deep breaths held back the tears. She wouldn't let go.

“Who are they from, Taylor?” Mom called from the family room.

“Will.”

“Will?”

“Yes, Mom.” She cleared the emotion from her voice. “Didn't you say something about it being the day of Taylor? Did something else come for me?”

Mom came around the corner. “You had a phone call from an Alex Cranston. I believe he said he was calling from California.” She handed Taylor a piece of paper.

Taylor read Alex Cranston's name and number written carefully in her mother's perfect handwriting. Her heart raced. “Did he say anything else?”

“He asked if you could call as soon as possible.”

Taylor forced a smile as she folded the note in her hand. “I'll call him on my cell.” She snatched up her car keys, the vase of roses, and the note with Alex Cranston's number. “I'll be back later.”

Will watched her stride across the field. It didn't seem right to him that a woman should look so beautiful and graceful wearing dingy old sweats.

She stopped when she got to him. “Can I see you? Over here?” She motioned toward the cars.

“Hello, Taylor.” Jordan jogged up to her private huddle with Will.

“Hi, Jordan.” She gave him a slight hug. “Are you playing today?”

He grinned. “Drafted by Creager.”

She lifted her chin. “I see.” Looking around him, she scanned the opposing team. “Will, isn't that your cousin Jeff?”

Will nodded. “My cousin Elizabeth used to work at Creager. She drafted Jeff and her husband, Kavan, for their teams.” He pointed to a redheaded man standing next to Jeff.

“Family against family? Should be interesting.” Then she turned to Jordan. “Will you excuse us?”

“Sure.”

She smiled and patted him on the arm. “Thanks.” Taylor turned to Will and motioned for him to follow her.