Sweet Fortune (42 page)

For a long moment Jessie reveled silently in the perfection of the Hawaiian morning and the promise of the future that stretched out before her.

The wedding had been hastily planned but had gone off without a hitch, thanks to Lilian and Constance. Elizabeth had been adorable in her bridesmaid attire. Nobody had tried to stuff Hatch into a coral tuxedo. He had waited for her at the altar in austere black and white and it had suited him perfectly. Her father had walked Jessie down the aisle and handed her over, with an expression of deep satisfaction, to the man he had personally chosen for her.

Vincent had danced with his ex-wives at the reception, clearly enjoying himself in a way that surprised everyone who knew him. He did not excuse himself to make a single phone call to check in at the office.

Nor did Hatch.

“What's so funny?” Hatch shifted slightly, opening his eyes. The sexy, hungry memories of the night were reflected in his gaze.

Jessie turned in his arms. “I was just thinking that you haven't made one phone call or sent a single fax since we got here.”

“We've only been here a day. Give me time.”

“I'm going to slap your wrists if I see you reach for the phone.” Jessie propped herself up on one elbow. “Happy, Mr. Hatchard?”

“Yes. Definitely yes.” He ducked his head to kiss the tip of one rosy breast.

“It went well, didn't it?”

“The wedding?” He kissed the other nipple. “It went fine. If you overlook the way your father was bragging to everyone about how he had found your husband for you.”

Jessie laughed and then sighed as Hatch slid his leg between her thighs. “I'm willing to give him some credit.”

“What about giving me the credit? I took one look at you and knew I was the right man for you.”

“True. You know, I'm going to be embarrassed every time I look Aunt Glenna in the face. Thank heaven she doesn't know what we thought on the way to rescuing Elizabeth. I was afraid she wouldn't come to the wedding.”

“David had a long talk with her. Told her he knew everything and that he was satisfied and she should be too.” Hatch's hand closed over her thigh, clenching gently.

“David certainly seems to be getting along much better with Dad these days.” Jessie's legs shifted restlessly on the sheet.

“Ummm.” Hatch was kissing her throat now.

“Did I tell you what Dad said to me at the reception?”

“No.”

“He said it was time I stopped fooling around working for other people.” Jessie inhaled sharply as Hatch's fingers moved to her inner thigh. “He said I was never going to be happy unless I was my own boss. Said I was a lot like him in that respect.”

“Yeah?”

“Hatch, you're not listening. It's my future I'm trying to discuss here. I've been doing some thinking, and I've got an idea for starting up my own business.”

“I'm your future,” Hatch informed her, unabashed at his own arrogance. He lowered himself along the length of her, eyes gleaming in the morning light. “And you're mine. Any further discussion on the subject is hereby tabled until later. There is another matter on the agenda that needs to be taken care of first. Priorities, Mrs. Hatchard. Always remember, one must stick to priorities.”

She looked up at him through her lashes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “God, I love it when you play chief executive officer.”

Three months later Hatch looked up from a financial summary as Vincent Benedict stormed into his office and tossed a file onto the desk.

“Have you seen those contract terms? Personnel just sent them up for review. They're outrageous. Absolutely outrageous. Dammit, Hatch, what the hell are you going to do about her? She's gone berserk.”

“I assume we are discussing Jessie?” Hatch opened the file and glanced at the proposed contract from a temporary employment agency called Intuitive Services. The owner and sole proprietor of the firm was one Jessie Benedict Hatchard. The company slogan was spelled out on the letterhead: “We Anticipate Your Short-Term Personnel Requirements.”

“Damn right we're discussing Jessie.”

Hatch glanced at the terms of the contract and scowled. Jessie was asking for a year-long contract to supply software design services to Benedict Fasteners. She was featuring two exceptionally talented programmers and designers named Alex Robin and Susan Attwood. “You're right. She's asking too much. Tell personnel to keep negotiating.”

“Won't do any good,” Vincent said, looking glum. “They tell me this is her final offer.”

“Then tell them to call off the deal.”

Vincent looked shocked. “But this is Jessie's first big contract. I want her to have it.”

“If she's going to run her own business, she's going to have to learn to be more competitive when she goes after a contract.”

“Dammit, man, this is
Jessie
. Your wife. My daughter. Don't you want her to make this temporary-employment-agency thing work? It's ideal for her. The first decent career move she's ever made. Hell, no one knows more about short-term employment than Jessie.”

“I agree.” Hatch leaned back in his chair and eyed Vincent with amusement. “And I don't doubt for one minute that she'll make the business fly. She's got a lot of you in her.”

“Don't you think we ought to give her the contract? We need a couple of good computer jockeys on board to design those new financial programs. You said so yourself.”

“I know. But if we let her lock us into these terms, we'll never be able to get out of them. Tell personnel to try again, and if they can't get her to lower the cost, tell them to kill the deal. She'll learn fast.”

Vincent heaved a sigh. “You're probably right.”

Hatch grinned. “You know I'm right. Hey, this was all your idea, remember? Don't worry. It'll work out.”

“I hope so. I want to see her make a go of this agency of hers.” Vincent narrowed his eyes shrewdly. “Don't suppose you could, uh, sort of talk to her tonight?”

Hatch laughed and shook his head. “Impossible. Jessie has this strict rule, you see. No business after I get home from work.” He glanced at the clock. “And speaking of home, it looks like it's about time to call it a day.”

Vincent frowned. “It's only five-thirty.”

“I know.” Hatch stood up and put on the jacket of his conservative pin-striped suit. “I've got to get moving. Jessie and I are involved in a major project and I don't want to be late.”

“What major project?”

“Planning the baby's bedroom.” Hatch stroked the scarlet petals of a brilliant lily in the bouquet on his desk. Jessie had sent the flowers to the office that morning in honor of the third month of their marriage. “Your grandkid will be here in another five months, Benedict. See you in the morning. Oh, and don't forget dinner at our place on Saturday night. Elizabeth will be there. And be on time. Jessie has another rule. If you're late, you don't eat.”

Hatch went out of the office and headed home to where Jessie and the really important part of his life were waiting.