Sincerely,
Rex Michael Barrington III
Tears burned the back of her eyelids but Sophia willed them not to trickle down her cheeks and soil the paper. She’d never read such a glowing recommendation letter. And all the personal stuff! How she’d taught him the importance of honesty.
“It came as quite a shock to most of the employees when they learned that Michael and Mike were one and the same,” Mildred said.
“I’m sure everyone felt deceived and spied upon.”
“Some yes. Others were glad to have a boss so interested in the inner workings of the corporation. Michael apologized for his deception. He realizes now it was the wrong approach. He’s changed, Sophia. Because of you.”
“I’m not sure I believe that.”
“He’s lost without you,” Mildred said. “When I come into the office in the mornings, I catch him staring out the window with the saddest expression on his face. He sits like that for hours. He won’t take calls and he cancels appointments. Rex simply can’t retire as long as Michael is. like this.”
Mildred’s words tore at her heart. “I’m sorry for that,” Sophia murmured.
“Maybe if you knew more about Michael’s background you would understand better why he did what he did.”
“You don’t have to make excuses for him, Mildred.”
“I’m not making excuses, Sophia. I’m giving you the facts.”
“All right,” Sophia said. She leaned back against the sofa and waited for Rex Barrington’s longtime secretary to continue.
“The Barringtons weren’t always wealthy. In fact, at one time they were very poor. But Rex had dreams and ambitions. When Michael was five years old, Rex bought his first hotel and he moved the family from St. Louis to Los Angeles. Over the years there were twelve more moves until they finally headquartered the business in Phoenix.”
Sophia listened. In her mind’s eye she could see Michael at age five. She imagined that even then he possessed a killer grin.
“Michael had a hard time leaving his grandparents and home behind. As a boy he was quite shy and did not make friends easily. Rex was gone so much, he rarely saw him. Michael became very close to his mother.”
Sounds like me as a kid, Sophia thought, surprised to discover her upbringing had not been so different from Michael’s.
“Soon the business mushroomed and Rex became wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. He showered gifts and toys on Michael to make up for not being there for him.”
“He must have felt abandoned by his father.”
“Yes. Rex missed so much of Michael’s early years. He didn’t attend baseball games or spelling bees. He missed birthday parties and Boy Scout meetings. He was too busy building his empire. To Rex, amassing money for his son’s future was more important than playing catch with him in the backyard. It was only later that he realized what precious moments he’d lost.”
Money. It was as much of a problem as a solution. For the first time in her life, Sophia realized she had something money could never buy. Her mother’s constant love and attention.
“Kids wanted to be Michael’s friend just to come over and play with all his stuff. It wasn’t long before Michael began distrusting everyone’s motives,” Mildred continued. “Then, when he was a teenager, Michael rebelled. He renounced his name. Said he was tired of being loved for his money and nothing else. He and Rex had a big argument and Michael took off on his motorcycle. He bummed around for a few years and then he met Erica.”
“Who was she?”
“A scheming little gold digger. But Michael didn’t realize she knew who he was and had set herself up to marry him. He fell deeply in love.”
“What happened?” Sophia asked, her chest squeezing tight. It did explain a lot. Why Michael had gone undercover in his own company. Why he had thought her a gold digger. Why he hadn’t trusted her enough to let her get to know the real Michael Barrington.
“Michael eventually found out and broke off the engagement. At about the same time, his mother developed cancer. It was heartbreaking.” Mildred cleared her throat and blinked. “His mother made Michael promise to mend fences with Rex and to come back home. He did it, of course. I suppose he decided that since he’d lost everything he’d ever loved, he might as well throw himself into the business. It helped him deal with his grief, but it hurt him, too. He’s kept himself buried in work for too long.”
“Thank you for telling me this. I do understand Michael better now, but it doesn’t change anything. Honesty is very important to me. Michael lied.”
“Are you really so unforgiving?”
Mildred’s question took her by surprise. “I...” Was it true? Was she like Jannette, holding a grudge when she should be forgiving?
“Michael is such a good man,” Mildred continued. “He’s got so much love inside him, he’s just afraid to give it. That’s why he’s always driven himself so hard. To avoid his emotions. I think he feels if he ever slows down, he’ll realize how empty his life has become. He needs you, Sophia. More than you can ever know. Give him another chance. For both your sakes.”
Mildred’s plea touched her. Sophia had never heard the stoic executive secretary beg anyone for anything. She wasn’t making the request for herself. She was doing it for Michael.
“I don’t know.” How she wanted to say yes! But she couldn’t get her hopes up only to have them dashed again. It hurt too much to hope.
“At least talk to him, Sophia. What could it hurt? He knows he’s in the wrong, but he fears you’ll reject him if he comes to you. Go to him, Sophia. Forgive.”
Sophia could barely contain her grin as she slipped into the outfit she’d rented at a costume store. It was a facsimile of a U.S. postal service uniform. Her heart thudded a mile a minute. She changed clothes in the ladies’ rest room in the lobby of the Barrington building. Pulling the cap down low on her brow, she picked up a large cardboard box that weighed only a few ounces and carried it to hide her face.
Taking deep breaths to calm her jangled nerves, Sophia took the elevator to the fifth floor. The same elevator where she and Mike spent their last night together. She glanced at the floor, recalled their passionate embrace. The memory washed over her, increasing the size of the knot in her stomach.
She was scared. Very scared. Going out on a limb for love wasn’t for cowards.
But she did love Michael. And Mike! She loved both sides of him. The hardworking, sensible provider and the fun-loving, motorcycle-riding wild man.
She got off the elevator and walked past Mildred’s desk.
“Wait just a minute, miss, you can’t go in there.” Guard dog that she was, Mildred got to her feet.
Sophia turned, met Mildred’s steady gaze and winked. The look of surprise crossing her face was quickly replaced with delight.
“Go right on in,” Mildred said, struggling to control her smile.
Shouldering the package higher, completely blocking her face from Michael’s view, Sophia pushed open the door to his office. She peeked around the package.
His chair was swiveled facing the window and his back was to her. He cradled the back of his head with his palms, his elbows poking out. She lowered the box a little.
“Package for Michael Barrington,” she said in a slow drawl, trying hard to imitate the voice he’d used while playing the role of Mike the mailman.
“Set it on the table,” he said without even turning around.
“You need to sign for it.”
“That’s what my secretary is for,” he snapped.
“I didn’t see any secretary.”
“Oh, for crying out loud.” Michael sighed. “Mildred.” He spun in the chair and got to his feet.
She moved toward him. He still hadn’t looked her in the face.
“Give it here.” He reached for the package.
Her mouth went suddenly dry. Her breath hung in her lungs. Sudden doubt filled her. What if her ruse angered him?
Don’t be ridiculous, s
he chided herself. Sophia had never seen him get angry, in either of his incarnations. Still, she felt self-conscious and uncertain.
His fingertips grazed her hand as he relieved her of the package. Awareness shot through Sophia like an electrical shock.
“Hey,” he said lightly.
“Yes?” Her heart jerked.
“This box is awfully light.”
That’s when he finally looked at her face. Sophia lifted her lowered lashes to meet his gaze. Those familiar green eyes pinned her to the spot. Her hands trembled with excitement and anticipation.
“Sophia,” Michael whispered, and dropped the box on his desk.
Sophia grinned and adjusted her hat. “No,” she said. “I’m Sally the mail gal.”
His grin matched hers. “Mail gal?”
“Yes. But don’t get used to me. I’m footloose and fancy-free. Never in one place very long.”
“Hmm.” Michael stroked his chin with a thumb and index finger. “I’m not sure I believe you. You look a lot like my old assistant, Sophia Shepherd.”
Sophia waved her hand. “Oh, her? No, she’s gone forever. Too judgmental. Too unforgiving.”
Could it be? Mike asked himself. Had Sophia returned to give him another chance? Hope leapt in his chest.
He reached out and took both her hands in his and drew her close. “Let’s see if we can find out what happened to my Sophia.” Gently he removed her hat. Blond curls tumbled free, cascading about her shoulders. She was so beautiful, it took his breath. And the comical way she’d dressed in a postal uniform—how clever.
“You look like Sophia.”
“I’m not. She’s too insecure.”
“No, she’s tough and strong. A girl who has her principles and sticks to them.”
“To her own detriment.”
“Let’s see if you taste like Sophia.” Enjoying the game they were playing, Michael hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her face. Tentatively he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. Instantly, sparks flared.
Ah. Chemistry.
“You taste like Sophia.”
“Coincidence.” She breathed heavily, assuring him she felt as much desire as he did.
Michael buried his nose in the curve of her neck, smelled the scent of sunflowers. “You smell like Sophia.”
“A common perfume.”
“So you’re telling me you’re a completely different person?”
“Absolutely. I don’t care what kind of job a man has as long as he loves me.”
“Really?” Michael scarcely dared to draw in air. What was Sophia saying?
“Really.”
“Oh, Sophia.” He crushed her to his chest, then rained kisses on her eyelids, her nose, her cheeks. “You don’t know how I’ve longed to hear you say those words. Tell me the truth. What made you change your mind and come back?”
“Mildred,” Sophia said. “She showed me the letter of recommendation you wrote. She told me about your childhood, the things that formed you. That’s when I began to understand.”
“Understand what?”
“That you were only trying to protect your heart. You were afraid of getting hurt. Of marrying someone who didn’t love you. But I love you, Michael. Both sides of you.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I love you more than words can say. Thank you for saving me from myself. Because of you I took a long hard look at myself. You were right. I did lead an empty life.”
“You just wanted to succeed.”
“No, I used success as a cop-out. I made it the most important thing in my life when people are what should have been taking center stage. You showed me so much, Sophia. Because of you, I’ve learned honesty is the best policy. I’ve learned to trust people until they prove themselves unworthy of my trust, not the other way around.”
“You taught me a few things, too.”
“Oh, yeah?” He smiled.
“Yeah.”
“Like what?”
“You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
He nodded.
“But I learned something even more important.”
“What’s that?”
“Money can’t buy happiness. Work can’t buy security. Things can’t buy safety. Only love and belief in yourself can bring peace of mind.”
“We’ve got enough love to buy a lifetime of happiness,” Michael said softly. “You and me.”
“Yes.”
“Are you willing to put up with me for a very long time to come?” He brushed a lock of hair from her eyes.
“What are you asking?”
Effervescent bubbles foamed inside her. Everything she’d ever wanted was coming true. She had a man who loved her. A man who would stick by her through thick and thin. A man who would put his love for his family before everything else.
“I love you, Sophia. Will you marry me?”
“Look inside the box.”
“There’s an answer in the package?”
“Open it and see.”
With one hand around her waist, Michael leaned over and stripped the heavy brown tape from the box. He flipped back the lid and peered inside. His laughter filled the room as he grabbed handfuls of notes and tossed them in the air.
A hundred slips of paper fluttered around them, drifting slowly to the floor. Written on each and every one were the words Mrs. Rex Michael Barrington III.
Epilogue
“Do you, Sophia Denise Shepherd, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
The words Sophia had waited a lifetime to hear rang joyfully in her ears. The scent of roses and orchids wafted up from her bouquet, enveloping them in a heavenly aroma. Trembling, she squeezed Michael’s hand and their gazes melded. Looking deep into his dark green eyes she saw love so pure and lasting that tears threatened to stream down her face.
“I do.” She spoke clearly, no uncertainty in her voice.
For she had found her place at last in the arms of a man who truly loved her. He was everything she had ever wanted, and more. So much more! Nothing could compare with the happiness surging through her chest, filling her with warmth that promised to linger throughout the years ahead. Through bad times and in good. Through sickness and in health. She knew that no matter what happened, she could always count on Michael, for both fun and stability, to provide financially for their future children and to meet their emotional needs. Together they would find a happy balance between work and play. Together they would create the best marriage ever. One born of chemistry and attraction. One based on love and mutual respect. One nurtured on honesty and trust.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
And then Michael was kissing her, in front of all their friends and family to the accompaniment of cheers and applause.
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Sophia smiled to herself. She had gotten her heart’s most deepest desire. She’d found true love.
As they left the church, Sophia paused on the steps to throw the bouquet. She saw her friends gathered, her mother and Stanley arm in arm. Olivia and Lucas with six-month-old Nathaniel. Cindy and Kyle. Patricia and Sam. Molly and Jack. Rachel and Nick. Almost all her friends at the Barrington Corporation were married, each woman having achieved her goal. of wedding her boss. Everyone that is, except one.
Sophia caught Mildred’s eye. Winking broadly, she tossed her the bouquet.
Deftly Mildred snagged it. Blushing, she turned to show her prize to her boss, Rex Barrington.
“Looks like my father is headed down the aisle.” Michael chuckled near Sophia’s ear.
“He and Mildred both deserve to be happy.”
“As do we,” he said, taking her arm.
They reached the bottom of the steps and Sophia was surprised to see the Harley-Davidson parked beside a stretch limousine.
“Which shall it be tonight, darling? Michael and champagne or Mike and beer?”
“On our wedding night? Do You even need to ask?”
/>
Michael grinned. He didn’t have to ask. He knew his bride as well as he knew his own name.
With a parting farewell, they climbed aboard the motorcycle and drove off into their very bright and happy future.
Be sure to look for the
next book from Laura Anthony.
Don’t miss THE TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR GROOM,
available in September
from Silhouette Romance.
ISBN : 978-1-4592-5951-5
I MARRIED THE BOSS!
Copyright © 1999 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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