One-Click Buy: November Harlequin Presents

by Susan Stephens

  CHAPTER TWO

  CRYSSIE let herself out of the house silently, so as not to disturb Polly and Milo, who were still fast asleep. It was New Year’s Eve and not yet seven-thirty a.m., but the Lewis brothers, who owned Hydebound, had called a meeting for the staff. Cryssie frowned as she drove along in her ancient banger of a car wondering why this early, and what it could all be about.

  Thinking back over Christmas, she smiled happily to herself. Despite Polly not eating much of all the delicious festive food, Milo had had a wonderful time with all his new toys—and especially with his very own Runaway Rascal! Because, unbelievably, quite late on Christmas Eve, the doorbell had rung and the Latimer’s assistant she’d dealt with earlier had stood outside, clutching a bag containing one of the dolls.

  ‘You’ll never believe it,’ the girl had said, ‘but we found one in the stockroom. It had fallen down and got lodged behind some boxes. Better late than never, eh?’

  Cryssie had been almost dumbstruck with delight, and full of gratitude that the assistant had bothered to bring it.

  ‘No problem—your house is on my way home,’ the woman had assured her.

  She wished she could show Mr High and Mighty that he wasn’t the only one who always got his own way! But she must be careful what she spent for a bit…She had always been frightened of getting into debt, and sometimes lay awake worrying what would happen to all of them—to Milo—if the unthinkable happened and she was no longer able to support the family. That the little boy should ever have to be fostered, or looked after by someone else, was the stuff of nightmares!

  When she arrived, Robert and Neil Lewis, the owners of Hydebound, were already at their desks. Neither of them smiled as she came in, but merely nodded, and her heart sank. They weren’t happy, she thought, and by the time the rest of the staff arrived the air of gloom had deepened. This could only mean one thing, Cryssie thought ruefully—disappointing financial news, even though recent sales had been so good. Well, they’d survived those times before, and would again! Anyway, the rather elderly brothers always tended to look on the black side!

  Robert came swiftly to the point. ‘We’re very sorry to inform you all that the company is in some difficulty,’ he said soberly. ‘The banks have called in our loans, and we can’t continue living on credit any longer.’

  A stunned silence greeted his words. ‘You’ve all been aware how things have been for some time, but it has come to the point where we can no longer pay our bills.’

  Cryssie swallowed, feeling a tightening in her chest as she took in the news.

  ‘My brother and I have come to the conclusion that we shall have to discontinue trading. Despite all our efforts, events have overtaken us.’ For an awful moment the old man looked as if he was about to cry!

  Cryssie’s knees started to shake. This was terrible—for all of them! It could be weeks, months, before they found other suitable employment. Jobs in this town didn’t grow on trees! And what about the men and women in the workroom who’d been there for years and years? What chance would they have of starting afresh somewhere else? It took just a few seconds for all these thoughts to buzz around in her mind, like angry bees, and the knot of anxiety in her stomach grew rapidly into a huge ball of tangible fear.

  Neil Lewis took up the story. ‘However, we’ve been approached by some interested buyers. They came unexpectedly some weeks ago, and it was an offer we couldn’t refuse.’ He looked around him steadily. ‘The new owners apparently intend letting things run as they are—for the moment. So your jobs are secure—for the time being, at least.’ He took a sip of water from the glass in front of him. ‘Your new employers will be here in a few minutes. They’re coming here to meet you all.’

  Cryssie stared down at her clenched fists, trying to take in what had just been said and how it was going to affect her. Who could tell what was going to happen? Who would be made redundant? These new owners would undoubtedly make sweeping alterations…perhaps make her own position no longer ‘necessary’…Her degree course had taught her how common it was for takeovers to happen overnight, for staff to find themselves jobless. And that there was no legal requirement for them to be found other employment, or be given more than minimum financial redress. This small and cosy world would change overnight. It was inevitable.

  An internal phone shrilled suddenly, and Robert stood up. ‘That’s to tell me they’re downstairs,’ he said.

  He left the room, and in the ensuing silence everyone shifted in their seats, no one uttering a word. Well, what was there to say?

  In a couple of minutes the door opened and Robert came back in, followed by the new owner of Hydebound. Everyone stood up rather awkwardly to greet him—Cryssie having to grip the arm of her chair to steady herself, her heart jumping into her throat and the colour sweeping over her cheeks like an unstoppable incoming tide.

  ‘Let me introduce Mr Jeremy Hunter,’ Robert said quietly, ‘who, together with his parents, owns Latimer’s store in the town.’ He paused. ‘So you will be in very safe hands, I’m sure.’

  By this time Cryssie’s mouth was so dry she thought she would choke! That she and Jeremy Hunter were to meet again like this, and in these circumstances, was something she would never have dreamed of in a million years!

  He was formally dressed, as before, and in the revealing morning light he cut an imposing figure as he glanced around at each of them in turn, his dense black eyes seeming to penetrate the minds of everyone there.

  Cryssie was the last to be introduced—which was just as well, because it gave her time to recover from the shocks of the last few moments. Her mind was doing somersaults! He caught her hand and held it for a few seconds in a strong grip, looking down at her, searing her mind with the intensity of his gaze. Cryssie could only guess what he was thinking, but it filled her with an indescribable sense of helplessness. The inscrutable expression on his face, his uncompromising mouth which remained unsmilingly set in a straight line, gave nothing away. But it made her feel like a small child on her first day at school!

  After a moment, he said coldly, ‘I believe we have already met, haven’t we?’ It was a rhetorical question, coldly put. Then he turned away dismissively, and Cryssie wished she could just disappear. Especially as she was conscious of others’ curious glances.

  Although his remark couldn’t be described as a put-down, it hadn’t exactly been filled with the warmth of recognition, either! Well, after all she’d said about Latimer’s, was that a surprise? She cringed at the memory. If there were to be any sackings, she’d be the first to go!

  Jeremy Hunter only stayed for half an hour, apologising that his parents were away, so could not be there to speak to them. When he and the Lewis brothers had gone downstairs, everyone started talking at once.

  ‘I find it hard to believe,’ Rose, the secretary, said at last. ‘We’ve all known things have been difficult, but I never thought the Lewises would throw in the towel.’ She turned to Cryssie. ‘He said you knew each other. How come?’

  Cryssie coloured up, and said hastily, ‘Oh, we don’t know each other at all! We sort of bumped into each other in his store.’ She paused. ‘I’m afraid I said some rude things about Latimer’s, which he’s not likely to forget or forgive. So I might as well hand in my notice now!’

  At five-thirty that day, Cryssie was one of the last to leave the building, and she made her way across the dimly lit deserted car park where she always left her vehicle. She couldn’t wait to get home, to hug Milo and give him his tea, then bath him and put him to bed. All the things that made her feel happy and contented. She knew that her news wouldn’t have much impact on her sister, who didn’t seem to think about anyone or anything but her own problems.

  She was just about to get into her car when a footstep in the darkness nearly made her jump out of her skin.

  ‘Sorry,’ Jed Hunter said. ‘I didn’t mean to alarm you.’

  She swung around and looked up to face him, only just able to make out his featur
es in the dim light. But his eyes were visible enough, and they bored into her inescapably.

  ‘Oh, I—’ she began, but he interrupted her.

  ‘I realise that you may have been…surprised…at this morning’s news,’ he said, ‘but I had specifically asked that no names were mentioned until I arrived.’ He paused. ‘It was obviously a shock, but sometimes there’s no easy way to deliver news of the sort you’ve all had—though I sincerely hope that this change in circumstances may prove to be not that bad in the long run.’ His words were spoken with a calculating directness. He was a businessman, and there was not much sentiment in business. Cryssie was well aware of that!

  ‘Well, that rather depends on you and your future plans for Hydebound,’ Cryssie said, swallowing hard and trying to display a coolness she was far from feeling—and wishing for some unaccountable reason that she wasn’t wearing the same fawn jacket she’d been wearing on Christmas Eve!

  She’d never been much interested in fashion, nor did she have Polly’s dress sense. Whereas her new boss obviously took pains with his appearance. She was acutely conscious of the familiar scent of expensive leather from the loose, casual jacket he had on, carelessly opened to reveal the front of his gleaming shirt. By now her eyes had become more accustomed to her surroundings, and she could see that he had discarded his tie, exposing a strong, tanned neck.

  He shrugged. ‘I thought I’d made it clear that it will be business as usual for now,’ he said smoothly.

  He continued staring down at her, and for once Cryssie was tongue-tied! She kept remembering how she’d gone on—not only about Latimer’s, but about Hydebound, and what a good company she worked for…all the time not realising that the man intended buying them out! His little secret, she thought—and it might even have been her words which had convinced him that he was purchasing a good investment!

  ‘Well,’ Cryssie said eventually, ‘I’m sure you will be able to rely on the staff to continue working as we always have done. Loyally, and to the best of our ability.’

  ‘Oh, I’m counting on it,’ he said, and the perceptible jutting of his jaw as he uttered the words sent a small shiver down Cryssie’s spine.

  He was not likely to be swayed by any emotional feelings where the firm was concerned, she thought. It would be business—and strictly hard-headed business at that. The assistant at Latimer’s had made it only too clear that he was someone who expected to get his own way and run things exactly as he wanted. And it had to be admitted that the Lewis brothers had not exactly moved with the times during the forty-odd years they had owned the company. In fact, its time-warp atmosphere was part of its charm—everyone said so.

  She was about to get into her car when he moved forward, stopping her for a moment.

  ‘I do have a favour to ask,’ he said slowly. ‘The Lewises have given me a pretty comprehensive idea of what I’m buying, but I’d appreciate a meeting with you—one-to-one—to get to the grass roots and hear things from another angle.’

  Cryssie looked up into his face for a moment, trying to read what was behind the expression in those deep coal-black eyes. She hoped he wasn’t anticipating that she’d give away any family secrets, or express a personal opinion about her colleagues. If he thought that he might learn something from her that the Lewises had deliberately not told him, he’d better think again!

  ‘Of course I can attend a meeting,’ she said rather primly, in answer to his request. ‘We all have tomorrow off—New Year’s Day—but I’ll be at my desk the day after. It is work as usual then, isn’t it?’ she asked demurely.

  ‘Of course,’ he said. ‘But I was thinking more on the lines of dinner somewhere. I always think that a relaxed meal and a glass or two of good wine brings out the best in most situations.’

  He paused, and Cryssie felt her whole body tremble. She hadn’t expected a dinner invitation—or any invitation—from her new boss, especially remembering their earlier acquaintance! How acutely embarrassing—and what on earth would her colleagues think when they found out? Especially Rose, who always seemed a bit jealous of Cryssie.

  ‘But how thoughtless of me,’ he continued. ‘New Year’s Eve is a time for couples, isn’t it? I’m sure you have somewhere special lined up for tonight.’

  She stared up at him blankly. ‘What…you mean…tonight?’ she exclaimed in amazement. Surely he was inundated with invitations to glitzy parties? This particular night of the year was hardly the time to take an unimportant employee out—for a meeting!

  ‘Certainly tonight,’ he said implacably. ‘Unless, of course, you have better things to do. And there is Milo to consider…Would someone do the babysitting honours?’

  Fancy him remembering Milo’s name—that was at least one point in his favour! She looked up into that rugged, handsome face and smiled suddenly. It might be quite nice to go somewhere for dinner instead of always preparing it, she thought. ‘Babysitting’s never any problem, Mr Hunter,’ she said. Then, deciding that there was no point in hedging, because he was sure to find out sooner or later, added, ‘As a matter of fact I’m not married. I never have been.’

  She stood there, challenging him to say something which would indicate what he thought about selfish unmarried mothers—women who thought they could have it all—because that was obviously what he would think.

  But his expression gave nothing away, and he stood back to allow her to get into the car. ‘Where do you live?’ he asked abruptly. ‘Will eight o’clock be too soon? I have a table booked at the Laurels for nine.’

  Cryssie tried to stop her mouth opening and closing like a fish! The Laurels was the most expensive restaurant in the area—she’d never expected to step inside the place, let alone be treated to dinner! And in the same second she thought. So he’s already booked a table! The man who always got everything he wanted! For a moment she thought she’d scupper his plans and refuse, for the sheer hell of it! Instead, she said, ‘We live at number nine Birch End Lane—do you know it? Right by the public tennis courts.’ Why should he know their humble address? she thought. His own would be somewhere magnificent, far away from here.

  ‘I do know where it is,’ he answered at once. ‘I’ve played on those courts many times.’

  She finally got into the car and closed the door, winding down the window and glancing up. ‘Do you need me to fetch any papers or figures from the office for our discussion later?’ she enquired pertly.

  ‘That won’t be necessary,’ he said. ‘I merely want a more general outline of how everything—everyone—ticks. I’m not looking for statistics.’ He paused, then added casually, ‘It’s black tie this evening, by the way. One night in the year when they expect that sort of thing at the Laurels.’

  Cryssie nodded as she started the car and prepared to reverse slowly. ‘I’ll be ready at eight,’ she said airily through the open window. Then she pulled away and drove out into the rush-hour traffic, her mind in a complete and utter whirl!

  The whole day had been surreal enough, she thought, from the morning’s bombshell to the non-stop chattering and analysing of the situation, and finally being practically accosted by her new employer and invited out to dinner on New Year’s Eve! And why her, for heaven’s sake? But then, why not her? she asked herself. As he’d said, they had met before—were acquainted in a funny sort of way. He obviously thought it a sufficient enough opening that he could use for the purpose he’d said—to find out about his staff on a more personal level than he was likely to do through discussion with the Lewis brothers. Especially as she’d proved herself to be not backward in coming forward!

  She kept thinking of all the things she’d said to him on Christmas Eve, trying to recall whether she’d been as off-hand and uncomplimentary as her memory now told her she had. One thing was certain—she was a marked woman…Her outspokenness had made her stand out from the crowd, and not in an exactly flattering way!

  As she contemplated the evening to come a sudden thought struck her, and she nearly swerved off the ro
ad in horror. What on earth did she have to wear? It was obvious that his mentioning he would be appearing in evening dress was to give her a clue as to what she should do about it herself. He probably thought that without some prompting, she’d turn up in jeans and a sweater! And the horrible fact was she didn’t have anything to wear! She never went anywhere that made it necessary to buy pretty clothes, so normally it wasn’t a problem. Her wardrobe consisted entirely of skirts, shirts, tops and denims. She wasn’t into clothes. She left all that sort of stuff to Polly—even though her sister never went anywhere, either. And it was no use thinking that anything of Polly’s would fit her, because there was a five inch difference in their height and she’d only trip up and fall headlong and embarrass Jed Hunter even further!

  Perhaps she could plead a sudden migraine and not go after all? she thought desperately—then realised she had no idea how to contact the man. She groaned, and had a terrible sinking feeling that this was going to be one of the worst nights of her life.

  When she got home, Polly had already put Milo to bed, and was curled up on the sofa, reading.

  ‘I’ve got to go out tonight, Poll,’ Cryssie said casually, as she went into the kitchen with some shopping she’d collected.

  ‘Where to?’ her sister asked, without looking up.

  ‘Oh, just a meeting—a work thing,’ Cryssie said.

  Presently, in her bedroom, she opened her wardrobe door and stared at the rather anonymous array of clothes—as if hoping that something suitable would magically appear. But she knew there was nothing! Panic set in, and she sat down silently, her head in her hands. She didn’t need this!

  Suddenly, her heel touched the edge of the large cardboard box holding the only ‘occasion’ dress she’d ever possessed. A deep ocean-green number she’d bought in a charity shop for her eighteenth birthday party, seven years ago. And after her A level results they’d all gone to the end-of-school bash, and everyone had dressed up. She had truthfully not given the dress a thought since that night…Could it possibly still fit her? And what would she look like in it after all this time?