by Joan Bramsch
"Ah, a little nepotism!” Shawn teased beneath his breath, his eyes instantly drawn to the cloud of flaming hair released from its woolen prison when Casey angrily pulled the cap from her head. Unaccountably his fingers flexed, wanting to play with the soft curls. “Do all the McDermott's have red hair?” he asked abruptly.
Defiantly she stood to face him, pulling herself to her full height, yet still barely able to meet him eye-to-eye in his relaxed position. “To reply to your first observation, Mr. O'Brien, we are a family company and we find family members our best and most productive workers. And yes, all McDermott's have red hair."
Neither was aware of the startled glances exchanged by the other three in the room.
Maureen stood quickly. “How's about that coffee now?” Assuming the role of hostess, she immediately served the strong brew in heavy earthen mugs. “Take off your coats and stay awhile,” she ordered, laughing.
Not ready yet to give up the good fight, Casey began again. “I'll bet you have dozens of cousins and nieces ... and all kinds of relatives working for you,” she challenged.
"Or a wife?” Shawn countered smoothly, making Casey look up with a jerk, almost spilling her steaming coffee.
In an instant she regained her composure. “I was only making an observation."
"I have no family."
Casey saw a flickering shadow of sadness cross his handsome features. Then it was gone.
Smiling, he continued. “No family at all. No mother. No father. No sisters or brothers, and consequently, no nieces or nephews. And,” he ended, darting a wicked grin in Casey's direction, “definitely no wife.” He looked out at the gathering twilight as if his mind had wandered far away. “I'd give a lot to be a part of a family, one like yours."
"You mean you were an orphan?” Mike spoke softly.
Shawn nodded his head. “Since I was three-months-old when my parents were killed in a seaplane crash. The good Sisters at Guardian Angels Orphanage in Hilo, Hawaii raised me."
Casey heard his words, but could make no response.
John shook his head. “What a touch break."
"How awful,” added Maureen, her softhearted concern evident in her tone.
Shawn smiled again, knowing they were wondering what it might be like to be completely alone. “It was a long time ago. Thirty-eight years, to be exact. And since I don't have a family of my own ... yet, I've gathered around me some of the finest friends a man could have, and they're my family now."
"Well, if you had to be an orphan, I guess the best place in the world would be in Hawaii,” said Mike. He always looked for the bright side in any dilemma.
"Right you are, Mike,” said Shawn, joining him to banish the sad mood. “I found my best friend in the ocean off Hilo when I was about eight years old. I was on an outing with the other kids from ‘Angels',” he explained. “His name is Tom Puka, mostly Hawaiian and some Polynesian, with a family of five sisters and seven brothers. Now, that's a big family,” he added, laughing gruffly. “His parents were good people and welcomed me into their wild clan. Mama Puka always said there was room for one more ... and then one more. Tom is my chief engineer at the plant in Tucson. And as long as I let him go home twice a year, he says he'll put up with the Mainland."
The five drifted over to the comfortable leather chairs at the conference table and sat down. Again Shawn turned his attention to Casey, who had been very quiet. “What about your folks? What are they like?"
"Mom died after a long illness when I was seventeen,” she began.
"And that's why she still thinks she has to be mother hen to her married sister and her almost engaged brother,” lamented Mike, covering skillfully any feelings of loss.
"Last year Dad passed on suddenly with a heart attack,” Casey continued. She swallowed the lump that still came into her throat when she thought of her father—her friend and personal role model in business. “We all miss him very much."
"I'm sorry, Casey.” Shawn tensed, feeling her pain. “I didn't know."
She turned to him and smiled poignantly, unaware that her trembling lips did strange things to Shawn's equilibrium. “No need, Shawn. How could you know? We're the ones who should feel compassion for you. You never had the opportunity to know your parents while we had many years with our mother and enjoyed our father's good humor and suffered his flaming temper, I might add, until we were all grown.” She grimaced comically at her mention of her father's temper. “And before you ask, yes, I suppose I'm the one to inherit it."
"I didn't say a word.” But his dancing eyes and lively smile told her he was thinking exactly that. I'll bet it would never be boring, knowing a woman like her, he mused.
The desire for another verbal duel evaporated with her profound reaction to that disarming smile. She was bewildered by the perverse new feelings churning inside her body. Glancing up, she caught a quizzical benevolent smile from her sister and a teasing “I told you so” smirk directed at her by her brother. John just sat there, looking up at the ceiling as if he were intensely interested in the construction of the building, all the while, humming softly to himself.
Casey made her back ramrod straight and took a deep breath to quell her nervousness and her impatience with her family. She almost collapsed when her sweeping glance collided with Shawn's smoldering gaze. Refusing to move a muscle, she swallowed hard. “Shall we get on with this meeting?” She used her most serious tone. “We have a lot of ground to cover."
"Yes, we do, Casey.” Shawn's offhand comment threatened her composure. And if looks could kill, the glare she sent to her brother would surely have done the job as he tried valiantly not to snicker.
Finally Maureen took pity on her sister. “Tell us something about your plans for AEI, won't you, Shawn?"
It was an effort for him to answer; he liked watching Casey. “Basically our main item right now is our new active solar panel. The time is right to expand this area of our business, what with all the trouble in foreign oil countries. I think we have one of the finest products in America."
"We couldn't agree with you more,” interjected Casey, speaking as the astute businesswoman. “We researched and investigated over a dozen companies before we decided your product was the best on the market."
"I'm glad we agree on something,” Shawn teased, but Casey was not to be derailed now. She was talking business.
"Your product is more efficient than any other model on the market today,” she continued. “And the design is unique in that the panels track the sun twelve hours every day, giving maximum exposure to solar Btu's. The added fact that you stand behind your product convinced us to work with your firm,” she added. “In short, Shawn, we like your design."
When he thanked her for her kind words, he favored her with another charming smile, and Casey's fingers reached again for her coffee to fill the quiet moment. If he didn't stop flirting, she was going to hit him over the head with her cup! she promised herself.
Shawn got her unspoken message and turned back to the group. “What other energy conservation projects have you handled?"
"Get comfortable,” cautioned Mike. “You're about to hear a long list."
"Shoot!” Shawn leaned back in his chair and sipped at his steaming coffee.
"We've done sun rooms, green houses, and passive solar in addition to your active panels.” He took a breath. “We've also worked with a manufacturer of photo voltaic cells, but they're exorbitantly expensive and not very efficient. It's the coming wave though, we think.” He glanced at Casey for confirmation. “Making electricity directly from the sun is going to make a big difference in a few years."
Shawn sat forward in his chair and directed his gaze from one member of the roundtable to the next. “What would you say if I told you that within four months AEI is going to have, ready for market, a photo voltaic cell which will produce electricity cheaply and feed it right into the electric meter for credit?” He scrutinized the silent, disbelieving faces around him.
"Y
ou'd hook it up with your solar panels now being installed?” John asked, leaning forward himself.
Shawn nodded. “We're testing it right now at the plant. Everything looks very promising. The stats are bearing out our theory."
Casey secretly doubted his far-flung claims. “How did you break through the high cost of the silicon sand?"
Shawn's expression was somewhat surprised at her intuitive, straight-to-the-heart question. The woman knew what she was talking about! “We've been able to prove that a lower grade sand—less sterile—will do the job just as well, and of course, at great savings to the consumer."
"I hope you'll give us the chance to test it in a colder climate,” enthused Mike. “What an opportunity that would be."
"I was thinking, since your company has had so much experience in a significantly short period of time, that I'd ask you to test it first in the nation.” He smiled when he heard Casey's indrawn breath. That had gotten her attention! “I'd like AEI to be the leader in all available technology, not only in solar. But I need a company that can work it all out ... then make it happen. Maybe McDermott's is that company. Tell me more."
John took up the reins of conversation while Casey remained lost in her thoughts. Being first in the nation would really put McDermott's on the map.
"We've installed wind mills and water wheels,” said John, counting the jobs off on his strong work-roughened fingers. “We've done wood stoves and fireplaces, and bermed walls. We've installed insulating shades bringing the glass up to an R14 factor. That's one of the top measurements in the country,” he added, proudly. “And of course, I can't tell you how many ceiling fans we've installed—hundreds, probably."
"Impressive,” exclaimed Shawn, whistling softly. “That's the reason why I'd like to ask your opinion on an idea I've been working on for some months now. As I said, I'd like AEI to be the leader, not only in solar, but in all available technology from caulking air leaks and basic insulation to the more sophisticated, exotic types of hardware. But I need to bring into my company those people able to review a consumer's needs both in financial and energy specifications ... and then, make it happen.
He sliced a glance at Casey who was sitting quietly, digesting all that he'd said. “I understand your firm was responsible for a change in the bracketing mechanism on our panels some months before I took over. It was a fine piece of engineering,” he complimented, “and certainly has increased the stability."
"You're sitting next to the person responsible,” boasted Maureen. “My sister, the screwdriver engineer! She can't ignore any part of anything that isn't top grade.” She smiled proudly at Casey. “I can't tell you the hours she spent at the drawing board on that bracket, and then the days she spent with the metallurgist at the steel mill across the river in Granite City. She worked on it for weeks. When she was finally satisfied, that's when AEI heard about it. They began to use it immediately."
"And they don't break anymore,” added Mike, chuckling at his sister's discomfort at being put into the spotlight.
Shawn turned back toward Casey. “I'm overwhelmed.” His face expressed a begrudging respect for her expertise coupled with his growing awareness of her as a woman. “You really can do it all, can't you, Casey?” His gaze fell to her full soft lips, throwing another log on the crackling fire that was growing untended within Casey's body. “I'm truly impressed."
Casey fiddled with a pencil that had somehow found its way into her nervous fingers. “I've been trying to tell you since the first moment we met that McDermott's can do the job ... and we don't make mistakes!” She smiled nervously, trying to soften her surprisingly belligerent tone.
"My error,” Shawn replied. His words sounded genuinely repentant.
"Actually you made two errors,” cut in Mike, eager to share Shawn's first meeting with Casey. “You thought my big sister and boss was nothing but a little gofer ... a kid!"
Shawn paid no attention to Mike's replay of his humiliating encounter. Instead he leaned over and lifted a silky strand of Casey's flame-red hair, watching it curl softly around his strong tanned fingers. “And that may have been the biggest mistake of my life, woman.” The underlying sensuality of his words captivated her.
Casey felt the heat of embarrassment and, heaven help her, attraction, course through her veins. This was all wrong!
She sighed deeply, knowing that this man was going to be a formidable opponent. He was not at all like Jack, the young man to whom she'd been engaged soon after high school graduation. He'd always been easygoing and pliable. Even when they made love, he invariably bowed to her wishes. Perhaps that was why she'd broken the engagement. He hadn't been strong enough for her. But she knew instinctively that this stranger, Shawn O'Brien, was the type of man who wouldn't stop until he got exactly what he wanted. Well, he wasn't going to get her!
Before she could gather her defenses, he whispered an invitation. “Have dinner with me tonight, Casey. I want to spend some time with you."
She rose from her chair, forcing him to relinquish the tenuous hold he had on her. “I'm afraid that won't be possible, Shawn.” She tried to still the tremor in her voice. “I have a previous commitment.” She glanced at her watch before struggling into her heavy lumber jacket, prepared to make her exit.
Undaunted, Shawn stood and faced her, gazing at her wild curls. “Can't you change your plans?” His smile was tender, yet assured.
Casey felt as if she were about to explode. “Absolutely not!” She bit out the words. And when his teasing eyes softened with gentle understanding, she wanted to scream! He thought she was afraid. Well, prodded her heart, aren't you?
"I have to compose an acceptance speech for an award we're to receive next Friday evening,” she explained, bridling at his patient expression. “And I think we'll have to reschedule this meeting for Monday ... that is, if you'll still be in town,” she rushed on. “Tomorrow we have the installation at the Bluebell address.” She aimed her little dart well and knew she'd hit the target by his upraised brow. “They take a full eight hours to install so there won't be time after that.” She forced her voice back down to normal. “Will you be here next week?"
"Oh, I'll be here.” He shrugged into his expensive beige storm coat. “In fact, I intend to be here for the next four weeks.” He continued to smile, a cat toying with a mouse. “Surely a woman of your intelligence doesn't need to write a short acceptance speech a whole week in advance,” he cajoled. “And you do have to eat. Why not have a bite with me?"
His expression was noncommittal, but his eyes held a challenge. Can you meet me halfway? his burning gaze asked.
Casey was painfully aware of her audience. She didn't like being backed into a corner like this, especially with onlookers who seemed glued to every word. Maureen actually looked like she was holding her breath, Casey thought in exasperation. And didn't all three of them know her rule? How stupid to expect her to change it now. For him.
"I'm not dressed for dinner,” she said, hoping to sidestep his invitation. “Thanks anyway, but I think I'd better just go home.” She began to gather her things.
Undeterred, he went on. “Well, there's probably fifty fast-food places along the highway. Why not go to one of those? Your choice! Burgers, tacos, chicken, barbeque, fish, steaks, Chinese—what do you say? I'd really like to continue our conference, Casey. And since you are the boss, you're the one I should be dealing with,” he added logically. “Do both our companies a favor and say yes."
Casey's mind was running at a furious pace. Was he really being so insistent because he wanted to work closely with McDermott's? Had she misread the glitter of personal challenge in his eyes? Did she want to take the chance of alienating the respect he obviously held for the company? Her face showed all the conflicting questions she was trying to answer. And in those moments Shawn stood relaxed and patient, watching her.
Finally she nodded. “All right, Shawn. I bow to your persistence. We'll get some burgers and fries ... and continue this business con
ference.” She made sure to emphasize the word. “But I can only give you an hour, then I have to get back home."
"An hour should be just about right,” he confided, his dark eyes sparkling merrily.
Casey's heart instantly fell to her feet. Now she knew she hadn't misinterpreted his duel intent. Why hadn't she followed her first impression about him? She'd been dating and parrying the advances of interested males for years. Experience had taught her to read the signals. Trying to correct her mistake, she opened her mouth to say she'd changed her mind.
"Can we get good chocolate malts where we're going? Burgers and fries don't mean a thing to me without a malt to go with them.” He wasn't going to let her back out!
"Go to Duffy's,” advised Mike, starting to shepherd them to the door. “They make double-thick, double-rich malts. My girlfriend and I go there all the time. Now get going before they get crowded."
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Chapter 2
In seconds Casey was installed in the low, racy sports car with Shawn seated beside her, too close for real comfort, she thought. She gave directions and soon they were munching on crisp French fries and hamburgers, agreeing that the chocolate malts were delicious.
Casey was pleasantly surprised when Shawn kept the conversation on a professional level and he was rewarded by her enthusiastic responses to his questions as she answered and then added further suggestions to some of his ideas. The corner booth they occupied was alive with the energy of lively communications as both leaned forward to express new thoughts about their field. Time flew by and when Casey looked at her watch, she suddenly laughed, delighting him with its musical sound.
He chuckled at her exuberance and the way her whole body changed when she laughed. “What did I say that was so funny?"
"I'm astonished! We've just spent two whole hours talking business and not once have we gone for the throat!” Her eyes were sparkling when she met Shawn's dark gaze. A woman could drown in those ebony pools, she mused silently, feeling her cheeks flush at the forbidden thought.