His Inherited Wife

by Barbara McMahon

  She nodded. “Aunt Helen was wonderful. I never thought of her as anything but my mother.”

  “Have you ever heard from your actual mother?”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t even know where to contact her when I was getting married. I’m sorry I didn’t have children, though. I would never have treated them like my mother did me.”

  “You sound as if you’re a hundred years old. You’re young enough to have a dozen children if you want.”

  “Unlike my mother, I believe in being married to have children,” she snapped.

  “So marry again,” he countered.

  “What are the odds of finding another man to love after having Alan?”

  “I’d say the odds are terrific,” he replied. “You’re young, pretty, interesting to be with.” Sexy and desirable, but those thoughts he kept to himself. He glanced around, wondering if the other men in the restaurant were as intrigued by her loveliness as he was. He could understand Alan’s wanting to keep her sheltered—away from temptation—not because he doubted her loyalty, but to keep a cherished object safe.

  Only Shannon wasn’t a cherished object, but a vital woman who made Jase start dreaming about things that would likely never be, especially in light of their history.

  She didn’t respond.

  “I think you should plan on marrying again,” he said.

  She frowned. “I don’t think so. What if I don’t ever fall in love again? Or if I do, how would I know if my husband loved me? I thought Alan did, and look at what I found out today.”

  “He did love you.”

  “We never had children. Do you think he suspected he wouldn’t live long enough to see them grow up?”

  Jase shrugged. What he suspected was that Alan hadn’t wanted to give up his lifestyle. He liked having a young wife to do things with and didn’t want that to change with a new baby in the family.

  He changed the subject again. He wasn’t comfortable talking about her and Alan’s marriage. Or any marriage for that matter. He didn’t have a lot of experience in happy unions.

  “How’s Maryellen working out as an operative instead of secretary?” he asked, hoping to defuse the tension that seemed to be building between them. The last thing he wanted was Shannon to be dwelling on Alan and the past. He wanted her to focus on the future.

  “She’s a natural. Knows all about the business, took to training like she’d been born for it, and is one of our best representatives. She also lives alone, and has incorporated lots of our tools, which makes it easy to talk about with assurance.”

  Jase began to eat his veal scallopini while he listened to Shannon. Maryellen wasn’t the only natural. She almost glowed with excitement about the new division in the company. He’d made a good choice, and liked knowing she was doing something she enjoyed so much.

  When dinner was finished, they headed back to the apartment. Almost like a married couple, Jase thought wryly. What would it be like to be married to Shannon? To see her every morning, hold her every night, make love to her whenever the mood struck?

  Pushing that tempting thought away, he concentrated on driving.

  “Thanks for dinner, Jase,” she said as they rode the elevator to his floor. “It was just what I needed to get some perspective. Whatever the status of my marriage, it’s over now. If I ever think to take that step again, I’ll look long and hard at the relationship to make sure I know how my future husband feels.”

  Shannon bid Jase goodnight and went to her room. She wanted an early night so she’d be fresh in the morning. She had a couple of weeks to get everything together for the presentation in Vancouver. She wished Jase wasn’t going to be gone during that time. She respected his input.

  She’d miss him while he was gone. She was used to getting rides to the office, and home. Sharing dinners, standing clear from him in the mornings as he went straight for the coffee. He was not someone to mess with before he had his coffee.

  Better get used to being alone in the apartment, she warned herself. Her own would be repaired before many more months and she’d return to single living.

  At least she’d see Jase every day—when he was in the office.

  If he weren’t leaving for Australia this week, would he be inviting another woman out on a date? She had no hold on him. If he wanted to date a dozen women, that was his privilege.

  Only, Shannon wished he wanted to date her.

  She sat up in bed. Where had that thought come from? From the attraction she always felt around him, from the intensity with which he seemed to listen to her, understand her. From his encouragement and support, which had enabled her to grow in ways she’d only dreamed about before.

  She knew she was crazy about Jase Pembrooke. Was it more than admiration and sexual awareness? What would it be like to spend the rest of her life with him? Partners in business and at home?

  She shivered and got up, pacing the small space of her bedroom. She was acting like a teenager with a huge crush on the football quarterback. Jase was her friend—her late husband’s friend. How could it possibly work between them?

  It was a good thing he was leaving soon, she needed the time to get her head on straight. Alan had suggested she think about marriage to Jase—as a means to keep the business together, and because he didn’t like thinking about her alone. But she was proving she could manage her life just fine. She liked San Francisco. Loved her job. And Jase had said it wasn’t a made-up position.

  Shannon smiled as she thought again about the women’s safety project. It was making money, providing a service, and expanding. Jase was right, it was an important part of their business now.

  His only kindness was offering her a place to stay. He’d never said a word out of place. Never given a hint—except for those kisses. Yes, they were most definitely not friendly. Erotic, exciting, passionate yes, but not friendly.

  She grew warm thinking about being held in his arms, his mouth moving across her cheeks, or sweeping across her lips with an urgency that found a match within her. The last man she needed to get involved with was Jase. Yet he was the only man she had any interest in!

  November

  Shannon gazed out of the window of the airplane. There was a cloud layer above the earth, which made the view boring. She shifted in her seat and glanced at the magazine she’d picked up at the airport. Jase was meeting her in Vancouver. His stay in Australia had been extended twice until it made sense to fly directly to Canada and not return to San Francisco first.

  Unfortunately Shannon wasn’t that great a traveler. She wished Jase had been with her to take her mind off flying. Glancing out the window again, she noticed the wing was still attached. Not being able to see the ground was probably a good thing, she thought. Maybe she’d suggest they take the train home.

  Vancouver’s airport was crowded. She waited for her luggage, waited to get a cab and then waited in traffic as they inched toward downtown. Jase had arrived a few hours ago. He must be exhausted coming in from Australia. Would he want to have dinner together?

  Arriving later than she’d expected at the hotel, Shannon had no difficulty checking in. When she reached her room, she called Jase.

  The phone rang several times before being answered by a muffled voice.

  “Jase? It’s Shannon, I just got here.” Suddenly it registered. “You were sleeping, weren’t you. I’m sorry, I know you must be tired. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “No problem. Glad you made it. We’re scheduled to meet with the client at nine in the morning. Want to meet for breakfast at seven? We can go over the presentation.”

  “Sure, that’d be fine.” Disappointment laced through her. She had seriously missed Jase these last four weeks. Shannon had been anticipating seeing him again, and now he wanted to wait until morning. Well, she guessed that put her in her place.

  “G’night,” he said, and hung up.

  One thing she’d learned over the last few months was patience. She’d see him in the morning. He obviou
sly wasn’t as anxious to see her. She’d be professional, courteous and friendly. And if he came close enough to kiss her she’d deck him!

  Jase waited impatiently by the elevator. He’d called her room right before he left his, thinking they’d arrive in the hotel lobby at the same time. Four other cars had slid open their doors, and then closed again when the people stepped off. None was Shannon.

  He’d blown it last night. He could have gotten up, taken her to dinner, talked to her about what was going on in San Francisco and how his trip to Australia had gone. But he’d been exhausted from being up more than twenty-four hours and knew he’d be lousy company. Still, it might have been worth it to see her earlier. He hadn’t gotten her room number or he could go up and knock on her door—

  The elevator at the far end opened its doors and Shannon stepped out. She was dressed in a cherry-red suit, lace at the deep v of the jacket. Her hair shone beneath the artificial light. She looked good enough to scoop up and take far away where no one could ever find them. For a minute Jase considered doing just that.

  “Good morning,” she said. There didn’t appear to be any welcome in her cool gaze.

  “Have a good trip up?” he asked. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, ask if she’d missed him as much as he’d missed her. But there was a barrier between them that hadn’t been there before. What had changed over the last few weeks?

  “Uneventful. How was the flight in from Sydney?”

  “Long. We had engine trouble out of Honolulu, so we turned back and ended up coming on a different plane.” He noticed her start when he’d mentioned the engine trouble.

  “Are you all right?” she asked politely.

  “I’m fine. How are you?”

  “Fine.”

  “I don’t think so,” he said, drawing her to one side out of the path of others coming from the elevators.

  “What do you mean?” The first bit of animation lit her face when she looked up at him.

  “Let’s start over. Good morning, Shannon, I missed you,” Jase said, dropping his briefcase and pulling her into his arms to kiss her.

  Her resistance lasted about six seconds, then she melted against him, returning his kiss with fervor. She was so feminine and sweet-smelling. Her mouth enticed him as he deepened the kiss. He’d missed her every day he’d been gone. It was time to find out how much she missed him.

  When he realized the kiss was getting dangerously out of hand, he pulled back, gazing with satisfaction at her bemused expression. Reaching down to scoop up both briefcases, he kept a grip on her arm and led her to an elevator just about to close. Slipping inside, he was pleased to see it was empty. Dropping the cases, he punched the button for the top floor and again pulled her into his embrace.

  When the elevator stopped, the doors opened.

  Shannon pulled back and looked at the empty hall. “Is this your floor?” she asked.

  “No, but it’ll do.” He lifted the briefcases once more and stepped out. She followed.

  “Well, when you travel, you sure are glad to see a friend in a foreign setting,” she said as the door closed behind them, leaving them in the deserted hall.

  “I’m testing a theory,” he said, studying her. Her mouth was slightly swollen and rosy. Her eyes sparkled. Her hair was mussed. And he wanted her so badly.

  She must have read something in his gaze, because she snapped up a hand, palm out and backed away a step.

  “Hold on, Jase. What’s going on?”

  “I’m trying a theory,” he repeated slowly.

  “A theory.”

  “That you missed me as much as I missed you.”

  She licked her lips. “Of course I missed you. The office is always quiet when you’re gone.”

  “I’m not talking about the office.”

  “Oh.” She visibly swallowed. “What are you talking about?”

  “You and me.”

  Shannon took a deep breath. “You and me? As in partners in the firm?”

  “Among other things.”

  “What other things?”

  He stepped closer, reaching out to take a tress of hair in his fingers, savoring the softness. His eyes looked deep in hers. Was he seeing what was really there? Or what he wanted so desperately to see?

  “I was going to wait, but I’m tired of waiting.”

  “For what?” she asked.

  “To ask you to marry me,” Jase said.

  Shannon stared at him, horror growing on her face. Jase wished he could take back the words. Her reaction was nothing like he’d expected, hoped for.

  “I knew it!” she said, stepping back. “Dean called you, didn’t he? This is some convoluted way to try to help me. I won’t have it. No, I won’t.” She walked part way down the hall, spun and came back. “I can handle Dean Morris myself. I can live my life just fine without some man taking care of me. I will not marry you.”

  “I haven’t spoken with Dean since the funeral. What’s he doing now?” Jase asked. Maybe there was some misunderstanding they could easily clear up.

  “Threatening to challenge Alan’s will. Let him. It was first written five years ago, long before he became ill. There was no undue persuasion, no counterindicative medical problems that would have affected his judgment. Dean doesn’t have a leg to stand on.”

  “I haven’t talked to Dean,” Jase insisted.

  “Then why are you asking me to marry you?” She frowned. “Alan put you up to it—didn’t he?”

  “Alan’s dead,” Jase said gently.

  “You know he told me he thought we should consider getting married. If you think I need you to go to such lengths just to honor some dying man’s request, then you can think again. We need to get to breakfast and then to the meeting.” She pressed the elevator call button and faced the doors.

  “I’m not honoring some request of Alan’s. He never suggested to me that I marry you. It’s probably the last thing he really wanted.”

  “Then why did you say that?” she asked, looking at him over her shoulder.

  “Because I want you to marry me,” he said simply.

  Shannon felt as if the world tilted.

  The elevator arrived just as a door down the hall opened. A man emerged, saw the elevator and called, “Hold that for me, would you?”

  She stepped in and held the door. Jase followed. A moment later the other man joined them. Shannon pressed the lobby button and silently the three of them descended, stopping on two other floors to pick up other guests of the hotel.

  When they reached the ground floor, Shannon stepped out and turned in the direction of the main lobby. Jase caught up in a moment.

  “I guess the answer is no then,” he said, slipping her briefcase handle into her hand.

  “You can’t be serious,” she said, head held high as she walked toward the restaurant.

  “Why would you think that?”

  “We’re friends. Business partners. I know Alan asked you to watch out for me, and you feel honor bound to do that. But marriage is rather extreme. Especially when I don’t need help.”

  He stopped and looked around. “This is a hell of a place for a proposal. No privacy, no romantic setting. I know women put store in that kind of thing.”

  She watched him warily. “Women also want love.”

  “You’ve got that.”

  She blinked. “From you?”

  “Of course.”

  “You never said anything!”

  “I just did.”

  She put one fist on her hip. “No, you still haven’t said you love me. And how would I know if it was true or not? Remember what I found out about Alan a little while ago.”

  Jase checked his watch. “We have enough time to get a quick meal and find a cab to take us to the meeting. Shall we continue this discussion later?”

  “Or never,” she muttered, continuing toward the restaurant. Was the man out of his mind? He’d kissed her, granted. But he probably kissed lots of women. Like the one he’d taken o
n a date a few weeks ago.

  Jase had done everything he could to make her life easier, from giving her an active role in the company, to putting her up while her apartment was being repaired. But not once had she seen anything from him that indicated he was madly, passionately in love with her.

  And that’s what she wanted in another marriage. She wanted to know her husband trusted her implicitely, loved her completely. As she loved him.

  Cringing mentally, Shannon looked away, afraid Jase would see some of her feelings reflected in her expression. She had missed him dreadfully while he’d been gone. Realized the awareness around him had more than just sexual overtones. He made her feel secure, confident. He gave her courage to face the future. Being with him brought her a mix of joy and happiness that she’d never felt before. All of which she’d realized when he’d been gone this last time on a trip that was too long.

  To marry him—it could be wonderful. But she dare not risk it. Not with another man who had his own agenda. She wanted love. All or nothing. Only nothing looked rather bleak from where she was standing.

  The day was interminable. Her first foreign assignment, and she impatiently wanted it over. The women she spoke with were very interested in learning more about their services. Shannon should have been on top of the world, but she wasn’t.

  Every time she glanced at Jase, he was watching her. Every time she felt her heart rate triple, she knew he was inches away. She’d made up her mind, but her body seemed to betray every thought. She knew she had to keep her distance, but she longed for another kiss, another brush of his fingers against her cheek, or his mouth on hers.

  She shook her head, trying to focus on the meeting. But thoughts of Jase filled her. How long before this meeting ended?

  Despite her best efforts, hope began to blossom within her. Maybe Jase did love her. Maybe he really wanted to marry her, not as a promise to Alan, but to share the future together.

  Keyed-up, she could hardly sit still in the cab ride back to the hotel.

  “I thought we could rent a car and drive to Whistler on Friday. It’s a pretty town not too far away,” Jase said as the driver mastered the later afternoon traffic.