The Heartbreaker Read Free

the tightness in his throat.
    â€œI blame myself.” The words brimmed with misery. “We got a rush of orders, and I think maybe the pressure of getting them out brought this on.”
    â€œDon’t you dare do that.” His voice shook a little as the reality of his father’s illness, a reality he’d been unwilling to face, set in at last. “He’s been smoking those damned cigars since he was fifteen. And we won’t even talk about his diet, all the ice cream, cheeseburgers, fries and shakes. This latest business venture didn’t give him a heart attack, Beth. Don’t even think it.” He watched her struggle. She obviously needed the comfort of his words but was afraid to let down her guard. His heart ached for her, for him, for all of them. “Look, I know you don’t want to deal with me, but Dad asked me to come here tonight and talk about an alternate plan. I promised him I would.”
    She hesitated a moment longer. “Okay, come in.” She stepped back from the door. “Colby and I were just finishing up our discussion.”
    â€œBeth, you’re not going to—”
    â€œNot tonight. Besides, nothing can be done without your dad’s signature, anyway. I was just planning to give Colby a few references, people who’ve had success using the cutter.”
    â€œOh.” He could have taken time for a shave, after all, he thought as he followed her into the studio.
    Â 
    BETH FOUGHT to stay composed as she introduced Mike to Colby Huxford. It was like introducing Indiana Jones to James Bond. The two were worlds apart in style and temperament. Beth could tell from the measured way they shook hands while keeping their expressions completely blank that they disliked each other on sight.
    â€œMike is Ernie Tremayne’s son,” Beth said. “He guides scientific expeditions in the Brazilian rain forest.”
    â€œAh.” Colby pushed back the lapels of his suit jacket and propped his hands on his hips. “That explains the tiger’s tooth, or whatever it is, around your neck.”
    â€œJaguar.”
    â€œWhatever. Never felt the urge to go down there, myself. I hate snakes.”
    â€œReally?” Mike said. “They always speak well of you.”
    â€œMike.” Beth sent him a warning glance.
    â€œNever mind,” Colby said. “I’d be edgy, too, if I’d just left my father’s hospital room. Damn shame about that, Tremayne.”
    â€œYes, it is.”
    â€œCould be the best thing for this glass cutter, though. Handmade can do a much better job of realizing its potential than a small operation could ever dream of doing.”
    â€œApparently you don’t know Beth and my father very well,” Mike said.
    â€œWe were doing fine until Ernie’s attack,” Beth added. She realized she didn’t like Colby any better than Mike did, but she couldn’t afford to have the reputation of the Nightingale cutter tarnished so early in this new venture. “It’s getting late,” she said to Colby, “and you still have a long drive back to Tucson. Let me give you those references so you can be on your way.”
    â€œI’m in no hurry,” Colby said, glancing at Mike.
    â€œThen I’ll take the blame for ending the meeting.” Beth forced a smile. “I’m a little tired. I’ve had a long day.” She walked behind the counter and picked up the pen she’d dropped when she’d looked up to see Mike standing at the door. The pen shook in her fingers and she gripped it more tightly to write out the names and phone numbers of the customers who had agreed to serve as references for the cutter.
    She noticed Mike wandering over to look at The Embrace hanging in the window, and she clenched her jaw. Of course he knew what it was. She’d just have to brazen it out.
    That wasn’t going to be easy, considering how she was reacting to his