The Way They Were Read Free Page A

walls between them. He could change his mind and send someone else to visit her. He wouldn’t have to see her, wouldn’t have to remember the taste of her…
    “Would you like me to see what I can find out about this Mrs. Maden?” Miles asked. “I could do a bit of poking. Perhaps it would make your visit easier if you knew more about her.”
    Fourteen years ago I knew everything about her. “Thank you, Miles but that won’t be necessary. Let me look over the file and I’ll get back to you.” Such a calm delivery—as though they weren’t speaking about her . Rourke waited for Miles to leave before phoning Diana. “Can you spare a few minutes? There’s something we need to discuss.”
    “I’m on my way,” she said with the casual self-assuredness that had become her trademark in the business world.
    He’d thought about dealing with this over the phone so his aunt couldn’t read his body language or the tiny nuances that might slip through when he referred to his old girlfriend. But if he did that, he wouldn’t be able to study her body language. Had she kept this from him for business reasons or had she connected the family ties and discovered who the widow was?
    “Rourke?” Diana Flannigan moved toward him, a dynamo of power and authority covered in Bill Blass and pearls. The woman had demolished her share of businessmen who’d been fooled by her tiny stature and casual elegance. She’d never married, never expressed maternal desire or interest in anyone not connected to RF Renovations. “Do you have word from Gamitrond?” Diana asked as she slid into one of the wingbacked chairs opposite his desk.
    Always the businesswoman. “Actually, Gamitrond’s on hold right now.” He ignored the raised brow and plowed on, “Why didn’t you tell me we lost a man at the New York site?”
    “You were in the middle of a major negotiation. Involving you would have proven too distracting.”
    “Since when is a man’s death distracting?”
    Her blue eyes flashed. “When you’re in charge of a multimillion dollar corporation you can’t concern yourself with every unfortunate incident that occurs. That’s why you have people to take care of those things for you.”
    “Dammit, Diana, the man died.”
    “Yes, he did.”
    “He was from Montpelier.” There. He’d said it.
    She met his gaze head on. Even smiled. “America’s own Green Acres . I’m surprised you remember that place.”
    How can I ever forget it? “I knew the man who died. Clay Maden. His family had a demolition business in town.”
    “Ah.”
    “I’m going there to pay my respects to his widow.” Kate. Remember her? That got her attention. So, she did remember. He doubted she’d bring it up. Memories of her eighteen year old nephew crying until he puked were better left alone.
    “Do you really think that’s necessary? Miles said there could be litigation. Aren’t we risking exposure?” She must have seen the determination on his face, because she softened her approach. “Can’t you at least send a representative with a check instead of making a personal appearance? Money is all those kind of people want anyway.”
    Doubtful, but he wasn’t in the mood to debate the issue with his aunt who insisted everything started and ended with dollar signs. “I’m leaving as soon as Maxine can make arrangements.” Had her complexion shifted from pale to paste? The change was so minute he couldn’t tell but he’d swear it had.
    “I see.”
    “Just so you know, I’m making provisions to care for the child.”
    This time her face downshifted to the color of soot. She coughed and sputtered. “What?”
    “There’s a daughter.” She probably has mud-brown eyes and red hair, just like the rest of the Madens.
    “Rourke—”
    “It’s time to make things right.” He dreaded the thought of seeing Kate again, but maybe it was time to do that too.
    When Diana left, Rourke retrieved the key from his middle desk drawer and fit it in the