November Harlequin Presents 2(286)

Jed gave a snort of angry derision. ‘And what makes you think you can succeed where the Lewises so dismally failed?’ he began.

‘It’ll take time,’ she said quickly. ‘But we’ve got a sound customer base, and everyone likes to support something new, support the underdog.’ She looked away. ‘I think it was when Frank, who’s in charge of stock control, shed tears because all is not lost after all that my mind was made up.’

‘Very touching,’ Jed remarked dryly.

‘I will return all the money you’ve already paid me as soon as I can,’ she said, swallowing hard as she spoke, and wondering when she was going to be able to do that!

‘And what are you all going to live on until these big orders start rolling in?’ he asked sarcastically.

‘Well, the final bonuses you’re paying will be sufficient for the time being,’ she began, ‘and—’

‘Hmm. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so hasty or so generous,’ he said, and Cryssie looked up at him sharply.

‘You did promise…’

‘Of course,’ he agreed curtly.

‘I just cannot deny them this chance,’ she said miserably. ‘I can’t let everyone down.’

‘You’re not so worried about letting me down!’

‘I am worried!’ Cryssie protested, the tears threatening again.

‘And apparently not too upset about Milo and Polly’s prospects either, are you?’ he began, and she flared up at his words.

‘Don’t you dare keep bringing them into this,’ she said, so fiercely that one or two other drinkers looked up in surprise. ‘Anyway, somehow or other I’ll make sure we have enough to get by!’ She drained her glass. ‘I’ve never had to rely on anyone before. And as for you, Jed, and your needs—losing my services isn’t the end of the world. You’ll find someone else to do exactly as you want.’

‘I don’t want someone else. I want you,’ he said slowly. ‘And I can’t believe your lack of logic, Cryssie. Go on—admit it. You know very well what’s best—the step you should really be taking—yet you persist in clinging to your over-developed sense of loyalty to an out-dated organisation that’ll be wallowing in debt again before you know it!’

Cryssie stood up, knowing that this wasn’t going anywhere and that there was nothing more to say. She knew he was furious and upset, and she couldn’t really blame him—because she’d well and truly scuppered his plans on all fronts! And Jeremy Hunter did not like that!

They drove home and he stopped outside her door, switching off the engine. She knew that he was angry with her, and that anger seared her flesh with a burning heat. What she most wanted in all the world was for him to hold her, to comfort her, to tell her that he understood the problem and that somehow it would all come right. But he didn’t do any of those things, only waited for her to get out of the car and leave. And, with the tears starting again, that was what she did. And this time he didn’t even bother to get out and open the door for her.

In the house, Cryssie sank down onto the sofa and buried her face in her hands. What had she ever done to deserve all this trauma? she asked herself.

A light hand on her shoulder brought Cryssie back down to earth, and she looked up quickly to see Polly standing there in her nightdress.

‘Cryss—whatever is the matter?’ she asked gently, and for the first time in her memory Cryssie found herself in the unusual position of being comforted by her younger sister.

‘I haven’t bothered to tell you this before, Poll, but Jeremy Hunter is dismantling Hydebound in favour of a new hotel he wants to build on the site.’ She blew her nose for the hundredth time. ‘But the even more worrying thing is that the staff intend going it alone somewhere else. And I honestly don’t know if it can work. But I must agree to go with them, even though Jed has offered me another position with him. But I can’t take that, can I? I can’t let the others down!’

‘Of course you can, Cryssie!’ Polly said. ‘Leave them all to it and look out for yourself. If you’ve got the chance of something else you should grab it with both hands!’ The girl’s brow furrowed at the thought that their income might suddenly be threatened.

‘No, I can’t be the only one to throw cold water on the idea. It could be a last-ditch stand for some of them.’ Cryssie got up. ‘I must go to bed now—even if I don’t manage to sleep. And don’t worry, Poll. I’ll make sure we don’t starve!’



As he drove back to Shepherd’s Keep, Jeremy Hunter’s expression was dark. So, Crystal Rowe was quite prepared to ignore his requirements and her family’s needs—plus the offer of a gilt-edged future—in favour of a daft lame-duck notion in order to satisfy her over-heightened sense of doing the right thing! By everyone but him! His eyes narrowed as he sped along the almost deserted roads. Whatever she said, he was determined to have her—on his own terms. But she was just as determined. He knew that. He and she were a pigeon pair, he thought grimly.