When The Lights Went Out...

When The Lights Went Out... Judy Christenberry To: Jen, Lauren, Julia, Maggie From: Sharon Date: 10/01RE: Due Date: 7 months!Remember my dream man? The one I met when trapped in the elevator? Well, he's back–and he's our new client! The moment I heard his voice, I knew Jack Waterton was the man I'd–who'd– Well, the man from the elevator! For weeks I've been thinking of his strong arms and the kindness of his touch. And now we're working together! But I don't know if he remembers me yet–or knows I have a very special reminder of our night together…. KANE HALEY Note to self: Who’s having my baby? Trudy—hopeless romantic, office gossip, can’t keep a secret. If it’s not her, she might know who it is! Lauren Connor—dates a lot, trying out new looks to impress her boss, was out sick with stomach flu. hmm… Sharon Davies—recently trapped in an elevator with a major client, blushes whenever he’s around, looking a little green lately. Could she be carrying my baby? Leila—makes eyes at me. Is it more than a crush? Maggie Steward—my personal assistant, married? wants children, clock is ticking. She would never go to a sperm bank! Julia Parker—worries that her endometriosis could make her infertile. No man in her life. Definite sperm bank material! Jennifer Martin—eight months pregnant. Is it her late fianc?’s baby? Is it mine? WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT… A PREGNANT PROPOSAL THE MAKEOVER TAKEOVER LAST CHANCE FOR BABY SHE’S HAVING MY BABY! KANE HALEY, INC. CHICAGO, IL Dear Reader, We’ve been trying to capture what Silhouette Romance means to our readers, our authors and ourselves. In canvassing some authors, I’ve heard wonderful words about the characteristics of a Silhouette Romance novel—innate tenderness, lively, thoughtful, fun, emotional, hopeful, satisfying, warm, sparkling, genuine and affirming. It pleases me immensely that our writers are proud of their line and their readers! And I hope you’re equally delighted with their offerings. Be sure to drop a line or visit our Web site and let us know what we’re doing right—and any particular favorite topics you want to revisit. This month we have another fantastic lineup filled with variety and strong writing. We have a new continuity—HAVING THE BOSS’S BABY! Judy Christenberry’s When the Lights Went Out… starts off the series about a powerful executive’s discovery that one woman in his office is pregnant with his child. But who could it be? Next month Elizabeth Harbison continues the series with A Pregnant Proposal. Other stories for this month include Stella Bagwell’s conclusion to our MAITLAND MATERNITY spin-off. Go find The Missing Maitland. Raye Morgan’s popular office novels continue with Working Overtime. And popular Intimate Moments author Beverly Bird delights us with an amusing tale about Ten Ways To Win Her Man. Two more emotional titles round out the month. With her writing partner, Debrah Morris wrote nearly fifteen titles for Silhouette Books as Pepper Adams. Now she’s on her own with A Girl, a Guy and a Lullaby. And Martha Shields’s dramatic stories always move me. Her Born To Be a Dad opens with an unusual, powerful twist and continues to a highly satisfying ending! Enjoy these stories, and keep in touch. Mary-Theresa Hussey, Senior Editor When the Lights Went Out… Judy Christenberry www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk) Books by Judy Christenberry Silhouette Romance The Nine-Month Bride #1324 * (#litres_trial_promo)Marry Me, Kate #1344 * (#litres_trial_promo)Baby in Her Arms #1350 * (#litres_trial_promo)A Ring for Cinderella #1356 † (#litres_trial_promo)Never Let You Go #1453 † (#litres_trial_promo)The Borrowed Groom #1457 † (#litres_trial_promo)Cherish the Boss #1463 † (#litres_trial_promo)Snowbound Sweetheart #1476 Newborn Daddy #1511 When the Lights Went Out…#1547 JUDY CHRISTENBERRY has been writing romances for fifteen years because she loves happy endings as much as her readers do. She’s a bestselling author for Harlequin American Romance, but she has a long love of traditional romances and is delighted to tell a story that brings those elements to the reader. A former high school French teacher, Judy devotes her time to writing. She hopes readers have as much fun reading her stories as she does writing them. She spends her spare time reading, watching her favorite sports teams and keeping track of her two adult daughters. “You’re not nervous, are you?” Andy asked. “Not yet, Andy. I feel well prepared for this job. Besides, if I find a problem, I can always bring it to you, can’t I? You’re not going to refuse to speak to me, are you?” He chuckled. “You know I won’t. And Mr. Waterton is a good man to work for.” An uproar of laughter interrupted them, and they both looked at the closed door. Sharon automatically smiled, but a frown replaced it as something in the two voices, fainter now but still audible, made her pause. “What did you say Mr. Waterton’s name was?” she asked. “It’s John,” Andy answered. “Oh, yes, right,” she agreed, still worried. “But he usually asks everyone to call him—” The door opened. “There you are,” Kane called out. “Andrew Huffman, Sharon Davies, I’d like you to meet Jack Waterton.” Jack. The Jack of her dreams. The father-of-her-baby Jack. Thank goodness she was already sitting down. Contents Prologue (#u419faea4-219d-59b5-8671-a09a2ea233f0) Chapter One (#u371e1e4b-3452-5afc-a149-3cc001b34d0a) Chapter Two (#u983849ef-f1c4-5687-bd36-469644e5674c) Chapter Three (#ue8c969ef-d4b8-58f1-9c41-40359264bd48) Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo) Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo) Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo) Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo) Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo) Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo) Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo) Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo) Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo) Prologue Kane Haley leaned back in his chair, thinking about his luncheon appointment. He just had to take care of this one little chore and then he’d— A voice on the phone interrupted his thoughts. He’d been put on hold several minutes ago, and he’d been getting a little impatient. “Uh, I’m sorry, Mr. Haley.” “I don’t understand. You’re sorry about what?” “The—the sperm donation you made was accidently dispersed.” The man had rushed through that sentence. Kane’s chair snapped into an upright position as he took in the meaning. Slowly, he said, “By dispersed, you mean some woman took—some woman is having my baby?” His voice grew louder. “Some—who?” “We can’t tell you that, but it only happened because the woman was an employee of your company, and that’s why the clerk thought your sperm was what she wanted. And—and we’re sorry for any inconvenience.” “Any inconvenience? Any—damn it! Give me the woman’s name.” “We can’t do that, Mr. Haley. We’d be sued.” Kane didn’t care if they were sued. Hell, he might sue them himself. He’d given the sperm because his best friend, Bill Jeffers, had discovered he had cancer. He was to begin radiation treatment and wanted to save his own sperm for the future. Kane had gone with him in support, and the counselor they’d visited with had suggested Kane donate sperm also to be held in case his friend’s sperm shouldn’t work. He’d just learned his friend’s wife was pregnant—the natural way—and he’d decided to ask the sperm bank to destroy his own donation. Too late. “When did this happen? Surely you can tell me that?” “It—it was recent, but I can’t give you any more information than that. Thank you.” Then he was listening to a dial tone. He slammed down the receiver. What now? What was he going to do? Should he ask Maggie to—no, he didn’t want to explain this problem to her. Maggie was his incredibly efficient assistant who was as strict with him as she was with herself. He couldn’t see himself confessing to Maggie that he’d been careless with his sperm! Okay, so he’d have to handle this himself. He’d—he’d look at the women among his employees and find out who was pregnant. And ask them who the father was? He couldn’t ask a question like that. No, he had to have a reason. After a knock on his door, Maggie entered. “Are you going to lunch?” “Yes, uh, yes, but I—” Suddenly inspiration struck. “I have a question for you. Do we have any women employees who are pregnant?” She stared at him, then nodded and said, “Yes.” “I see. Do—do we offer any benefits to them?” She blinked, her cheeks turning pink. “We offer medical benefits.” “Ah. I was wondering if we should do more. Like—like create an on-site child-care center? I was reading an article about the benefits to a company that meets its employees’ needs. “Really?” “Yes. So—so tomorrow, I’m going to do some questioning of our pregnant employees. I’ll need a list of them.” “Very well.” “You can get me a list?” he asked, always amazed at Maggie’s efficiency. “I’ll do my best.” She laid some papers on his desk and turned to leave. Tomorrow. Tomorrow he’d find out who was having his baby. Chapter One Sharon Davies approached the bank of elevators, pretending her life was perfectly sane, calm, happy. She had a good job with Kane Haley, Inc., a growing accounting firm in Chicago. She loved her work, she had a great family, the sun was shining…and this morning she’d taken a home pregnancy test. The elevator door opened, and she didn’t move. Someone pushed her from behind. “Come on, lady, I got deliveries to make.” “Sorry,” she muttered and stepped to one side. “Go ahead. I’ll take the next one.” The messenger, along with several other people, entered the elevator. Then he looked at Sharon. “Come on, there’s room.” “No! No, I—I can’t.” She took another step back. He stared at her as if she were crazy. Maybe she was. Not many sane people could claim to have gotten pregnant in an elevator. That elevator. The door closed and Sharon stared at her image in the mirrored doors. She didn’t look like a loose woman. She was wearing a conservative gray sheer wool suit, a plum silk blouse with all but the top button closed. Her skirt was slim but of moderate length. Her shoes were low heels. She wasn’t trying to catch a man’s eye. She hadn’t been trying two months ago either. But she’d been late to work after a terrible morning when everything that could go wrong had. She hated elevators, but she certainly hadn’t been tempted to use the stairs to walk up sixteen floors. She enjoyed exercise, but she wasn’t crazy. Another elevator opened. Drawing a deep breath, she entered it, crossing her arms over her chest so no one would notice her hands shaking. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Jack’s face filled her head, only today it didn’t have a calming affect. Her eyes filled with unshed tears. They popped open and she blinked several times to dry them. She wasn’t going to cry. The door slid open on the top floor, her floor, and she quickly stepped out. Pasting a smile on her lips, she greeted fellow workers as she hurried to her desk. She felt—safer behind her desk. It wasn’t as if anyone could see that she was pregnant…yet. The first thing she had to do, however, was make a doctor’s appointment. She was the only member of their department at work, so she grabbed the phone and dialed her doctor’s office. A couple of minutes later, she hung up the phone. Tomorrow morning at nine. At least that little errand was taken care of. She stepped to her boss’s office. Andrew Huffman was the closest thing to a father-figure she’d had since her own father had walked out on her mother, leaving his five children. Sharon was the oldest. The struggle that ensued, still ongoing, had reminded her every day that men—at least some men—couldn’t be trusted. Now, with her mother’s hard work and her own contributions, starting when she’d gotten a part-time job at fourteen, all her siblings were getting a college education. When she’d started at Kane Haley Inc., fresh out of high school at eighteen, she’d come to Andrew Huffman’s department. He’d encouraged her to learn and grow, using the company training as well as her night classes, to take on more and more responsibility. She’d completed her degree this August and Andy had been as excited as her. Now, she rapped on his door, knowing he’d be at his desk. He was nearing retirement age and worked from a wheelchair, but he had the energy of men half his age. “Come in.” “Andy? I have a doctor’s appointment for tomorrow morning, so I won’t be in until ten or ten-thirty. Is that okay?” “Sure. Is everything okay?” “Yes. Just something I need to take care of.” She certainly wasn’t going to tell anyone about it until she had her pregnancy confirmed by a doctor. She wasn’t sure if the home tests were really reliable. Or maybe she was just hoping. “Okay. I may have some good news for you next week. Your very own project,” he exclaimed with a boyish grin. She tried to look excited. “Really? Any details?” “Can’t tell you yet. But keep up the good work.” She retreated to her desk. She and Andy had talked about her heading up her first project. Without her degree, he couldn’t let her take that responsibility, but he’d promised she’d get the chance now. Yesterday, she would’ve been thrilled. Now she wasn’t sure she could handle it. The temptation to call Jen was hard to resist. One of her friends, Jennifer Martin, was the Health Benefits Manager. It was Jen who had inspired her to buy a home pregnancy kit. When Sharon had complained over lunch about fatigue and occasional nausea, Jen had commented that it sounded like pregnancy to her. Sharon had laughed, along with Jen, because Jen would know. She’d discovered her own pregnancy a month after her fianc? had died in a car wreck. Jen didn’t know she was the inspiration, because she didn’t know about the elevator incident. No one did except her and Jack. If only she knew who Jack was. “Yes, the test was correct, Miss Davies. You are approximately eight weeks pregnant. Your baby is developing nicely. I foresee no difficulties. I’ll write you a prescription for prenatal vitamins and set you up for an examination schedule of every six weeks until you’re six months pregnant. It will be every two weeks then, until we’re down to the last month. I might change to every week then.” The older woman in the white coat beamed at her as she made notes on the new chart. “Now, who shall I list as the father?” Sharon stared at her. She’d been coming to Dr. Norman since she’d started working at Kane Haley, Inc., eight years ago. The doctor was on their company plan and was in the same building, convenient. “Uh, I’m not listing a father’s name,” she said calmly, folding her hands in her lap. “You don’t know who the father is?” Dr. Norman asked sharply. “I know who he is, but I don’t want his name on the records. It’s my baby and I’ll provide for it.” “Ah, a married man,” the doctor muttered, her lips flattening out as she pressed them tightly together. Was he? Sharon didn’t think so, but she couldn’t say for sure. When he’d held her in his arms, caressing her as they talked, sharing the most intimate parts of their lives, he’d told her about his wife and unborn son dying in a car accident. But the accident had been eight years ago. Maybe he hadn’t brought her up to date on his life because—because they were touching each other in an inappropriate way. But she’d been so frightened, so terrified of dying, she had wanted to crawl inside him and hide. “Miss Davies? Sharon? Are you all right?” the doctor asked. “Yes, why?” “You didn’t answer my question. I wondered if your family would—Probably you’re okay financially, since you have insurance, but birth is an emotional thing, as well. Will your family help you?” “Yes, my family will be there for me.” “I can’t help but recommend you notify the father, even if you aren’t together anymore. He has the right to know about his impending fatherhood.” Sharon stared straight ahead. Even if she wanted to tell Jack the results of their strange odyssey, Jack was all she knew. No last name. She wasn’t even sure she could identify him. Until the elevator got stuck, she hadn’t looked at him. Then, after half an hour, the lights went out. She knew his scent. A wonderfully male essence that made her think of a fall day and a sexy man, crisp yet tantalizing. She knew his voice, that sexy burr that comforted and excited her and made her forget the danger. Just not his name. “I’d like you to take birthing classes. You’ll need a partner.” When Sharon said nothing, she added, “You can go without a partner, but you’ll be more comfortable if you can enlist a friend. Everyone else will be in a couple.” “Yes. How soon will I start them?” “Not until you’re five months pregnant. Here is some literature for you to study, to get you started. If you have any questions, any at all, call the nurse. Okay?” The doctor stood, handing her the literature and a prescription. “Thank you, Doctor.” Sharon left, hiding the papers in her purse before she ran into someone from her office. She didn’t want the information to get out until it had to. Until her body changed so much she couldn’t hide it. The doctor’s office was on the twelfth floor. She took the stairway back to her company’s floors, fourteen through sixteen. The small cafeteria was on the fifteenth floor and served as the break room also. She stopped there instead of going straight back to work. Several of her friends waved to her and she hurried over. “Hi, Sharon, join us,” Maggie offered. She was the assistant to Mr. Haley himself, the owner of the company. But she didn’t act any differently than Sharon’s other friends. “Let me get some juice before I sit down,” Sharon said. When she returned to the table, Lauren Conner asked, “What happened to your usual diet soda?” “Oh, I’m fighting a cold and the doctor suggested less soda and more fruit juice.” “Good for you,” Maggie said. “I’m getting older and discovering everything you eat affects you. It’s gross!” Both Lauren and Sharon laughed. They were mid-twenties, but Maggie was thirty-three. Still not what most people would consider as over the hill. “I think you’ve got a few years, Maggie,” Sharon assured her. “I certainly hope so, but I need all my energy to keep up with Kane.” Jennifer Martin entered the cafeteria and immediately joined them. “Hi. Sorry I’m late. The big boss had some questions for me.” She looked at Maggie. “Did you know about this?” Maggie calmly continued eating a cluster of grapes. “You mean the child-care possibilities?” “Yes,” Jen said. Sharon immediately sat straighter in her chair. “On site? Child-care on site?” she asked. Both Jen and Maggie nodded. Lauren clapped her hands. “Jen, how wonderful for you! That will help a lot, won’t it?” “It would be wonderful,” Jen agreed. “When he asked me about it, I thought I must be dreaming.” Jen was more than seven months pregnant and had successfully hidden her pregnancy until recently. “Not that it will be ready right away even if he decides to go ahead with it, but it’s something great to look forward to.” “Kane certainly hadn’t considered the idea until the last day or so. He said he read an article,” Maggie told her. “I gave him a list of pregnant women this morning, but I didn’t put anyone on the list who hadn’t already announced her pregnancy.” “I didn’t let my emotions show, but I almost passed out with surprise,” Jen said with a chuckle. “He’s decided to form a committee to study the idea. Matt Holder and I are on it. A woman due in a couple of months and a confirmed bachelor! I hope whoever the other members of the committee are, they have some experience with babies!” “Well, I hope Kane won’t be on it. After all, he’s divorced and has no children, so he won’t have any experience either,” Maggie pointed out. “It’s pretty impressive that he thought of the idea, isn’t it?” Sharon said. “He’s a very good employer.” “Yes, he is,” Maggie agreed, warmth in her voice. They all suspected Maggie had feelings for her boss, but she’d never admitted to them, and none of them would think of asking her. Sharon had so much to think about. She finished her juice and stood. “I’d better get to work. I haven’t been to the office yet since I had an appointment this morning.” “How are you feeling? Any better?” Jen asked. “Um, yeah. I drank juice instead of a soda. The doctor said I needed more vitamin C. See you!” She hurried away, afraid she’d blurt out things she needed to keep to herself. But in twenty-four hours, her life had changed so much, it was difficult to take it all in. “Everything all right?” Andy asked her as soon as she reported in. “Yes, fine. Did I miss anything this morning?” “Nope, just work, and we saved you some,” he added with a grin. Sharon smiled back and went to her desk, greeting the other members of the staff as she went. She was so fortunate to work in this department, Special Projects. Everyone was so cheerful. She knew it all stemmed from Andy. He always had a smile on his face. And who could complain about bills or the sniffles or whatever when their boss was in a wheelchair? That was what she had decided last night. So she was pregnant. She’d always wanted children, but she didn’t have any enthusiasm for marriage. So, now she didn’t have to worry about it. Fortunately she lived in an age when women didn’t have to force themselves into a marriage they didn’t want just because they’d been unfortunate enough—no, not unfortunate. She wasn’t going to think that way. There were a lot of women in the world who couldn’t get pregnant. She was one of the fortunate ones. The doctor might recommend telling the father, but she didn’t. After all, he’d left the hospital without contacting her. They’d been taken in separate ambulances to the nearest hospital after they’d been rescued. When she’d been checked and released, she’d asked about him. The nurse told her he’d already gone. He obviously had felt he didn’t owe her anything, and he didn’t want anything to do with her. That much was clear. She pulled out her work and swept such thoughts away. She had seven months to adjust to being a single parent. She didn’t have to devote today to such things. After lunch, she again had settled down to work when her phone rang. Andy greeted her and asked if she’d come to his office. He called her into his office frequently to discuss certain items, calling her his right-hand man. She didn’t think anything of it. When she opened the door however, she discovered the owner, Kane Haley himself, leaning against a windowsill. Both he and Andy were smiling, so she didn’t think there was a problem. “Good afternoon, Mr. Haley, Andy. Did you need something?” “Sit down, Sharon,” Andy said, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of his desk. She did so and waited. He looked at Kane and nodded. “Sharon, you’ve been working here for almost eight years. Andy raves about you all the time, calling you his right-hand man. I think it’s time we made it official.” She stared at him, having difficulty taking his meaning. “The right-hand part, not the man part,” Kane hurriedly added with an even bigger grin. “I can assure you neither one of us objects to your femininity.” She turned to Andy, still not sure what Kane meant. “He’s trying to tell you, my dear, that you now bear the title of Assistant Director of Special Projects, with the appropriate raise, of course.” Sharon felt her jaw drop. That position had been vacated several years ago and Andy had said it was unnecessary. “Me? I’ve been promoted? A raise?” Suddenly her mind was filled with all the soon-to-be expenses she’d incur with a child. How perfect! Without even knowing the amount, she was thrilled. “Oh, thank you, Andy! And Mr. Haley. Thank you so much. I promise I’ll work hard.” “You already do, my dear,” Andy said with a smile. “You don’t want to overdo it or I’ll think you’re after my job.” When she began to protest, he shushed her with a few words and a chuckle. “Well, I’m glad I was here for the announcement, Sharon,” Kane said. “It’s always encouraging to have happy employees.” He shoved away from the window and extended his hand to her. She stood and shook his hand. Then, as he turned to go, he came to a halt. “Oh, by the way, Andy, do you have any pregnant women in your department?” Chapter Two Sharon abruptly folded into the chair from which she’d risen. “Uh, my knees are shaky from the excitement,” she said hurriedly. “Good,” Kane said with a dismissive nod. “I like your enthusiasm.” Then he looked at Andy again. “Well?” “Not that I know of,” Andy said, surprised. “Michelle is on maternity leave. She had her baby about six weeks ago. When is she due back, Sharon?” “Next Monday,” Sharon said. “Yeah, I know about her,” Kane said. “But it occurred to me that some women might keep their pregnancies secret for a while, and—and the more women we have who are pregnant, the more the child-care center would benefit us. So I thought—Why wouldn’t they tell everyone?” Sharon blinked and tried to shrink down in her chair. She didn’t want to be a part of this conversation. “I suppose they’re afraid it will affect their careers,” Andy said, frowning. “Would it?” Kane asked. “I don’t want my employees punished because of that. What do you think, Sharon?” “M-me? Uh, no, I don’t think women here are punished because they have a—a family.” “Good. So if it’s not fear, why would they keep it a secret?” Sharon knew why she was keeping it a secret. She didn’t want to tell anyone about what happened. She was single, which would raise questions. Besides she’d have to reveal her secret soon enough. Then there was Jen. Her situation was awkward, too, since she wasn’t married. With Kane and Andy both staring at her, she said, “Maybe some women don’t have husbands, so it’s difficult.” “Yeah,” Kane agreed, “but what if a woman wanted the pregnancy and, say, went to a sperm bank. Would she hide her pregnancy?” Sharon thought he looked more intense than ever. What was going on? “I don’t know,” she muttered. Kane sighed. “No. I don’t either.” He looked at Andy. “Let me know if you hear of any new pregnancies, okay?” “Sure,” Andy agreed. He and Sharon remained silent while Kane left the office. Then he looked at Sharon. “That was strange.” “Yes,” Sharon said, still tense. “Here are the papers about your promotion and how much of a raise you’re getting. Look it over and we’ll talk later.” Andy said, smiling again. Sharon stood and took the papers. “Thank you again, Andy.” “Nothing to thank me for. You’ve earned it.” She moved to the door, still unnerved by everything. “Oh, by the way, clear your schedule tomorrow. Your project assignment will be ready tomorrow instead of next week. No time to waste.” She closed the door behind her and took a deep breath. Oh, my. Life seemed to be changing at high speed. She was getting her own project, had received a promotion…and she was pregnant. What else could happen? She dreamed of Jack that night. It wasn’t the first time. After the traumatic experience of believing she was going to die and his saving her mind if not her body, it wasn’t surprising. In fact, she’d welcomed those dreams, just as she focused on Jack every time she entered the elevator now. Those hours spent with him had changed her life in more ways than the pregnancy. She’d been intimate with him because of the comfort and courage he gave her. She hadn’t let a man get close to her in a long time. Once she’d let a man get close, but he’d abandoned her, just as her father had, and had only reinforced her opinion about men. Even though Jack had walked away when she’d needed him desperately, in the elevator he’d been there for her. So she felt him hold her close in her dreams. But now, carrying his child, wondering what he would think about that fact, she found the dreams disturbing. She needed to shut Jack out of her mind as well as her life. When she faced the elevators the next morning, she vowed she wouldn’t picture Jack in her mind. She could ride the elevator without his protection. Again she passed up the particular elevator where they’d been trapped. When she entered the next elevator, it was crowded. She tried to stay close to the door, but she ended up in the back because of the crowd. She concentrated on her breathing, or tried to, but by the time she reached her floor, she was sweating and breathing rapidly. “Out, please,” she called desperately, wondering why these people weren’t moving when it was the top floor. By the time she emerged, she felt exhausted and disheveled. She leaned against the wall, taking deep gasps of air. “Sharon? Are you all right?” Maggie asked. Sharon whirled around and stared at her friend. “Yes! Of course. It’s just that sometimes I think about—I don’t like elevators.” “Who could blame you, after being trapped in one. Kane had all of them checked after your experience. I promise it won’t happen again,” Maggie said with a smile, giving Sharon a little hug. “Why don’t you go get a cup of coffee?” “No, I have—I’m getting my own project to run this morning. I’ve waited a long time for this day.” “Oh, yes. And it’s an important one. John Waterton is an important client. Good for you.” With a smile, Maggie moved on and Sharon drew a deep breath. She was okay, she was sure. Of course, now that she knew who the client was, her knees were shaking again. Everyone in the company knew about the Waterton account. Kane Haley had signed them on as a small project about six months ago. It had gone so well, Mr. Waterton had used Kane Haley, Inc., again. Sharon had heard rumors that this next project would be a big one. Hers. It might be hers. Excitement took precedence over fear, and she hurried to her desk. If Maggie was right, and she was always right, her project would be very important for the entire company. She would work closely with whoever was in charge to set up a budget, supervise the spending and pay out the funds. She took another deep breath to calm herself. She wanted to be able to speak coherently, not sound like an idiot. By the time Andy called her, she had developed a professional calm that would allow her to be at her best. She went to his office and entered with a slight smile on her lips. “Yes, Andy?” “Come in. I’m going to take you to Kane’s office in a minute, but I want to prep you a little.” He had papers spread on his desk. She pulled up a chair, eager for the details. It appeared Andy had done a lot of preparation work on the budget and had set up the books. “Kane wanted me to take this on, but I think you can do a better job. I did some of the preliminary work, of course, but you’ll be able to go on site and verify a lot. It’s just across the street, you know.” “Doesn’t Mr. Waterton have a foreman who would take care of some of this?” Sharon asked. “He used us last time because he had two projects going at once. Now he has several more projects going, that his own man is working on, but this opportunity came up. Besides, he has some questions about things his guy has done recently. This project is important to him. It’s big, Sharon.” Yes, she could see that. And if he didn’t trust his man, she could understand why he wouldn’t want him on this project. But why not fire him? Mr. Waterton would be a strange developer and builder if he was too shy to handle personnel. She couldn’t wait to meet him. Andy indicated they were ready, and she followed him out of his office. She gave a prayer of thanks that they were on the same floor as Kane Haley’s office. Since Andy was in a wheelchair, he wouldn’t be able to take the stairs, as she always did between their three floors, and she didn’t want to arrive at such an important meeting with her wits scattered and her appearance less than professional. When they reached Maggie’s office, she warned them that Kane wasn’t ready for them yet, and asked them to wait, indicating the comfortable sofa and chairs near her desk. That was nothing unusual. Sharon took the sofa and Andy rolled his chair alongside her. “You’re not nervous, are you?” Andy asked, like a mother hen hovering over her only chick. “Not yet, Andy. I feel well-prepared for this job. Besides, if I find a problem, I can always bring it to you, can’t I? You’re not going to refuse to speak to me, are you?” He chuckled. “You know I won’t. And Mr. Waterton is a good man to work for. I like him.” A roar of laughter interrupted them, and they both looked at the closed door. Maggie, with a smile, said, “Kane likes him, too. I think they’re becoming true friends.” Sharon automatically smiled, but a frown replaced it as something in the two voices, fainter now but still audible, made her pause. “What did you say Mr. Waterton’s first name was, Maggie?” she asked. “It’s John,” Andy answered instead. “I told you that.” “Oh, yes, right,” she agreed, still worried. “But he usually asks everyone to call him—” Maggie began to add, when the door behind her opened. “There you are,” Kane called out, obviously feeling good. “Andrew Huffman, Sharon Davies, I’d like you to meet Jack Waterton.” Jack. The Jack of her dreams. The father-of-her-baby Jack. Thank God she was already sitting down. Jack Waterton liked his association with Kane Haley. His company was up and coming and eager to please. He’d talked on the phone to Andrew Huffman and liked what he’d heard. Now they wanted him to work with a woman, but he didn’t have a problem with that. He stepped forward and shook Huffman’s hand. They’d worked together before. He was a sharp man. Then he turned to greet the woman. Very attractive, his mind thought, and he felt his body following the same line. His reaction wasn’t abnormal for most men. The brunette had long, light brown hair dancing about shoulders that topped a trim figure hidden behind her conservative dress. At least she wasn’t a siren. He smiled and offered her his hand. And saw her eyes. Pale green. An unusual color. One that he’d seen in his dreams. Because they were the eyes of the mysterious Sharon. The one who’d disappeared after they’d been trapped in the elevator. She stood and took his hand for a brisk shake. Then she stepped back, as if she didn’t like to touch him. “Mr. Waterton,” she said stiffly. “Make it Jack, Miss Davies,” he said in a friendly manner. Kane slapped him on the back. “Of course she will, and you’ll call her Sharon. We’re casual around here.” “Sharon?” he repeated, coming to a sudden halt. The woman in the elevator had had her hair pulled back into a bun. Had she been hiding all that silky hair that framed Sharon’s face? Could they be one and the same? “Come on into the office. Jack has a few problems he’d like us all to discuss before he and Sharon settle in to detail the project,” Kane invited, standing back so they could all precede him. Jack stared at the woman as she walked past him, cool as ice, never looking his way. It couldn’t be her. Surely she would’ve said something…well, maybe not. After all, what happened had been extraordinary and personal. Very personal. So personal that he hadn’t been able to forget it. He dated, sort of, occasionally. Or maybe he should say he had liaisons. But the women always understood the nature of their relationships. He didn’t lead anyone on. He’d married once, and he didn’t intend to do so again. Not that he’d led Sharon on in the elevator. She was frightened and panicky, and he’d tried to help her. He hadn’t intended to—no, he didn’t lose control with women anymore. But he had that time. And then she’d walked away. Had it been a trap? Had she known who he was after all? Maybe she wasn’t as innocent as he’d thought her. She couldn’t have predicted that the elevator would stick. But it wouldn’t be the first time that some fast-thinking woman had used unexpected circumstances to trap a man into thinking with something other than his brain. “Jack?” Kane prodded him with his voice. “You okay? Ready to talk?” “Uh, yeah, sure.” He turned and followed the others into the office. Kane had said the woman had been with his company eight years. If she started just after college, that would make her thirty. She didn’t seem that experienced. In fact, in the elevator, if that was her, he’d thought she was probably twenty. Which left him feeling very guilty. After all, he was thirty-five, considerably older. He eyed her again as he took a seat across from her. She couldn’t be thirty. Her skin was fresh and…and silky, he remembered, warm to his touch. Her lips were warm, too, luscious, blooming under his, and her body—he shook himself. Many more thoughts like that and he’d have to excuse himself. In his dreams, he’d made love to her in a soft bed, both of them completely naked, able to take the time to enjoy each other. To repeat the loving, again and again. To— “Mr. Waterton,” she began, her voice several degrees beyond frozen. “Jack, please,” he said automatically. “If you’re uncomfortable working with a woman, there are several men in our department who could handle—” She didn’t get her offer completed before both Huffman and Kane objected. “What are you saying, Sharon?” Huffman asked. “Are you having second thoughts, Sharon?” Kane wanted to know. “No, but I believe Mr. Waterton is.” Oho. So she thought she could read his mind? Not likely, or she’d be beet-red from embarrassment. “Forgive me, Sharon. I was momentarily distracted. I have no problem working with you. And my men will be ecstatic when you visit the job.” “I beg your pardon?” she returned, in even icier tones. Jack shrugged his shoulders. “Am I being politically incorrect by noticing how beautiful you are? Don’t worry, my men won’t embarrass either you or me.” At least not if he threatened them. He cleared his throat. “Shall we get down to business?” He picked up some papers he’d left nearby that Huffman had prepared. He had a few adjustments to make. He noted that Sharon, woman-in-the-elevator Sharon, had her pen ready and made careful notes as he talked. Andy, as he had asked to be called, made several suggestions, but Sharon amended one of those, improving it. She wasn’t afraid to put forth her ideas. Good for her. Good for him. She’d do a good job…if she didn’t drive him crazy. When they’d covered all the problems he could foresee right now, Kane wished them all luck and escorted them out of his office. Jack looked at the other two. “How about I buy both of you a cup of coffee? My throat’s kind of dry.” “That’s a good idea,” Andy agreed. Andy wasn’t the one he wanted to talk to. He looked at Sharon for her agreement. “I really need to get back to the office but you two go right ahead,” she said with a small smile directed to her boss. “Nonsense,” Andy corrected. “You work too hard and it’s important to get to know a client. We’ll both join you, Jack.” Jack was impressed with how quickly she recovered, but he’d caught the frustration and distaste in those remarkable eyes. “Of course. Go ahead. I’ll stop by the office and leave this material. Then I’ll meet you there.” Without waiting for a reply, she circled him and Andy and walked out of the office. Jack led the way to the elevator. “I’m glad we’ve got a minute alone,” Andy said as the two of them entered an empty elevator. “Oh, why?” “You worried me with your remark about her beauty. It’s not going to be a problem, is it? I mean, you’re aware of the sexual harassment laws, aren’t you?” Jack gave the man a rueful, lopsided grin. “Yeah, I’m aware of them. I was momentarily overcome, she’s so damned beautiful, but I’ll be careful. You don’t have to worry about your baby.” Andy chuckled. “I guess I was pretty transparent,” he admitted as the elevator door opened on fifteen and they got out. “But she’s worked for me since she got out of high school, and I’m protective of her.” “High school? I thought she had a degree.” She might be beautiful, she might fill his dreams, but he expected a certain level of competence. “She has her degree. She earned it at night while she worked here during the day. She has both experience and training, Jack. She’s the best I’ve got.” Jack nodded. “With an endorsement like that, Andy, how can I go wrong?” The man nodded in satisfaction as Jack opened the door to the cafeteria so Andy could roll in. “You can’t, Jack. She’ll do a good job. Very detail-oriented.” “You’ve convinced me. By the way, your prep work was quite impressive, too. If things turn out the way I think, I may turn over all my accounting work to Kane Haley, Inc.” “Your suspicions are confirmed?” “Not yet, but, unfortunately, I believe they will be. I guess the temptation was too great for Roger. I pay him a good salary, but he wanted more. I believe he’s falsifying the amounts and skimming. I just can’t prove it yet.” “I’m sorry to hear that.” “Yeah. How about here? There’s room for your chair at this table. I’ll go get the coffee.” He brought two cups back and was turning to go back for a third when Sharon appeared. It startled him when his heart seemed to leap with pleasure. It was those dreams, nothing more. “Sit down, Sharon. I’ll go get the third cup.” “No, thank you. I’ll have fruit juice.” As he turned to discover the location of juice, she added, “I’ll get it myself. Go ahead and drink your coffee before it gets cold.” She left before he could argue with her. “Is she always this independent?” “Yes, she is. And did I mention hard-working?” “You’ve sold her, Andy, I promise,” he told the man with a grin. Andy gave him a serene smile. “Good.” Sharon took a long time to get her juice, but she finally joined them. As she sat down, the loudspeaker announced, “Mr. Huffman, you have an important phone call.” Jack watched her eyes widen in apprehension, so he wasn’t surprised when she offered to take the phone call for her boss. “No, I’ll get it. You two go ahead and get acquainted.” Andy rolled toward the door to the cafeteria. Sharon watched him go as if she’d just lost her best friend. Jack waited until she faced him again. Then he got straight to the point, afraid she’d run away before he did. And took hold of her arm to be sure. “We need to talk.” Chapter Three Sharon wasn’t sure he’d recognized her, until he touched her. Until he demanded they talk. But she’d had several minutes, while she went to her office, then trodden the steps down to the cafeteria, to figure out her response, in case he had. “No, we don’t. We’re going to work together, and I think we can do that. Nothing else matters.” She’d practiced those words in her mind as she’d used the stairs. They weren’t quite as formal as she’d hoped, but she thought he’d get the point. Besides, the man hadn’t even recognized her. What did it matter to him? “Sharon, I didn’t know where to find you.” Oh, yeah, like he’d cared. “The hospital would’ve been a good place to start looking.” She wasn’t going to let him think for a minute that she believed the concern in his voice. “If you expected me to look for you, why did you leave without finding me?” “Because, according to the nurse, you’d already left.” “That’s what they told me about you.” His thumb, resting against the skin on her wrist, began moving in slow circles, all too reminiscent of his attempts to calm her in the elevator, and she jerked her arm away. “I was there for three hours. I had a cut on my arm that needed a couple of stitches and they were busy.” Let him chew on that. She was pretty sure the best he’d had were bruises that required no care. “You were cut?” he demanded, alarm in his voice. “Stop it!” she said, louder than she intended, causing several people to turn and stare at them. If Kane Haley heard that she’d upset his biggest client, she’d be out of a job so fast, her head would spin. “Please, Mr. Waterton. I need my job. If we can keep everything on a professional level, I promise I’ll handle your work as you wish.” “You think I’d have you fired? Don’t be ridiculous, I’d never—” “If Mr. Haley thought you were displeased—” “Oh come on, he’s not a tyrant. He’s a very reasonable man.” Sharon briefly closed her eyes. Of course, he was. But she knew how important this job was to him. And to her. She gathered her strength and looked at him. “I’ll do a good job. Now, if you’ll give me twenty-four hours, I’ll have all the adjustments made and ready to go. Shall I bring them to your office tomorrow?” She prayed he’d follow her lead. After a determined stare, he sighed and said, “No, I’ll stop by your office tomorrow. Or we could have a working lunch?” “No, thank you. I work better in the office.” She stood. “Perhaps you could come by after you have lunch tomorrow, to be sure I get everything done.” “Yes, ma’am. Are you leaving before Andy gets back?” “Andy’s phone calls are never short, Mr. Waterton. I’ll let him know our coffee break is over.” “Jack,” he said forcefully. The least you can do is call me Jack.” “Of course, Mr.—Jack. Tomorrow.” Then she walked out of the cafeteria—and sagged against the wall when she was out of sight. Now what was he supposed to do? He’d intended to apologize for—for making love to her? Hardly. He didn’t regret that. The loving had been the sweetest he’d ever experienced. Probably because of the adrenaline the danger had evoked. But he hadn’t been able to forget it. His sister had picked him up from the hospital and taken him to his condo because he had a flight out of Chicago that night. His parents had invited both him and his sister and her husband to visit them in Florida to discuss several investments they’d made and the new will they’d drawn up. He hadn’t wanted to go, but his sister had convinced him they should. She had more faith in their parents’ love for the two of them than he did. It seemed to him that parents who loved their children wouldn’t leave them with nannies and baby-sitters all the time. Anyway, he’d made his way in life. He was the sole owner of John Waterton Development Company, and it was in good shape. He didn’t want his parents’ money. After those two weeks, he’d figured he’d need a reward for the suffering, and he’d lined up a deep-sea fishing trip with friends from college. He’d relaxed on the boat, letting the waves rock him, thinking about Sharon. If, as he’d assumed, she was an innocent, swept up by the panic and fear she’d exhibited, he’d taken advantage of her. He’d thought about calling the hospital and asking them to check their records. But then he’d told himself he’d check with them when he got back. Then this project had come up and he’d gotten swept up in it. At night, when he crawled into bed, he thought of Sharon. Thought. Yeah, dreamed, yearned for, craved. But come morning, he was back in the real world, running as fast as he could. And there was Roger. He had been hurt by the man’s betrayal as well as angered. They’d worked together for over ten years. He’d thought they were friends. Anyway, he’d neglected to make amends. Then, today, he finds she’s his accountant. It all seemed a little coincidental, suddenly. A beautiful woman as a bean counter? Unexpected. A beautiful woman as his bean counter, one he’d made love to in an elevator. Unbelievable. “Where’s Sharon?” Andy asked, startling him. He looked up to find the man had resumed his place at the table. “Hi, Andy. Want me to freshen your coffee?” “No, thanks. Is everything all right?” Jack couldn’t help but smile. There was that hovering again. “Quit worrying. I didn’t scare her away. I’m not even sure that would be possible. She offered to have all the changes in place by tomorrow afternoon and offered to bring them to my office. But I’ll be out, so you’ll see me here tomorrow. Okay?” “I told you she was good. She works too hard, though.” “You mean she doesn’t slack off when she has a hot date the night before?” He hoped he might pry more information out of Andy than he’d gotten out of Sharon. Which wouldn’t be hard since he’d gotten nil from her. “Nope, not even then.” “What happens if she marries? Will she keep working?” Andy raised one brow and stared at him. “I don’t think she’s that involved with anyone at the moment, so I don’t think you have to worry about that.” “Oh, good.” “Are you married?” He stared at Andy, surprised by the question. “No, I’m not.” “Good,” Andy said with that serene smile that was beginning to irritate Jack. Then he added, his smile widening, “Just wanted to give as good as I got.” “Sorry. She wasn’t very interested in casual chitchat. It worried me that she was so—so closed up.” “Sharon doesn’t make friends easily, but once she does learn to trust someone, they’ve got a friend for life.” Andy pushed his chair back from the table. “Well, I’d best get back to my office and take care of the latest emergency. Let me know if you have any problems with the project.” “I will, Andy, thanks.” He stood and shook the man’s hand. Then he followed him from the room. It irritated Sharon, but she put more thought into her appearance the next day than she usually did. “He’s just a lousy man. What’s wrong with you?” she asked the image in the mirror. “One who took what he wanted and then walked away. He’s not worth any extra primping!” She twitched her skirt into place and turned to see how much leg she showed through the kick pleat in the back. Obviously her body wasn’t listening to her head. No wonder. Her dreams last night had been even more spectacular than ever. She’d been shocked—when she’d awakened. In her dream she’d been warm and welcoming, begging for his touch. “You idiot!” she snapped, then sighed. There was no need to worry. He wanted nothing to do with her. If he had, he would’ve found her. It had been two months. Strictly business. That’s what she had to keep in mind. At work, she kept her mind focused on business. Jack’s papers were in order and ready to be shown by ten o’clock. Tidying her desk, she decided she needed a coffee break, or juice break, as she had now decided. She’d read all the material the doctor had given her. One cup of coffee a day was all she should have. Maybe she was doing overkill, but she’d switched to hot tea at home. Juice for break. Lots of water. And she was discovering some discomfort in her normal suits. Several were a little tight around the waist. She thought about Jen again. She was seven months, but she’d hidden her condition until almost five months. She needed to ask her for tips, but then she’d have to tell her why. She wasn’t ready for that yet. She stared at the papers she’d neatly stacked there. How long would the project last? She didn’t want Jack to know about the baby. She hadn’t changed her mind about that. When she reached the cafeteria, her friends were all there. Julia Parker had joined Maggie, Lauren and Jen. They’d all started about the same time and had gradually formed their own little club. “Am I late?” she asked as she slipped into the last chair. “Of course not,” Maggie assured her. “I was just telling them about your good fortune. Sorry, I should’ve waited for you to tell them, but they were asking who the hunk was from yesterday.” “The hunk?” she asked, staring at them blankly. “Oh, come on, Sharon. In the cafeteria yesterday morning. You know, tall, dark, muscles out the wazoo, the most beautiful blue eyes,” Julia said. “My, you certainly took inventory,” Sharon said, trying to smile. “And you didn’t get his social security number?” “Do I need it? I had in mind a romantic evening, not retirement.” Everyone laughed, and Sharon said, “Obviously Maggie has told you his name is Jack Waterton. We were talking business, Julia, so I don’t know his social details at all.” “Girl, you’re going to end up an old maid if you don’t start paying attention,” Lauren assured her. “We all thought he was well worth a second look.” “You can have one this afternoon. He’s coming back after lunch.” She hadn’t been able to think of anything else all morning. “Ah, is that why you’re wearing a new suit?” Jen asked, grinning. “It’s not new!” Sharon hurriedly assured her. “I bought it two years ago, but then I lost some weight and it didn’t fit right. But I’m afraid I’ve put back on some pounds. Maybe it’s the fruit drink,” she said, holding up the glass of orange juice. “You look fine to me,” Maggie said, with a warm smile. “Is your cold going away?” “You have a cold?” Julia asked, frowning. “I don’t hear any signs of it. How long have you had it?” “Oh, I don’t, really. For a couple of days, I thought I was coming down with something. That’s all. It’s all gone away.” “Good, so when Mr. Waterton asks you to dinner, you won’t have to turn him down,” Jen said. Конец ознакомительного фрагмента. Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес». Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию (https://www.litres.ru/judy-christenberry/when-the-lights-went-out/?lfrom=688855901) на ЛитРес. Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.