Absolutely, Positively

Brandon said meaningfully. “When I leave Stratton Properties, I'm going to be on my own.”

    “Olivia charges her patients as much as a good tax attorney charges her clients. You won't starve.”

    “It's true, we'll have Olivia's income to live on until I establish myself,” Brandon said. “But she can't afford to capitalize an operation the size of the one I'm planning. You know that as well as I do.”

    “So?” Harry could feel Molly watching him from the other side of the counter.

    “So the banks won't touch me unless Stratton Properties is involved in the loan. Even if I could talk Granddad or Uncle Gilford into backing me, I'd rather not,” Brandon said. “You know that if they're involved, they'll try to take over.”

    “True.”

    Brandon frowned. “I think I know why you never joined Stratton Properties.”

    “My interests lie in other areas.”

    “Tell me something. Did you know that when you came to live here in Seattle, the whole family was convinced that you were out to take your Stratton relatives for whatever you could get?”

    Harry set his spoon down with great care. “That was evident from the start.”

    “Granddad said it was the Trevelyan blood in you. He said you would try to con us Strattons out of what you figured was your rightful inheritance. He said he wouldn't give you a dime unless you proved that you were a true Stratton.”

    “Which meant joining the company,” Harry finished wearily. “Brandon, this is old history. What do you want from me?”

    Brandon straightened his shoulders. “You've got some contacts with venture capitalists because of the technical consulting work you've done. I want you to introduce me to some of the money people. I'm not asking you to go out on a limb for me. I just want the introductions. I'll take it from there.”

    Harry looked at Molly. She gave him a wry, understanding smile but said nothing. He turned to Brandon. “I'll see what I can do.”

    Relief flared in Brandon's eyes. “Thanks.” He got to his feet. “You won't regret this, Harry. Like I said, I'll make my presentations to the investors and take my chances. Just put me in touch with people who are interested in making sound investments.”

    “On one condition,” Harry temporized.

    “What's that?”

    “Give me your word of honor that you'll do your best to stop Olivia from handing out her professional opinions of my psychological profile to all and sundry. It's getting to be annoying.”

    Brandon was plainly startled. He started to scowl, and then a spark of reluctant amusement lit his gaze. “I'll try, but it might not be easy.”

    “I know.” Harry caught Molly's eye. “But I'd appreciate it if you could convince her to keep her diagnoses to herself. Just tell her some people don't mind hours of boredom broken by moments of stark terror.”

    Brandon looked mildly baffled. But he shrugged it off and turned to leave. Then he stopped and smiled at Molly. “Thanks for the coffee.”

    “You bet,” she said. “Oh, by the way, Brandon, Harry and I are planning a big wedding. Everyone in both families will be invited. We'll expect you and Olivia, of course.”

    “Olivia and I will attend,” Brandon said slowly. “But I wouldn't count on any of the others from the Stratton side of the family unless you can guarantee that none of the Trevelyans will be there.”

    “Everyone will be there,” Molly repeated coolly.

    Brandon glanced at Harry. Harry said nothing. He knew as well as Brandon did that there was no hope of getting all of the Strattons and Trevelyans to attend the wedding. Sooner or later, Molly would have to face that simple fact of life.

    “Right, well, I'd better get going,” Brandon said hastily. He headed toward the door, his step a good deal lighter than it had been when he entered earlier.

18

    “How the hell can you be certain that Trevelyan's not marrying you in order to get his hands on the foundation assets?” Gordon grumbled as he scooped up the papers he had spread out on the counter. “That's all I want to know. How can you be so damned sure?”

    Molly regarded Gordon with an acute sense of irritation. It was shortly after five. Tessa was in the storage room, finishing some labels for a mail order shipment. Harry would be here any moment. It was time to close the shop and go home.

    Home.

    It struck her that she was home when she was with Harry. She wondered if he felt the same way when he was with her. She hoped