Call It Destiny

traces of it frequently during the two weeks she’d been back in Tucson on a permanent basis, but tonight it seemed more pronounced. „I assure you I’m not the wild child who left here all those years ago. What’s the matter, Jake?“ she added, unable to resist the small taunt. „Worried that you’ll find yourself married to a first-class shrew?“
    „I’m sure my only problem at the moment is that I’ve got a case of wedding jitters,“ Jake said, refusing to rise to the bait. But he wasn’t looking at her as he spoke. He was focusing intently on the last of his bread.
    For some reason the fact that he wasn’t meeting her eyes bothered Heather. She didn’t know Jake well, but she had been around him often enough in the past couple of weeks, spent enough time with him during the past eighteen months or so on her occasional visits home, to learn his mannerisms. He was usually very direct.
    „Somehow you don’t seem the type to get jitters,“ she murmured. „But I think you might have a few genuine reservations about marry ing me. That’s only logical. You’re a financial wizard, however, so why not look at this whole proposition the way you’d look at a Hacienda Strand spread sheet? On the plus side you will be marrying the boss. That’s always been considered a bright thing to do. You’ll be cementing your position in my family and in the family business. You have my word the marriage will not be a volatile affair. I’m really quite a placid individual these days. I’m a hard worker, diplomatic with guests and staff, and I honor my word. I can guarantee there will be no embarrassing public brawls or arguments. There won’t be any private ones, either, for that matter. I’m healthy, reasonably intelligent, tidy and punctual. I don’t lose my temper anymore the way I did when I was younger, and I’m always willing to listen to all sides of an issue before I make up my mind. I’ve been told I’m a very good boss,“ she concluded with a quick grin.
    Jake stared at her for a long moment and Heather wished suddenly that she could read his thoughts. That polite mask he wore gave little clue to what he was really feeling.
    „And on the negative side?“ he finally asked softly.
    Heather narrowed her eyes. „There are no negatives. At least no major ones come to mind.“
    „Amazing. That certainly makes things simple, doesn’t it?“ But he was smiling again; that wry curve to his hard mouth that he’d favored her with so frequently during the past couple of weeks. She wished it didn’t give her a pang of uncertainty every time she saw it.
    „Very simple,“ she assured him briskly.
    „And have you also worked out a balance sheet for yourself?“
    „Of course.“
    „I’d like to hear the items in the plus column, if you don’t mind.“
    „Why not?“ she said airily. „This marriage will provide me with a husband eminently suitable to my whole family. I will be marrying a man who knows and understands my work and who will share it with me. I am assured by all who know him that I will be getting a husband who has no reputation for violence.“ Heather looked at her escort with amusement. „Mother says you aren’t likely to be a wife beater.“
    „How reassuring for both of us.“
    „Isn’t it? Let’s see, what else will I be getting out of this marriage? Oh, yes. I mustn’t overlook the fact that both parties are going into it with a full understanding of the situation. We needn’t bother with a lot of romantic fiction nor do we have to convince ourselves that we are passionately in love. Our relationship will be allowed to grow naturally, without any undue pressure.“
    „Our relationship sounds like some sort of experimental germ growing in a culture dish.“ But Jake didn’t appear at all perturbed.
    Impulsively Heather leaned forward, her fingertips coming to rest lightly on the sleeve of his summer-weight jacket. „I really do have great hopes for this arrangement, Jake. I think everything is going to be perfect.“
    His gray eyes went from her tinted nails to the earnest expression on her face. „I’m not sure about perfect,“ he hedged gently, „but it’s bound to be interesting. Would you care for dessert?“
    Withdrawing her hand, Heather shook her head. „No, thank you.“
    „Then perhaps we should be going. It’s been a long day for you and I imagine you’re tired.“ Jake signaled for the check, which was delivered almost immediately. He handled the