Full Bloom

elevator wall. He seemed very massive in the small, confined space. "What do you want to know about me?" he asked with a frown.
    "I think," Emily said slowly, "that I would like to know what's been happening to you for the past couple of years."
    "That makes us even," he remarked as the elevator doors slid open. "I'm very curious about what you've been doing for the past two years, also."
    "Mostly I've been busy causing my family no end of concern about my future," Emily said lightly as they walked out through the lobby to a Mercedes parked at the curb. "They were totally traumatized when Grandmother left me her shares in RI. But they recovered slightly when it became clear I didn't really intend to interfere in the running of the firm. They don't like the situation but they've learned to live with it."
    "Your grandmother was one hell of a lady," Jacob said reminiscently. "I liked her."
    "She drove the others nuts every time she took an active interest in RI. She always wanted to be certain the company was operating ethically. She claimed Ravenscrofts were predators by nature and had to be kept under control. At any rate, after the family stopped trying to get me to surrender my interest in RI they went back to fretting about my career choice. They're all hoping the flower business will prove to be a temporary aberration on my part."
    "Like the notion of going off to join an artists' colony when you were eighteen?"
    Emily grimaced. "Mother told you about that, did she? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint her, but I'm afraid that this time I'm sticking with my decision. I suppose I should have known better than to think I was actually being invited down to Portland to discuss my plans for opening a new shop. I ought to have realized my family is not about to loan me any money for expanding my business. I really walked right into that trap Friday night, didn't I? Talk about being set up."
    Jacob gave her an impatient glance as he helped her into the dark Mercedes. Then he went around the front and slid behind the wheel. He sat quietly for a moment, staring out into the street. Emily felt the tension in him, and she knew he had himself under tight control.
    "It wasn't a trap or a setup, Emily. Your father asked you to come to Portland to discuss business. He considered your relationship with Morrell as a genuine threat to Ravenscroft and to you personally. He wanted the issue settled quickly and cleanly. Don't blame him or your brother, or your mother. They've always operated in a very straightforward style. You know that. They don't dither around and anguish over things. When they see a clear and present danger, they act."
    "Without any regard for the feelings of others. Yes, I know."
    "How long are you going to blame me for my part in what happened?" Jacob eased the car away from the curb and started toward First Avenue. As they drove down toward the water, the lights on Elliott Bay glittered in the darkness.
    "I've decided there's no point blaming you," Emily said gently. "That's why I agreed to come out with you tonight. You only did what you had to do. I understand. My family can be very demanding."
    He shot her an astonished glance. "Do you mean that? You're not going to hold any of it against me?"
    "Don't worry. The days are gone when they used to kill the messenger who brought bad news. That's all you were. The messenger. I'm sorry my family felt compelled to drag you into this mess."
    "Mind telling me why you're suddenly being so understanding and forgiving about my role in the matter? I'm not complaining, but I am a little baffled. Friday night when I left you I got the feeling you would like to have put me through the Ravenscroft corporate paper shredder."
    "Let's just say that in the cold light of day, I put things back into perspective. I've had the weekend to think about things. I know how my family operates," she went on soothingly. "They don't hesitate to call in a few favors when it suits them."
    "Emily, I'll say this one more time and that's all. What I did, I did for your sake. I know it was a rough way to get the news about Morrell, but I agreed with your family. We all wanted to make it quick and clean."
    "Let's not talk about why you did what you did. I don't want to talk about that any more than I want to talk about Damon."
    "If you're willing to put the matter behind us, then I guess I am, too. Where does that leave us, Emily?"
    "On the way to dinner."
    "Right." Jacob smiled and made an obvious effort