Full Bloom

the vows."
    "So my father sent you, his loyal errand boy, to buy him off."
    Jacob's temper began to flare. He told himself he was prepared to be tolerant up to a point, but Emily was beginning to push him. He'd never seen her in quite this mood. "When I offered him a lump sum in cash to call off the wedding, he fell all over himself grabbing the money."
    "And then the family fell all over me pointing out what a fool I had been. At least I got out tonight before the lecture." Emily looked at him again. "I assume I'm stuck with you all the way to Seattle?"
    "Unless you want to turn around and go back to spend the night at your parents' house," he said gently.
    "Would you, if you were me?"
    Jacob blinked owlishly. "No," he finally admitted. "I probably would have done what you did. Walked out. I told you, I was proud of you."
    Emily was silent for a moment. "Were they surprised that I dared to do it?"
    "Very surprised."
    "Good. It's nice to know I didn't play out the entire scene the way they intended it to be played. I'll take my little consolations where I can. I suppose you're insisting on driving me back to Seattle for my own good, just like you made that tape for my own good?"
    Jacob squelched his rising irritation. "Yes."
    "Terrific. How are you going to get back to Portland?"
    He shrugged. "I can fly back or take the train tomorrow."
    She folded her arms under her breasts and leaned back into the corner of the seat. "Where do you plan to spend the night?"
    He winced at the soft challenge in her voice. "A hotel, I suppose. I take it you're not going to offer to let me sleep on your couch?"
    "Nope. I don't owe you a damned thing, least of all a bed for the night. You're used to taking care of yourself, Jacob. I'm sure you'll be just fine on your own. Tell me something—is it true what my father said? That you quit Ravenscroft International a couple of months ago?"
    The question surprised him. He decided to take advantage of the opportunity to tell her about his plans. "It's true. I left Ravenscroft because I've got some ideas of my own for the future. I intend to set up a consulting firm that will cater to companies interested in getting into the overseas construction market. Basically I'll be selling advice. After working for RI for six years, I know the territory."
    "I see." She regarded him appraisingly. There was a long pause and then she asked quietly. "You never remarried?"
    "No."
    Emily heard the short, clipped word and wondered at its meaning. Some of the battle-ready anger in her was fading at last. It took energy to fuel that kind of fury, and she was tired. It had been a long day.
    "That's right," she said grimly. "I seem to remember you gave me quite a lecture on the subject of marriage two years ago, right after you told me how quickly Brad Carlton had taken the money you offered."
    "I was in the middle of a messy divorce," Jacob said bluntly. "The situation colored my opinion on the institution of marriage."
    "I recall you telling me marriage was an idiot's invention. You told me you never intended to marry again and that if I had any sense, I'd never get married at all."
    "I told you, I was biased against marriage at the time."
    Emily shook her head slightly. "You were so very cynical in those days. I don't imagine much has changed."
    Jacob drew a deep breath. "Do you really hate me so much, Emily?"
    "Do you care?"
    "Yes. I'd like to know exactly how you feel."
    "Why?" she demanded.
    "Because I want to know how far I'm going to have to go in order to change your mind."
    "About you?" She was startled. "Why should it matter to you what I think?"
    "If you're honest, you'll admit you already know the answer to that."
    "I'm honest enough," she retorted, "but apparently I'm not too bright. I haven't the vaguest idea of what you're talking about or why you care what I think about you."
    "Then your family is probably right. You're still very naive when it comes to men."
    "Jacob Stone, what in the world are you trying to say?"
    "I'm trying to tell you that I want you," he said roughly. "I've wanted you since I first met you five years ago, but it was always the wrong time and place and I always managed to convince myself I was the wrong man."
    Emily was dumbfounded. "You want me? You wanted me five years ago? But that's impossible! Jacob, you never said anything, never implied…"
    "What did you expect?" he muttered. "In the beginning, you were off-limits because I was married. Then, even when I knew my