Grand Passion

realism to the picture he's painting for Global Village. Getting engaged to you will convince everyone he's serious about going independent.”
    “And that will make Global Village surrender to his demands?” Cleo asked.
    Kimberly shrugged. “Probably. They want him very badly.”
    Cleo looked at Max. “Nice to be wanted, isn't it?”
    “Depends on who wants you.” Max's gaze was unwavering.
    Kimberly stopped pacing for a moment. “I wondered why Max turned down my father's offer to come back to Curzon. Now I know why. The CEO slot at Global Village probably looks a good deal more tempting. Max likes to be in charge. At Curzon he'd always be battling the family for control. But at Global Village he can be the one in command.”
    Cleo used a linen napkin to blot a drop of syrup from the corner of her mouth. When that didn't do the trick, she used the tip of her tongue. “When did you first talk to Global Village, Max?”
    “The day I went into town with Ben to get some stuff at the hardware store.” His eyes willed her to believe him.
    Cleo took a deep breath. “That would be about a week after you had accepted my offer of employment.”
    “Yes.”
    “What did you say to them?”
    “That I wasn't interested in any position at Global Village,” Max said quietly.
    “Not even the CEO slot?” Cleo asked.
    “No. Not even the CEO slot.”
    Cleo smiled tremulously. “I guess that means you're still working for me, doesn't it?”
    “Yes.” Max's eyes were brilliant with an emotion that was not reflected in his voice. “I'm still working for you. I have no plans to quit.”
    “I thought so,” Cleo said. “Well, that settles that little problem, doesn't it? Stop worrying, Kimberly. Max isn't going to work for the competition.”
    She got up to pour herself a cup of coffee. She wanted to make the action look as nonchalant as Kimberly had earlier, but that plan went out the window when she had to hunt for a cup.
    “Second cupboard on the left,” Kimberly said coldly.
    Cleo set her teeth. “Thank you.”
    “I can't figure you out.” Kimberly eyed her warily. “Originally I thought you were just naive and rather unsophisticated. But right now I'm starting to wonder if there's more to you than meets the eye.”
    “You mean you're wondering if I'm as dumb as I look?” Cleo asked innocently. “Max had a problem with that in the beginning, too. I wonder what it is about me that gives that impression? Do you think it's the sneakers?” She glanced down at the silver sneakers she was wearing. “Maybe I should do something about my image.”
    “What sort of game are you playing, Cleo? Do you really think you can control Max?” Kimberly's gaze was bright with speculation. “If you're planning to use him to build an empire for you, I'd advice caution. If Max creates an empire, you can bet he'll be the one who owns and runs it. In the end you'll be left with nothing.”
    Cleo blew on her coffee. “I'm not trying to build an empire. I'm just trying to run an inn. Good help is hard to find. I was lucky to get Max.”
    “Don't give me that. We both know you can't possibly afford him.”
    “All I know is that the offer I made to him was accepted.” Cleo looked at Max. “Wasn't it?”
    Max smiled faintly for the first time since Kimberly had arrived. His eyes were gleaming. “Yes.”
    Kimberly scowled at Cleo. “Damn it, what's going on here? There's no way you could match an offer from Global Village or Curzon International.”
    “You're wrong,” Cleo said softly. “Robbins' Nest Inn has something to offer Max that neither you nor Global Village can possibly match.”
    Kimberly's smile was laced with scorn. “And just what would that be, Cleo? You? Do you really think that Max would walk away from a CEO slot or a vice presidency with corporations like Global Village or Curzon for you or any other woman?”
    “No,” Cleo said. “Not just for me alone. But I think he'd do it for what comes along with me.”
    “Robbins' Nest Inn?”
    “No,” Cleo said. “A family.”
    “You're out of your mind.” Kimberly stared at her in astonishment. “What would Max want with a family?”
    “For one thing,” Cleo said, “he won't have to worry about the occasional screwup.”
    “What are you talking about?” Kimberly looked at her blankly.
    Cleo took a sip of coffee. “With us Max knows that even if he fails to live up to his amazing reputation once in a while, we'll still want him around. He's one