Sweet Fortune

Consultations. Remember that the next time you complain that I'm a little late getting home in the evening.”
    “Now, wait just one minute here—”
    “Forget it. I don't feel like pursuing this conversation. Let's change the topic.”
    “To what?”
    “To our engagement.”
    “What about it?” Jessie asked.
    “You seem to have thrown yourself somewhat whole-heartedly into the thing,” he pointed out carefully. “It was your idea to forget the protection last night, wasn't it?”
    “Yes. Are you sorry?”
    “Good God, no.” He reached out and pulled her down across his chest. “Jessie, I know you've had your doubts about marrying me, but I promise you I'll do my best to make certain you don't regret this.”
    “I'll see that you do. Your best, that is.”
    Hatch smiled ruefully. “Yeah, you probably will. Nag, nag, nag.”
    “You got it.” She squirmed into a more comfortable position. “Hatch?”
    “Hmmm?” His fingers toyed with her hair, pushing it back behind her ears.
    “I've been thinking about David.”
    “What about him?”
    “He's different somehow. I can feel it.”
    Hatch smiled fleetingly. “Your famous intuition?”
    “I think so,” she said quite seriously. “It's because of you, isn't it?”
    “Me?”
    “You made him an important part of the rescue operation.”
    “I didn't make him an important part. He was an important part.”
    “He wasn't the only one in the crowd who knew how to fight,” Jessie said gently.
    Hatch shrugged. “David needed to know he could handle himself in a fight if he had to. He's been trying to prove himself to Vincent since he was a kid. But a man doesn't start growing up until he realizes that the only one he has to prove himself to is himself. I offered him a way to do that. Lucky I did, or we'd never have known about Hoffman being in those woods until it was too late.”
    “Very profound, Hatch.”
    “You like that, huh? Well, I've got something else even more profound to say to you.”
    Jessie tipped her head to one side at the new note in his voice. “And that is?”
    “I think it might be best if you quit Valentine Consultations.”
    “Quit my job?” Jessie jerked herself upward and off the bed and stood glaring down at him. “Are you out of your mind? This is the best job I've ever had.”
    “I don't want you involved in any more rescue operations like the one last night.” Hatch sat up slowly and put both feet flat on the floor. “And I'm afraid that when the news hits the papers, people who've lost kids to cults will be flocking to Valentine Consultations. You'll want to rescue each and every one of them. It's too dangerous. I won't have it.”
    “Hatch, it won't be like that. This was a fluke case.”
    “You can say that again. But the longer you live, the more you realize there are a lot of flukish things in this world. Jessie, I don't want to argue about this.”
    “Good. Because I don't want to argue about it either.” She turned and stomped into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
    Half an hour later they joined the others downstairs in the breakfast room. The dining area smelled strongly of freshly brewed coffee, pancakes, eggs, and frying bacon. Alex, Susan, and David were already occupying one of the large tables. They looked up expectantly as Jessie and Hatch entered the room.
    “Uh-oh,” David murmured, his eyes on Jessie's set face. “Do I detect trouble in upper management already?”
    “Jessie has always had a problem fitting into the corporate hierarchy,” Hatch said as he sat down and picked up the menu.
    “He means I don't take orders well.” Jessie slanted Hatch a fulminating glance.
    “She'll learn,” Hatch said easily.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

    S o do you love him or what?” Elizabeth leaned over the railing and peered down into the murky green depths of Elliott Bay. Sea gulls bobbed on the water, searching out french fries and other discarded edibles from an assortment of plastic cups, paper, and litter that floated on the surface.
    The Seattle waterfront with its shops, restaurants, and aquarium was only sparsely crowded this afternoon. A few tourists were strolling along on the sidewalk behind Elizabeth and Jessie and there were some joggers heading toward the park at the far end of the promenade.
    “Of course I love him. Why else would I agree to marry him?” Jessie frowned down at the trash that marred the beautiful bay.
    “Because everyone in the family wants you to?”
    “I'd do