A Proper Wife

“You said you’d explain that cholesterol-laden feast once we’d finished it.”

“You don’t mind if we have a chat first, do you?”

Ryan frowned. His grandfather’s tone was light. Why, then, did he feel so uneasy?

“No, of course not. What would you like to talk about?”

“I told you. What’s new in your life?”

“Well, let’s see... We’ve decided to bid on that property in Santa Fe, and the subdivision we’re developing outside Vegas will—”

“How did you get that bruise on your jaw?”

Ryan grinned. “Would you believe me if I said I bumped against the shower door, reaching down for the soap?”

“No,” James said, his eyebrows lifting. “I would not. Did some irate husband give it to you?”

“Grandfather!” Ryan shook his head. “I’m surprised at you,” he said, trying not to smile. “You know I believe in the sanctity of marriage.”

The old man got a strange look on his face. “I’m counting on that. And I’m still waiting to hear how you came by that bruise.”

“Suppose I said a woman gave it to me?”

James chuckled. “I’d say you probably more than deserved it. All right, don’t tell me how it happened. I don’t suppose it matters.” He tapped his cigar against the rim of an ashtray. “What else is new?”

“Well, that Vegas subdivision—”

“Yes, yes,” James said impatiently, “I’m sure Kincaid, Incorporated, is doing fine. You’ve made an enormous success of the company, more than I ever did, and we both know it.”

Ryan laughed. “Wait a minute,” he said. “This is too much for one evening. First that meal, then flattery—”

“I meant,” James said, his voice overriding Ryan’s, “what’s new in your private life?”

“Ah.” Ryan smiled and sat d

own. “We go straight to the bottom line. You want to know if I’ve proposed marriage to anyone between now and the last time I saw you.”

“Not to ‘anyone,’” his grandfather said without smiling back. “To a woman who would make a good wife.”

“A proper wife,” Ryan said, and chuckled.

“I see nothing amusing here, young man!”

“I was just thinking of a conversation I had with Frank Ross—you remember Frank, don’t you, sir?”

“I do. I take it he has not settled down yet, either.”

“I’m not sure you appreciate how the world has changed,” Ryan said gently. “Women aren’t what they were.”

“They are precisely what they were. There have always been women men should marry. The trick is to find them.”

“Well, when I find one-”

“When, indeed,” James said sharply. “At the rate you’re going, it will be never. And time is passing.”

“Grandfather,” Ryan said firmly, “I really have no wish to discuss this tonight.”

The old man gave him a searching look. Then he sighed and stubbed out his cigar.