Double Dare

"I know that and I'm glad."

"I understand you're also overseeing the investment management for your mother?"

In more ways than one, Zac thought to himself, frowning. "She told you?" He was surprised.

His father nodded.

"That's what I came to discuss today."

"Not trouble, I hope?"

"No, well, I hope not." He'd come here with a deal, one that might or might not be negotiable.

"Your mother is finally starting to let go of it and relax."

"So I saw."

"Incredible, huh?" He beamed.

"It is, yes." Did that bode well?

Later, when she joined them, he noticed that she looked better than she had in a long while. Could a week really make that much different in a person's life, changing their attitude, changing what was important to them?

Even as the question ran through his mind, he realized it could, because it had happened to him—and the realization hit him like an unexpected left hook. He'd not only fallen for Abby, but she had changed his life, his priorities and goals. Most of all his desires—her, he wanted to keep her as part of his life.

"You look startled, Zachary," she said as she joined them.

He shrugged. "Yes, I'm surprised to see you like this, so chilled, but then I suppose it might be possible." He couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his tone, mostly self-deprecating.

"Having someone I know and love in charge of things did make it easier, I confess." Her eyes glistened with emotion, even though she was smiling.

The tenderness he saw in her expression made his gut churn. What would she think if she knew how unprofessional he'd been, that he'd been having an affair with their agent, that he'd been involved in some sort of masquerade?

A masquerade, yes, and for what?

It all came crashing in on him. He'd been kidding himself that it was because he mistrusted Abby's motives. At first, maybe, but he'd quickly seen how honest, loyal and hardworking she was. No, his real reason for the masquerade was selfish. He was falling in love with her and he couldn't step away, no matter how unprofessional it was. No matter how duplicitous it was not to have told her who he was, that he was the one replying to her daily reports.

His father was stroking his mother's hand, smiling happily. Zac hadn't seen them this way since he was a child, when they'd been happy and carefree. He wanted them to stay like this, to have that closeness again. Lord knows they'd earned it. And he couldn't help hankering after a taste of it for himself, too.

He shifted in his chair. "Mother, I will find a way for this to work. I'll take full responsibility for your company from this moment on. You'll have to put your trust in me though. I want that to be total, and I want it right away. If you do, I promise I won't let you down." He hoped to god that he wasn't promising her something he wouldn't be able to deliver.

Curiosity lit her wise eyes. She looked at him for further explanation.

"I want to represent you at the board meeting. I've got involved with the management now and I want to be the one to deal with Robertson, under my own terms. I've notified them that we want the meeting brought forward, I'm ready to give them notice."

His father darted a glance at her with uncertainty, his brow furrowed.

It was what she'd wanted, but at the same time it was a big step, handing over her whole life's work. A company she'd built from one property deal she'd made as a young woman who'd inherited two hundred pounds from a distant great-uncle and found a way to make it work for her. Was she ready to pass it all over on the turn of one promise? No matter how much she had wanted him to get involved, it was as her agent, her representative. What he was asking for was very different.

She looked thoughtful, but calm.

His father lifted her hand and raised it to his lips.

She smiled at him fondly. "I suspect you two have been plotting this together."

His father shook his head. "Zac is taking a big step, but this is a decision only he could make for himself." He glanced back at his son. "But I admire him for doing so, and I'm grateful for what he offers us, if you will accept it on his terms."

She gave a deep sigh. "Yes, Zac, and I suppose you're right. If you take over, you don't want your old mother meddling in things."