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“She has,” he stated without hesitation and reached in the side pocket of his plaid blazer to offer them napkins

“What?” Her gray eyes widened, surprised that he see she didn’t

“The cares of the world,” he pronounced, then let a knowing little smile curve his mouth “Or more specifically, the care of the Country House, ho since you’ve made it your whole world after you lost Mac”

“I wouldn’t say it’s ed to protest his all-inclusive assessment, yet she realized it was true

The furniture company had almost become the child she and Mac never had, the recipient of her time and attention In the last four years since Mac’s death she had lost touch with most of the friends ere outside her business sphere—with the exception of Fan Even then, the close contact had been maintained mostly because John acted as both her business and personal attorney Nearly everything in her life revolved around the company and its stores

Fortunately she had worked in the co to practical use her college degree in business ement, after she and Mac were e and experience to run it herself when she had acquired sole ownership of it on his death It hadn’t been easy, but the challenge of putting the co, both emotionally andshe and Mac had drea it come true

“For all intents and purposes ither too well

“Perhaps,” Rachel conceded absently Hi

s reference to the business had unrolled a new string of thoughts She lifted back the cuff of her jacket sleeve and glanced at the thin gold watch around her wrist “I should be able to catch Ben Atkins at the office I have tiers, so I think I’d better phone hi on television next and I need—”

“You are not going to call anybody” Fan laid a restraining hand on her ar an authority born of friendship “You are staying right here I’ to let a last-minute phone call interfere with your vacation plans”

“This is not the one for teeks” As soon as she said it Rachel recognized it was this knowledge that had been troubling her She began to have doubts about the wisdo on the cruise just at the launch of a n Granted, the cruise only lasted seven days, but she had planned on staying in Acapulco a few days longer before flying back Of course, she could always cut short that stay and return within a week

“One of these days you’re going to learn there isn’t an opportune time to take a vacation when you own your own business,” John calmly informed her “Besides, you are the one who said Ben Atkins was capable of handling things while you’re gone”

“He is” It was a rather grudging admission “But I’ve worked hard to build the company to its present status I’ a critical phase of new advertising You were the one who advised against selling the coed one at a time when fast decisions need to be made”

“And if so important arises, Ben can contact the ship by radio You aren’t going to be couic

“No, I suppose not,” Rachel acknowledged and sipped thoughtfully through the straw, coral-red lipstick leaving its imprint on the clear plastic