A Prince for Jenny Read Online Free PDF Page B

dreams," he whispered.
     o0o
    Daniel arose for his early-morning jog with a song on his lips. He hummed while he dressed, and it was only while he ate breakfast that he became aware of the song—"If I Loved You."
    "It's just a song," he said. Nothing could mar his mood.
    Dressed in shorts and a muscle shirt, he raced along his usual route, down the winding driveway of his estate, through the grove of pecans, through the double wrought-iron gates, and down the sidewalk.
    Jogging was something he did religiously. A healthy body helped keep a healthy mind, and a sharp mind translated into business success.
    He'd built Sullivan Enterprises from scratch, selling discount pots and pans and cosmetics from the back of an old station wagon to housewives on dirt roads. He believed in taking the product to the customer.
    "A damned fool notion," his father had said.
    But it hadn't been. Sullivan Enterprises now had discount stores on the outskirts of every urban center in the South as well as a thriving mail-order business. Still, Daniel wasn't satisfied. He wanted to make it bigger and better. His immediate goal was to expand to the eastern seaboard.
    A couple of bulldogs snapped at his heels as he rounded the corner from his neighborhood and headed down a street filled with brick storefronts, green awnings, and window displays.
    A display in the jewelry store caught his eye. Jogging in place, he stopped to look. Behind the glass was a tiny silver carousel, spinning round and round, playing its tinkly tune.
    Business expansion along the eastern seaboard was forgotten. Daniel tapped on the glass window.
    In his office at the back of the store, the office manager looked up. The store wouldn't be open for hours, but he knew an eager customer when he saw one.
    He unlocked the door and let Daniel in.
     o0o
    Gwendolyn still had her nightcap on when the doorbell rang. She hadn't slept worth a flip. Last night it had seemed to her that Bert was under her window serenading her, though her lover had been dead for five years. Probably it was just her hair curlers pinching her head.
    Grumbling, she shuffled to the door. Mercy , she was dragging her slippers as if she were an old lady.
    She swung open the door, and there stood Daniel Sullivan looking like every woman's dream in tight jeans and open-necked shirt with that wild black hair partially tamed. He was holding on to a silver package for dear life, and he looked as uncomfortable as an eagle at a bluebird party.
    "Good morning, Miss Phepps."
    "Good morning, Mr. Sullivan." She blocked the doorway with her body. Whatever he was up to, she wasn't going to make it easy.
    "Is Jenny home?"
    "She's sleeping late."
    "I see." He shifted the package from one hand to the other. "I probably should have called first."
    "If you want to talk to her about the portrait, you can set up an appointment."
    "This is personal."
    "How personal?" She was too old for manners and too mean for intimidation. Besides that, she had a sworn duty to protect Jenny. With hands on her hips, she glared at Daniel Sullivan.
    Daniel took stock. He didn't want this woman as his enemy.
    "Miss Phepps..." He smiled, knowing that sometimes a smile could disarm. "Obviously you have Jenny's interests at heart."
    "That's more than I can say for some folks." Arms akimbo, she continued to scowl. She was nobody's pushover.
    "I'm going to be perfectly honest with you, Miss Phepps. I drove by last night because my children told me Jenny was sad. She came downstairs and we danced in the moonlight."
    "In the front yard?" Things were worse than she had thought. Daniel Sullivan was no ordinary man.
    "In the front yard." He was more at ease now. A sign that didn't bode well for Gwendolyn.
     "Miss Phepps, I've sworn never to hurt Jenny again. I merely want to be her friend." His face softened. "I know her medical history."
    "Do you know her personal history? Do you know how hard she's had to fight for every small victory? Do you know how she