A Special Man Read Online Free PDF Page A

imagination," she said, laughing. "What are you doing at this pool? I thought there was one on the other side that the guests use."
    "There is, complete with manufactured waterfall. But they're all so boring over there. The most interesting conversation I would get there is what type of spoon to use with caviar," she said, her voice malicious. "Silver gives the caviar a metallic taste, you understand. It must be mother-of-pearl or nothing."
    "I don't think I've ever seen a mother-of-pearl spoon," Amanda said, enjoying the conversation. "Why couldn't you use stainless steel?"
    "It wouldn't leave a metallic taste, of course. But, my dear Amanda, consider the aesthetics," she said, raising her perfect nose. When Amanda laughed, Delores said, "No, I much prefer the employees and the loonies." She waved to a man walking toward them.
    "And so does John. Don't you, darling?" she said as he joined them. "Don't I what?"
    At first glance, the man lowering himself to a chair on the other side of Delores looked to be in his mid-fifties, but on closer observation Amanda saw the fragility of age beneath the surface. He was probably in his seventies but still very attractive. With his iron-gray hair and hawklike nose, he would stand out in any crowd.
    "Don't you prefer to be with the employees and the loonies rather than the obnoxious bunch of people staff calls the guests?" Delores asked.
    Amanda thought she saw him wince at Delores's phrasing, but then he said, "I prefer to be anyplace where there are beautiful women." He eyed the actress lasciviously. "Now introduce me to the lovely mermaid."
    "This is Amanda Timbers. She's the new bookkeeper, but right now she's entertaining me. Amanda, this is Mr. John J. Pike. Tycoon extraordinaire. Watch out for him, dear, he pinches."
    "Lies. Vicious lies. I do much more patting than I do pinching."
    Delores rose. "Time for me to take a swim."
    "You only do it because you know we all enjoy watching you," John accused.
    "That's true," she said before stepping gingerly into the water.
    "You look slightly star struck," John said, smiling at Amanda.
    She turned to him. "That's the way I feel. She's wonderful."
    "You'll get no argument from me." He leaned back in the padded chair. "And how do you like Greenleigh so far?"
    "I haven't been here long enough to get my bearings. So far it's been very exciting. Ginny said I'll come to think of it all as normal." She laughed. "Even if there were no people, the sheer luxury of the place would be overwhelming."
    "It's fancy all right," he said, his voice dry.
    "John J. Pike!"
    They both turned. Amanda sucked in her breath as she watched Danny walk toward them. The black bathing suit he wore exposed the hard strength she had only suspected in the kitchen. He looked tough, but symmetrical, a streetwise Hercules.
    As he drew nearer Amanda studied his face, searching for a key that would pull everything together. She needed some point of reference. But there was nothing, nothing that told her he was incomplete.
    When he reached them, he sat cross-legged on the tile beside the lounge chairs. "John J. Pike, you promised—"
    "Manners, Danny," John said. "I want to introduce you to Amanda Timbers. She'll be living here. Amanda, this is Daniel Phillips."
    His face was solemn as he extended his hand. His grip was strong. "Hello," he said quietly.
    "Hello, Danny."
    He kept her hand in his, his gaze traveling slowly over her body then back to her face. She could feel his gaze on each feature, taking in the slim, straight nose, the dark, wide-set eyes, lingering on the fullness of her lower lip.
    She was relieved when he released her hand at last and turned back to John. "She's very pretty," he said.
    John laughed. "That she is, Danny. That she is," he agreed. "I take it you're ready for that swimming match?"
    Danny nodded, his gray eyes steady.
    Amanda stared after them as they walked away. Sooner or later she would accept his disability, she assured herself. She had to. She