For Business...Or Marriage? Read Online Free PDF Page A

or any other personal reason. We want to build our companies up to the best of their abilities. Once we create this merger, the impact of going global will be nothing short of perfect.”
    Shocked, though she supposed she shouldn’t be, Abby knew “merger” really referred to the marriage. Her heart broke a little at the fact that this beautiful, powerful man was lowering himself this way. If he could just open up to the idea of loving his mate, he would be an amazing husband. He gave his all in everything he set his mind to. His wife would be the most fortunate woman.
    “I can’t get my work done if I’m chatting about non-existent romance with you,” she told him abruptly, drawing her attention back to the screen. “Besides, I’m sure you have something you should be doing.”
    Cade’s rich, robust laugh filled the cabin. “You sounded just like my mother.”
    Ouch. That was not something a woman wanted to hear out of the mouth of the man she’d fallen in love with.
    “She used to shoo me away when she wanted alone time,” he went on. “Brady and I would purposely aggravate her just to get her riled up.”
    Abby had no problem imagining the Stone boys getting into mischief. “You must miss her.”
    His wide smile dropped some. “Every day. It’s harder now, too, with Dad gone.”
    “There’s nothing worse than the death of a parent.”
    “The few times you’ve mentioned your parents, it was in past tense.” Cade shifted in his seat as the plane taxied down the runway. “How long have they been gone?”
    Great. Now he wanted to get to know her personal side. After nearly a year of working for him and his brother, and just a brief time with their father, he wanted to know more.
    “My father’s never really been part of my life. He left when I was two, so I don’t remember him.” Abby concentrated on clicking through sample floral arrangements instead of the empty, aching hole in her chest. “My mother passed away right before I came to work for you. I took care of her until she passed. It was the hardest time of my life.”
    “You’re a strong woman.”
    Cade’s words washed over her, touching her inareas she shouldn’t allow. But she couldn’t stop the emotions from taking over any more than she could stop him from marrying Mona. The fact that someone like Cade—a powerful, courageous CEO—thought she was strong, really boosted her self-confidence.
    “I don’t know about that,” she replied, trying to stay on topic. “At the time I did what I had to do, what she needed me to do. I didn’t even think about my needs. I wanted to devote every moment and ounce of energy to making her as happy as possible and making memories while she was still here.”
    “So that explains why there’s no man in your life.”
    Her fingers stilled over the keyboard as the plane lurched into the sky. “Excuse me?”
    “You’ve never mentioned a man, never mentioned dating at all in the whole time you’ve been working for me. Now I understand why there wasn’t someone. Your time was limited.”
    Limited. Yeah, that’s the only reason she didn’t date. Had she really not dated in a year? God, how pathetic was that?
    “So you spent years planning weddings, creating an aura of romance for other people but there was no one to romance you,” Cade added, as if talking his way through her analysis.
    “Don’t make it sound so glum.” She spared him a glance, but quickly looked away when she saw how he was practically dissecting her. “I enjoy seeing other people happy and knowing I helped make the most important day of their life even more memorable.”
    “Surely you’ve had prospects, gentlemen who wanted to date you, get to know you on a personal level.”
    Abby shrugged. “A few. I’m picky.”
    “You should be,” he agreed. “If marriage is something you want, and love is truly something you believe in, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best.”
    Turning to face him, Abby