The Antique Love Read Online Free PDF

solar panels and its spectacular roof-top garden. Even before the world financial meltdown had shamed the rest of those in power into examining their right to wealth, White River’s directors were already ploughing their bonuses into charitable projects. It was a company renowned for combining global success with philanthropic actions.
    If Penny hadn’t had her head filled with mush, she’d have remembered straightaway. And, what was worse, if Kurt Bold was Managing Partner in White River, that meant he wasn’t a cowboy, or even just an accountant, he was a serious somebody in global finance. Which meant he must think she was a total idiot.
    Her cheeks burned.
    “It’s okay,” he said, looking at her not unkindly. “It’s a simple mistake. A lot of other folks have made it.”
    “Really?”
    He broke into his rich laugh. “Well, no, if I’m honest, this is the first time. But I kinda like it.”
    His warmth and good humour were infectious. Penny found herself smiling back. For several minutes their gazes merged, until she registered a shift in Kurt’s mood. For a fleeting moment, his eyes darkened, but then he flicked his gaze to the papers on her desk, and when he looked up, any emotion she thought she’d seen had vanished.
    Penny shook herself and straightened up in her chair.
    “Well, now we’ve got that misunderstanding over. I’d honestly love to help, but the fact is, sorting my accounts is going to take up most of my time. Maybe I can find you someone else.” She reached into her drawer to look for a list of suppliers.
    “If it’s just your accounts that are bothering you then I have a solution.” He leaned forward. “Why don’t I come in a couple Saturdays and take a look?”
    “What?” Penny’s mouth dropped open. “Well, that’s very good of you, but I couldn’t possibly afford…”
    “On the house,” he said. “Penny, you’ve given me an interesting morning, going out of your way to tell me the history of your antiques and all, and I feel I owe you. Besides that, if this is the only way to get your help, then I don’t have any other option.”
    He offered a defeated smile which didn’t fool Penny in the slightest. It seemed to her the outwardly placid Kurt had somehow manoeuvred the conversation expertly until the matter was settled to his satisfaction. At a loss, she held out a hand, only to find him catching hold of it.
    “Great, so we have a deal,” he said with a wide smile, enveloping her fingers in his. He shook her hand in a firm, easy grasp. “I’m free on Tuesday lunchtime, would that suit you? There’s a pub across the road. How about lunch there, and we can go through a few of the preliminaries?”
    “Tuesday’s fine,” Penny said, “but—”
    “Great.” He rose from her desk and towered over her, blocking the light. “I’ve loved meeting you, Penny, but I’ve taken up too much of your time already. Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday.”
    Penny stumbled to her feet, but the slow-talking man was quicker than she anticipated and was almost at the door before she managed a faint goodbye. He swung the door shut, the shop’s bell ringing in his wake, leaving Penny staring after him. Through the glass, she could make out his broad shoulders, the pale shirt moving easily through the lunchtime crowds on the street outside, until he reached the corner and disappeared from view.
    She turned to find Tehmeena standing right next to her, following Kurt’s exit with as much curiosity as Penny.
    “So, what did your cowboy want?” she asked, agog.
    “Actually he’s not a cowboy, after all.” Penny picked up his business card. “He’s actually the head of White River, ridden into town to help us with our accounts. In exchange, we get to furnish his house. Oh, and he’ll pay us top whack, even though I thought White River was the name of his ranch in Wyoming.”
    “You didn’t.” Tehmeena’s eyes widened, then she began to laugh out loud, her pretty mouth