The Millionaire's Proposal Read Online Free PDF Page A

digested that as their waiter arrived with fresh salads and warm, crusty bread. Once the man had disappeared again, she slathered a slice of bread with butter, her eyes transferring from the task, to him.
    “What brings you to Whitaker Falls?”
    He winked playfully at her. “I was passing through on business, and thought I’d stop and see an old friend.” Another vague half-truth, but he wasn’t quite ready to reveal his true plans until he figured out where he stood with her.
    She laughed, the light sound touching an empty part of his soul. “Well, this is certainly a surprise.”
    He stabbed his salad with his fork. “A good or bad surprise?”
    “An unexpected one,” she said prudently, as if she hadn’t decided what to make of his impromptu visit. “How long will you be in the area?”
    “Until tomorrow.” He’d attended to his business in Whitaker Falls, but had to return to his company in Richmond for the week. From there, he’d play it by ear, depending on Grace, and his reception in Whitaker Falls. “I’m staying at the Hampton Inn for tonight.”
    The waiter returned, this time with their main course of rack of lamb, buttered potatoes, and seasoned vegetables. Neither one spoke as the young man served them, and the silence gave Grace time to observe Ford from across the table.
    Now that the initial shock of seeing him had worn off, she had a hundred questions for him, which he was answering—though there was no mistaking that he was selecting his responses very carefully. She supposed he had every right to be discreet, considering his past and the reputation he’d left behind, but she wanted more than the superficial information he offered. His obscure line about “passing through on business” certainly sparked her interest, but she wasn’t one to push what he wasn’t ready to willingly volunteer. Just as she had her reservations about his arrival in town, she was sure he had his reasons for being here. But it did make her wonder about his motives—was he driven by curiosity, or the “business” he spoke of? And what kind of “business” could he possibly have in Whitaker Falls?
    She swallowed a bite of tender lamb, and chased it down with a sip of champagne. The bubbles tickled the back of her throat and warmed her belly, relaxing her. “So, what have you been up to all these years? They’ve certainly been good to you.”
    Something flashed in his eyes, pride mingling with caution. “It didn’t begin that way, as you could well imagine. When I left Whitaker Falls I went to Richmond and took a job with a development firm. I started out as a laborer, doing grunt jobs on construction sites, and gradually worked my way up in the company to project manager.”
    She waited, but he offered no more than that morsel of information. “I’m happy for you, that you’re doing so well.”
    Finished with his meal, he set his fork and knife on his plate. “And what about you? You’ve got your own flower shop now. Nice place, by the way.” He grinned, producing that sensual dimple of his, making her stomach dip with awareness.
    She smiled back though she got the distinct impression he was turning the tables on her, making her the focus of their conversation, instead of him. “Grace and Charm certainly keeps me busy.”
    He refilled both of their glasses with more champagne. “And your father, how is he doing?”
    Grace paused before answering. Under normal circumstances, she would have accepted his query about her father as an ordinary one—but the question seemed so incongruous, considering the fact that her father despised Ford, and the man across from her knew that, too. But as she looked into Ford’s deep, dark violet eyes, she saw no signs of harbored ill feelings toward Ellis Holbrook, just sincere interest.
    Dabbing her mouth with her napkin, she set the cloth on her plate and pushed the dish aside. “My dad is doing well. He’s still working as a family practitioner, part-time