Page 43 of Blind Date with the Boss

‘I think your music’s absolutely brilliant. So beautiful. It made me cry. In the nicest possible way.’

‘Well, thank you, dear.’ After a beat, Hattie asked, ‘Did you say that Logan gave you the CD?’

‘Yes.’

‘My, my.’ Hattie sounded amused. ‘And I believe you’re going to the Hospital Ball with him.’

Gosh. Word got around quickly. ‘Yes, I am. Did Logan tell you about it?’

‘His sister, Carissa, rang me earlier this afternoon. When I told her that I’d already met you here at Clifton House, she was agog.’ Hattie laughed. ‘You’ve really set the cat among the pigeons, Sally.’

‘Actually, that would be a Finch, not a cat.’

Hattie laughed harder, but then she said, much more soberly, ‘You will be careful, won’t you, my dear?’

‘I – I’m not sure what you mean.’

‘I see. Then perhaps I’d better leave well enough alone.’

‘No, please don’t. If there’s something I should know, I’d like you to tell me.’

After a disconcerting silence, Hattie said, ‘My grandson would never hurt you intentionally, Sally. He’s a dear boy and incredibly generous. If it weren’t for his assistance, I wouldn’t be able to stay in this expensive nursing home and his parents wouldn’t be tripping around Australia. But I’m afraid he’s far too focused on his business. He’s intent on making sure he doesn’t commit the same mistakes his father made.’

Sally would have liked to ask what those mistakes were, but that would have been too nosy.

‘It would take someone quite exceptional to steer Logan away from the course he’s set upon,’ Hattie said. ‘But then, I suspect that you are an exceptional girl, Sally.’

If Sally had been better acquainted with Hattie, if she’d been having this conversation face to face rather than over the telephone, she might have pressed the elderly woman for an explanation. What was this course that Logan had embarked on and why should anyone want to steer him from it?

As she disconnected, she wondered if Logan’s grandmother assumed that all girls who went out with her grandson heard wedding bells.

‘Not this black duck,’ Sally said, setting her phone aside thoughtfully. ‘I might be fanciful but I have both feet firmly on the ground.’

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

IT WAS SIX O’CLOCK and Logan was still working at his desk. Each time he looked up, the waters of Sydney Harbour were a little darker. Now the street lights had come on and headlights glowed in the purpling twilight. Traffic on the bridge looked like bright strings of beads, as cars headed for home.

?He should be heading off, too, but he wanted to finish this proposal first. He preferred to stay back and get work finished, keeping his home as his refuge, his haven from the battlefield of business.

Another fifteen minutes should do it. Logan turned back to the list of figures on his computer screen.

?‘Knock, knock!’

?The unexpected voice at his office door startled him. ‘Sally!’ His smile was spontaneous. These days, he only had tothinkabout Sally and he started smiling. ‘What are you doing here at this late hour?’

?‘I was waiting to speak to you.’

?‘Really?’ His throat constricted and he had to swallow. ‘I –I’m sorry if I’ve kept you waiting. I had some work to clear up.’ He frowned at her. ‘But you didn’t have to stay back. Maria knows I have an open door policy with my staff. Or you could have telephoned.’

?Sally dropped her gaze to something she was holding and he saw that it was a USB. ‘I needed to be certain that no one will overhear our conversation,’ she said.

?‘I see.’ A disquieting thought struck. ‘You’re still coming to the ball, aren’t you?’

?‘Yes.’ She looked up and her gaze softened. ‘I wouldn’t pull out at this late stage.’ She looked suddenly animated. ‘I’ve got my dress. It’s gorgeous.’

‘I’m glad you like it.’

She waved the USB. ‘I’m afraid this is a business matter.’

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