Page 18 of Bachelor CEO

Miranda placed her deformed umbrella in acorner and hung her raincoat on the peg behind the door. Shegrabbed a pad of notepaper and a pen from her desk. “I’m ready.”

“Can I get you something to drink? Tea?Coffee?” he asked, leading the way down the hallway to his office. He rounded acorner, stopping by his secretary’s desk. “Ms. Craig would like some…” Hepaused and waited expectantly, putting her on the spot.

“Some water would be nice. I’m Miranda Craig.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Carla,” Chase’sexecutive assistant replied as she got to her feet. “Your usual?” she askedChase.

“Perfect.” He nodded at Carla and motionedMiranda into his office.

“You know, I really could have gotten my ownwater,” she told him once they were out of earshot and seated at a smallsix-seater conference table.

“It’s fine,” he replied crisply, and she hadthe impression she’d made a misstep. Less than a minute later Carla enteredwith the beverages. She also carried two spiral-bound portfolios under herright arm, and she placed them in front of Chase. He waited until she leftbefore sliding one of the binders toward Miranda. Miranda steeled herself. Shewould prove her hiring was no mistake.

He opened the front cover and she did thesame. “Let’s get started.”

BY LUNCHTIME, Chase had to admit one thing:Miranda was quick on her feet and a sharp learner. During the course of themorning he’d gone over everything from his job description to the innerworkings of the corporation. He’d presented flow charts and spreadsheets of thecompany’s holdings and financials. He’d shown her the newly approved five-yearplan for future growth.

He hadn’t cut her any slack. As hisreplacement, she had a lot to learn in a very short time. He’d been as hard onher as he would have been on anyone else, maybe harder, all the while secretlyhoping she’d fall on her face. Some part of him, obviously not his usualchivalrous side, had hoped that she might not grasp everything, which wouldgive Chase an excuse to fight his grandfather’s decision.

Now, after seeing how bright and capable shewas, he had to admit he’d been wrong. She’d already done a number on hisequilibrium. Finding her his business equal was the icing on the cake.Unfortunately, he couldn’t indulge.

“Lunch,” he told her.

She smiled at him, and he fought to keep hisfocus on business. He liked her green eyes. He liked her lips. He likedeverything about her, which made leaving his company, and her, torturous. “Youdo eat lunch, right?”

“Yes,” Miranda said.

He arched a brow, wondering why she hadn’tmoved yet. “Shall we meet back here in an hour?” he asked.

“Uh, sure.” She rose to her feet slowly. Herforehead creased as she gathered up her purse. “So we don’t have lunch plans?”

“No. Were we supposed to?”

She shook her head, a little too quickly,Chase realized, wincing. Since it was her first day, his grandfather hadprobably told her Chase would take her to lunch. Another thing Leroy hadconveniently forgotten to mention. Chase hoped there weren’t any moresurprises.

He stood. “I’ll take you to Maxine’s.”

Now she looked panicked. “It’s not necessary.I haven’t seen my office for longer than ten minutes. I havea box of stuff in my trunk that I need to bring in and unload….”

“You can do that tomorrow,” Chase said. Hischivalry had returned, and now that he’d made his decision, he could be asstubborn as Leroy. “You have to experience Maxine’s.”

“Seriously, I don’t need a pity offer.”

He held up a hand to stop her. “I don’t doanything out of pity. I’ll meet you by the elevator in five minutes. Don’t belate.”

Then, before she could protest further, Chaseleft the room.

CHASE’S OFFICE SEEMED a lot bigger now thathe’d exited. Miranda studied the space, hoping to learn something about the manwhose job she would take over for a year.

Framed artwork, diplomas and picturesdecorated the walls. In one corner, near a bookcase, a saddle rested on acustom stand. She stood and went over, noticing a few ribbons and trophies.There was also a framed photo of a young man on a horse, roping a steer. Shelifted it to take a closer look. Chase, she realized.

She set the picture down, noticing a recentphoto of his family on a shelf nearby. Next to that was an older familyportrait, of four kids and two adults. She swallowed as she realized the latterwere Chase’s parents. The whole family was frozen in time, all happy anduntouched by the tragedy soon to befall them.

She had a picture like that herself.

“You’re still here,” Carla said, entering theoffice. “I’m going to straighten up. Chase told me he’s taking you to Maxine’s.Fantastic food. You’ll love it.”

“I hope so,” Miranda replied. Perhaps she’dmisunderstood Leroy saying that Chase would take her tolunch.

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