A Little White Lie by MacKenzie McKade Page A

back into his chair. He narrowed his eyes on JD and then turned them to Stella. “This is how I see this arrangement evolving.”
    There appeared to be a change in their plans. JD was to lead the conversation. After dinner his grandfather was supposed to excuse himself, leaving JD alone with Stella.
    Instead the old man continued. “You will return to Montana with us for say about two weeks.”
    “I can’t possibly do that.” Her face grew rosy in color. “My boss—”
    “I’ve already spoken to Mr. Lyons, Stella.” His grandfather took another swig of his whiskey sour. “He has no objections to you visiting each of our stores so that you get the feel of their layout and inventory. JD will assist you.”
    Blindsided by his grandfather’s new plan, JD chanced a look toward Stella.
    Slack-jawed, she stared at him with something close to fear in her eyes. “I-I can’t—”
    “Yes, dear, you can.” His grandfather leaned back in his chair, relaxed. “I’ve made all the arrangements. Two weeks should give both you and JD enough time to mend what I interrupted. If at the end of those weeks you want to go your separate ways, so be it. This agreement then becomes a business deal both of you will work out. However, should the two of you feel akin to tying the knot, well then…” he paused before continuing, “…I’ve got a plan for that union as well.”
    “Grandfather?” Shock didn’t even begin to describe JD’s reaction. Though the old man’s plan did have an acceptable tune to it.
    His grandfather held up a hand. “Hear me out. An attraction like the two of you have comes once in a lifetime. Your grandmother and I had such a relationship that drew us like magnets.” The old man’s eyes misted. The only other time JD had seen his grandfather weepy was when they buried Grandma three years ago. “She was quite a lady.” His throat croaked with emotion. Briefly he closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose and took a moment to compose himself. “Boy, I just want to see you happy.” The indifferent exterior his grandfather usually wore dissolved and JD saw love glistening in his weathered eyes. “You love the ranch. Stella has a head for business.” He paused for only a moment, and then he raised a single brow, a sly smile tugging the corners of his mouth. Uh-oh . JD knew exactly what that expression meant. His grandfather was up to something. “You’re a match made in heaven.”
    He pushed his chair back and stood, looking older then JD had ever seen him. “The two of you have some talking to do, and this old man is tired. I’ll ask the waiter to pack my dinner to go.” Making his way around the table, his grandfather kissed Stella softly on the cheek. “Please accept my apology for placing you in such an awkward situation. I meant well.”
    She offered him a weak smile and nodded before he turned and walked away.
    A pregnant moment passed and neither of them spoke.
    What was she thinking? Her forehead was furrowed, her eyes moist as she looked at him. Damn. Tears he couldn’t deal with. When JD opened his mouth to speak, the waiter was beside him delivering their appetizers.
    Stella slipped her presentation back into her portfolio and placed it on the floor. “JD. I—”
    JD reached across the table and placed his palm on her trembling hand. “No explanations are necessary.” A grin pulled at his mouth. “Actually I like my grandfather’s suggestion. Darlin’, if you’re willing, let’s see where this relationship takes us.”
    A single tear rolled down her cheek. “Really?”
    He stood, moving quickly around the table. With a finger beneath her chin he guided her to a standing position. “Yes. Really.” His lips touched hers. “Should we have our food packaged too?”
    “Mmmm.” She leaned into him fully, evidently not caring whose attention they caught. Through heavy eyelids she looked up at him. “My place.”

Chapter Eight
     
    Stella’s soft, muted cries echoed