Lambert's Peace by Rachel Hauck Page A

HBS sales rep, so you should get with him.”
    Taylor agreed, making more notes. “We should get them in here for a demo again and talk about your needs.”
    â€œTaylor, take the lead on this. Just tell us when and where.”
    Taylor tipped her head to one side. “I will. I’ll get with Markie to see how things flow in the office and design a workflow and project plan. I can do that while I’m waiting for my computer to arrive.”
    Will was grinning at her.
    â€œWhat?” she said.
    â€œI like this side of you. Very in command.”
    She stared at him. If only he knew her insides were quivering like cold gelatin and if she weren’t sitting in his place of business she’d want to kiss him. She cleared her throat and shook the image from her mind. “I’ll need a computer to order my computer.”
    Will laughed. “My office.”
    Taylor scratched Harry’s ears as she took Will’s desk chair. He sniffed her shoes and wagged his tail.
    Will gathered a stack of papers. “I’ll be in the conference room.”
    She swallowed and smiled. “And I’ll be here.”
    He paused at the door. “Markie is drawing up your contract. I researched the going consultant rates, but if it’s too low, let me know.”
    Taylor waved off his remark. “I’m sure it’s a fair wage.” Besides, she wasn’t really doing this for the money.
    He nodded, grinned, and left. She slumped down in his chair, the aroma of clean soap floating around her.
I can’t do this, Lord. I can’t. I’m falling in love with him
.
    Harry nudged her leg as if he understood her thoughts. Taylor stroked his head and sighed.

    For the tenth time in ten minutes, Will read the last line of their contract with Martin Leslie & Company. Thoughts of Taylor seemed way more intriguing than a distributor’s contract.
    He glanced at his watch. Ten o’clock. The coffeepot in the corner sat empty. Will shoved away from the conference table and dug in his pocket for change to get coffee from the production floor vending machine. No, no, what he needed was a cup of Peri’s rich, special blend.
    He headed to his office for his keys, suspecting he wanted an excuse to see Taylor more than he wanted a cup of Peri’s best. But his chair was empty and disappointment twanged in his chest. He reached for his jacket and called to Harry. “Let’s go for a ride.”
    Outside, early November snowflakes surprised him. It was too early for snow. But soft white flakes floated down over him. Then he heard screaming and … giggling?
    He stepped to the side of the building, and there was Taylor, in her fancy periwinkle blue suit, catching snowflakes on her tongue with Markie.
    Will guffawed. Harry barked.
    â€œLaugh at us, will you?” Markie lobbed a tiny, powdery snowball at Will. It fell apart in midair.
    Will laughed harder while Harry ran in circles, barking.
    Out of nowhere, Taylor shouted, “Charge!” and ran for Will.
    He tried to run, but his loafers provided no traction. Before he knew it, Taylor grabbed his collar and slipped an icy concoction down his back.
    â€œAhh! Cold. Cold.” He whipped around, grasping at her.
    She tried to escape, but running in heels proved impossible. She slipped, arms flailing. Will scooped her up in his arms just as his feet slipped out from under him. They went sprawling to the ground.
    Unable to stop laughing, Markie stood over them, shivering, her hands grasping her waist. “I haven’t done this since I was about ten, Taylor. Thanks, but I’m wet, freezing, and going inside.”
    Will helped Taylor to her feet.
    â€œOuch. I hurt,” he said.
    She laughed, adding, “I think I twisted my ankle.”
    He looked into her green eyes. “Are you okay?”
    She nodded, dusting white powder from her suit. Her feet slipped again, and she fell against him. With her face inches