Page 4 of Brant
He eased in a breath. "She has a hormonal imbalance and has been going through treatments at the free clinic. She's in dire straits. I don't want a wife, but I'm required to have one. We could be doing each other a favor, and no matter what the police reports said, we owe the family."
"The father was a gambler!"
"Be that as it may, I've made up my mind and would love it if I had your support. Indigo would have a place to live, and her store would be saved. I've checked into several rehabs, and there's one a few miles away from here, in the rural area where they offer excellent treatments and a work program."
"And if she says no?"
He smiled slightly. "I'm going to offer her security and the freedom to do whatever she pleases. She will say yes."
"Willow? May I help you? As you can see, I'm busy. Where-"
"Someone's here to see you." The woman stood there, twisting her long fingers and looking a little dazed. "I suppose I should have invited him to come right around-"
"But you know that's not something I like."
"I did ask him to come around because, well, he's-"
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
The familiar deep voice had her rising slowly from her chair and staring.
"Brant."
"I wanted to talk." He turned towards the still dazed-looking Willow. "Would you mind leaving us alone?"
"Of course." She stood there for a few seconds as if undecided what to do next, until she met her employer's eyes. Turning around, she hurried away.
"I'm afraid I took her by surprise."
"She's hung up on celebrities and the very rich."
"A celebrity, I'm not." He stepped into the tiny space and dwarfed it even more with his height.
"I'm sorry I left so abruptly-"
"When I returned you were gone. May I?" He gestured to the padded chair in front of the desk.
"Yes, of course. It's almost closing time-"
"And I'm keeping you from working. I would have called, but this is better said in person."
She sat back down and pushed away the bank statements she had been perusing to see if she could spot some sort of miracle in the mix of figures.
"How's your brother?"
"Holding his own." He was actually suffering from withdrawal, and it was ugly to see. And she still had not found a solutionto that problem. The hospital was going to release him into her care, and she had no idea what to do.
"Have you considered my offer?"
"Brant-"
"I get it. You have your pride. Never accept something for nothing. How about a business proposition?"
"What?" She stared at him with a frown.
"I need something from you."
"What could I possibly have to offer-"
