Lisette was a soothing personality. Her competence and complete ability to handle any and every crisis were what had won him over in the beginning. He trusted her with any number of confidential work details, everything from high-level negotiations to financial secrets.
Some men might overlook her. Her brown hair and quiet personality were unremarkable. She had a feminine shape, but she didn’t dress to impress. Her sexiest trait was her brain. She challenged him, kept him on his toes. The truth was, she was as capable as he, though she was always careful not to overstep her position.
Jonathan wouldn’t have cared even if she had. He knew she could go to any company in the country or even abroad and land a prestigious job. For that reason, he had increased her salary in regular bumps to show her how much she was appreciated. And he had given her more and more responsibilities as she proved her loyalty to Tarleton Shipping.
Gradually the tension in his muscles began to ease. The pain in his head subsided to a dull ache instead of stabbing torture. As he began to feel more like himself, an idea bubbled to the surface.
What if he negotiated with Lisette to sub for him over the next few months when he wasn’t able to function? He never knew from one day to the next how he was going to feel. If Lisette was deputized to make unilateral decisions, Jonathan would be able to mentally relax.
Better still, what if she could be the one to save Tarleton Shipping for the next generation? She had the brains and the people skills. And he knew she cared deeply about the company.
It would also mean he could postpone telling his family for a little bit longer. The prospect of hurting the people he loved flayed him. How could he dump that kind of news on them? It might kill his father. Mazie and J.B. were struggling with fertility. They sure as hell didn’t need grief on top of that.
The doctor had said he might have longer than six months. Eating well and getting plenty of rest were supposed to be key. Jonathan was willing to fight, but the odds were definitely not in his favor. If a cure was out of the question, then all he could hope for was time enough to secure his legacy and the company’s future. The more he contemplated the next few months, the more he became convinced that Lisette was the key to it all.
At last he stood and raked his hands through his hair. After splashing water on his face, he studied his reflection in the mirror. He’d taken some hard knocks in his life, but this was the worst. Grimly he weighed the cost of bringing Lisette in on the secret. He couldn’t stand to be pitied or coddled.
There would have to be ground rules. And she had to know this new role was optional. If she said no, he would go it alone.
By the time he padded back downstairs in his stocking feet, almost two hours had passed. Both offices were empty. He found Lisette perched on an ottoman chatting with his father. She always went out of her way to make the old man feel special.
Gerald Tarleton had become a father late in life. Which was why Jonathan, at thirty-one, now bore the sole responsibility for running a mammoth enterprise. He strode into the room, watching both of their faces. Lisette’s was serene. His father tried to give him a hard time.
“Napping in the middle of the day, son? That’s my job.”
Jonathan ruffled his father’s hair and perched on the arm of the sofa. “I had a devil of a headache, but I’m feeling better now.”
“Are you really?” Lisette asked, her gaze troubled.
He nodded. “Really.” After a moment of chitchat about the weather, Jonathan stood. “You’ll have to excuse us, Dad. Lisette and I have a few things to wrap up before she goes home.”
“Of course. Besides, I’ve got to make sure the housekeeper has all the food ready. The boys are coming over for poker at six.”
The “boys” were all Gerald’s age. Jonathan was happy to see his father pursuing social interests. Both Mazie and Jonathan had been encouraging him to get out of the house more. He’d been depressed over the winter, but things were improving.
Lisette followed Jonathan back to the offices. “I took care of everything you sent me so far. Is there anything else you need today? If not, I’ll see you downtown in the morning.”
Jonathan stared at her intently, allowing his customary reserve to dissolve for a moment. Lisette was everything he liked in a woman and more. Beautiful, insightful, funny. And subtly sexy in a way some men might miss. Was he hatching this plan to save his family’s business, or was his libido steering the ship?
He was about to find out.
Jonathan knew this was an opening he couldn’t pass up. But he had no idea how Lisette would react. He’d never felt uncomfortable around her before today. Then again, he’d never faced the prospect of shifting their relationship to a different footing.
She was the one person outside his small family circle whom he trusted completely. Not only with his secrets but with the future of his company and his personal legacy.
In order for such a fledgling plan to work, Lisette would have to be personally invested in what he was about to propose. She would have to be confident in her power and autonomy.
His burgeoning idea was a lot to dump on a woman. He would have to ease into it.
Maybe this was a stupid idea.
Lisette eyed him with curiosity in her gaze. Perhaps he wasn’t as stoic as he had hoped. Or as guarded.
“I need to speak to you,” he said carefully. “But not here. And it’s not about work. Or at least not entirely.”
Now her curiosity turned to confusion. “I don’t understand.”
Jonathan felt his neck heat. “If you would feel more comfortable, I could ask someone from HR to sit in on this conversation.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you firing me?”
He gaped. “God, no. Are you insane? Why would I fire the best employee I’ve ever had?”
“Then what is this about?”
Jonathan swallowed. “Will you come to dinner with me?” he asked quietly. “We’ll drive up the coast. Where we won’t be seen. The matter I want to discuss with you is sensitive. I don’t want to take advantage of your kindness, though, so feel free to say no.”
Lisette shook her head slowly, her expression wry. “I’ve known you for a very long time, Jonathan. Dinner is fine. And we don’t need a chaperone. Clearly, whatever you have to say is important. I’m happy to listen.”
“Thank you.”
She glanced down at her khaki skirt and sleeveless top. “Is what I’m wearing okay?”
He nodded slowly. “We might even take a picnic instead of going to a restaurant.” There would be more privacy that way. No chance of anyone overhearing the conversation.
Though Lisette was clearly flustered, she didn’t quibble over the plan. “I’m ready whenever you are. Do I need to drive?” she asked. “Because of the meds you took?”
“No. Not this time. I would never do anything to endanger you.”
After quick goodbyes to Gerald, they exited the house. Jonathan tossed a couple of beach chairs into the back of the SUV. Being in the car together was definitely awkward. Her body language said she was uncertain of his intentions.
It didn’t help that he was not big on small talk.
As he drove up the coast, he formulated a plan. Thirty