Her Heart's Desire. Lisa Watson

Mangum a regular anything.

      Tiffany decided to call Milán to get a second opinion. The moment she answered, Tiffany whispered into the receiver, “I’ve got a dilemma.”

      “What’s his name?”

      Tiffany hesitated. She was about to step off a precipice, and when she did, there was no going back. With a deep breath, she said, “It’s...Ivan Mangum.”

      “You mean the—”

      “Yes.”

      “With the—”

      “Yes,” she interjected again. “But you can’t tell Jeannie, Milán.”

      “Why not?”

      “Are you kidding? If she hears that I find Ivan as delectable as a Krispy Kreme doughnut, she’ll be all over me like cling wrap to stake my claim on him.”

      “And what’s wrong with that? You should snap him up before someone else notices that he’s single, attractive and a good guy.”

      “Yeah about that—don’t you find it odd that he’s even available?” Tiffany countered. “Maybe he’s got seven kids in four different cities, or he’s commitment-shy?”

      “Tiff, has it ever occurred to you that he could be single for the same reasons you are? Need I remind you of Adrian and me?”

      “No,” she said quickly. “I get it. Maybe nothing’s wrong with him, and he’s single for no good reason...”

      “It’s possible he hasn’t found the right person—just like you.”

      Tiffany sighed. “Okay, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.”

      “I’m glad. And you will be, too.”

      “We’ll see.”

      “So how long do you think it’ll take Norma Jean to figure out you like Ivan?”

      “There’s no way I’m telling her anytime soon.”

      “Trust me, if she gets a whiff of attraction, she’ll ply you with questions until you crack and spill the beans—I’ve been there. And if she sees you and Ivan together...”

      With a gasp, Tiffany said, “That can’t happen, Milán, I mean it. Under no circumstances is Norma Jean to find out that I think of Ivan as anything but the guy who’s installing my security system.”

      “It’s not me you have to worry about, chica,” Milán said.

      She was right. Adrian’s mother had X-ray vision when it came to seeing what people didn’t want revealed, and her inconvenient habit of not being able to say Ivan’s name without smiling would be as noticeable as a flare shot into the sky. “Let’s face it, I’m screwed.”

      “Don’t say that,” Milán admonished. “You’ll be fine. Besides, Norma Jean won’t be there Wednesday.”

      “True,” Tiffany said with relief. “I don’t know what the heck’s wrong with me. Normally, I’m unflappable.”

      “Totally unflappable.” Her friend snickered.

      “I can do this. The next time he walks through that door, I’ll be cool and strictly professional. Mark my words, Operation Dry Ice is in effect,” Tiffany said, with feeling.

      Now if she could only get her heart on board with the plan.

      Chapter 5

      The shrill ring of Ivan’s cell phone woke him up. Instantly alert, he retrieved it from his nightstand. “Mangum.”

      “I’m sorry to bother you at home, sir,” his assistant, Curtis, said in a worried voice. “I’m afraid we have a situation. One that demands your immediate attention.”

      “Sure, Curtis, what’s up?”

      “There was an incident in Vancouver. Our client is fine,” his assistant assured him, “but Daniels was busted up pretty bad. I’ve sent another member of the team to take over, but...the client is insisting that you come personally.”

      Ivan swore under his breath. “Understood. Make the arrangements. We’ll leave as soon as the plane’s ready. I want a briefing on the situation by the time wheels are up.”

      “Yes, sir.”

      He hung up and strode to his closet to start packing. Damn. He’d tell Cole his plans on the way out. Right now, Ivan needed to gather all the facts about the mishap to do damage control. At Mangum, an unhappy client was completely unacceptable.

      * * *

      On Wednesday, Tiffany closed up the shop early to accommodate Ivan and his brother. She set out snacks and drinks on the table in the storage room. She was working on inventory orders when a man walked through the door.

      She knew immediately that he was Ivan’s brother. The resemblance was strong, but Ivan was broader in build, taller, and his eyes were more golden. She went to greet him. “You must be Cole.” She smiled.

      He shook her hand. “I am. How are you, Miss Gentry?”

      “I’m well, and call me Tiffany. Thanks for coming.” She looked behind him to see another man following. They made introductions. “Good to meet you, John.” Tiffany couldn’t help but ask, “Is Ivan on his way?”

      Cole shook his head. “He’s been unavoidably detained. He asked me to apologize, and to let you know he’ll arrive as soon as he can.”

      “Oh. No problem. I’ll show you around.”

      Tiffany was disappointed, but tried to hide it. A short time later, Milán and Norma Jean came through the door.

      When she saw them, she had to stifle a groan. “What a nice surprise,” Tiffany said pointedly.

      “Isn’t it? Jeannie thought you’d like to join us for dinner,” Milán replied brightly.

      “Yeah, and I wanted to see how Ivan was working out,” Norma Jean added.

      Tiffany schooled her features. She didn’t need Norma Jean’s radar going off. “Oh, well, Colonel Mangum isn’t here, but should be soon. Dinner sounds great. I’ll go get my purse.” She sped off.

      “Hello, Cole,” Norma Jean said when she spotted him. She walked over and hugged him. “Deciding to give the ladies a break this evening?”

      “Now why would I do that, Ms. Jeannie?” Cole grinned. “Besides, it’s early yet.”

      “Scoundrel,” she replied in mock disapproval. “Where’s that brother of yours? He’d better not be loafing around. I talked him up to Tiffany, so my reputation is on the line.”

      “Don’t worry, it’s still intact,” Ivan called from the doorway.

      Tiffany’s pulse quickened. He wore army fatigues, and looked more delectable than usual.

      He went straight to Tiffany. “I’m sorry I’m late. I had an emergency crop up at work.”

      It was tough concentrating on the words with his face inches away. His close proximity wreaked havoc on her senses.

      “No problem,” she assured him. “The guys are moving right along.”

      “Glad to hear it.” He turned to the other women. “How are you ladies?”

      “Fine,” Norma Jean replied. “We’re going to dinner. Care to join us?”

      “No, ma’am. We’ve got work to do.” He and Cole exchanged glances. His brother nodded. “We’ll be finished by the time you return.”

      “Can I bring you something back?” Tiffany offered.

      “We’re good, thanks,” Cole chimed in.

      Norma