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"But we're drawing people in, and a lot of them are buying."
"And you're happy."
"I don't know about happy yet, but I'm determined."
"Margo." He patted her knee. "In business that's the same thing. Why don't you have a display set up in the hotel lobby?"
"I—"
"We have half a dozen up for boutiques and jewelry stores, gift shops. Why don't we have one from our own girls?" He jabbed the air with his cigar, spilling ashes that Margo automatically brushed from his knee. "Josh, I'd have expected you to take care of that. Templeton takes care of its own, and it has a policy of supporting small businesses."
"I've already arranged it." Josh continued to noodle out boogie-woogie. "Laura's going to sel
ect the pieces for the hotel, and for another display at the resort."
Margo opened her mouth, then set her teeth. "You might have mentioned it to me."
"I might have." He shot a look over his shoulder, his fingers never faltering. "I didn't. Laura knows what works best for Templeton clientele."
"Oh, and I wouldn't know anything about that."
"Here she goes," Kate murmured.
"I know as much as you do about Templeton clientele," Margo fumed, unfolding her legs to get to her feet. "Damn it, I've been Templeton clientele. And if you're interested in displaying merchandise from Pretenses, then you talk to me."
"Fine." He stopped playing to glance at his watch. "I've got a tennis match with Mom at seven. I've set up the board meeting for nine-thirty. Does that suit you?"
"Well enough." Thomas settled back with his brandy. "We'll meet at eight-forty-five, to discuss those other matters beforehand."
"Good." Josh flicked his eyes back to Margo. "Annie's got your bag packed by now. Why don't you go up and get it?"
"My bag?" She found herself teetering between unfinished temper and bafflement. "Why do I need a bag?"
"So you won't have to rush back to the shop to change every morning. It makes more sense to have your clothes where you sleep."
Her cheeks flushed, not from embarrassment but from fury. "I sleep here, or at the shop."
"Not anymore." He walked over, took her hand in a firm grip. "Margo's staying with me at the hotel, for the time being."
"Look, you jerk, just because I made the regrettable mistake of sleeping with you once—"
"Neither of us got any sleep," he reminded her. "But we'll have to tonight. I've got a full day coming up. Let's get going."
"Oh, I'll go all right." Her toes bumped into his. "I'll be delighted to go with you so I can have the time and the privacy to tell you exactly what I think of you."
Appreciating good timing, Kate waited until the door had closed behind them before she swiveled on the piano bench. "Okay, Uncle Tommy, which one is going to be found in the morning in a pool of their own blood, and which one will be holding the blunt instrument? My money's on Margo," she decided. "She's vicious when she's cornered."
He sighed, trying to compute the new development. "Have to go with my boy, Katie girl. Never known him to lose a fight unless he wanted to."
Chapter Fifteen
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She didn't speak on the drive to the hotel. She had a great deal to say, but she was saving it up. When he carried her garment bag into the bedroom and hung it in the closet, she pounced.
"If you're laboring under some egotistical delusion that I came here to have sex with you—"
"Not tonight, honey." He loosened his tie. "I'm beat." The only sound she could make was a strangled growl in her throat as she used both hands to shove him back. "Okay, okay, if you insist. But I won't be at my best."
