A Brother's Honor (Grangers) - By Brenda Jackson Page 0,32
was it.”
Shana, who was sitting in her office, having taken a break from doing more research on Granger Aeronautics, rolled her eyes. “That’s not it. You were not there when he was telling me about this Mona. I saw that sparkle in his eyes. It might be more than a phase, Jules.”
“Then we’ll stop it. Work up a plan, and we’ll implement it when I get back.”
“Just listen to what you said. Our father is happy, and you want to jeopardize it? Would it be so bad if he truly likes this woman and wants to marry her?”
“For crying out loud, Shana, just listen to yourself! What cloud are you floating on? Dad barely knows the woman, and he’s thinking marriage? And there is a big difference between happy and hot. I’m still going with the idea of him being in the hot prime of his life.”
It was times like this when Shana knew she needed to end the conversation with her sister. “You must have had a bad day,” she said.
Jules stood and began stripping. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you sound like you could chew a couple of people up and spit them out.”
Jules smiled. Her sister knew her well. “And I would begin with a number of the people I interviewed today. They were lying through their teeth about not recognizing a picture of Marcos Rodrigo. The man is hiding out here someplace with his son. I can feel it.”
“Then I’m sure you’ll find them,” Shana said, closing one document on her computer and opening another. “Look I’m in the middle of research and I—”
“Whoa! Wait! Research? I thought you were taking a month-long break!”
Shana wished she hadn’t been reminded. “I was, but I got a client who needs me.”
“Don’t they all, Ms. Fixer-Upper? What makes this one so special you’re giving up a month of fun and sun?”
Shana’s hands stopped stroking the keys, and she paused before entering a name in Google. “I didn’t say he was special.”
“He? Sounds interesting. I hadn’t said anything about a ‘he.’ I think you just told on yourself.”
Shana frowned. Leave it to her sister to grasp any little thing and run with it. “Mistake on my part that wasn’t intentional, but understandable since Jace Granger is now the CEO of Granger Aeronautics. I met with him earlier today and agreed to help bring his company around.”
“So, again, I ask, what’s so special about him that made you give up your time off?”
Shana thought long and hard about her sister’s question before saying, “A number of things, but most of all his integrity. It was a deathbed promise he intends to keep. You know how I am about those sorts of things.”
If anyone would know, it would be Jules. They had both promised their mother while she lay dying of cancer that they would be good girls and not cause their father any problems after she was gone. It was a promise they had both kept. Graduating from high school with honors, they had both finished college in three years instead of four, going practically year-round.
“Yes, I know. Is he good-looking?” Jules asked, picking her clothes up off the floor. Whether her sister knew it or not, her defensive tone was telling on her.
“Yes, he is good-looking. I’ll give him that.”
Jules laughed out loud. “And that’s about all you’ll give him. Jonathan ruined you for any other man.”
Shana frowned at the mention of her ex-boyfriend. “He did not ruin me.”
“Then why haven’t you dated anyone seriously since then? Makes me think you’re pining away for him.”
“You’re wrong. I want to focus on my business. Men aren’t a necessity for me like they are for some women. And I don’t recall the last time you went out on a date.”
“I went out with James last month, remember?”
“I mean a serious date and not one of your stakeouts, Jules. You were trying to bust a cheating husband.” Shana glanced up and waved as Joyce headed for the door. At least she made sure her workers went home at a decent time.
“And it was successful, I might add,” Jules said, grinning, sounding proud of herself. “And that’s probably one reason I don’t take men seriously. Most of my cases are about cheating husbands, which in my book makes a statement. Unless his name is Ben Bradford, no man is to be trusted.”
Jules headed for the bathroom with discarded clothes tucked under her arm. “I need to shower now. Don’t expect me back in Virginia