Love 'N' Marriage by Debbie Macomber Page B

days she’d filled in for Bertha Westheimer, she admitted to liking him now. What she couldn’t understand was why everything had changed. For days, sparks had flown every time they were in the same room. The sparks were still there, but they set off an entirely different kind of response now.
    “My limp.”
    “What about your leg?” Deliberately, Stephanie set the pencil aside.
    “Does it trouble you?”
    She noticed the way his hand had tightened around the handle of his cane. His knuckles were stark white, and some of her outrage dissipated. “Of course not. Why should it?”
    “Some women would be repelled by a cripple.” He wouldn’t look at her; his gaze rested on the filing cabinet on the opposite wall. “I want neither your sympathy nor your pity.’’
    “That works out well, since you don’t have either one.” Her voice was crisp with impatience. She hated to believe that he had such a low opinion of her motives, but he gave her no choice but to think that.
    “You could have your pick of any man in this company.”
    “Listen,” she countered, her patience having long since evaporated. “It isn’t like I’ve got a tribe of men seeking my company.”
    “You’re attractive, bright and witty.”
    “Such high praise. I don’t know how I should deal with it, especially when it comes from you, Mr. Lockwood.”
    Jonas was still studying the filing cabinet, ignoring her. “I can see that our little talk has helped clear away some misconceptions,” he said.
    “I certainly hope so.”
    “Have a good day, Ms. Coulter.”
    “You too, Mr. Lockwood.”
    Jonas had been gone five minutes before Stephanie fully accepted the fact that he’d actually been in her office. It took her another ten minutes to react. Her fingers were poised over the typewriter, ready to resume her task, when she realized she was shaking. She closed her eyes, and savored the warm feelings that washed over her in waves. Then she felt chilled; nerves skirted up and down her spine. Jan and the others had been right about Jonas. He was attracted to her, although he wore that stiff, businesslike facade like a heavy raincoat, not trusting her or the attraction they shared. He didn’t have faith in her attraction to him, but she hoped that eventually he would realize her feelings were genuine.
    Unable to contain her excitement, Stephanie reached for her phone and dialed Jan’s extension.
    “Personnel,” Jan said when she answered.
    “He was here.”
    “Who?”
    “Guess,” Stephanie said, laughing excitedly. “You were right. It was his move, and he made it.”
    “Mr. Lockwood?”
    “Who else do you think I’m talking about?”
    “I’ll be right there.”
    Jan arrived a minute later, followed by Barbara, Toni and Maureen. “What did I tell you?” Jan said excitedly, slapping Barbara’s open hand with her own.
    “There isn’t time for you to read more romances,” Toni murmured, looking worried.
    “The only thing she can do now is follow her instincts,” Maureen said brightly. “He’s interested. She’s interested. Everything will follow its natural course.”
    “What do you mean ‘natural course’?” Stephanie asked, concerned. This was beginning to sound a lot like kidney stones.
    “Marriage.” They said the word in unison, and looked at her as though her elevator didn’t go all the way to the top floor. “It’s what we’re all after.”
    “Marriage?” Stephanie repeated slowly. Everything was happening too fast for her to react.
    “But you like him,” Toni challenged.
    “Hey, wait a minute, you guys. Sure I like Jonas Lockwood, but liking is a long way from marriage.”
    “You’re perfect together.” Maureen was incredulous that Stephanie could question her fate. The four romance-lovers had everything arranged, and her resistance wasn’t appreciated.
    “Perfect together? Jonas and me?” Stephanie frowned. The two of them did more arguing than anything. They were only beginning to come to an