“For many years I mourned the loss of my son and his wife,” Anton continued, his voice gaining strength. “I’ve worked all my life, built an empire that stretches across these fifty states, and in the process have become a wealthy man.”
Janine studied her grandfather closely. He was rarely this serious. He wasn’t one to list his accomplishments, and she wondered at his strange mood.
“When Zach brought his business into the area, I saw in him a rare gift, one that comes along seldom in this life. It’s said that there are men who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. Zachary is a man who makes things happen. In many ways, the two of us are alike. That’s one of the primary reasons I decided to approach him with a proposal to merge our companies.”
“I’m honored that you should think so, sir.”
“Sir,” Anton repeated softly and chuckled. He raised his hand, motioning for the waiter. “You haven’t called me that in six months, and there’s no reason to start again now.”
The waiter returned with a bottle of expensive champagne. Soon glasses were poured and set before them.
“Now,” Anton continued, “as I said earlier, I have the two people I love most in this world together with me for the first time, and I don’t mind telling you, it feels good.” He raised his glass. “To happiness.”
“Happiness,” Janine echoed, sipping her champagne.
Her eyes met Zach’s above the crystal flute and she saw a glint of admiration. If she were dining on it, she’d starve—to quote a favorite expression of her grandfather’s—but it was just enough for her to know that he’d think more kindly of her because of her love for Anton.
Her grandfather chuckled and whispered something in his native tongue, a German dialect from the old country. Over the years she’d picked up a smattering of the language, but when she’d repeated a few phrases to a college German professor, he’d barely recognized the words. Gramps paused and his smile lingered on Janine, then went to Zach. Whatever Gramps was muttering appeared to please him. His blue eyes fairly twinkled with delight.
“And now,” he said, setting his glass aside, “I have an important announcement to make.”
He turned to Janine and his face softened with affection. “I feel as though I’ve been an impossible burden to you, child, what with running this company.” He shook his head. “Never in all my dreams did I expect to accumulate so much in a single lifetime. I’ve stayed in the business far longer than I should. It’s time for me to retire and do a little traveling.”
“It’s past time,” Janine said. For years, she’d been urging her grandfather to lessen his heavy work schedule. He’d often spoken of revisiting his birthplace and the surrounding countries. He talked at length of cousins and friends he’d left behind in the small German settlement. It was located in what was now part of Russia.
“This is where Zachary comes into the picture,” Anton explained. “I know myself all too well. Full retirement would be impossible for me. If I stopped working, I’d shrivel up and die. That’s just the way I am,” he said simply.
Neither Janine nor Zachary disputed his words.
“I’ll never be able to keep my fingers out of the business, yet I want to enjoy my travels. I couldn’t do that if I was fretting about what was going on at the office.” He paused as if he expected one of them to contradict him. “I believe I’ve come upon a solution. As of this afternoon, Zachary, I’m handing the reins to you. You will assume my position as chairman of the board. I realize this is sooner than we discussed, but the time is right and I hope you’ll agree.”
“But, Anton—”
“Gramps—”
Anton held up his hand. “I’ve thought about this long and hard,” he said confidently. “I find Zach’s honesty unquestionable, his loyalty certain and his intelligence keen. He’s shrewd, perceptive and insightful. I can think of no better man, and there’s no better time.”
Janine noticed that Zach seemed uncomfortable with the praise. “Thank you,” was all he said.
“A share of this company will belong to you someday, Janine,” Anton said next. “Do you have any objections to this appointment?”
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Of course she approved. What else could she do? “Whatever you decide is fine with me.”
Anton turned his attention to the other man. “Zachary, do you accept?”
Although their acquaintance had been brief, Janine knew instinctively that it took a lot to fluster this man. But her grandfather had managed to do so.
Zachary continued to stare at him as though he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing. But when he spoke, his voice was well modulated, revealing little emotion. “I’m honored.”
“For the next few months, we’ll be working closely together, much as we have in the past, but with a difference. No longer will I be showing you the ropes. I’ll be handing them to you.”
The first course of their lunch arrived, and after that, the conversation flowed smoothly. Her grandfather made sure of it. He was jubilant and entertaining, witty and charming. It would have been impossible not to be affected by his good humor.
When they’d finished the meal, Zachary looked at his watch. “I’m sorry to leave so soon, but I have an appointment.”
Janine took a last sip of her coffee. “I should be leaving, too.” She reached for her purse and coat, then slid out of the booth, waiting for her grandfather to join her.
“If neither of you objects, I’m going to linger over my coffee,” Anton said, nodding toward his steaming cup.
“Of course.” Janine leaned over to kiss him goodbye.
Zachary walked out to the street with her. Before he left, he shook her hand. “It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Hartman.”
“You’re sure?” she teased, unable to stop herself.
“Yes.” His eyes held hers and he smiled. She walked away feeling oddly excited about their meeting. Zach wasn’t an easy person to know, but she suspected he was everything her grandfather claimed and more.
GRAMPS’S MOOD remained cheerful when he got home later that evening. Janine was in the library sipping herbal tea with her feet tucked under her as she watched the local news.
Sitting in the wingback leather chair next to her, Gramps crossed his legs and chose one of his Havana cigars. Janine shook her head affectionately as he lit it; she loved her grandfather dearly and wished he’d stop smoking, though she no longer bothered to express that wish. He was the kind of man who did exactly as he chose, got exactly what he wanted. He was obviously pleased with the way their luncheon had gone, and she wondered briefly if Zach had said anything about her afterward. Somehow she doubted it.
“Well,” he said after a moment, “What do you think of Zachary Thomas?” He blew a steady stream of smoke at the ceiling while he awaited her answer.
All afternoon, Janine had prepared herself for his question. Several complicated answers had presented themselves, clever replies that would sidestep her true feelings, but she used none of them now. Her grandfather expected the truth, and it was her duty to give it to him.
“I’m not sure. He’s a very…reserved man, isn’t he?”
Anton chuckled. “Yes, he is, but I’ve never known you to walk away from a challenge. The boy’s a little rough around the edges, but on the inside, he’s pure gold.”
Janine hadn’t thought of Zach in those terms—a challenge. Frankly, she doubted there’d be much reason for her to have any future contact with him. Gramps and Zach would be working closely together, but she had almost nothing to do with the business.
“I’ve earned his trust, but it took time,” Gramps was saying now.
“I’m glad you’ve decided to retire,” she said absently, half listening to the weather report.
“Zachary will change,” her grandfather added.
He had her full attention now. “Gramps,” she said patiently, holding in a laugh. “Why should he? He’s achieved c
onsiderable financial success. Everything’s looking good for him. What possible reason could there be for him to change?”
Anton stood and poured himself a liberal dose of brandy, swirling it slowly in the bottom of the snifter. “You’re going to change him,” he said after a thoughtful moment.
“Me?” Janine laughed outright. “I’m going to change Zachary Thomas?” she repeated in wide-eyed disbelief. That would be the day!
“Before you argue with me, and I can see that’s what you’re dying to do, I have a story I want to tell you. A rather sad one as it happens.”
Janine picked up the remote control and snapped off the television. She’d often listened to her grandfather’s parables. “So tell me.”
“It’s about a boy, born on the wrong side of the tracks to an alcoholic father and a weak mother. He never had much of a chance in life. His father was abusive enough for the state to remove the lad and his younger sister. He was barely eight and subjected to a long series of foster homes, but he refused to be separated from his sister. He’d promised her he’d always take care of her.
“Once, there wasn’t any alternative and the two were sent to separate homes. Beside himself with worry for his sister, the young boy ran away. The authorities were in a panic, but three days later, he turned up two hundred miles away at the home where they’d placed Beth Ann.”
“He probably felt responsible for her.”
“Yes. Which made matters much worse when she drowned in a swimming accident. He was twelve at the time.”
“Oh, no.” A pain squeezed Janine’s heart at the agony the boy had suffered.
“He blamed himself, of course,” Anton said softly.
“The poor kid.”
“This lad never seemed to belong to anyone after that,” Gramps said, staring into his brandy. “He never quite fit in, but that wasn’t entirely his fault.” He paused to take another puff of his cigar. “His mother died a month after his sister. They were the only ones who’d ever truly loved him. He lost contact with his father, which was probably for the best. So his family was gone and no one seemed to want this troubled, hurting boy.”
“Did he turn into a juvenile delinquent?” It made sense to Janine that he would; she’d dealt with a number of troubled teenagers through her volunteer work and was familiar with the tragic patterns that so often evolved in cases like this.
“No, I can’t say he did.” Gramps dismissed her question with a shake of his head, more interested in continuing his tale than getting sidetracked by her questions. “He drifted through adolescence without an anchor and without ever being allowed to enjoy those formative years.”
“Gramps—”
He raised his hand to stop her. “When he was eighteen, he joined the military. He did well, which isn’t surprising, considering his intelligence and the fact that he had little regard for his own well-being. There was no one to mourn if he died. Because of his courage, he advanced quickly, volunteering for the riskiest assignments. He traveled all over the world to some of the most dangerous political hot spots. His duties were often top secret. There’s no telling how far he might have gone had he chosen to remain in the armed services, but for some reason, he resigned. No one understood why. I suspect he wanted to start his life over. This was when he opened a business-supply company. Within a year, he had my attention. His methods were aggressive and creative. I couldn’t help admiring the way he handled himself and the company. Within five years, he’d become one of my most serious rivals. I saw a strength in him that age had stolen from me. We met. We talked. As a result of these talks we joined forces.”
“Obviously you’re telling me about Zachary’s life.”
Anton grinned and slowly sipped his brandy. “You noticed his remoteness quickly. I thought knowing all this would help you. Zach’s never had the security that a caring home and family provide. He’s never really experienced love, except what he shared with his sister, Beth Ann. His life has been a long progression of painful experiences. By sheer force of will, he’s managed to overcome every obstacle placed in his path. I realize Zachary Thomas isn’t going to win any Mr. Personality contests, but by heaven, he’s earned my respect.”
Janine had rarely heard such emotion in her grandfather’s voice. “Zach told you all this?”
Anton’s laughter echoed through the room. “You’re joking, aren’t you? Zach has never spoken of his past to me. I doubt that he has to anyone.”
“You had him investigated?”
Gramps puffed on his cigar before answering. “It was necessary, although I’d guessed early on that his life hadn’t been a bed of roses.”
“It’s all very sad, isn’t it?”
“You’re going to be very good for him, my dear.”
Janine blinked. “Me?”
“Yes, you. You’re going to teach him to laugh and enjoy life. But most important, you’re going to teach him about love.”
She hesitated, uncertain of her grandfather’s meaning. “I don’t think I understand. I realize Zach and I will probably see each other now and then since he’s assuming your responsibilities with the company, but I don’t see how I could have any great impact on his life.”
Gramps smiled, a slow lazy smile that curved the corners of his mouth. “That’s where you’re wrong, my dear. You’re going to play a very big role in Zach’s life, and he in yours.”
Janine was still confused. “Perhaps I missed something this afternoon. I thought you made Zach the chairman of the board.”
“I did.” A lazy swirl of smoke circled his head.
“I don’t understand where I come into the picture.”
“I don’t suppose you do,” he said softly. “You see, Janine, I’ve chosen Zachary to be your husband.”
Two
For a stunned moment, Janine said nothing. “You’re teasing, aren’t you, Gramps?”
“No,” he said, lighting a second cigar. He paused to stare at the glowing tip, his eyes filled with mischief—and with something else, less easily defined. “I’m serious.”
“But…” Janine’s thoughts were so jumbled she couldn’t make sense of them herself, let alone convey her feelings to her grandfather.
“I’ve been giving the matter serious consideration for some time now. Zach’s perfect for you and you’re the ideal complement to him. You’re going to have beautiful blond-haired children.”
“But…” Janine discovered she was absolutely speechless. One minute she was listening to a touching story, and the next her grandfather was telling her about the husband he’d arranged for her—and even the color of her children’s hair.
“Once you think about it,” Gramps said confidently, “I’m sure you’ll agree with me. Zach is a fine young man, and he’ll make you an excellent husband.”
“You…Zach talked…agreed?” The words stumbled over the end of her tongue.
“Do you mean have I suggested this arrangement to Zach?” Gramps asked. “Heavens, no. At least not yet.” He chuckled as if he found the thought amusing. “Zach wouldn’t appreciate my blatant interference in his personal affairs. With him, I’ll need to be far more subtle. To be honest, I considered making this marriage part of my handing over the chairmanship, but after thinking it through, I changed my mind. Zach would never have agreed. There are other ways, I decided, better ways. But I don’t want you to worry about it. That’s between Zach and me.”
“I…see.” At this point, Janine wasn’t sure what she saw, other than one determined old man caught between two worlds. In certain respects, the old ways continued to dominate his thinking, but his success in America allowed him to appreciate more modern outlooks.
Gramps inhaled deeply on his cigar, his blue eyes twinkling. “Now, I realize you probably find the idea of an arranged marriage slightly unorthodox, but you’ll get used to it. I’ve made a fine choice for you, and I know you’re smart enough to recognize that.”
“Gramps, I don’t think you fully understand what you’re su
ggesting,” she said, trying to gather her scattered wits, hoping she could explain the ridiculousness of this whole scheme without offending him.
“But I do, my child.”
“In this country and in this age,” she continued slowly, “men and women choose their own mates. We fall in love and then marry.”
Gramps frowned. “Sadly, that doesn’t work,” he muttered.
“What do you mean, it doesn’t work?” she cried, losing her patience. “It’s been like this for years and years!”
“Look at the divorce rate. I read in the paper recently that almost fifty percent of all marriages in this country fail. In the old country, there was no divorce. Parents decided whom a son or daughter would marry, and their decision was accepted without question. First comes marriage, and then comes love.”
“Gramps,” Janine said softly, wanting to reason this out with him. Her grandfather was a logical man; surely, if she explained it properly, he’d understand. “Things are done differently now. First comes love, then comes marriage.”
“What do you young people know about love?”
“A good deal, as it happens,” she returned, lying smoothly. Her first venture into love had ended with a broken heart and a shattered ego, but she’d told Gramps little if anything about Brian.
“Pfft!” he spat. “What could you possibly know of love?”
“I realize,” she said, thinking fast, “that your father arranged your marriage to Grandma, but that was years ago, and in America such customs don’t exist. You and I live here now, in the land of the free. The land of opportunity.”
Gramps gazed down into his brandy for a long moment, lost in thought. Janine doubted he’d even heard her.
“I’ll never forget the first time I saw my Anna,” he said in a faraway voice. “She was sixteen and her hair was long and blond and fell in braids to her waist. My father spoke to her father and while they were talking, Anna and I sat at opposite ends of the room, too shy to look at each other. I wondered if she thought I was handsome. To me, she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Even now, after all these years, I can remember how my heart beat with excitement when I saw her. I knew—”