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MARRIED IN SEATTLE |
Description
How to meet and marry a man in Seattle. There are all the usual ways, of course, but here’s how Janine Hartman and Meg Remington did it.
Janine: My grandfather Hartman arranged a husband for me! Zach Thomas, the intended groom, was just as outraged as I was. But Gramps insisted we’d be “a perfect match.” First Comes Marriage, according to him.
Meg: My teenage daughter, Lindsey, had the nerve to place a personal ad on my behalf—Wanted: Perfect Partner. Worse, Steve Conlan, who answered the ad, was perfect, according to her.
Does Grandfather know best? Did a teenage matchmaker get it right? You decide!
Excerpt
First Comes Marriage
Janine: My grandfather Hartman arranged a husband for me! Zach Thomas, the intended groom, was just as outraged as I was. But Gramps insisted we’d be “a perfect match.” First Comes Marriage, according to him.
Meg: My teenage daughter, Lindsey, had the nerve to place a personal ad on my behalf—Wanted: Perfect Partner. Worse, Steve Conlan, who answered the ad, was perfect, according to her.
Does Grandfather know best? Did a teenage matchmaker get it right? You decide!
Excerpt
First Comes Marriage
Chapter One
“You must be Zachary Thomas,” Janine said breathlessly as she whirled into the office. “I’m sorry I’m late, but I got hung up in traffic on Fourth Avenue. I didn’t realize they’d torn up the whole street.” Still a little winded, she unfastened her coat, tossed it over the back of the leather chair and plopped herself down, facing the large executive desk.
The man on the other side blinked twice as though he didn’t quite know what to think.
“I’m Janine Hartman,” she gasped out, flattening her hand over her chest. She drew in a deep steadying breath. “Gramps said if he wasn’t back from his appointment, I should introduce myself.”
“Yes,” Zachary said after a moment of strained silence. “But he didn’t tell me you’d be wearing—”
“Oh, the bandanna dress,” Janine said, smoothing one hand over her lap. The entire dress had been constructed of red and blue bandannas; it featured a knee-length zigzag hemline and closely hugged her hips. “It was a gift. And since I’m meeting the girl who made it later, I thought the least I could do was wear it.”
“I see. And the necklace?”
Janine toyed with the colored Christmas-tree lights strung between large bright beads on a bootlace that dangled from her neck. “It’s a bit outrageous, isn’t it? That was a gift, too. I think it’s kind of cute, though. Don’t you? Pamela is so clever.”
“Pamela?”
“A teenager from the Friendship Club.”
“I . . . see,” Zach said, frowning.
“I do volunteer work there and the two of us hit it off the moment we met. Pam’s mother doesn’t live in the area and she’s at that awkward age and needs a friend. For some reason she took a liking to me, which was fine because I think she’s wonderful.”
“I see.”
Janine doubted that he did.
“The necklace is different I’ll grant you,” Zach was saying—which wasn’t admitting too much. His dark eyes narrowed as he studied the multicolored bulbs.
Now that she’d met Zachary Thomas, Janine could understand why her grandfather was so impressed with him, if appearances were anything to judge by. In his well-tailored suit, he was the very picture of a high-powered executive, crisp, formal and in control. He was younger than she’d assumed, possibly in his early thirties, but it was difficult to tell. His facial features were attractive enough, she noted, but he wasn’t strikingly handsome. Still, she found herself fascinated by the strength of character she saw in the uneven planes of his face. His dark hair was cut military short. His jaw was strong, his cheekbones high and his mouth full. That was the way she’d describe him physically, but there was apparently much more to the man than met the eye. At least, her grandfather was convinced of it.
Several months earlier Anton Hartman had merged his well-established business supply firm with the up-and-rising company owned by Zachary Thomas. Together the two men had quickly dominated the market.
For weeks now, Gramps had wanted Janine to meet Zachary. His name had popped up in every conversation, no matter what they were discussing. To say her grandfather thought highly of his partner was a gross understatement.
“Gramps has spoken . . . highly of you,” she said next.
A hint of a smile—just the merest suggestion—touched the edges of his mouth, giving her the impression that he didn’t smile often. “Your grandfather has one of the keenest business minds in the country.”
“He’s incredible, isn’t he?”
Zachary’s nod betrayed no hesitation.
There was a polite knock on the door, and almost immediately afterward, a tall middle-aged woman wearing a navy-blue pin-striped suit stepped into the room. “Mr. Hartman phoned,” she announced primly. “He’s been delayed and suggested you two meet him at the restaurant.”
“I see.” Zach’s lean dark face tightened briefly before he cast Janine an uneasy glance. “Did he say how long he was going to be?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Thomas, but he didn’t.”
Janine glanced at her watch. She was scheduled to meet Pam at three. If they were delayed much longer, she’d be late.
She scowled at Zach’s apparent reluctance to entertain her in Gramp’s absence. “Maybe it would be best if we rescheduled lunch for another day,” she offered brightly. She wasn’t any happier about the prospect of waiting in a restaurant, just the two of them, than he was. “Gramps is held up, I’m meeting Pam later, and you’re obviously a busy man.”
An uncomfortable silence followed her remark. “Is it your habit not to show up when your grandfather is expecting you?” he asked sharply.
Janine bristled. “Of course not.” She swallowed the words to defend herself. Her suggestion hadn’t been unreasonable and he had no right to insinuate that she was inconsiderate and rude.
“Then I suggest we meet your grandfather at the restaurant as he requested,” he finished stiffly.
“By all means,” she said, forcing a smile. She stood and reached for her coat, watching Zach from the corner of her eye. He didn’t like her. The realization had a peculiar effect on Janine. She felt disappointed and a little sad. Zach hadn’t said much, and actually there hadn’t been time for a real conversation, but she’d sensed his attitude almost from the first. He thought of her as spoiled and frivolous, probably because he knew she didn’t hold a responsible job and loved to travel. Part of her longed to explain that there were good reasons she’d chosen the life-style she had. But from the looks he was giving her, it would be a waste of breath to justify herself.
Besides, it was more important to maintain the peace, however strained, for Gramps’s sake, Janine decided. She’d have enjoyed getting to know Zach, perhaps even becoming friends, but that didn’t seem likely. It was unfortunate, really.
That morning, before Gramps had left the house, he’d been as excited as a little boy about their luncheon date. He’d come down the stairs whistling when he’d joined her for breakfast, his blue eyes sparkling. When she’d refused the use of the limousine, he’d spent the next fifteen minutes giving her detailed directions, as though she’d never driven in downtown Seattle.
Almost as an afterthought, he’d mentioned that he had a morning meeting with an important client. If he hadn’t returned by the time she arrived, she was to go directly to Zach’s office, introduce herself and wait for him there.
Shrugging into a raincoat, Zachary moved toward the door. “Are you ready?”
She nodded, burying her hands in her pockets.
Thankfully the restaurant her grandfather had chosen was close by. By tacit agreement, they began to walk the few short blocks, although Janine had trouble matching her stride with Zach’s much longer one.
Struggling to keep up with him, Janine studied Zachary Thomas, trying to determine exactly what disturbed her about the man. His height was a good example. He wasn’t tall—under six feet, she guessed—and since she was almost five-eight there wasn’t more than a few inches’ difference between them. Why, then, did he make her feel much shorter?
He must have sensed her scrutiny because he turned and glared at her. Janine offered him a feeble smile, and felt the color rise in her cheeks. Zach’s quick dismissive glance did nothing to boost her ego. She wasn’t vain, but Janine knew she was attractive. Over the years, plenty of men had told her so, including Brian, the man who’d broken her heart. But she could have warts on her nose for all the notice Zachary Thomas gave her.
If he found the bandanna dress disconcerting, then he was probably put off by her hairstyle as well. She wore it short, neatly trimmed in the back with extra-long bangs slanted across her forehead. For years Janine had worn her hair shoulder-length, parted in the middle. One afternoon a few weeks earlier, for no particular reason, she’d decided to have it cut. She was in the mood for something radical and the style she now sported seemed more appropriate to the pages of a fashion magazine. Pam had been crazy about the change, insisting she looked phenomenal. Janine wasn’t convinced. Her one comfort was that, given time, the thick dark length would return.
Janine suspected Zach had characterized her as flamboyant, if not downright flashy. She in turn would describe him as austere and disciplined, perhaps solitary. Her grandfather saw all that, she knew, and a good deal more.
“Mr. Hartman is waiting for you,” the maître d’ informed them when they arrived at the plush waterfront restaurant. He led them across the thick carpet to a high semi-circular booth upholstered in blue velvet.
“Janine, Zach.” Anton Hartman smiled broadly as they approached. The years had been good to her grandfather. His bearing was still straight and confident, though his hair had grown completely white. His deep blue eyes, only a little faded, were filled with warmth, and wisdom. “I apologize for the inconvenience.”
“It wasn’t any problem,” Zach answered for both of them before Janine could respond—as if he’d expected her to complain!
Ignoring him, Janine removed her coat and kissed her grandfather’s leathery cheek with affection.
“Janine,” he began, then gasped. “Where did you ever get that . . . dress?”
“Do you like it?” She threw out her arms and whirled around once to give him the full effect. “I know it’s a bit unconventional, but I didn’t think you’d mind.”
Gramps’s gaze flickered to Zach, then back to her. “On anyone else it would be scandalous, but on you, my dear, it’s a work of art.”
“Honestly, Gramps,” she said, laughing softly. “You never could lie very well.” She slid into the booth next to her grandfather, forcing him into the center, between her and Zach. Gramps looked a bit disgruntled, but after her turbulent first encounter with Zach, she preferred to keep her distance from the man. For that matter, he didn’t seem all that eager to be close to her, either.
She glanced at him and noted, almost smugly, that he was already studying the menu. No doubt he found ordinary conversation a waste of time. Janine reached for her own menu. She was famished. At breakfast, she’d only had time for coffee and a single piece of toast, and she had every intention of making up
for it now.
“Janine,” he began, then gasped. “Where did you ever get that . . . dress?”
“Do you like it?” She threw out her arms and whirled around once to give him the full effect. “I know it’s a bit unconventional, but I didn’t think you’d mind.”
Gramps’s gaze flickered to Zach, then back to her. “On anyone else it would be scandalous, but on you, my dear, it’s a work of art.”
“Honestly, Gramps,” she said, laughing softly. “You never could lie very well.” She slid into the booth next to her grandfather, forcing him into the center, between her and Zach. Gramps looked a bit disgruntled, but after her turbulent first encounter with Zach, she preferred to keep her distance from the man. For that matter, he didn’t seem all that eager to be close to her, either.
She glanced at him and noted, almost smugly, that he was already studying the menu. No doubt he found ordinary conversation a waste of time. Janine reached for her own menu. She was famished. At breakfast, she’d only had time for coffee and a single piece of toast, and she had every intention of making up
for it now.
When the waiter came to take their order, Janine asked for the seafood entrée and soup and salad. She’d decide about dessert later, she said. Once he’d left, Gramps leaned toward Zach. “Janine never has to worry about her weight.” He made this sound as if it was a subject of profound and personal interest to them both. “Her grandmother was the same way. How my Anna could eat, and she never gained an ounce. Janine’s just like her.”
“Gramps,” Janine whispered under her breath. “I’m sure Zach couldn’t care one way or the other how much I weigh.”
“Nonsense,” Gramps said and gently patted her hand. “I hope you two had the chance to introduce yourselves.”
“Oh yes.” Janine returned automatically.
“Your granddaughter is everything you claimed,” Zachary said, but the inflection in his voice suggested something entirely different to Janine than it did to her grandfather. She guessed that to Anton, he seemed courteous and complimentary. But he was telling Janine he’d found her to be the spoiled darling he’d long suspected. He didn’t openly dislike her, but he wasn’t too impressed with her, either.
Unfortunately, that was probably due to more than just the dress and the lightbulb necklace.
Janine watched for her grandfather’s reaction to Zach’s words and she knew she was right when his gaze warmed and he nodded, obviously pleased by his partner’s assessment. Zachary Thomas was clever, Janine had to grant him that much.
“How did the meeting with Anderson go?” Zach asked.
For a moment her grandfather stared at him blankly. “Oh, Anderson . . . Fine, fine. Everything went just as I’d hoped.” Then he cleared his throat and carefully spread the linen napkin across his lap. “As you both know,” he said, “I’ve been wanting the two of you to meet for some time now. Janine is the joy of my life. She’s kept me young and brought me much happiness over the years. I fear that, without her, I would have turned into a bitter old man.”
His look was so full of tenderness that Janine had to lower her eyes and swallow back a rush of tears. Gramps had been her salvation too. He’d taken her in after the deaths of her parents, raised her with a gentle hand and loved her enough to allow her to be herself. It must have been difficult for him to have a six-year-old unexpectedly thrust into his life, but he’d never complained.
“My only son died far too young,” Anton admitted slowly, painfully.
“I’m sorry,” Zachary murmured.
The genuine compassion Janine heard in his voice surprised her. And it definitely pleased her. Zach’s respect and affection for her grandfather won her immediate approval—even if the man didn’t seem likely to ever feel anything so positive toward her.
“For many years I mourned the loss of my only child,” 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 life. It’s said that there are men in this world who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and then 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 French 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 he would think 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 gaze 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 looked to Janine and his face softened with deep affection. “I feel as though I’ve been an impossible burden to you, child, what with running this company,” he said thoughtfully. “Never in all my dreams did I expect to accumulate so much in a single lifetime. I realize 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 argued. 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 in what was now part of the Soviet Union.
“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 happening at the home 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 over 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—”
“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 he would think 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 gaze 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 looked to Janine and his face softened with deep affection. “I feel as though I’ve been an impossible burden to you, child, what with running this company,” he said thoughtfully. “Never in all my dreams did I expect to accumulate so much in a single lifetime. I realize 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 argued. 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 in what was now part of the Soviet Union.
“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 happening at the home 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 over 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 know of no better man, and there’s no better time.”
Janine studied Zach, and she noted that he 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 of his emotions. “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 teaching you the ropes. I’ll be giving them to you.”
The first course of their luncheon order arrived, and to Janine’s delight, the conversation flowed smoothly. Her grandfather made sure of that. 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 glanced at his watch, his look regretful. “I’m sorry to leave so soon, but I have an appointment.”
Janine noted the time and 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 the steaming cup.
“Of course.” Janine leaned over to kiss him good-bye.
Zachary walked out to the street with her. Before he left, he shook her hand. “It’s been a pleasure, Miss Hartman.”
“You’re sure?” she teased, unable to stop herself.
“Yes.” His eyes held hers and he bestowed on her what she suspected was a rare smile. She walked away feeling oddly excited about their meeting. Zach wasn’t an easy person to know, but she had the impression that he was everything her grandfather claimed and more.
Wanted: Perfect Partner
Prologue
“Is our ad there?” Fifteen-year-old Lindsey Remington whispered to her best friend. She glanced nervously toward her bedroom door, and held her breath. Her biggest fear was that her mother would find her and Brenda scanning the Dateline section of the Wednesday newspaper and discover what they’d done.
Okay, so it was a bit underhanded to write an ad on her mother’s behalf, but it was clear to Lindsey that her parent needed help.
Okay, so it was a bit underhanded to write an ad on her mother’s behalf, but it was clear to Lindsey that her parent needed help.
It wasn’t as if Lindsey could pull a potential husband out of a top hat without a bit of assistance. So she wrote an ad, with her best friend advising her.
“Here,” Brenda said excitedly, pointing to the middle of the printed page. “It’s here. Oh, my goodness. It’s really here, just the way we wrote it.”
Lindsey’s eyes found the spot on the printed page. She read aloud:
“Wanted: Perfect partner. Looks like a beauty queen, cooks like a mom, kisses like a woman in love. Dating-shy divorcee seeks a man with marriage on his mind. Box 1234.”
“It sounds even better in print,” Brenda said.
“Here,” Brenda said excitedly, pointing to the middle of the printed page. “It’s here. Oh, my goodness. It’s really here, just the way we wrote it.”
Lindsey’s eyes found the spot on the printed page. She read aloud:
“Wanted: Perfect partner. Looks like a beauty queen, cooks like a mom, kisses like a woman in love. Dating-shy divorcee seeks a man with marriage on his mind. Box 1234.”
“It sounds even better in print,” Brenda said.
“Do you think anyone will actually respond?” Lindsey asked.
“I bet we get lots of letters.”
“I still think we should have said she has kisses that taste better than chocolate.”
“It didn’t fit. Remember?” The two had worked long and hard over the wording of the ad. Lindsey had insisted on describing her mother as stunning, and Brenda was afraid it might not fit in with the truth-in-advertising rules.
All right, so her mother wasn’t Miss World material, but she was very pretty. Or she could be, with a little help from the advice offered in several magazines Lindsey had been reading lately. Luckily she had a daughter who knew the ropes.
“Don’t worry, Lindsey,” Brenda said with a romantic sigh. “This is the best thing you could ever have done for your mother.”
Lindsey hoped her mother appreciated her efforts. “Just remember this guy has to be perfect. We’ll need to be careful who we pick.”
“Not a problem. If we don’t like the sound of one guy, then we’ll choose someone else,” Brenda said, as if it they were destined to have tons of applicants.
“That’s the beauty of our plan. We’ll screen all the applicants before your mother has a chance to date them. How many teenagers get to choose their step-fathers in advance? Not many, I bet.”
Lindsey returned her attention to the ad and gnawed on the corner of her lip. She was experiencing a twinge of pride along with a mild onset of guilt.
Her mother wasn’t going to like this. When Meg first learned what she and Brenda had done, she’d probably get all bent out of shape.
As for the ad, Lindsey was downright proud of that. If she were a man inclined to read the Dateline section, the ad would intrigue her.
“Some men will want to write simply because your mom’s pretty, but it’s the part about her being a good cook that will interest a whole lot more,” Brenda assured her. “My grandma claims Grandpa married her because of the way she made German potato salad. Can you believe it?”
Brenda brought up a good point. “How will we know if a man is marrying her for her looks or her meat loaf?”
“We won’t,” Brenda said, “but by then we’ll be out of the picture. Your mother will be on her own.”
Lindsey wished she knew more about men. Unfortunately her experience with the opposite sex was limited. She’d only gone on two real dates and both times had been to school dances. And her mother had been a chaperone both times.
“The day will come when Mom will appreciate the sacrifice we made on her behalf,” Lindsey said. “She was the one who always claimed how important it was to go after one’s dreams. She needs a man. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
“All she needs is a little help from the two of us.”
“And she’s got it,” Lindsey said, smiling broadly.
“The day will come when Mom will appreciate the sacrifice we made on her behalf,” Lindsey said. “She was the one who always claimed how important it was to go after one’s dreams. She needs a man. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
“All she needs is a little help from the two of us.”
“And she’s got it,” Lindsey said, smiling broadly.
