Inhaltsangabe
A scandal from her past threatens an attractive black woman's burgeoning career as a financial consultant and her recent marriage to the man of her dreams, making for the greatest challenge of her life. Reprint.
Die Inhaltsangabe kann sich auf eine andere Ausgabe dieses Titels beziehen.
Aus dem Klappentext
f romance, suspense, and drama, LOVE ALWAYS sears the soul as it confronts the difficult choices women must make to turn love into forever. . . .<br><br>Boston financial consultant Simone Harper is red hot. Gorgeous and respected, she has a soaring career, and recently tied the knot with the man of her dreams, Dr. Tony Housner, a renowned fertility specialist. But the electrifying passion that brought them together in marriage isn't enough to keep them from facing the greatest challenge of their lives.<br><br>For a scandal from Simone's past has thrust her on a collision course with another man who shares a shocking revelation. Yet Simone is determined to claim her rightful future with Tony--whatever the odds--and hold on to . . .<br><br>LOVE ALWAYS
Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
Balancing precariously on one foot, Simone struggled with the bulky bags of groceries in each arm but was able to slam the door shut with her foot. She kicked off her high-heeled shoes and leaned against the door with a deep sigh before she gathered enough strength to move. She padded in her stocking feet to her kitchen, where she dropped the awkward bundles on the counter.
She looked over to the corner. On her tiny minidesk the flashing light of her answering machine summoned her. How she hated that machine! It was such an intrusive device, but a necessary evil in her life. Of course, she didn't have to respond to it--but if she wanted to stay in business, it was vital. Her clients almost always seemed to need to reach her at once, particularly when it concerned their investments. Of course, she couldn't blame them. People's money was essential to their well-being.
She punched the play button on the machine. As she expected, the first call on the tape was from one of her newest clients. He was feeling a great deal of panic over a slight dip in the market. Simone could hear the stress in his voice as he gave her instructions.
"I want you to sell that computer stock that we talked about earlier. Please, first thing Monday morning, unload all my shares of High Ridge Computer."
Simone shook her head, sat down at the desk, and made a brief note to herself. Her advice to her client had been to stay with the company, but it was his money and she would follow his instructions. She would receive her fee, in any case.
She put away her groceries as she listened to the rest of the message tape. One message was from her mother, calling from Richmond to remind her of the family reunion. "Remember," her mother said, "we're expecting you to plan the activities for the family in Boston. You know, sight-seeing and entertainment. Anyway, call me when you can. Love ya, baby," and her mother rang off.
There was another call, a man's voice that sounded deep and somewhat garbled. She didn't get the name; he sounded like a salesman. She'd play it back again later when she had more time.
"Hey, girl!" Her friend Christine's cheerful voice came through the speaker. "Hope you haven't forgotten tonight. We'll be by to pick you up 'round sevenish. Baby, you are going to love Tony Housner. Bet on it!"
Simone groaned out loud. Chris and her doctor friends, she thought as she placed string beans, broccoli, and carrots into the vegetable keeper of the refrigerator. Chris was always trying to fix Simone up with the doctors she knew at the hospital. Simone thought that Chris had been trying harder since she had become engaged to Warren Conrad, an MIT engineering professor. It seemed to Simone that many of the Black doctors Chris introduced her to were so strongly opinionated, so sure of themselves; she found them shallow and insufferable. But Christine Langley was a good friend, and now that she had found the man of her life and was engaged to be married, she was not going to be satisfied until her friend Simone was "fixed up," too.
Simone realized that her own competitive nature put many men off, but she'd been that way all her life. Her mother always said that her middle child should have been a boy.
Simone shut off the answering machine and made a cup of tea. She took it into her bedroom and, while she sipped the hot liquid, she wondered what to wear. She promised herself she would be a "good girl" tonight, behave herself and not get anyone's hackles up, so she decided to wear something ladylike and feminine.
She walked to the full-length double mirrors in front of her closet and stared at her reflection. She did not have the distinctive ivory rose skin of her beautiful mother and her older sister, Cleo. However, she'd been told by many that she was very attractive. She had inherited her coloring from her father, whom she adored.
Her skin was a flawless, smooth, warm brown, and her eyes, large and black, stared back at her. Her thick black hair had been cut short into a modified wedge. Simone always opted for a quick, easy hairstyle, and this present style suited her tendency to spend a limited amount of time on personal grooming and still be professional and well put together. Her small bones and slender body belied her strength and endurance. In high school and college she had run track, and even today she ran whenever she could. Her waiflike appearance belied her independent nature. She always surprised people with her strong sense of purpose.
She had asked her mother about it. "Momma, is it because I'm a middle child that I'm always so competitive, always trying to outdo and outperform everybody else?"
Her mother had replied patiently, "Child, don't ask me. When you were born, the doctor told me you were an angry baby, fists balled up, so mad, so upset, said you were yelling and screeching to get into this world. He said it looked to him like you were ready 'to pick a fight with anybody, didn't care who it was.'" Her mother laughed.
"Oh, God, Momma," Simone apologized, hugging her mother. "I hope I haven't been a disappointment to you and Daddy."
"No, honey." Her mother embraced her. "Once we got you out of that marriage mess, you've done us proud, and we're happy as can be with your success. Knew you would be okay. Now, if only ..."
"I know. If only I'd find the right man and settle down."
She thought about that conversation with her mother, which had taken place when she was home for the Christmas holiday. Would this blind date tonight with Chris and her boyfriend bring a prospective husband into her life? Not that she was actively looking for a mate; but even she realized that, though she had a busy and satisfying life, it was not complete. She was doing well financially, had an attractive apartment and many friends, male and female--but apparently unless she had a "significant other" she was an anomaly, the odd woman out, so to speak, as well as an undefined threat to other singles who were "looking."
She searched her closet. There was that new Carolina Herrera number she had purchased her last time in New York. She had been saving it for a special occasion--could be tonight. A soft orchid-gray, the simple sheath of sheer crepe with an underslip shimmering beneath had a high, mandarin-type neckline that framed Simone's small oval face. Sleeveless, it flared slightly at her knees, showing her very attractive legs to an advantage. Simone had been fortunate to find a pair of slender, T-strap sandals and a small bag that exactly matched the shade of her dress. She selected pearl drop earrings, a pearl bracelet with an amethyst clasp, and a large cut amethyst dinner ring as her jewelry. Finally, she chose a Hermès scarf in case the air-conditioning made the restaurant too cool. Its jewel-like colors of orchid, blue, and rose were just elegant enough to complement her dress.
Before showering, Simone prepared a small tray of canapés and hors d'oeuvres and placed a bottle of champagne to chill in an ice bucket. As she explained to Chris when she returned her call confirming the evening out, "Just something so we can have a little chat before we go to dinner. A warm-up, some exploration time. An icebreaker. Whatever you want to call it, Chris. I'd like to get an impression of this blind date you're forcing on me."
"Now, Simone, don't be tough! He's a very nice person. You'll like him, you'll see," Chris reassured her.
As soon as the proper moment presented itself, Simone invited Chris to join her in the kitchen.
"Of course I'll help you. These hors d'oeuvres, especially the stuffed mushrooms, are great, Simone. Where did...
„Über diesen Titel“ kann sich auf eine andere Ausgabe dieses Titels beziehen.
