Part 18 (1/2)

The sound was beautiful to his ears, so much like his old Carlie. He grinned at her, and to his besotted happiness, she actually grinned back. Then she shook her head and whispered for him to behave. He made no promises.

It quickly became a business meeting, just as Carlie had said. And surprisingly, Tyler enjoyed himself. He offered a lot of helpful input concerning the fundraiser, legal advice Carlie or Brad wouldn't have thought of, and some suggestions of his own which proved very sound.

Brad was clearly impressed with Tyler, and before they called it quits, he was behaving as if they were old friends. ”Could I call on you at your office sometime to discuss any problems that might arise?”

Tyler felt smug, but he hid it behind a facade of graciousness. ”Of course. Just tell me secretary I said it was fine. She's a real stickler about keeping out people without appointments.”

Brad shook his hand. ”I appreciate that. Well, I better be off. I'm sorry I can't stay and help with your project, but I'm running a little late.”

”Think nothing of it.” Tyler simply wanted him gone. ”Carlie and I can muddle through.”

”If you're sure, then?”

Carlie stood abruptly and went to the door, obviously tired of playing cat and mouse. ”Thank you for coming by, Brad. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help.”

She stood at the door, waiting until Brad had gotten into his car and driven away before closing it and facing Tyler.

He saw immediately that she was incensed. He forestalled her tirade by tossing out his own stack of papers. ”I want to start a scholars.h.i.+p fund at your school.”

Her mouth, already open to blast him, snapped shut.

”You could use it as you see fit. To pay for sports equipment, to help with school fees or lunches, or even to start special cla.s.ses. Whatever. I've been giving this some thought for a while now.” He gave her a slightly sheepish look. ”After our practices, I offered to help out a few of the parents who were having difficulties. It's a tough thing, trying to give a.s.sistance without making it look like charity. I sent papers to be typed up at one house, and then gave some plumbing business from our offices to another. But it wasn't enough. I didn't want to offend anyone, so I came up with the idea of a scholars.h.i.+p.

”Jason has agreed to pitch in, too, and I think some of the other businesses in the area will follow suit. It would be great publicity for their services. 'Caring for the community' and all that.” He drew to a halt. ”What do you think?”

Her expression blank, Carlie walked to the table where Tyler had tossed the doc.u.ments. She picked up the top sheet and scanned it. She looked staggered by the amount of his donation.

Raising her eyes to his, she whispered, ”You're serious?”

”Of course. I have a contract ready. I hope you don't mind, but I left the distribution of my donation in your capable hands. As others come in, you could put them before a board of advisers if you want. But you already know the kids and their families so well, what they need and so forth, I thought you'd be perfect for the job.”

Carlie was speechless. She stared at him.

”I think the contributing businesses would also agree to hire a few of the parents on a part-time basis. I know I always need papers transcribed and letters sent out. What do you-” He stopped mid-sentence. ”Carlie? Is everything all right?”

She sat on the edge of the couch, his papers clutched in her hand, looking dumbfounded. ”You're amazing, Tyler.”

He actually felt himself blush. Gruffly, he said, ”I'm just trying to help out. I have the money.” He shrugged, dismissing her praise. ”I wanted to surprise you.”

Carlie laid her hand over his. ”Thank you, Tyler. This means so much. I can already think of three families who will really benefit from this.”

He grinned in satisfaction, retaining his hold on her hand. ”There you go! Use it as you see fit. I'll see what I can do about getting some of the other businesses in on it. But in the meantime, if you need more money, let me know.”

That did it. She looked near tears, overwhelmed with his generosity and goodness of spirit. And he felt not a single moment's guilt.

After all, he reasoned, he had donated the money. If the timing of his surprise seemed just a bit suspicious, it didn't matter. He needed all the help he could get.

Seeing her so obviously softened toward him, Tyler eased her into his arms. ”You're not going to cry, are you? I can't abide watery women.”

Pulling away as far as his arms would allow, Carlie gazed at him with a small smile. ”I promise not to cry.” But no sooner had she made that promise than she broke it, choking on a low sob.

Tyler shook his head. ”So you really think I'm amazing?”

”I do.”

The words were whispered with such sincerity, Tyler caught his breath. And then he smiled. ”Excellent.” His thoughts slowed to concentrate on one fact: he was with Carlie, and she still cared. But as he leaned toward her, she protested.

”Ah, Tyler, I didn't mean...”

”Shh. Kiss me again, Carlie.”

”You kissed me! I didn't...”

”Don't argue semantics. I can think of better things to do.” His tone was deep and suggestive as his arms slowly tightened around her.

With slightly narrowed eyes and a dangerously soft voice, she inquired, ”Are you suggesting we have s.e.x?”

”I, ah, well, I suppose the thought had entered my mind.” About a million times in the past hour, he silently added. But Carlie was suddenly looking so furious, he kept that little tidbit to himself.

”Because you donated money to needy children,” she clarified, ”you think I should sleep with you? That's despicable! How could you propose such a thing?”

Anger and frustration rushed through him, and he jumped to his feet. ”All right, dammit! You don't like that proposition? Well, here's another one.” He sucked in a deep breath. ”Marry me.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

Carlie stared at Tyler blankly. ”Don't you think humor is a little misplaced at this point?”

”I...” He shut his mouth. Truth be told, he'd surprised himself as much as he had Carlie with that sudden command. Marry me. d.a.m.n, but it did seem the right thing to say at the right time.

He grinned. ”I'm not joking. I want to marry you.”

She eyed him warily. ”Why?”

He gave her a mock frown of disapproval over her rude questioning. ”You don't seem to know any more about accepting proposals than you did about dates. Let me instruct you. This is the part where you fall into my arms, tearfully showing your grat.i.tude and devotion, and shout a resounding, 'Yes!' You got all that?”

”Provided, of course, the answer would be yes?”

Tyler felt a moment's misgiving. ”Don't toy with me, Carlie. I've never proposed to anyone in my life. I could have a major attack of insecurity here, if you're not careful.” He hoped his teasing tone belied the truth behind his words. He felt almost sick with dread.

Carlie chewed her bottom lip and her eyes were dark with shadows. ”Tyler, I don't want to get married. It's not just you. I don't want to marry anyone. Ever. I followed that route once, and as you know, it didn't go all that well.”

Tyler sat beside her and took her hands in his. He needed to touch her, to make her understand. ”It wouldn't be that way with me, Carlie. I'm not like him.”

She went on, all brisk and businesslike. ”Of course you're not. I told you, you're amazing. Kind and compa.s.sionate, and too attractive to be turned loose on polite society. But I value my independence. I don't intend to give it up.”