Debbie Macomber - The Perfect Match

“My only son died far too young,” Anton said 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 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.”