Brenda Jackson - One Special Moment

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Acknowledgment

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Epilogue

I would like to acknowledge my family, my friends

and my faithful readers, who continue to believe in

me and who give me their undying support.

Thanks for all those special moments.

Very special acknowledgments to my sisters,

Robin E. Ware, Cynthia H. Powell and Lisa L. Hawk.

Thanks for making being the oldest so rewarding,

as well as challenging.

To Brenda Arnette Simmons for her helpful feedback

on the finished product. You are a jewel.

And most importantly, to my Heavenly Father,

who makes all things possible.

This would be the biggest gamble of her life.

That was Colby Wingate's very thought as she glanced up at the tall, impressive structure that housed the law firm of Stewart, Heard and Mathers. Summoning up much-needed courage, she entered the building determined to go through with her plan. She couldn't get cold feet now. The future of her brother's company depended on her.

The main lobby of the huge building contained a spectacular eighty-foot atrium populated with numerous flowers and plants, and a huge breathtaking, tinkling waterfall. She couldn't help admiring a painting on a wall that showed a stunning scene of turquoise waters and snow-capped mountains.

She stepped into the elevator, the doors slid shut and it carried her to the twenty-ninth floor. The door of the elevator opened, and a smiling secretary seated in the spacious and elaborately decorated foyer eyed her curiously when she gave her name.

“Mr. Stewart's on the phone right now, Ms. Wingate. Please have a seat. He'll be with you shortly.”

Colby nodded and sat in the leather chair offered. To pass the time, she picked up the latest issue of People magazine from a nearby table. There on its cover, bigger than life, was the one man who could save Wingate Cosmetics—movie actor Sterling Hamilton.

She studied his features and decided that although Denzel Washington was her favorite actor, Sterling Hamilton was definitely a good-looking man. His eyes, the color of rich, dark chocolate and fringed by thick ebony lashes, appeared to be staring right at her. His face, sable in color, contained full sensual lips and a blunt jaw. His slightly arched nose appeared to have been broken at one time. That wouldn't have surprised her. According to her sister-in-law, Cynthia, who was probably one of Sterling Hamilton's biggest fans, he performed most of his own stunts. Instead of blemishing his features, the slight indentation in his nose somehow enhanced his looks. Centuries of African heritage were etched in his features, and his prominent cheekbones hinted at the possibility of Indian ancestry as well.

As she catalogued his explosively attractive looks, she knew that this was a man who had a masculine force about him. He had a quality of male assurance not many women could easily ignore, or forget. There was no doubt about it, the man definitely had appeal. And she hoped he would agree to use that appeal and endorse Wingate Cosmetics' newest masculine cologne called Awesome. His endorsement would guarantee the cologne's success and the survival of the company.

Colby was grateful Mr. Hamilton's attorney, Edward Stewart, had agreed to meet with her, and she had been delighted at the expedience with which he had done so. She understood Sterling Hamilton was out of the country filming a movie and was not due back in the States for another month or so. Edward Stewart handled all of his business affairs while he was away.

“Ms. Wingate, Mr. Stewart will see you now.” The secretary's words snapped Colby out of her thoughts. She stood, refusing to think anything but positive thoughts.

The door to the office opened. Taking a deep breath to settle the feeling of butterflies in her stomach, she walked inside the spacious room. The first thing she noticed was that Mr. Stewart hadn't completely opened the window blinds in his office to allow the California sun to shine through.

Colby looked up into the face of the older gentleman who stood when she entered the plush office. He was a little on the heavy side, slightly bald and had a square wall of a forehead with heavy brows for a base. His face, although firmly set in deep thought, was friendly.

“Please have a seat, Ms. Wingate, and thank you for coming,” he stated, coming forward to shake her hand.

“Thank you for agreeing to see me, Mr. Stewart,” she said, smiling and taking the chair he offered.

He nodded. “How was your flight to L.A.?”

“Fine.”

“And your hotel accommodations?”

“They're excellent. I didn't expect you to take care of my flight nor my lodging.”

He gave a warm chuckle. “Of course we took care of them. We sent for you to come to California, didn't we?”

Colby drew in a deep breath of excitement. “Yes.”

“Well, then,” he said, placing a folder in front of her. “The proposal is ready. I'll cover all the specifics with you in detail before you leave my office.”

Colby's head came up. “It's ready? But I haven't given you all the information you'll need to make a sound decision.”

Edward Stewart smiled, waving off her words with his hand. “There's really no need. Sterling was quite taken with the history and background investigation that was done.”

Colby was surprised. “You did an investigation?”

“Of course. Under the circumstances, such measures had to be taken. This is very important to Sterling.”

Colby was stunned. It was a known fact that on numerous occasions Sterling Hamilton had refused to endorse or have his name linked to any products. She'd been prepared to vigorously plead her case. Why was this endorsement very important to him? Why did he suddenly have a change of heart about doing them?

She was assaulted with a satisfying sense of relief. Whatever his reasons, she was grateful for them and glad Wingate Cosmetics would ultimately benefit.

“After our meeting, I'll give you a copy of the proposal. I suggest you look it over carefully. Although, I'm sure you'll find everything satisfactory and in order. When Sterling decides to do something, he doesn't do it half-measure. And I do hope you understand that due to the nature of this matter, you're not to disclose this business arrangement between you and Sterling with anyone. That stipulation is included in the proposal and will be outlined in the final contract.”

“But what about my brother? I'm sure you'll want to meet with him.”

A confused frown covered the older man's face. “I don't understand. Why would we?”