“Jonas,” Stephanie whispered. “I told you Black didn’t hurt me. I’m fine, really.”
He ignored her, but his grip on her shoulder tightened. “And cancel my appointments for today as well.”
“Yes, of course,” the secretary said, but the reluctance in her voice was evident even to Stephanie.
“Is that a problem, Miss Westheimer?”
“Adam Holmes is scheduled for four-thirty, and he’ll be leaving town this evening,” Bertha informed her employer in the same dry tone.
Jonas closed his eyes and sighed with frustration. “All right, I’ll make a point of being back before four-thirty, then.”
When he’d finished speaking, he released the switch and turned Stephanie into his arms. “We have some shopping to do.”
“Shopping?” For some reason her mind flashed to the grocery store. She hadn’t eaten breakfast, and had hoped to pick up something easy on her coffee break, but she’d been so involved typing the report that she’d forgotten.
“Shopping for a ring. A diamond, preferably, and so large anyone looking at it will know how special you are and how much I love you.”
“Jonas,” she said slowly, measuring her words carefully, “a plain gold band would do as long as I’m marrying you.”
“I can afford a whole lot more, and I have every intention of indulging you from this minute to the end of our lives.”
Stephanie swallowed her objections; she loved Jonas, and not for the material wealth he could give her. She remembered Elizabeth Lockwood’s words. Jonas’s mother had told her that when Jonas admitted that he loved her, he would make her the happiest woman alive. For now he equated bringing her joy with adorning her with riches. Diamonds were wonderful, but Stephanie’s happiness came from being loved by Jonas and nothing more. It wouldn’t matter to her if he sold matchsticks on street corners; she loved the man. In time, he’d learn that her happiness was linked to his. He was all she’d ever need to be content and whole.
His look grew sober and thoughtful. “What do you think about making Potter a first vice president?”
Stephanie was both stunned and thrilled. She was surprised that Jonas was considering such a move, and complimented that he would ask her opinion. “George Potter is a wonderful choice.”
“Then consider it done,” Jonas said with a curt nod. “Now that I’m going to be a married man, I don’t want to spend so much time at the office. Not when I have more important matters to concern myself with.”
“Right,” she said with a wide grin, thinking of all the years they’d have to build a life together. She could see them thirty-five years from now, teaching their grandchildren to sail. “Jonas,” she said suddenly, remembering her own happy childhood. “I want you to meet my parents and my sisters.”
“We can fly out next week,” he answered matter-of-factly.
“When do you want to have the wedding?” she asked. Jonas was moving so fast he was making her head spin.
“Is next month too soon?”
“Oh, Jonas,” she cried, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him fiercely. “I wonder if it will be near soon enough.”
From that point, the afternoon took on the feel of a circus ride. Their first stop was the jeweler’s, where Jonas bought a lovely diamond solitaire. When he slipped it on her finger, Stephanie felt the tears gather in her eyes. She bit into her lower lip to keep them at bay, not wanting to embarrass either of them with her emotional display. From the jeweler’s, Jonas drove to an exclusive French restaurant in memory of their trip to Paris. They dined on veal, sipped champagne, and shared secret glances with eyes full of love.
At four, Jonas glanced irritably at his watch. “I may be tied up with Holmes for several hours, and then I’ve got a dinner engagement.”
“Not with another woman, I hope,” Stephanie teased.
He looked startled for a moment. “There’ll never be another woman for me, Stephanie. Never.”
“Jonas, I was only joking.”
“You need never doubt me on this, Stephanie. All my life I’ve been intensely loyal. I’m sure my mother can give you several examples from my boyhood if you want to hear them.”
“Jonas, please, I didn’t mean to imply...”
“I know, love.” He paused to caress the side of her face tenderly. “I knew I was falling in love with you, perhaps even as early as Paris, but I fought it. I thought I was in love once before, and I was thoroughly disgusted with the emotion. But this morning, when I saw Black pawing at you—I’ve never experienced such overwhelming rage. I knew in that moment that the feelings I hold for you could be nothing less than love.”
Her hand found his and squeezed it gently. “Having you love me is the greatest honor I’ve ever known.”