Chapter Thirty-Two
Kensington tapped her toes under the table. Her nerves were getting the better of her. How could they not? In less than a half hour, she’d be CEO of Hazel’s Dairy Delights—or she’d be the nothing of nothing. Her future was hanging in the balance, and the only thing she could do was plaster on a smile and greet each member of the executive committee as if they weren’t holding her life in their hands.
Think calming thoughts. Feeding a calf. Sunsets on the farm. Quilting with Gladys.
Oxygen began to creep into her lungs. And her toes still tapped. Thank goodness she had on leather shoes; otherwise the whole room would know she was a squirrel trapped in a burlap sack.
Harrison stood at the head of the table. He wore a tan suit that fit well. Kenzi tipped her head as she considered him. Before she knew what he did for a living—beyond being a lawyer, which was a general term that didn’t at all come close to explaining his involvement in the Aunt Pamela’s matchmaking schemes—she easily pictured him in the courtroom.
She punched him in the shoulder.
“Hey.” He scowled. “What was that for?”
“You made me believe you were a legit lawyer.”
He rolled his eyes. “I am legit. I’m the best in the business.”
She twisted her lips. “Exactly how many matchmaking lawyers are there in the world?”
“A few, why?”
“I’m just saying being the best when you compete with three other people isn’t all that hard.”
“Why are you so testy?”
She brought her thumb to her mouth to bite her nail, thought better of it, and jerked her hand down. “I’m just nervous.”
“Take it out on your husband, would you? I’m kind of busy getting ready for a big meeting.” He widened his eyes and lifted his chin toward the full table.
Thankfully, no one was paying them any attention. At the other end of the mahogany, Guy was deep in conversation with Everett and Hugh. Raquel and Julia had yet to arrive, and Leo was poring over his phone.
“Nash isn’t here yet.” She checked the time on her phone. “I’d better call to see if he—” She was cut off by Nash breezing into the conference room. Raquel and Julia were hot on his heels. Raquel smirked in her direction, pointed at Nash, and then flicked her fingers.
“What was that about?” Kenzi whispered to Nash as he took the seat next to her.
“What?” Nash’s eyebrows pulled together.
Either he hadn’t been talking with Raquel before they entered the room, or he was a great actor. With her nerves on high alert, Raquel’s warning from way back came to mind.He’s not what he seems.Her hands quaked and she tucked them under her legs.
“This is it.” Nash’s smile was forced. He’d told her about his lunch with Everett—the good and the bad news. She prayed and prayed Everett would see her as the leader this company needed. She’d dropped to her knees in her office in prayer and pleaded with God to save the company, save the history, and save this part of her father that she couldn’t stand to be parted from.
Kenzi stared into Nash’s gray-green pools and found something surprising. “You’re enjoying this.”
He straightened his tie. “I love the high-stakes adrenaline rush of a business deal.”
She laughed, and her tension and worries slipped down several degrees. With purpose, she slipped her hand into his and threaded their fingers together. “Whatever happens today, thank you.” She bit her lip, wondering if she could say the three little words that would reveal her true feelings.
His hand tightened around hers, sending jolt of electricity up her arm. She leaned into him, drawing on his strength, and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was how she wanted to spend her life.
She tipped her head up so she could whisper in his ear. “I love you, Nash.” She stayed there for just a moment, wanting to hold on to the feeling of gripping the wall before she let go and fell into the consequences. In this moment, everything was almost perfect. How many times could she claim a moment like that in her life? She could count them on one hand.
She took a deep breath of his aftershave scent and brushed her cheek against his smooth one as she pulled away. Bliss. Just bliss.
“I—”
“Since we’re all here, I’d like to get the voting started.” Harrison cut over Nash’s reply. Kenzi scowled at her favorite cousin. He may have all the brains of a legal genius, but he had horrible timing. The superior look on his face made her wonder if he’d timed things just right. He never liked Nash and didn’t do anything about hiding that from either her or her husband. At some point, he’d have to understand that Nash was here to stay. She was keeping him. Well, she wanted to keep him. If only he’d been able to finish his reply. If he had, she might have some hope that she’d walk out of this meeting with a life full of love.
Nash squeezed her hand three times in quick succession and turned his attention to the center of the table. Kenzi scooted back in her chair so the cushion could help hold her up as the air in the room grew heavy with anticipation.
