Jess threw his head back and laughed. “Don’t expect that to happen. Some of us aren’t ready for home, hearth and the sound of little feet yet.” Then Jess added, “Now that you’ve made up your mind, have you decided on a particular woman? Anyone we know?”
Garth shook his head. “Nope. Taking Charm’s advice, I—”
“Wait! Hold up. You took Charm’s advice about something?”
Garth chuckled. “Yes. I know it sounds scary, but I liked what she suggested. It’s a totally different approach to meeting a woman who is wife material.”
“What approach is that?” Jess asked, taking a sip of his beer.
“A private dating service.”
Jess nearly choked. “You’re serious?”
Garth smiled. “Yes. I thought it was way out there at first, too, until Charm convinced me how productive it would be. She did all the legwork for me and found this high-class dating agency that’s located in Beverly Hills, California. Just to be considered as an applicant the men must have a specified financial portfolio, and the women are required to not only be attractive but have a certain level of poise, education, classiness and sophistication.”
Shifting in his seat, Garth added. “I further specified I wanted a woman who was trustworthy, had good morals and was one who wants to become a wife and mother one day. Sooner than later. And she must share my interests and hobbies. I provided a list of them.”
“Have they found such a paragon of a woman who met all your specifications?”
Garth grinned. “Surprisingly, yes. Trust me, any woman who comes through this particular dating service is well vetted. She’ll keep things confidential and private during the entire process.”
“Have you met her yet?”
“No, but she has agreed to spend two weeks with me, at a location we both agreed to, so we can get to know each other better. Of course, I’m covering all the expenses, including those to get her there.”
“And exactly where is there?”
“Santa Cruz, Spain. I’m flying there next week.”
“This method sounds so impersonal. More like a business arrangement.”
“In a way, it is. I’m hiring the service to match me with someone who’s compatible with my needs and desires. I’ve seen pictures of her and she’s beautiful, and her résumé is impressive. If things work out the way I’m hoping they will, after our Spain trip we’ll continue to date and then eventually talk marriage.”
“A loveless marriage.”
“Yes, a loveless marriage. I will honor her, respect her and take care of all her needs, but I won’t ever love her,” Garth said bluntly. “I’ll be honest and forthright with her about that, Jess. I won’t have her entering the marriage with false hope or illusions.”
“Why use a dating service? I would think you’re capable of finding a woman on your own.”
“Didn’t have time.”
“Any reason you’re in a rush?” Jess asked.
“No.”
Jess studied him intently and Garth wished he wouldn’t do that. Jess could always figure out his motives, and Garth hoped like hell that he didn’t figure out this one. The less Jess knew, the better.
“Well, you’re an ace when it comes to strategic planning, and I wish you the best. I hope the woman is everything you want, Garth, and things work out.”
“Thanks, Jess. I hope so, too.”
* * *
Regan Fairchild’s job as a corporate pilot was one that anyone who enjoyed flying would love. Then why was she thinking of leaving it? The answer to her question was the gorgeous specimen of a man walking toward the plane with his briefcase in one hand and a cell phone in the other. His long black coat whipped against his legs as he headed toward the plane while ignoring the strong gust of Alaskan wind that always accompanied October weather. The shoulders beneath the coat were massive and powerful, which gave him a totally heart-stopping, virile look.
He was handsome, and she was convinced that in another life he’d been an explorer, discovering and invading new territories. He was always busy. He always had a plan. He rarely slowed down, and lately he rarely dated.
Her heart pounded in her chest like it always did whenever she saw him. How long had it been since she’d fallen hopelessly in love with Garth Bartram Outlaw? Had it been ten years ago on her eighteenth birthday, when he’d flown her and two of her besties to Las Vegas as a high school graduation gift? Or had it been at sixteen, when he had helped her father surprise her with a “sweet-sixteen” party at Disney World? Deep down she knew it didn’t matter when it had happened. The key thing was that it had happened, and she needed to do something about it before Garth became her downfall.
Regan knew that as much as she wished otherwise, realistically, quitting her job was not an option. Her father, Franklin Fairchild, had been the corporate pilot for Outlaw Freight Lines for over forty years. When he retired a few years ago, she had taken over. She loved her job. She also loved the man who was headed toward her with a huge smile on his face. He did that whenever he saw her. She’d never known a time when Garth hadn’t given her a smile. It was a smile that meant everything to her.
She knew Garth’s smile was a natural part of his makeup. He rarely frowned, and when he did, everyone knew there would be trouble. He was an astute businessman, and the company had grown in leaps and bounds since he’d taken over from his father. It wasn’t that Bart Outlaw hadn’t been good at his work, but Garth’s approach was a lot different from his father’s. Bart ruled with a hard hand and was distrustful by nature. He was hard-nosed and inflexible. On the other hand, Garth knew the art of compromising, and he was also brilliant. Everybody liked Garth, and she of all people knew how easy he was to love.
She also knew about that period of sadness in his life when he’d returned home from a stint abroad as a marine. He had come back a broken man, after the woman he loved had been killed. For a while there had not been any smiles, and he’d thrown himself into working beside his father to make the company bigger and bigger.
Then, when Bart retired, or more specifically when the company’s board threatened to oust him, it was Garth who’d taken over and put in all those long hours, sometimes without a social life, to pull the company through difficult times. Regan guessed that he’d also been trying to rid himself of the pain of losing the person he’d loved. More than once, she had walked in on him unexpectedly, in one of his quiet moments, to see grief in his eyes.
“Good morning, Regan,” he said now, when he came to a stop in front of her.
She tilted her head back to look up at him. He was tall, but the first things that caught her attention were Garth’s handsome features. Namely his smooth, coffee-and-cream complexion, piercing dark brown eyes, a perfectly shaped nose, a pair of full lips and a sculpted chin. He garnered plenty of feminine attention no matter where he went.
“Same to you, Garth. Ready to fly?” She knew she would be flying him to Santa Cruz, Spain.
“I’m ready whenever you are, and how’s Franklin?”
“Dad is fine.”
“Good. I need to check up on him soon. Maybe even pay him a visit.”