The dream of home and family still lingered, long beyond her disillusionment with the possibility of such a life. She wanted children, a family, a loving home to nurture and care for. She couldn’t totally give up hope, couldn’t believe that it wasn’t still in the future for her. Cole just wasn’t the man to provide what she wanted. He was simply a means to save the company. She’d do well to remind herself of that loud and often. It was the only protection she had right now.

She tugged at the tailored suit jacket, knowing she looked good, looked professional. But she couldn’t help wishing that her appearance was a bit more feminine, a touch more alluring. For Cole.

When she walked into the outer offices of Blackmore’s Gourmet Chocolates, she kept her sunglasses on until she reached the sanctuary of her own office. With a sigh of relief, she slipped the glasses off and tucked them into her purse. When her secretary, Alex, came in, he stopped and stared at her.

“You look terrible.”

“Thank you, that’s just what I needed to hear.” She smiled to soften her words, then held out her hand for the messages he held. At first, she’d felt awkward with a male secretary, but soon found he was efficient and dedicated to her needs, just as he’d been for her mentor, Cole’s father.

Alex crossed the room to pull open the curtains now blocking the view of the Colorado Rockies. “Good party?”

“No party, I just had a lot on my mind last night and couldn’t sleep.”

Alex immediately returned to business. They had a friendly relationship, but had always made an effort to -keep everything on a professional keel. He listed her meetings for the day, waited for instructions, then disappeared, closing her door softly behind him.

Darci leaned back in her chair and sighed. She’d never make it through the day. A dull headache pounded at the base of her neck, and her eyes felt gritty.

Raised voices intruded on her moment of peace, and she lifted her head just in time to watch her door burst open and Cole stride through, Alex following closely behind.

“You can’t go in there without an appointment.”

“I can do anything I want. And I can see my wife anytime I want.”

Alex halted just outside the doorway, his surprised gaze darting back and forth between Darci and Cole. Cole gave the door a shove and it slammed in Alex’s face.

Darci debated between groaning or screaming, but finally decided neither would register with Cole. He’d never made things easy for her, why should he start now?

“That little twerp isn’t really your secretary, is he?”