stood for a long moment with her eyes closed, concentrating. Over the sound of the water she heard the buzz of a dragonfly. Suddenly something snapped behind her, as if a thin twig had been

il. Daisy felt her cheeks heat. "What did you ask for?" "That's private." "Knowing you as I do, it could be anything." "You don't know me," Daisy said. It was maddening that she had been offered in marriage to the wrong man. It would be nothing more than a deal involving money and obligations. Disappointment and mutual contempt. Matthew would never have married her if it weren't for his interest in her father's company. "Perhaps not," Swift admitted. But the words rang false. He thought he knew exactly who she was. Their eyes met, measuring and challenging. "Being a legendary well," Swift continued, "I would hate to pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." He reached into his pocket briefly and produced a large silver coin. Daisy hadn't seen American money in ages. "You'll have to throw a pin in," she said. "I don't have one." "It's a five-dollar coin," Daisy said in disbelief. "You're not just going to throw it away, are you?" "I'm not going to throw it away. I'm going to make an investment. You'd better tell me the proper procedure. That's a lot of money to waste." "You're making fun of me." "I'm serious. I've never made a wish at a wishing well. I could use some help." He waited for Daisy to answer. When it became obvious that it wasn't coming, a hint of humor crept into his lips. "I'm going to throw it in anyway." Daisy cursed herself. Swift was making fun of her, but she couldn't help herself. A wish wasn't something to be wasted, especially when it was made with a five-dollar coin. She walked over to the well and said, "First, hold the coin in your palm until it's warm." Swift walked over to her side. "And then?" "Close your eyes and concentrate on the wish." She sounded mocking. "And it has to be a personal wish. It can't have anything to do with mergers or bank trusts." "I have other things on my mind besides business." Daisy gave him a skeptical look, and he surprised her with a brief smile. Had she ever seen him smile? Maybe once or twice. She had a vague memory of it, when his face had been so thin that it had seemed more like a grimace than a sign of joy. But now the smile was natural, which made it seem both affable and seductive, and a rush of heat made her wonder what kind of man lurked behind that sober exterior. Daisy was relieved when the smile faded and he returned to his stony self. "Close your eyes," she reminded her. "Put everything out of your mind except the reque