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“You think you can sit tight until Grant’s gone and then go back to running things your way. Your dad thinks that you’re really going to toe the line. All you’ve achieved with this deal the two of you struck is to delay the showdown.”
Chelsea met her dad’s gaze. “I don’t think that’s true. Do you?”
He shook his head slowly. “Not entirely, no. I don’t expect you’ll ever be able to toe the line—any line. Though, I believe your mom may be right about delaying the inevitable.”
Chelsea smiled. They did understand each other then. “The inevitable being?”
“You buying me out.”
She nodded.
“Really?” Her mom and Rita both turned to look at her.
“Yep. Much as we’d like to work together, we’re too different in some ways, and too similar in others, right, Dad?”
He smiled. “I believe we are. You know, I’ve been wondering if Grant’s going to be able to earn his fee.”
Chelsea’s heart started to race. “What do you mean?”
“Well, since it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to buckle down and abide by his recommendations, I’m not sure I should keep him around to make them.”
“Oh, but I thought …” Chelsea frowned. He was giving her the out she’d hoped for just a few weeks ago, but now she didn’t want Grant to leave. “I never said I don’t need help. He’s coming up with all sorts of useful recommendations. Things that will help, no matter what.”
Her dad raised an eyebrow. “So, you don’t want him gone? I thought you’d be glad to have him out of your hair.”
“No, I don’t. I mean … I …” The way he was smiling at her made her uncomfortable. It was almost as if he knew how she felt. “I’m going to need some time to figure out how I move forward. I think it would be useful for Grant to keep doing his job, as we planned.”
“Very well.” He gave her a knowing smile. “Let him do his job then.”
She nodded. “Look, Gene’s all by himself. I haven’t said hi to him yet.” She hurried away from them. That exchange had been a little confusing. She was surprised at her dad, but more surprised at herself. Why hadn’t she jumped at the chance to get Grant out of Zosca? And why was she refusing to let herself think about going out to dinner with him?
~ ~ ~
Madeleine put a hand on her husband’s arm. “Are you toying with her?”
Cole smiled. “Would I do such a thing?”
Rita laughed. “Yes, you would. What’s going on?”
“Perhaps nothing, but perhaps something,” said Cole.
“Don’t talk in riddles,” said Madeleine. “What are you playing at? I thought you brought Grant in because you were determined to bring Chelsea into line, but ever since he got here, you’ve had something else in mind, haven’t you?”
“What makes you say that?”
Madeleine narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t play the innocent with me. You were going to have Grant turn things around from day one. Then you came home from that first meeting saying you were going to let him and Chelsea figure it out between them. What’s going on?”
Cole jerked his chin to where Chelsea was standing talking to Grant. She hadn’t made it as far as Gene and the grill.
“Oh.” Tears pricked Madeleine’s eyes as she watched. Grant was so tall and handsome, and Chelsea looked small and delicate beside him. They were leaning toward each other as they spoke. Grant was smiling; Chelsea’s eyes sparkled. Madeleine turned to look at her husband again.
He nodded. “You just saw the same thing I saw that first morning in the boardroom. There’s something there. Something between the two of them that I don’t want to get in the way of.”
Madeleine smiled. “I thought we agreed never to interfere in our children’s lives again.”
He chuckled. “I’m not interfering, that’s the whole point. When I saw sparks like that flying between them, how could I pit them against each other? How could I allow him to be the ogre who came in to tear her beloved Zosca apart?”
Madeleine took hold of his hand and squeezed it. “And you don’t think she gets her big heart from you?”
