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“Just coffee for me, please, Angie.” She told the maid with a smile. “Good morning, Daddy.”
Walking over to the head of the table, she kissed him warmly on the proffered cheek. “You started without me.”
“I have a meeting I have to rush out to, and if I remember correctly, you have to head out in a few minutes.”
“I do.” Sitting at the other end of the table, she sat just as Angie returned with the steaming cup of coffee and a small plate of fruit. “Mrs. Williams said that should keep you going until you get to your meeting.”
“Thanks.” Picking up the cup, she sipped in appreciation. “How are you, Daddy?”
“I took my medicine if that is what you’re getting at.” He told her mildly, picking up his cup of juice. He’d been off coffee for two weeks, and it was getting to him.
“I have no doubt about that.” She smiled at him.
“You look tired.”
She rolled her eyes at him before putting away her cup and picking up a plump grape. “I was up late last night doing the seating chart.”
“Darling, you could always hire someone to help with that.”
She shrugged slender shoulders. “I trust Lilly and will wait until she‘s back from her maternity leave.”
“You gave her three months.” He pointed out.
“I think it’s important for a mother to bond with her newborn.” She took a sip of her coffee before putting down the cup. “She told me Chloe is doing very well. She had a scare a few weeks ago. An ear infection that kept them up most of the night, but thankfully, she’s over that now.”
He watched her closely. “You need your own family.”
She felt a jolt at that. “I have you.” She forced a smile as she felt the familiar yearning inside. She couldn’t wait to be a mother; the yearning had increased since she met Maxwell.
“I know you do, and you always will.” He looked at her. “Mark Stevenson is a very nice fellow and suitable husband. The family has been friends with us for years. I play golf with his father every Saturday. He’s a hardworking young man and is very settled in the company.”
She forced herself not to react. “I’m not ready.”
“If you’d just let him be invited to dinner- “
“Daddy, please!” Taking a deep breath, she picked up her cup to hide the tremors in her fingers.
“I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m not upset.” She forced another smile. “I’m busy and happy with my life the way it is.” She tried to inject some humor. “It sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me.”
“You know better than that. I know you’re a beautiful young woman and shouldn’t be sitting at home with your old Dad.”
“I don’t mind in the least.” Finishing the coffee and half the plate of fruit, she dabbed her mouth with the napkin before pushing back the chair. “I really do have to go.” She paused in the middle of going to the door as the housekeeper stood discreetly in the doorway leading from the dining room to the kitchen.
“What is it, Mrs. Williams?”
“I just wanted to go over tonight’s menu with you. Do you have a minute?”
She frowned and looked at her watch. “Just about.” Walking over, she kissed her Dad on the cheek absently. “Don’t work too hard.”
“Be safe.” He returned.
“Of course. Why don’t we go into the kitchen?” She suggested as she joined the plump woman in the pristine white apron. “I thought you were serving the duck?”
“We weren’t able to acquire the special sauce we needed.” Joseph watched as both of them walked out of the room.
Leaning back, he stretched his legs out and picked up his glass of water. A frown touched his brow as he stared at the empty doorway. He knew his daughter well, and she did look tired. Was she ill? No, he shook his head. She would have told him if something was going on with her. They were close, weren’t they?
