"You could do a lot worse than Denton. He's already an important figure in the state of California." His gaze probed at the remote areas of her mind. "Some say he's bound for governor, maybe even the presidency."
She nibbled on her lower lip. She could hardly point a finger at him for being an opportunist. All those things had impressed her as well - at first. At first she had been infatuated with Denton, but in the last year she had learned a lot about him. Enough to know his proposal of marriage was purely business. Enough to know their marriage would be a mistake. But how could she tell her father? He would be crushed. And so she sidestepped the issue again.
"You're beginning to sound like Denton. Do you think money and title are the only reasons to marry?"
He frowned. "Of course not. You two have a lot in common."
"A lot in common?" She gasped. "Dad, the only thing Denton and I have in common is that we're both Homo sapiens."
He shook his head, his gaze taking on a wizened look. "I can see what you're leading up to. Before you do something you'll regret, why don't you take some time off and relax? Get away from all of this. Go out to the beach and soak up some sun. You've been pushing yourself too hard and it's all catching up with you."
She made a face again. "All I get out of a day at the beach any more is more freckles."
He grinned. "They look cute sprinkled over that little turned up nose. People with green eyes and red hair are supposed to have freckles."
"Oh Dad, I'm not a little girl any more. I can't run to the beach every time something isn't going my way."
He heaved a sigh and threw his hands into the air in defeat. At the door he paused with his hand on the knob, his tone once again authoritative. "Take some time off. That's an order."
Time off work wasn't going to solve her problem. "What about the Louden account?" She shot back at him before he could get out the door.
He paused, giving her an exasperated look. "Clarissa can handle that. She was handling things before you came along. That's the trouble with you young people. You glorify your education. There's a lot to be said for experience." Again he started through the door and spoke over his shoulder. "Don't forget - seven, sharp."
She stared at the closed door. What had happened between them? There used to be nothing they couldn't discuss. In fact, her trust in him had been so complete that she had allowed him to make nearly every important decision in her life - until now. If Denton hadn't come along, would she still be blissfully letting her father run her life?