Being away from Pernell agreed with Helene.She’d spent years as his hostess and greatest supporter.In return, she’d been ignored and forgotten on many occasions.When Pernell’s health began to suffer, she’d asked him to cut back on his schedule, eat better, spend time with the family.In response, he’d worked longer hours, scheduled more meetings then canceled their anniversary trip to Australia.
Helene hadn’t cried or gotten angry.Instead, she’d taken control of her own life.She’d bought a two-bedroom townhome in River Oaks and furnished it with brand-new pieces.
She’d taken only her personal items, cosmetics, jewelry, favorite clothes and shoes.At first, Pernell hadn’t realized she’d left him.Being served divorce papers on the golf course had been his dose of reality.
Lara took her chair while a waiter pulled back one for Helene.
After he’d filled both water glasses and described the specials, he took their drink order.
“Unsweetened iced tea with a slice of lemon,” Lara said.
“House chianti for me,” Helene requested.
The moment he walked away, she said, “Tell me everything.You didn’t call me back last night.It’s your father, isn’t it?”
Lara settled for a half-truth.“Connor Donovan came to make an offer on the communications division.”Helene knew all the intricacies of the businesses since she still held a seat, not that she attended meetings, but she occasionally read the notes, especially since it impacted her income.
“The old goat kicked him out?”she guessed.“Without the board ever hearing the information.”
“Precisely.”
The waiter returned with drinks and a basket of bread.
After he’d taken their order, Helene broke off a piece of the loaf and dipped it in some olive oil.
“Wait a minute.If your father didn’t tell the board…?”
“I had dinner with Erin Wednesday night, and I went back to the office to tie up a few things.I bumped into Connor as I was getting off the elevator.”
“When you see her again, give her my regards.Now, back to Connor.He stopped and just happened to tell you he made an offer on the communications division?”
Her mother’s ability to juggle multiple conversations and ideas was one of things that had made her indispensable to Pernell.Lara wasn’t sure he appreciated that, even now.“He didn’t volunteer it.I asked why he was there.”
“What did you think of him?He’s a handsome young man, isn’t he?More like his grandfather in temperament.Very serious.Not given to romantic notions.”
Lara wasn’t so sure of that.Serious, yes.But some of the things he said were charmingly antiquated, bordering on romantic.
“Did he tell you what the offer was?”
“No.”Lara toyed with a piece of bread, dipping it in the plate of olive oil, then setting it back down again.
“There’s something you’re not telling me.”
It wasn’t like her to hedge.Then again, she’d never been in a situation like this.She wasn’t sure where she’d even start to describe her relationship with the complicated man.
“I imagine you confronted your father,” Helene said.“Wish I could have seen that.”
“He said the offer was missing some zeros and a comma.”
“Which you don’t know for sure.”
“Correct.”
“And taking it to the board won’t gain you anything.So you might as well treat yourself to a spa day.Nothing is solved by dwelling on it.”
Lara shook her head.A massage didn’t solve every problem.On the other hand, it might help her to sleep better.“This is our company, your future, as well.”
“You got nowhere with your father.Which means you need to go to Connor and ask.”Helene was lifting her glass to her mouth when she froze.“You already have, haven’t you?Clever girl.”Helene put her glass back down.“In fact, that’s why you didn’t call me back last night.You were with Connor.”
