Page 4 of Jael

“I’m sorry. I can’t make it. I have other plans.”

Gregory pulled his chin in and made a noise between a scoff and grunt. “Then cancel them.”

“I can’t.” She was looking forward to baking cookies. A small delight in a joyless life.

“Whatever it is, this is more important. We’re celebrating new beginnings with Christopher at the helm of Heber Industries before we make a public announcement. You just said you’d make an effort.”

“I understand why you’d like me to be there, but you can’t expect me to drop everything?—”

“Why not?”

“It’s a business dinner. I have nothing to do with your business.”

“I can’t believe you would say that. Heber Industries is my life’s work, and I’m handing over the torch. It’s one of the most important nights of my life, and you don’t want to be there?”

He always did this. Made her feel small and selfish when he didn’t get his way. There would be more dinners and more occasions to celebrate. This one wasn’t as important as he made it out to be.

He shook his head in disgust. “I’m sorry, but you’re coming to the dinner.”

She wouldn’t give in. Not this time. “No.”

Gregory slammed his hand on the table, clinking the glasses and silverware. She’d been expecting it, but it still made her jump. A few patrons at nearby tables turned, but he ignored them.

“It’s that foundation again. Am I right?” His face had taken on a reddish sheen.

“Yes.”

“Handing out Girl Scout cookies is more important than a groundbreaking dinner with our closest friends and allies?”

“I help people, Dad. I save lives. Start lives.”

He held back what would have been a derisive laugh. “You save lives,” he muttered. “Listen to yourself.”

“If you took any interest in my work, you’d have a very good idea of what I do.”

“Because I don’t already have enough on my plate?”

Jael took a breath, tangling her fingers together in her lap. The conversation never went anywhere positive when they talked about this. Her dad hadallowedher—in his mind, anyway—to create the foundation. He thought it would be a nice plaything and hadn’t been prepared when it became a passion for her.

“I’m a grown woman. If you cared to see that, you’d let me order my life how I see fit.”

“You know nothing of life. Not real life. How could you?”

“How could I? Isn’t that what you had in mind when you included me in your extracurricular activities?”

“Keep your voice down.”

“Why? I didn’t give any secrets away.”

“People will get the wrong idea.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Really? Wouldn’t it be better if they got the wrong idea than the right one?”

“You know what I mean, and you know how it sounds when you say things like that. I don’t like this attitude on you.” His lips puckered. “It’s ugly.”

“Then stop criticizing my choices.”

“I’m trying to help you.”

---