Page 10 of Jael

Jael caught a quick glance at Artus, whose face went blank for a moment before returning to its usual composed smile. “I know Christopher wouldn’t dream of casting you aside,” he said.

Gregory seemed satisfied with that answer. Ten years ago, he would have been more self-aware, but he was content now to trust in the Siseras, assuming that their friendship was stronger than the business deal.

She ignored the pang it gave her to understand in a way that her father no longer did. It wasn’t her fight. If Christopher threw her dad out, he would only get what he deserved for trusting them. The only thing that really mattered to her was keeping the doors of Vita Nova open.

She wasn’t hungry, but she ate so she wouldn’t have to talk. Instead, she listened, and watched through unnoticed glances how the others interacted. She despised the way her father looked to Artus for approval until Artus turned his attention to the woman beside him. Mrs. Tuttle was recently divorced andlooking very busty tonight. She’d probably begged Gregory to seat her beside Artus. Poor Mrs. Tuttle. She was in her forties and probably too old for him.

With everyone’s attention away from the head of the table for a moment, Jael took the opportunity to speak to her dad. “I got a text from Hannah before I arrived.”

“Hannah?” Her dad’s questioning gaze was interrupted when he thrust a forkful of greens into his mouth.

“She works with me at Vita Nova. You’ve met her.”

“Have I?”

Jael took a drink to hide her contempt for the games he insisted on playing. He never tired of them.

“Yes. She said the credit card was declined. She’s trying to buy groceries for a woman and her kids who have been abused by her husband. They need food, Dad.”

“Hmm.” He slowly lifted his napkin from his lap and dabbed at the corners of his mouth while he pretended to consider what she’d said. “Is Hannah the one with the limp brown hair?”

“Dad—,” she punched out his name, then pulled in her temper. “Why was the credit card declined?”

He shrugged. “Maybe Donna forgot to put more money into the account.”

“Donna never forgets.”

“Perhaps, but I keep her very busy with actual work. And with the extra duties required of her for Christopher’s appointment, she may not have gotten to it yet.”

“You’ve cut me off, haven’t you? Is this to punish me because I didn’t want to come here tonight?”

“Will you keep your voice down?”

“Not if making a scene will get me what I need.”

“You’re a bit old for tantrums, aren’t you? And your accusation is baseless. You’re here, aren’t you? What would be the point of punishing you?”

“Then can you call Donna and tell her to put the money into the account?”

“Right now? We’re in the middle of dinner.”

“We’rein the middle of dinner, but Becca’s not because she has no food.”

“You’ve never been one for histrionics. What’s gotten in to you?”

“Someone I care about is suffering. It will only take a minute to call Donna.”

“I could.” He nodded as he rested his napkin back in his lap and resumed eating. “However, I have all these guests to entertain. It goes against everything I stand for to leave them wanting for a thing. Should they suffer for another?”

“I can’t believe you’re stooping so low as to compare the two.”

“As far as I’m concerned, they’re no different. My guests need to understand how much I care for them. I can’t do that if I’m off making phone calls.”

Jael’s jaw tightened the way it always did when she was forced to succumb to her father’s manipulations, which was too often. He always knew exactly where to cut so that she would release to his demands.

She forced her mouth to relax so she didn’t respond to him with gritted teeth. It would give him too much pleasure. “Don’t worry about your guests,” she said evenly. “I’ll make sure they’re well looked after.”

He placed a hand on her arm. “Would you? It would mean so much.”

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