Lost in a Stallion's Arms (Kimani Romance) by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page B

bothered to grace her doorstep.
    “What took you so long?” Dr. Charles Lake questioned, leaning to kiss his daughter’s cheek as he pushed his way into her home.
    “Hi, Daddy,” Joanne responded, not bothering to answer his question as she closed the door behind him.
    Dr. Lake smiled, nodding his head. “I would have called first, but I was on my way to meet the mayor for dinner and had a few minutes to kill, so I thought I’d drop these papers off to you,” he said, waving a large manila envelope at her. “How are you?”
    Joanne nodded. “I’m fine. How are you?”
    “I’ve been busy. Extremely busy. There’s a lot going on at the office.”
    His daughter shrugged. “There always is. Would you like something to drink?”
    He shook his head. “No. I just stopped to say hello. How’s business?”
    His question took Joanne by surprise, her father rarely asking about or supporting her design venture. Her excitement seeped into her voice. “It’s going very well. I’ve taken on two new stores and expanded the studio space. I would love for you to stop by and check it out,” Joanne said expectantly.
    Looking everything but enthusiastic, Dr. Lake nodded. “Sure. So are you still spending all your time downtown at that center?”
    Joanne paused briefly before answering. “I’m still volunteering.”
    “Just like your mother,” he mumbled under his breath, as if there were something wrong with Joanne having any similarities to the woman who’d given birth to her.
    Joanne heaved a deep sigh, warm breath blowing into the cool air. “I was actually on my way out, as well. Maybe we can get together for lunch later this week?” Her expression was hopeful. Her father’s response was less than eager.
    “Maybe. I’ll have to check my schedule.” Dr. Lake gestured with the envelope he was still holding. “You need to put these away somewhere safe. I’ve added some stocks to your portfolio. One day you need to sit down with myself or my accountant and go over them so you understand what you have.”
    Crossing her arms over her chest, Joanne stared at the envelope before moving her gaze to her father’s face. “Yes, Daddy,” she said, enthusiasm waning from her tone. “Thank you, but I really don’t think you should keep—”
    Her father interrupted her, tossing the envelope onto the table in the center of the room. “Don’t argue. These investments are for your future, Joanne. If you won’t invest in it, I certainly will.” He looked around her home one last time. “I really don’t know why you insist on living here on your own like this when we have that big house.”
    “That’s your house.”
    “No, Joanne, it’s our home. You left because you wanted to, not because you had to. You can come home whenever you want.”
    Joanne sighed again, not interested in waging another argument about the same topics the two constantly butted heads over. She appeased him instead. “Yes, sir. I know.”
    The man nodded, his gaze shifting toward her as he looked her up and down. “Are you eating properly, Joanne? I really hope you’re not gorging on junk food. You really need to try to get some of that weight off. It’s not healthy for you.”
    Joanne bristled, her expression voicing her irritation. “Thanks for the tip, Daddy. I’ll get right on that.”
    Completely oblivious, her father smiled, taking a step toward her. He placed his hands on her shoulders, pulling her to him as he wrapped her in a warm hug.
    “Take care of yourself, Joanne.”
    Her eyes closed, Joanne pressed her face into her father’s chest. “I love you, Daddy.”
    Kissing her forehead, Dr. Lake moved back to the door. “I’ll call you soon. Okay?”
    Nodding, Joanne sauntered behind him. “Goodbye, Daddy.”
    Even before she could close the door behind him, tears had misted behind Joanne’s eyelids. She wiped at the moisture with the heel of her hand. She refused to cry, adamant that she would not shed one single tear