Randall Wedding by Judy Christenberry Page B

execute a power of attorney, you control everything.”
    She clearly hadn’t thought through the significance of Nick’s words until he explained it. She processed the words, but they still didn’t make sense. Then she laughed. A mere bubble at first. Then a chuckle. Then her laughter became almost hysterical.
    “Isabella?” Russ said. “Are you all right?”
    She tried to pull her laughter under control, but it wasn’t easy. “You don’t understand. My father has no use for women. He believes all the power belongs to the man. And if he wants to give things to his woman, that’s acceptable. But if he doesn’t think she deserves nice things, she doesn’t get them.”
    Nick muttered, “A Neanderthal.”
    “Exactly. And to think that he had to rely on myaunt’s goodness to maintain the position that he let everyone believe was his by right. And now he has to rely on me.” She looked at Nick. “He’s planning on hiding that fact. He’s planning on taking over the company and giving me nothing.”
    “Probably,” Nick agreed. “Of course he won’t be able to.”
    “Why not?”
    “The first time he tries, we’ll file suit against him, remove him from his position as president and chairman.”
    “I can do that?”
    “You can do it tomorrow if you want. As of now, you have controlling interest. Your father must be in hell.”
    “Good.” Her face hardened and there was none of the sweetness and gentleness Russ had seen when she held her child.
    “Is that what you want me to do?”
    “Not yet. I want him to suffer awhile.”
    Sarah gasped. Then she covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry. But don’t you love your father?”
    “No. I loved him when I was an innocent child. I was his only child, and he spoiled me. Not only with toys, things, but with his time, his affection. But he remarried after my mother’s death and he had another child. A boy. Suddenly I didn’t exist. Only his son. The boy has been ruined. He’s weak and lazy.
    “My father can’t see that, of course. Which willeventually be his downfall. But I felt like the proverbial child outside the candy store, unable to share in anything.”
    “I’m so sorry,” Sarah said. “I understand your anger. But…” She looked at her husband, then went on, “I’ve always heard that anger hurts the person who is angry more than it hurts the person the anger is directed at.”
    “Maybe because a person is angry because they are powerless, as I was. No longer. Now I have the power.”
    Then she looked at Russ. “Do you remember the question you asked me to think about?”
    “Yes,” he said quietly, wondering where the conversation was going.
    “My answer is yes.”
    “All right.”
    “You’re sure? I want to be sure Angel is protected, no matter what happens to me.”
    “Surely you don’t think your father would harm you in any way?” Nick asked, frowning.
    “My father would kill his own sainted mother if it meant he could keep his wealth and power. That’s why I must have a will in place first thing in the morning. And I want a list of all the Randalls as possible legal guardians, but my father, or anyone blood-related to him, cannot be considered.”
    “As soon as your father realizes you’re here and I won’t fall for his lies, he’ll come here, you realize,” Nick said.
    “Right. How soon can we marry, Russ?”
    “Three days,” Russ said slowly.
    “Don’t take his calls for three days. Can you do that?”
    Nick gave a small smile. “I’ve stalled before, Isabella.”
    “So he won’t know the Randall name at all, because you use your legal name. That’s perfect.”
    “I’m glad to please.”
    “We’ll draw up papers that give Russ control of the shares if anything happens to me, holding them in trust for Angel. And that control will transfer to whomever takes over as legal guardian if something happens to him. Don’t worry, Russ. You’ll be compensated for your efforts.”
    “Buying me, Isabella?