Sweet Fortune by Jayne Ann Krentz Page B

ferocious scowl. “What the hell? I said I didn't…Oh, it's you two. What are you doing here?”
    “Happy Birthday, Dad.” Jessie put the huge basket of flowers down squarely in the center of the desk in front of her father. “We're here to take you to lunch.”
    “Good God. Is it that time of the year already?” Vincent took of his glasses and gazed at the mass of balloons and flowers. His expression warmed ever so slightly as he swung his gaze back to his daughters. “Shouldn't you be in school, Elizabeth?”
    “Sure,” Elizabeth admitted. “But Jessie wrote a note saying I had an urgent appointment. The teachers always believe Jessie's notes.”
    “I have a talent for making excuses.” Jessie untwisted the balloon strings from Elizabeth's fingers and reattached them to the nearest lamp. The balloons hovered over the massive desk, looking very much out of place in the solemn atmosphere of her father's office. “Nice touch, don't you think? The balloons were Elizabeth's idea.”
    “I figured no one else would give you balloons. Do you like 'em, Dad?” Elizabeth anxiously awaited the verdict.
    Jessie caught her father's eye. It was automatic. She'd been doing it for years in this sort of situation, she reflected. She was always on the alert to make certain her father understood he was not to casually hurt Elizabeth's feelings the way he had frequently bruised her own when she was younger.
    Vincent pretended to ignore the warning look as he contemplated the balloons with a deliberate air. “Definitely a nice touch. And you're absolutely right. No one else is very likely to give me balloons for my birthday. Or flowers.” He touched one of the petals. “Thank you, ladies. Now, what was this about lunch?”
    “Pizza or hamburgers. Your choice.” Jessie perched on the edge of the desk. “Elizabeth and I are treating.”
    Vincent frowned down at his desk calendar. “Better let me check my schedule. I thought I had something on for today.”
    Elizabeth grinned hugely. “Jessie made Grace keep your calendar clear for today, Dad.”
    “Is that right? A conspiracy again, eh?” Vincent raised his brows at Jessie.
    “Whatever works,” Jessie murmured, fingering one of the petals of a brilliant red lily.
    “What the hell, it's my birthday.” Vincent turned back to Elizabeth. “Pizza or hamburgers, huh? That's a tough choice. I think I'll go with the pizza.”
    Jessie relaxed. The battle was over. It had not been too bad this year. There had been far worse battles in the past. Maybe her father was finally mellowing. She looked at her sister. “Pizza it is. Witness a true executive decision, kid. Dad is definitely a man of action.”
    “Damn right,” Vincent agreed as Elizabeth giggled again.
    Jessie hopped off the desk. “Let's get going. We want to beat the crowd to the pizza parlor. It gets real cutthroat in there at lunchtime.”
    The office door swung open before Vincent could get to his feet. Everyone automatically turned around to gaze at the man filling the open doorway.
    “Somebody die?” Hatch asked, his gaze resting on the bright bouquet of flowers.
    “Not yet.” Vincent stood up and reached for his jacket. “Just another birthday. My daughters are taking me out to lunch. Seems my calendar has been mysteriously cleared for an hour or so this afternoon.”
    “You can come with us, if you want,” Elizabeth told Hatch shyly.
    Jessie smiled loftily. “I'm sure Hatch is much too busy to join us. I'll bet he's got all sorts of megabuck deals that need his personal attention this afternoon. Isn't that right, Hatch?”
    Hatch regarded her meditatively, idly tapping the folder in his hand against the door frame. “I think I could manage to get away for an hour or so. Unless Vincent would rather hog all the female company for himself?” He glanced at the older man.
    “Hell, no. There's two of 'em. Enough to go around. You're welcome to join us. Jessie and Elizabeth are buying.”
    “In that