Page 13 (1/2)

CHAPTER ONE

Ro-ti me she’s a spoiled brat”

The older uess that’s what I’ers across his sto rown up now She can’t keep behaving like this”

“Don’t you think you’re being roould think the realities of life would calm her”

“That’s the problem I haven’t exposed her to any of those realities” Richard shook his head then sighed “Ever since herSerena, letting her have her oay Trying to uess” His eyes took on a distant look and his voice trailed away

“But you went overboard?” Roman prompted

Richard griht with the supervision of the housekeeper she would be alright After all, girls are supposed to be easier to raise than boys, right? Guess I rong” Richard smiled ruefully He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a brown leather wallet froraph He slid it across the table “This is ed "It's a couple of years old"

Ro face of a girl sitting on the back of a shiny black stallion She was breathtakingly beautiful with long chestnut hair floating around her heart-shaped face and a pretty pout that drew attention to the pink petals of her lips Her eyes were the exquisite blue of the Pacific Ocean and in theirl's confidence and spirit

Roman raised his eyebrows “So this is Serena,” he said, almost to himself “She’s a beauty”

“That’s the problerimly “She’s beautiful and she knows it And she's also the daughter of a wealthy man who spoils her" His face turned sad "This is not hoant things to be I want hter to be prepared for the world When I pass on she’s the one who’s going to take charge of the coht now she’s not prepared for any of that”

Roraph and looked back at Richard “You talk as if you plan to leave soon,” he said with a chuckle “You’re as healthy as a horse”

“Yes, but you never know” Richard tapped his silver pen on the table, his weathered face thoughtful “Serena is finishing up college in a week She’ll be twenty-one with a Bachelor's degree in art history She didn’t even do her degree in business like I told her How prepared can she be to take over the business?" He shook his head then smiled wryly "I can’t even rely on her to find a suitable husband She’s shown no interest in the guys who've co them for years to come”

“So what are you going to do about this?”

Richard shrugged “Short of forcing her into e with a rinned at the preposterous idea "If only ere back in the nineteenth century"

Roman sat back and looked keenly at Richard He could see that despite his attempt at humor the olderwhere they'd discussed a possible collaboration between both their co a partnership in the development of a new line of skin care products Out of the blue Richard started talking about his daughter The situation was obviously weighing heavily on his mind

“So lethis arhter who likes to have her oay She doesn't listen to you yet you give her whatever she wants You’ve been doing this for the past twenty-one years and now you want her to settle down and get involved in the business?”

Richard gave a solemn nod "I know I've been a terrible parent And I know it’s late I should have been firh “She's not prepared, Rohter needs a crash course in real life”

Roman released his folded arms and leaned forward “I have an idea that could help”

“Yes?” Richard raised his eyebrows, obviously curious

“What if your daughter worked for me for a while, say for the next six months?”