A Time To Give. Kathryn Shay

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СКАЧАТЬ were you before class?”

      “I had dinner with friends.” Not exactly a lie. Her father would be furious if he knew she worked at Cassidy Place. Not only had he withdrawn all financial support of the soup kitchen when he’d taken over Cassidy Industries, canceling comp time for workers, too, but he had some grudge against the place that Emily didn’t understand. And a contempt for the previous owner that didn’t make sense.

      Her father shrugged. “In any case, it’s time to unload this company.”

      Emily tried to quell her pique and sank into one of the plush leather seats in front of his desk. “I’m not going to let you do this again.” Twice, he’d sold off companies without her knowledge, and had slashed jobs left and right. The last time, she’d threatened to leave Mackenzie Enterprises.

      “All right. What do you want?”

      “To save the jobs of the workers here.” Those who hadn’t gotten caught in the layoffs had stayed after Mackenzie Enterprises had taken over because they needed to make a living. But their loyalty had not transferred with them. It was obvious how much they hated the sterile environment her father had created, and how much they disliked him personally. Whereas Cassidy Industries had had a real family atmosphere and the employees had loved Benedict Cassidy. She wondered whatever had happened to him.

      “It’ll take a good six months to put the word out, find a buyer, or buyers, complete the due diligence. The workers will get something else.”

      “Buyers?”

      “Yes. There might be more money in selling off the inventory, getting rid of this albatross of a building and offering that precious patent to the highest bidder.”

      The patent for a product that Benedict Cassidy was brilliant enough to develop. “Oh, Dad, you’re going to dissolve Cassidy Industries?”

      His face flushed. “It’s Rockford Instruments now.”

      “But—”

      “Here it comes.” Shaking his head, he sighed.

      “At least try to keep the company intact.” She thought for a minute. “And look for a local buyer so the company isn’t moved out of Rockford. That way, the workers would be able to keep their jobs.”

      “I don’t care about all that.”

      No, of course not. He never did. But she did. “Wait a few months to see if you get a buyer for the whole company. If you can’t, then sell it off.”

      “You always do this.”

      “Yes, I do. It’s the only reason I’m working for you, Dad.”

      And not doing what I love. After she’d graduated from college, and she’d told her father about her dream to start a dance studio, he’d dismissed it as demeaning. He said if she wasn’t going to dance professionally, she shouldn’t make teaching her life’s work. Since she’d been insecure and looked up to him like a god, she hadn’t pursued it. Later, after she’d married Paul and he’d balked at her opening a studio too, she’d given up. When she’d begun to work for her father and had realized she could keep him from cutting too many jobs in his takeovers, even she’d dismissed the dream and had convinced herself she was doing good work.

      His expression softened. “That’s the only reason you work for me?”

      She shook her head. Despite his controlling streak, she was his Achilles’ heel. His only weak spot. He’d raised her single-handedly and loved her to pieces. Standing, she circled the desk and kissed his cheek. “No, of course not. I love you. I like being around you. I just wish you cared more about the people whose lives you disrupt.”

      He grasped her hand, held on. “All right. You have a few months.”

      “Thanks.” She started away.

      “Emmy?” Her childhood name. “I’m going to Boston tomorrow. Have dinner with me tonight?”

      “Oh, sorry, Dad. I told you I have dance on Mondays. How about when you get back?”

      “You got a secret beau you’re hiding from me?”

      She thought of the soup kitchen and Ben. “No, of course not. I’m meeting Jordan before class for a light dinner and some girl talk.”

      His gaze hardened. “I don’t like that woman.”

      “Well, she doesn’t like you much, either. So you’re even.” Jordan Turk, her best friend, blamed her father for manipulating her out of starting her dance studio and for encouraging her marriage to Paul. “When will you be back?”

      “Thursday.”

      “We’ll do it then.”

      Emily hurried away, her mind whirling with a thousand thoughts, mostly about how to protect Cassidy Industries employees. When she reached her office, the phone was ringing. “Hello,” she said, snatching it up.

      “Hey, girl.” Jordan was on the other end. “How are you?”

      “Speak of the devil. My father and I were just talking about you.”

      “You’ve got that right. He’s the devil incarnate.”

      “Be nice.”

      “Why? He’s done vicious things to you. And all in the name of love.”

      “Jordan.”

      “I was calling to say I’d be late for dinner, but I’ll tell you my good news now, since it’s relevant to good old dad. I applied for the loan for my dance studio and found a place for it. The space is available in six months. I hope to open after New Year’s.”

      “Oh, Jordan, I’m so happy for you.”

      “You remember your dream of owning a dance studio, don’t you? The one your father and that ass Paul convinced you to give up.”

      Emily’s heartbeat sped up. “I remember. It’s good you’re going ahead with it, though.”

      “I could still take on a partner.” She paused. “You said you’d think about that.”

      “Oh, Jordan, I can’t commit right now.” She explained the immediate situation of her father selling Rockford Instruments.

      “He’s never going to change. Are you going to spend your whole life cleaning up after him?”

      God, she didn’t want to do that. “No. But I can help these people.”

      “It’s bad enough he talked you into marrying Paul.”

      Emily regretted telling Jordan that she’d almost backed out of the wedding. That her father had convinced her to go ahead with it.

      “Please, let’s not revisit all this.”

      “Don’t you still want a studio, honey?”

      “Every day. СКАЧАТЬ