It's News to Her Read Free

worse. Bad enough to see YCI taken over by total strangers, her future was also being placed in the hands of the man who had wooed her fiancé and co-anchor to Los Angeles at the cost of their relationship. Impossible! With that much cold-blooded maneuvering, she could never trust Cord Rivers to tell her the truth, let alone safeguard her career.
    â€œI don’t know where to begin, sir,” she began, her tongue feeling foreign in her mouth. She was also painfully aware of Cord’s unblinking study; he was all but willing her to look his way, but she couldn’t if she wanted to. As desperation washed over her anew, she focused on the man who’d been an inspiration in herlife. “Thank you for the compliment, but I understand what happens when there’s a big change in leadership—all bets are off. More important, I hope you know that I speak for many downstairs when I say that whether we are ordered to or not, we’re not ready to say goodbye to you.”
    Henry’s gray but dignified face brightened and his blue-gray eyes—shades lighter than his grandson’s—grew overly bright. “Don’t let it get around, but that’s nicer to hear than a standing ovation at an industry banquet.”
    â€œI’ll take your word for it. All I do know is that it’s true.” Known for her humorous quips to lighten tense or overly serious moments, Hunter leaned forward, all earnestness. “I also hope you know I personally appreciate all you’ve done for me. If I’m a fraction worthy of what you say, it’s only because of your generosity and guidance. Whatever happens, I’ll always remember that.”
    As the old man frowned, his stormy eyebrows drew into an intimidating line that resembled a bitter, January cold front barreling down from Dallas and points north. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you have reservations about my decision.”
    Reminding herself that her future lay in Cord’s hands if only to supply a letter of recommendation, Hunter dropped her gaze to the edge of Henry Yarrow’s massive mahogany desk. “I’m simply trying to say that your shoes will be difficult to fill.”
    â€œHunter is being more gracious than I deserve,” Cordsaid with impeccable timing. “I’m afraid that she still bears some hard feelings from when I moved Denny Brewster to the L.A. station, instead of her, two years ago.”
    Both Henry and Hunter started with surprise. Henry recovered and spoke first.
    â€œDo you, my dear? Why didn’t I ever sense that?”
    â€œBecause it’s news to me, too,” Hunter replied, sitting so straight her back was in danger of snapping. She slid Cord a look of disapproval for giving his grandfather the wrong information, not just the wrong impression. She would sew her mouth shut herself to avoid hurting the dear gentleman, but she couldn’t listen to this. “I didn’t have Denny’s experience. I had no right to want the job and, frankly, wouldn’t have taken it if it had been offered to me. What upset me was that Mr. Rivers was relocating my fiancé, which ultimately forced the end of our relationship, and apparently occurred with his complete blessing and—from my understanding—his encouragement.”
    This time both Henry and Cord reacted as though the overhead sprinklers had suddenly turned on.
    â€œYou can’t be serious,” Cord said, sounding more incredulous than annoyed.
    With cool reserve, Hunter arched her left eyebrow. “Did you or did you not tell him that his image as a bachelor was a major part of his appeal for the market he would be entering and that to remain ‘unattached,’ as you put it, would result in the fastest gain in ratings?”
    â€œBecause that’s how he presented himself to me,”Cord said, folding his arms in front of his chest. “In effect it was the ‘don’t