Kate Takes Care Of Business Read Free

imagine.”
    “Just five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”
    Dad huffed. “We’ll see, Mr. Griffin, as long as we understand each other.”
    Kate was relieved to hear the quiet humor coloring her father’s tone. He winked at her without a hint of his former displeasure.
    “Of course Mr. Winslow,” Reid answered apologetically. “No doubt you’ll be busy until the meeting so I thought it might be a good time for me to meet with Kate over an informal lunch. I’d like to finish our interview as part of the series I’m writing on the children of successful captains of industry like yourself.”
    “Oh?” Her father turned to her again. “Is that true Kate?”
    “Yeah, Dad. Absolutely. Isn’t that a great idea?” The tone of her quick response defied him to suspect any other reason for Reid being in her room. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
    Her father’s brows drew together in an agonized expression.
    Without waiting for him say something that would embarrass her more, Kate hurried past her father and Reid and went into the bedroom. She shut the door harder than she wanted to.
    And you had better have a good reason, Reid Griffin, or this will definitely be the last time I see you, Kate said to herself as she dressed. She chose the sleeveless cotton twill top in burnished gold and her sexiest butt hugging jeans. Putting the final touches on her makeup, Kate could hear the men talking outside in the suite.
    “I don’t suppose,” Reid said, “that it would do any good to ask how you think the stockholders will vote this year? Richard Hallman and you appear to be at the opposite ends of the spectrum on your company’s outsourcing plans.”
    “You suppose correctly, Mr. Griffin.” Her father sounded rigid with anger. “But whatever our differences, both Mr. Hallman and myself have only the company’s and the shareholder’s best interests at heart.”
    “I wouldn’t have assumed otherwise, sir, but with all the rumors—”
    “And that’s all they are. So, if you want to report the truth you’re going to have to wait until our press meeting, unless it’s your intention to misinterpret something Kate might say. I have to trust that she has the common sense to know better. We can’t afford more damaging lies in the media.”
    Listening, Kate heard her father repeat the words “damaging lies,” echoed by Reid’s repeated denial about the reason for his informal lunch with her.
    Anger, succeeded by determination, swept over her. Was her father doubting her intelligence and tact? Was Reid interested in more that just a chance to apologize for ignoring her since April?
    That settled it. She could and would learn every aspect of her father’s business. She wouldn’t stay on the outside and attend these meetings just for moral support any longer. Kate had absorbed much over the years listening to her father discuss business with Mr. Hallman and the other members of the board. She had ideas about how to improve operations and this was the time to tell her father about them.
    Her cell chimed on the dresser. As she expected, it was a text message from Sterling.
    Bored with the party and people. No fun without you. On my way to NYC. See you soon. Love. Sterling.
    Sterling had just taken delivery of his built to order Brabus Rocket 800, his “Benz on bennies” as he liked to call it. He and his father were crazy about cars and Sterling even raced occasionally on the European circuit. He bragged that it was the fastest street legal sedan in the world and didn’t mind blowing an insane amount of cash because he liked to drive their friends around in style to the clubs and parties.
    Sterling didn’t care about speeding tickets. “You have to pay to play,” was his standard excuse. He preferred taking the back roads and if he didn’t get caught he would be in New York before the night was over.
    Kate touched up her blush feeling at once excited and pursued. Knowing that Sterling was racing toward