Jennifer Probst - Heart of Steel

The inside of his office was the same. The thick oriental carpet set off the rich wood paneling and cherry wood desk. Ceiling to wall windows tempted the onlooker to dream of money and power as he gazed over the city. Plush chairs scattered around heavily carved tables to relax clients, and a fully stocked bar took up one side of the room. The smell of cigar smoke still drifted in the air, and stacks of paperwork filled the room, bursting from every spare inch of space.

Alexander Santell looked amazed to see Chandler storm into his office. She hadn’t bothered to change, thinking her old sweat pants, faded t-shirt declaring the Yoga and Arts Center, and a pair of worn Reeboks represented her true identity best. She’d caught up her honey brown hair in a pony tail high on her head, and she knew her eyes shone with exhaustion. But a determined spark flamed within her and she directed it against him.

“Good God, daughter, what have you done with yourself?” He dropped a leather binder back on his desk.

Chandler looked around the office as the memories rushed back. Four years ago she had stood in front of her father in his own personal kingdom, an office where she grew up. Now, it didn’t seem to be as intimidating as she remembered.

Neither did her father.

He stood behind his desk. His figure emanated waves of raw energy. His silver hair was still thick and distinguished, marking him as an experienced adversary to the younger generation.

But something felt different. For the first time, she saw her father for who he really was. A human being who had lost his wife and only daughter. A man still fighting a losing battle to get what he wanted. Funny how she never really noticed before.

Alexander Santell was lonely.

She settled herself down on the smooth leather chair opposite his desk. “I want to know everything that happened between you and Logan Grant.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest.

He puffed on his cigar while he studied her. “Why do you always insist on wearing those old clothes?” he asked gruffly. “You always looked so nice in those wool business suits.”

“I’m allergic to wool, father. And I happen to like my old clothes, they’re more conductive to teaching yoga.”

“Ah, yes, yoga. I thought you had lost your mind when you started teaching those courses, but I have to admit you may have started a new craze in the business world. I saw the figures from Logan’s report. Besides having every employee up in arms about your departure, you were able to show some results. Employee satisfaction increased. Quality of work improved. And morale went through the roof. Therefore, you made the company money. Nice job.”

Her mouth fell open. Chandler wondered if she was hallucinating. “You spoke with Logan about my program?”

“Sure. Maybe you can do your old man a favor and start classes here. I always like to be ahead of the competition, even though there’s no way in hell I’ll roll around the floor to relieve stress.”

Chandler laughed. They studied each other for a few moments. “Tell me what happened with Logan.”

Alexander gave a deep sigh. “I was worried about you. Pushing thirty and still no grandchildren. I heard you started working with Grant and you seemed to get along. I decided I’d give him a little incentive by offering him the business. He was perfect for you.”

“You thought Michael was perfect for me.”

He snorted. “Big mistake. He was a wimp. Logan has character. He passed the real test.”

“What real test?” Chandler asked suspiciously.

Her father laughed. “He told me to go to hell. Said he needed no help with you, he had everything under control. Said he had enough power with the Weatherall contract and didn’t need my company. Then he gave me a lecture on the way I treated you.”

Chandler watched him in disbelief. “He didn’t want the contract, didn’t want your company?”

He shook his head. “Wanted no part of it. So naturally I got pissed because he was disobeying a direct order from his future father-in-law, so I started yelling. Then you walked in.”

“I didn’t believe him.” Her heart filled with horror. “Oh God, I told him to get out and that I wanted nothing more to do with him.”

“Hmmm, figured you did. You always were stubborn.” He ignored his daughter’s glare and puffed furiously. “But you had your reasons. The man is completely crazy about you. Smart business man, too. You did well, girl.”

“What about Richard Thorne?”

A thunderous expression crossed her father’s face. “He wanted the money. I approached him before Logan, thought the kid might have some character. A little competition is good for the soul.”

She shook her head in disgust. “You wanted them both fighting over me like some sort of prize?”

“No. I wanted to see which one would choose you. And I got my answer. Now stop back talking. Did it for your own good.”

Despair shot through her at his confirmation. Logan was innocent. The entire time Richard had been playing a game, and she’d believed him over Logan. Chandler squeezed her eyes shut. Somehow, she had to find a way to make it up to Logan.

“I have to fix it.” Her chin tilted upward in determination. “I have to find a way to give Logan what he wanted. This time with no strings attached.”

“What are you talking about?”

She stared at her father and felt a degree of ruthlessness surge in her. Her father looked at her warily. “You’re going to give Logan your company. With no conditions. He doesn’t have to marry me, he never has to see me again if he doesn’t want to. But he can have his contract.”

“Are you crazy?” he shouted. His voice rumbled and crashed through the office. He stood up from the desk and waved his hands in the air. A ferocious frown marred his features. Chandler never moved, never blinked, knowing this was part of her father’s normal temper tantrum when he couldn’t control the situation. “There’s no way in hell I’m going to give my company away lock, stock, and barrel with no guarantee it will be kept in the family! That yoga and meditation has warped your mind, girl!”

She fought a smile and eased back in the chair. “Oh, yes, Dad, you will do this. I never wanted the company to begin with. At least Logan will take good care of it and make sure your profits skyrocket. You can’t do much better. But there’s one more reason you’re going to get Logan to sign those contracts.”

“And what’s that?” he bellowed ominously.

Chandler smiled. “Because you owe me.”

Silence descended. Alexander cursed fluently under his breath. His fingers raked back the silver strands of his hair. He glared at her with glittering green eyes that matched her own.

“Oh, hell.”

“Do we have a deal?”

He reached again for his cigar and drew the smoke into his mouth. “Do I have a choice?”

“No.”

“Then we have a deal.”

She rose from the chair. “Pleasure doing business with you, Dad. Oh, by the way, don’t tell him I had anything to do with this. I don’t want him coming back to me out of a misplaced feeling of guilt. I can handle my own personal life.”

“Then where are my grandchildren?”

She ignored his last remark and walked toward the door. When she turned to face him again there was a softness in her tone and in her eyes she had not felt since the day she walked out of his office. “You weren’t to blame for Mom’s death. I never thought that. She just got sick.”

His eyes echoed a deep grief he rarely expressed. Slowly, he nodded. “I loved her. I loved you both.”

Their eyes met and locked, and she felt a frisson of understanding connecting them, a start for something that could be more in the future.