A Lasting Impression

decision.”
    “No, ma’am. Not with your decision, but in the way you summarily dismissed her.”
    Adelicia held his gaze. Then slowly, a spark lit her eyes. “Dismissed her?”
    He nodded, not wishing to be manipulated the way he’d seen her manipulate others. She could be most persuasive when she put her mind to it, and so kind in the process that, often, the person being swayed didn’t realize that what they had agreed to wasn’t of their own choosing.
    She pursed her lips. “Am I to understand that you believe I acted rudely just now when saying good-bye to her?”
    “That’s just it, ma’am. You didn’t say good-bye. You simply . . . showed her the door. It’s not like you to treat someone like Miss Laurent with so little graciousness.”
    “Someone like Miss Laurent?” she repeated. “Meaning?”
    “Meaning someone of far lesser rank than yourself, Mrs. Acklen. And someone who, only moments earlier, shared some very personal—and painful—insights with you, ma’am.”
    “Ah . . .” The word came out slowly. “Thank you for clarifying that. Perhaps I should clarify something for you, Mr. Monroe.”
    Sutton caught the subtle steel in her voice and knew he’d touched a nerve. Something he didn’t do often with her, and with good reason. He waited.
    “I didn’t summarily dismiss Miss Laurent just now. I prevented her from thanking me again.”
    He gave a sharp laugh. “Thanking you? For what? Not hiring her? Demeaning her?” He sighed, wishing now that he’d never broached the subject. “I agree with your decision not to hire her, Mrs. Acklen. What I’m saying is that I would have appreciated—”
    “But I did hire her, Mr. Monroe.” Her eyes narrowed. “Miss Laurent didn’t inform you of that fact?”
    For a moment, none of what she’d said made sense. Then a sudden heat rose inside him. “You hired her? Without discussing it with me first?” As soon as he said it, Sutton realized he’d overstepped his bounds. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Acklen. What I should have said was—”
    “What you should say is never of interest to me, Mr. Monroe. I have enough people in my life who say what they think I want said. The reason I hired you, and one of the reasons you’re still here—after countless others have attempted to take your place—is because you say exactly what you believe. What you think is right. You always have.”
    Something akin to admiration softened her expression. “That’s something Colonel Acklen admired in you, God rest him . . . And I prize that quality too. The courage to speak aloud what resides in your heart.” She glanced past him toward the front door. “Miss Laurent possesses that quality as well, when coaxed. Though I dare say”—her focus centered back on him—“she lacks the skill for it that you have so masterfully acquired.”
    Hearing a trace of humor in her tone, Sutton let out the breath he’d been holding. “I’m guessing that’s because I’ve had considerable more practice at it, ma’am.”
    She laughed. “ Touché, Mr. Monroe. Touché . . . ”
    Tired and confused, he ran a hand along the back of his neck. Though he resisted admitting it, part of him felt almost hopeful at the prospect of seeing Miss Laurent again. But the greater part of him, the part responsible for protecting Mrs. Acklen’s personal welfare and financial empire, did not. “Would you help me understand why you hired her, ma’am? We both know she’s not the most qualified. And”—he felt a pounding begin at the back of his head—“what I find especially frustrating is that we had an agreement—at your suggestion—that we would discuss the candidates before you made your decision.”
    “I’m fully aware of that, Mr. Monroe. But . . .” She shrugged. “She’s a most persuasive young woman. And I’m not a woman easily persuaded, as well you know.”
    He stared, knowing he didn’t need to respond.
    She moved to the window where the late-afternoon sun shone through the Venetian glass, casting a warm glow on the entrance hall. “The main reason I hired her is because she doesn’t know who I am.” She pressed her palm flat against the window and spread her fingers wide. “She’s the only applicant who didn’t look at me in judgment, and with veiled disdain. Because she’s not from here. . . . She doesn’t know what everyone else in town does.”
    The ache in Sutton’s head intensified. This again? He thought she’d moved beyond it. “The other