First Impressions

“She doesn’t have anything you want.”
    Smoldering, she took a step toward him. “I have a right to my share. Whatever my grandmother had should be split fifty-fifty between Shane and me.”
    He lifted a brow in speculation. “Fifty-fifty,” he said thoughtfully. “You must be desperate if you’re willing to settle for that.” Without pity, he shrugged off her problems. “I won’t waste my time arguing legalities with you, much less morals or ethics. Just accept that what Shane gave you yesterday is all you’ll ever get.” With this he turned toward the door. In a last-ditch effort, Anne sank down on the bed and began to weep.
    “Oh, Vance, you can’t be so cruel.” She lifted an already tear-drenched face to his. “You can’t mean to keep me from seeing my own daughter, my only child.”
    He studied the beautiful tragic face, then gave a slight nod of approval. “Very good,” he commented. “You’re a better actress than they give you credit for.” As he pulled the door to behind him, he heard the sound of smashing glass on the wood.
    Springing up, Anne grabbed the second glass, then hurled it as well. No one,
no one
, she determined, was going to threaten her. Or mock her, she fumed, remembering the cool amusement in his eyes. She’d see he paid for it. Sitting back on the bed, she clenched her fists until she could bring her temper to order. She had to think. There had to be a way to get to Vance Banning. Riverton Construction, she reflected, closing her eyes as she concentrated. Had there been any scandal connected with the firm? Frustrated, she hurled her pillow across the room. She could think of nothing. What did she know about a stupid firm that built shopping centers and hospitals? It was all so boring, she thought furiously.
    Grabbing the second pillow, she started to toss it as well when a sudden glimmer of memory arrested her. Scandal, she repeated. But not about the firm. There had been something . . . something a few years back. Just a few whispers at a party or two.
Damn!
she swore silently when her recollection took her no further. Sheila Hourback, Anne thought, tightening her lips. Maybe the stuffy old bird could be useful. Scrambling over the unmade bed, Anne reached for the phone.
    ***
    Shane was busy detailing a skirmish of the Battle of Antietam for three eager boys when Vance walked in. She smiled at him, and he heard enthusiasm in her voice as she spoke, but she was still pale. That alone brushed away any doubts that he had done the right thing. She’d bounce back, he told himself as he wandered into the antique shop, because it was her nature to do so. But even someone as intrinsically strong as Shane could take only so much. Spotting Pat dusting glassware, he went over to her.
    “Hi, Vance.” She sent him a quick, friendly grin. “How’re you doing?”
    “I’m fine.” He cast a look over his shoulder to be certain Shane was still occupied. “Listen, Pat, I wanted to talk to you about that dining room set.”
    “Oh yeah. There was some mix-up about that. I still haven’t gotten it straight. Shane said—”
    “I’m going to buy it.”
    “
You?
” Her initial surprise turned into embarrassment. Vance grinned at her, however, and her cheeks cooled.
    “For Shane,” he explained. “For Christmas.”
    “Oh, that’s so sweet!” The romance of it appealed to her immediately. “It was her grandmother’s, you know. She just loves it.”
    “I know, and she’s determined to sell it.” Idly, he picked up a china demitasse cup. “I’m just as determined to buy it for her. She won’t let me.” He gave Pat a conspirator’s wink. “But she can hardly turn down a Christmas present, can she?”
    “No.” Appreciating his cleverness, Pat beamed at him. So the rumors were true, she thought, pleased and interested. There was something going on between them. “She sure couldn’t. It’ll mean so much to her, Vance. It just about kills her to have to sell some of these things, but that’s the hardest. It’s . . . ah, it’s awfully expensive though.”
    “That’s all right. I’m going to give you a check for it today.” It occurred to him that it would soon be all over town that he had a great deal of money to spend. He would have to talk to Shane very soon. “Put a sold sign on it.” He glanced back again, seeing Shane’s three visitors were preparing to leave. “Just don’t say anything to her unless she asks.”
    “I won’t,” Pat