Perfect Partners

whirled around, eyes bright with unshed tears. “I told you I want you to close it down as soon as possible.”
    Joel leaned back in his chair. “Mind telling us why, Diana?”
    But it was Letty who answered. “I think I know why,” she said slowly. “You’re afraid, aren’t you, Diana? You’re afraid that your husband can’t handle whatever your father will dish out if we put Keith’s plan into effect.”
    “Oh, God,” Diana breathed, her voice tight. “Daddy will be furious if you use any of Keith’s ideas. He’ll take it as a personal affront. He’s rejected every suggestion Keith has ever made for Copeland Marine. If you come along now and use Keith’s plan to salvage the firm, I don’t know what Daddy will do.”
    “You’d rather we shut down the entire operation, wouldn’t you, Diana? Even if it means destroying the whole town of Echo Cove.” Letty looked at her with deep sympathy. “You think that’s the only way you can be free of your father.”
    Diana started at her and then turned to Joel. “I didn’t let you rescue me fifteen years ago, Joel, because I lost my nerve. I was too young to take such an enormous risk. Or maybe I wasn’t desperate enough to give up everything then. But now I am. Don’t you understand? Daddy’s rages are getting worse.”
    “Now, hold on a second here, Diana.” Letty studied her intently. “You’re assuming that Keith doesn’t have whatever it’s going to take to stand up to your father if Victor turns on him, right?”
    Diana knotted her hands into small fists. “Joel could have done it. He has done it. Look at how he’s brought Copeland Marine to its knees. But Keith is different.”
    “I’m not so sure about that,” Letty murmured.
    Diana glared at her. “You think just because Keith managed to win a stupid brawl with Joel at the Anchor that makes him a macho guy? You think it makes Keith capable of standing up to Daddy?”
    Joel cleared his throat and glowered at Letty. “I beg your pardon, Ms. Thornquist. Did you by some remote chance tell Diana that Escott won that fight?”
    “Yes, I did.” She gave him a frosty glance. “It’s the truth, isn’t it?”
    “It’s a matter of opinion,” Joel said through set teeth.
    “Well, it’s only natural you would prefer to call it a draw,” Letty said sympathetically. “I understand that it’s unpleasant to have to admit you lost.”
    “Very unpleasant.”
    “But facts are facts,” Letty continued brightly, “and we’re in a tricky situation right now. We must stick to realities. And the primary thing to keep in mind is that I believe Keith Escott would be the ideal person to take over the management of Copeland Marine.”
    “You don’t know what you’re saying,” Diana whispered. “You’re a fool.” She turned and walked out of the room.

15

    A heavy silence hung over Joel’s office after the door closed behind Diana. Letty waited uncomfortably for Joel to say something. When he did not, she smiled tentatively.
    “Joel, you’re not really upset because I told Diana that Keith pounded you into the floor during that bar fight, are you?”
    “Pounded me into the floor?” Joel repeated softly. “It gets worse every time I hear the story.”
    “Pounded, flattened, beat to a pulp, what does it matter? It was in a good cause. I was trying to shore up their relationship a little.”
    “I take it you don’t think my ego is a worthy cause?”
    Letty grinned. “I think your ego could sustain a direct hit from a nuclear warhead without getting badly damaged.”
    “Thanks a lot. All the same, next time I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t have me lose quite so badly. Maybe I could at least give a good account of myself.” Joel tossed a pen down on his desk and got to his feet. He stalked to the window.
    Letty eyed him warily. “You’re not really mad at me, are you?”
    “No. If I was really mad at you, you’d know it.”
    Letty nodded. “That’s what I figured. Now, then, tell me the truth. Were you serious when you told Diana that you’re considering Keith’s proposal?”
    “I was serious.” Joel didn’t turn around. He kept his attention on the street below. “There’s nothing wrong with Escott’s plan. It could work.”
    “
Joel
. You mean you’ll go for it?” Without giving him time to respond, Letty shot up out of her chair, dashed across the room, and threw her arms around Joel from behind. She hugged him fiercely. “You won’t regret it, I