Sweet Fortune

here.” His gaze went past her to where Hatch's Mercedes was parked at the curb. Hatch was leaning against the fender, idly studying the tree-lined street. He did not glance at the doorway. “What the hell's that bastard doing here?”
    “Keeping an eye on me.”
    Vincent's face turned red. “What in damnation for? Is he afraid I'll make you see sense?”
    “Not exactly.” Jessie walked on into the hall and headed for the living room.
    Vincent closed the door and followed her. “Wait just a blasted minute. Did Hatch send you in here to argue his side of this thing?”
    “I'm here because you asked me to stop by, remember? It's only five o'clock, Dad. Hours before your usual quitting time. I assume we are about to discuss something on a par with World War III?” Jessie examined the garden outside the bay windows. It was as pristine and perfect as the rest of the house. Nothing was out of place. It was a house in which nobody really lived. Her father came here only to sleep and change his clothes. He lived at Benedict Fasteners. He always had.
    “You know damn well what we're going to discuss. Jessie, things have blown up in our faces.”
    “Not my face. I'm strictly on the sidelines this time.” She sat down on the arm of one of the cream-colored chairs Constance had bought while she was in residence. The furniture in the room was about equally divided between Lilian's selections and Constance's. Everything meshed beautifully, which spoke volumes about the relationship between Vincent's two ex-wives.
    “Don't give me that crap about being on the sidelines. In this family, you're never on the sidelines. You're always right square in the middle. You want something to drink?”
    “No, thanks. I promised Hatch I wouldn't stay long.”
    “Hatch. That sonofabitch. I just wish to God I'd known what a viper I was bringing into my nest when I hired him.”
    Jessie raised her chin. “Watch it, Dad. You're talking about the man I'm going to marry. The future father of your grandchildren.”
    “Jesus. You can't marry him, Jessie. That's just it. At least not until he comes to his senses and backs off. He's gone crazy, wanting me to split up the company. This whole thing has gone far enough, and you're the only one who can end it.”
    “What do you want me to do?”
    “Do what you usually do, dammit.” Vincent waved the hand that held the whiskey glass. “Fix it. Make everybody calm down and do the reasonable thing.”
    “In this case the reasonable thing means make everybody do what you want, right?”
    “It so happens that what I want is the best thing for the company and therefore the best thing for the family,” Vincent growled.
    “Hatch doesn't think so.”
    “Who gives a damn what that man thinks?”
    “I do.” Jessie smiled. “And I'm sorry, Dad, but this time I can't fix things. I can't even try.”
    “Why the hell not?”
    “Well, for starters, Hatch has threatened to paddle me if I try to mediate between the two of you.”
    “Threatened you?” Vincent's head came around swiftly, eyes glittering with rage. “That sonofabitch has threatened to beat my little girl? I'll tear him apart, by God. I'll rip him to shreds.”
    “Relax. You know as well as I do that Hatch would never hurt me,” Jessie said.
    “No, I damn well do not know that. I don't know what to expect from Sam Hatchard now. I thought I knew that man, but I was obviously wrong. He's turned on me, Jessie. Like the shark he is.”
    Jessie raised her eyes heavenward. “Give me a break, Dad. That's a gross exaggeration and you know it.”
    “So fix it, dammit. Do something. You can't go running off with him.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because the company needs him and the family needs you, that's why not.”
    “I'm sorry, Dad. But this is something you're going to have to fix on your own.” Jessie got to her feet and walked over to him. She stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips against his cheek.
    “What about the family?” Vincent rasped as she turned to leave.
    “I love all of you, but you're forcing me to make a choice. I've made it.”
    “Jessie, wait, goddammit. Come back here.” Vincent's voice was ragged. “Don't you see? If you leave, I'll lose all of 'em. Elizabeth, David, Connie, and Lilian. You're the only thing that keeps them tied to me. You and Benedict Fasteners.”
    “I'm sorry, Dad, but I don't want to go on doing the job alone anymore. You're going to have to help.”
    “I won't let Hatch tear apart