More Than She Bargained For
by Ginger Leigh
Chapter 3- Father Daughter Talk
“Father, isn’t Mr. Jarrod Barkley the most divine man?”
William smiled at his daughter as they bounced in the back of the carriage sent by Jarrod Barkley to bring them to the ranch for dinner. William found it interesting that his daughter was smitten with Counselor Barkley. It was usually the other way around; men were usually smitten by her and she was indifferent to them as anything other than amusing playthings.
“Well, I don’t know about divine, darling, but, yes, he is a fine man, to be sure.”
“I want him.”
Now William Lord fully turned at looked at his daughter. He’d heard that pronouncement before, about a dress or piece of jewelry, but never about a man!
It worried him a little to hear her say it, because, if history was any indication, when she wanted something, she was determined she was going to have it.
“Now, darling,” he began.
She knew that tone. It was the tone he used when he was trying to talk her out of something. He almost always failed.
“You cannot look at Mr. Barkley, as ‘divine’ as he is, as some object to be obtained or some work of art to add to your collection. I haven’t known Counselor Barkley long, but just based on business dealings, I can tell you that he is not some young buck to be toyed with. He is a man of the world. I suggest you let him take any kind of lead if there is to be a relationship between the two of you. He would not appreciate pushiness in a woman, even one as lovely as you, my darling, I’m fairly sure.”
“Oh, I don’t know, father. I think you underestimate my ability to affect a man, if I so choose. I think you may be surprised.”
William sat back as the gate for The Barkley Ranch came into view.
“You’re wrong, Daughter. I don’t underestimate your abilities at all. But hear this. If you are determined to play games with Mr. Jarrod Barkley, you may well be the one who gets more than she bargained for . . .
