Free It's News to Her by Helen R. Myers

her reaction, his expression went from admiring to incredulous. “Are you really that speechless? You never had a clue? Hunter, my grandfather despises my father and is deeply disappointed in Mother despite their union having produced me. You’re the daughter he wishes he’d had—someone interested in giving back and improving the world, not just indulging in the benefits of celebrity, the good life and hobnobbing only with those of a like mind.”
    Cord’s family dynamics were none of her business, but Hunter had to admit he was piquing her curiosity. Mr. Henry had never talked about his daughter or Cord’s father. Could they be as shallow as that?
    â€œThanks,” she began. “Please know that I’m flattered,but I can’t accept. I do hope to progress with my career, only not this way.”
    â€œI know you want to do your father proud. If he was here, do you think he’d advise you to turn down this opportunity?”
    â€œProbably not. However—”
    â€œYour mother has given herself over to her career—wouldn’t she approve of this?”
    â€œOf course she would.” Hunter was getting frustrated again that he wouldn’t let her finish a thought. “I don’t understand what the hurry is. Couldn’t this wait until you’ve had a chance to settle into the position? Besides, you’ll want to focus on your grandfather’s surgery. And shouldn’t Tom and Fred, even Wade, be in on this conversation? I’m going to assume you aren’t doing this so spontaneously that even Kevin Dalworth doesn’t know,” she said of their station chief.
    â€œThey all know about it and prefer I handle the initial discussion with you. Fred spoke for everyone when he said he’s not putting himself through having to watch those brown eyes of yours go all limpid and appealing. They forewarned me that you’d go to bat for Benson.”
    â€œCowards,” Hunter muttered under her breath.
    Cord studied her, clearly perplexed. “Believe it or not, I did think you’d be thrilled with this news.” His expression suddenly changed to one of revelation. “Wait a minute…I’ll bet you think that this change would mean Greg would get his walking papers. On the contrary, we’ll ask him to anchor the weekend news and substitute when you have something else that conflictswith our regular format. I understand Larry is hinting about retiring and Becca is only weeks away from needing maternity leave anyway,” he said of their current weekend-news staffers Larry Jackson and Rebecca Devon. “In between, Benson can do the investigative stories. That’ll help him brush up on his interviewing skills.”
    That not-so-small revelation had Hunter easing back in her chair. “I wish you’d said all of that before starting as you did. Do you not realize what I’ve been through since walking out of this office yesterday?”
    Without comment, Cord rose and crossed to the mini-bar where he took out a bottle of water and poured it into a crystal glass from the silver tray bearing more glasses and a stainless-steel ice bucket. He added a few cubes of ice, which made a tinkling sound as they hit the sides. “Here,” he said soothingly as he returned to her. “Hopefully, this will help.”
    Murmuring her thanks, Hunter did accept the glass and sipped carefully. That also gave her time to think.
    â€œHunter, you’re wrong about me not understanding what a cost this has had on you,” Cord said, continuing in his soothing tone. “It speaks volumes about your generosity and dedication to your coworkers that, even so, first and foremost, you worried on their behalf.”
    Glancing at him from under her lashes, she asked, “Does that mean you aren’t going to cut Greg’s salary? Carrying the weekend news along with his investigative work will be the job of two or more