Taking Henry in Hand by Charles Pangbourne

Author:Charles Pangbourne [Pangbourne, Charles]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: LSF Publications
Published: 2015-03-27T00:00:00+00:00

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The guests started to arrive at 5:00pm and Barbara and I joined them. Barbara introduced me to each new arrival but it would be impossible to remember them all. Shortly after Caroline joined us, a helicopter circled the house and sped off toward the airstrip.

"That must be Daddy and Kyle. Should we go get them?"

"Carlos is already waiting for them. They will be here soon." The guests were just starting to line up at the buffet table when Barbara's father and brother arrived.

"Daddy!" Barbara exclaimed as she ran to embrace her father. "I'm so glad to see you. C'mon, I want you to meet Henry." Holding her father's arm, she proudly introduced us. "Daddy, this is Henry Talbot. Henry, this is my father, Sam Hopkins." I extended my hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Hopkins. Thank you for inviting me into your home."

"Glad to have you, Henry. It seems you have stolen my little girl's heart. This is the first time she has brought someone home to meet us. You must be special to her."

"She is special to me. I am putty in her hands." No-one saw the two women share a wink.

"Now that we are all here," Caroline interjected. "Let's all get some food and find a table. I would like a chance to get to know you, Henry." After going through the buffet, we found a table. Caroline sat across from me so she could watch my face while I answered her questions.

"Henry, my daughter tells me she thinks she's in love with you and I have never heard her say that about anyone. As a dutiful mother, I need to find out as much as I can about you. Tell me about your parents." I was determined to make a good impression on Barbara's family, especially her mother. I was willing to answer any question she had.

"My father is a full partner in a law firm. He specializes in mergers and acquisitions. My mother is a certified public accountant. I have no siblings. There were some problems when I was born that left her unable to have any more children."

"That's unfortunate. I'm sorry to hear that." There was nothing in her voice to indicate she was being condescending. She seemed genuinely concerned. "What about you? Tell me about yourself."

"I graduated from high school at sixteen, and in the spring I will earn a degree in chemical engineering two months after I turn nineteen. I've been accepted into graduate school and after I receive my doctorate, I want to go into research." Caroline nodded and smiled. Her eyes softened as some of her suspicions were eased.

"Barbara, you may have found a keeper. We'll see how the rest of the week goes. You should show Henry around the ranch tomorrow. Some time on horseback will do him some good. Sam, I am meeting with the lieutenant governor for lunch tomorrow. We are going to discuss the role of our foundation in the new education reform program. I think you need to be there.

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