“Behind every successful man is a good woman,” Sally mused, “but you know how it is. Reporters are interested in the men who run the company. They aren’t interested in the wife’s contribution to it.”
Jenny nodded, though she seemed disappointed. “Yes, you’re right. I suppose it’ll have to be enough that Richard knows how much Amanda’s helped him. He was telling Pa that he mentioned Amanda’s contribution to the newspaper reporter, but that part of the interview got left out.”
The butler came into the room and set a tray full of cookies and coffee down. “I’ll come back with lemonade for the children,” he said before he left.
Rachel, Carl, and Emma grabbed the cookies.
Mary got one for Adam in case the other children took them all. She glanced over at Isaac who hadn’t made a move to the tray. “Don’t you want a cookie?”
“I’m not hungry,” Isaac said without even looking over at the cookies.
Sally laughed. “Since when have any of our children refused the offer to get a cookie?”
Since their uncle Richard became famous. Mary bit her tongue so she wouldn’t say that aloud.
Amanda came into the room, followed by fifteen-year-old Annabelle. Both were dressed in their best. Mary hadn’t thought about it, but they would have wanted to look their best with the reporter here. It was too bad she hadn’t thought to tell Sally and Jenny that they shouldn’t have come here since they weren’t in their Sunday clothes. She might have been able to dissuade them from coming here with that argument, and that would have meant Isaac wouldn’t brag about being here while his uncle was interviewed.
“Did we come at a bad time?” Sally asked.
“No, everyone is fine,” Amanda replied. “Did everyone get something to eat and drink?”
“All of us who wanted something got it,” Sally said. Then with a smirk, she added, “Isaac is more excited about the reporter than the cookies.”
Amanda turned to him, pretending to be shocked. “Is that true?”
Isaac nodded. “Can I see Uncle Richard?”
Mary put Adam down and rose to her feet. “He’s been talking of little else but how famous his uncle is. But,” her gaze went to Isaac, “your uncle is busy, and we didn’t give him or your aunt any notice that we were coming.” She offered Amanda an apologetic smile. “I hope we’re not putting you in an awkward spot.”
Amanda waved her hand to dismiss Mary’s worries. “Not at all. You’re all welcome here, and,” she smiled at Isaac, “you’re in luck. Your uncle and the reporter are just finishing up. You’ll get a chance to see him in a few minutes.”
Isaac’s grin was so wide it practically took up the entire room. Mary sighed. This evening wasn’t going to be pleasant at all for Dave. She turned her attention back to Adam and wiped his hands with a cloth napkin that was on the tray.
“Jenny, did you want to see my hat before Richard’s done?” Amanda asked.
Jenny nodded, and the two left the room.
Sally went over to Annabelle. “I bet this is exciting. Your father’s accomplished a lot.”
“It is exciting,” Annabelle replied. “He and my mother have been getting invitations to some dinner parties from people who haven’t paid attention to them before.”
Sally’s eyes grew big. “Really? I thought they would have been paying attention to them as soon as you moved into this large house.”
Annabelle shook her head. “Some people did, but some didn’t bother stopping over to say hello. Now, it seems like everyone’s been here.”
Sally chuckled. “That sounds like fun.”
“Only if you like a lot of company,” Mary inserted before Annabelle could say it. “And only if you like the people who are coming by.”
“Well, yes, that’s true in any situation,” Sally said. After a moment of silence, she asked Annabelle, “Will the reporter be meeting your brothers?”
“My father will be taking him to their offices in a little bit,” Annabelle replied. “They’re going to have lunch first.”
“I thought Tony had a farm,” Mary said.
“Not yet,” Annabelle replied. “He’s saving up to buy one.”
“Why would he need to do that when your father can buy one for him?” Sally asked in surprise.
“He wants to buy it with the money he earns,” Annabelle said.
“And your father’s letting him do that?” Sally asked.
“I think it’s good that Tony’s saving up his own money to buy a farm,” Mary replied. “He’ll appreciate it more when he gets it. Also, it’s a sign of responsibility and maturity.”
“I’m not saying it’s not those things,” Sally hurried to say. “I agree, but considering how much Richard has, it wouldn’t be that much for him to buy a farm.”
Mary smiled. “I know, but there are some things more important than money. Tony will be much better off if he buys the farm himself.”
Sally thought over the comment for a moment. “I suppose you’re right. While it would be easier if Richard bought the farm for him, it probably would be to his benefit if he worked for it.” She looked at Annabelle. “But Mark wants to work in the family business, correct?”
“Yes,” Annabelle replied. “He has no desire to own a farm or do anything else.”
“I’m hoping Greg will follow in his father’s footsteps and become a judge,” Sally said. “But if he doesn’t, maybe he’ll be a lawyer.”
“What will you do if Greg doesn’t want to do either of those things?” Mary asked.
Sally shrugged. “I’m not sure. I guess there isn’t anything I can do about it. I just
