these two families over the disappointment in the failure of their plans for their children and move on to coming up with new plans that took into account the present situation and their children's needs and wishes.
"I shouldn't be there with you," Kathryn said to Cynthia. "Your father wants to talk to you alone."
"I don't want to be alone with him."
They were leaning against a railing on the flagstone patio between the two meeting buildings. The mountain fell away abruptly in front them. It had turned cool enough to need a sweater for bare arms, but the half moon was brilliant and the night air crisp and dry. Kathryn had always preferred the mountains to the beach in the summer, something else the men she dated didn't understand.
"Are you afraid?"
"No."
"Then what's the problem? He wants to talk about the things he doesn't understand."
"No, he doesn't. He wants to tell me what to think. He gets paid millions to do that with people who're just as strong-minded as he is. I haven't got a chance."
"Of course you do. You decided to come to my shelter, didn't you?"
"I did that while he was away. If he'd been here, he'd have found a way to talk me out of it. He always does."
"What do you mean?"
"We're always having these discussions where I tell him what I think. Then he tells me what I ought to think. I tell him again what I think, and he begins to dismantle my argument piece by piece. When he's done, I have no choice but to agree with him even though I know I don't agree with him."
"Have you told him that?"
"No."
"Then I think you should. Say it very nicely, but make it clear you won't be argued out of your position."
Cynthia turned away and looked out over the mountain. "It won't work."
"You have to try. Otherwise, this whole weekend will be a waste. Your father has worked very hard to make it a success."
"Of course he has. This is what he does. He couldn't stop himself. It's how he thinks." She wrapped her arms around herself and turned back to Kathryn. "Ron Egan never fails. He can't afford to. It could ruin his reputation."
"That may be true in his business, but this is very different. He wants to help the others, but his real objective is to make things right with you."
"Then why did he stay away from me all evening then spend most of dinner talking to you?"
"Probably because you were sullen and refused to speak to him. Leigh told you as much." Kathryn reached out, took Cynthia's hand. "I know you're angry with your father, but I'm sure he's genuine in his desire to try to understand what you want. You know how helpful he's been to Kerry."
Kathryn's sympathy had gone out to Ron. She didn't know what it was like to face powerful men across the board table, but it couldn't be any worse than facing four sets of angry, resentful, bullheaded parents who'd already alienated their children and weren't the least bit reluctant to turn their anger on Ron.
She had tried to warn Ron he had set himself an impossible task, but she had to admit it was better to try and fail than not try at all. If nothing else, Cynthia would have a better notion of how difficult her father's work could be. It would be good for Cynthia to think of someone else besides herself.
Maybe he had used strong-arm tactics to get everybody here, but she was proud of him for having the courage to tackle a nearly impossible task. He kept up a brave front, but he couldn't hide his disappointment from her. She wanted to put her arms around him and tell him not to try so hard, that nobody could make people listen when they didn't want to.
That last thought showed Kathryn just how far her mind had changed with respect to Ron. She still believed he valued his career too much and his daughter too little, but he was proving he could learn from his mistakes.
"Your father thought if he gave you some space, maybe you'd lighten up and cut him a little slack."
Cynthia pulled away from Kathryn. "Daddy would never use a phrase like lighten up and cut him a little slack."
"Okay, so I paraphrased it. Another reason he stayed away was to help the other girls. He'd committed himself to coming up with solutions for everyone this weekend. He was just doing his