The Brightest Star - Fern Michaels Page 0,41

night.

“Dad, you know the World Wide Web? The Internet? Online shopping? You are aware of what this is, right?” She shot out the questions with more force than normal.

“Of course, I do. I’m not senile,” he answered.

Lauren questioned that at this very moment but went on. “The guy who started online shopping, John Giampalo, he wants me to write his biography. And I said yes.”

He stared at her but didn’t say a word.

He knew exactly who she was referring to. This was the stubborn side of her father showing, and thankfully, he didn’t let it appear too often.

But she was as stubborn as he was, and she could return the stare as long as he dared, knowing now that this was a battle of wills. “I know you know who he is. And for the record, I think you’re acting ridiculous. You too, Mother. If you don’t want to discuss it, fine. I’m going to bed. Someone has to run Razzle Dazzle, despite the dwindling sales. If you two will excuse me, I’m calling it a night.” Lauren dumped her half-eaten slice of pie into the garbage disposal, rinsed the plate off, and put it in the dishwasher. She felt their stares but was not going to give in. Her parents were dolls, but sometimes they acted like dolts. It was one of those times.

“Good night,” she called as she left the kitchen.

Upstairs, in the privacy of her own room, she mentally chastised herself for losing patience with her father, and her mother too, but at the same time, she felt justified. They were treating her like a child, and in doing so, they themselves were acting so childish.

“Heck with it,” she said, grabbing her laptop and plopping down on the bed. Feeling like a sulking teenager who had been sent to her room, Lauren logged on to the Internet and continued to research John Giampalo. She read several more articles and decided she liked the man already. He was quite the philanthropist, donating to dozens of charities, not to mention numerous social and humanitarian causes. A supporter of arts, culture, and education, John Giampalo had certainly shared his wealth, and it appeared that he truly tried to make a difference in the lives of so many. She read through at least a dozen more items, and all were positive. It seemed no one had a negative word to say about him. Lauren knew this was apt to change. He sounded like a decent guy, certainly intelligent enough to seize the moment when the World Wide Web was in its infancy. Lauren read yet another article and was surprised to discover John Giampalo was a University of Florida alumnus. Why she didn’t know that was beyond her, but in her opinion, it only added to his likability factor.

Lauren bookmarked several web pages to peruse later when she wasn’t so dog tired. She still had to contact the newspapers in the surrounding towns and place the ads she’d discussed with Brent. Having the ability to do this at home—using the Internet was so easy—she completed the task in minutes. If she’d called, as her father would have done, she would have been on the phone forever making sure the ads were correct. And she could not have done it until the morning. Why he couldn’t bring his life and her mother’s into this century continued to baffle her. Lauren would try to convince him this truly was the way of the future, but not now. She was completely wiped out. Slipping into a pair of flannel pajamas, she slid beneath the covers and was asleep within minutes.

Chapter 10

Lauren couldn’t believe what a good night’s sleep could do for one’s disposition. She’d gone to bed a bit ticked at her father’s stubbornness and her mother’s willingness to play along.

But it was a new day, and she decided that she would keep the details of her newly acquired contract to herself. Angela had sent her a copy of the book contract late last night, and she’d read through it this morning while she lingered in bed. Though it was so common in most households, she decided against revealing she had access to the Internet at home. That old saying “What you don’t know, won’t hurt you” could be applied in this case.

Lauren closed her laptop and quickly made up the bed. Twenty minutes later, she was showered, dressed, and sipping a cup of tea in the kitchen. Her parents were still sleeping. She