granddaughter of Sofia and Martin Fairchild. My father was Frederick Fairchild.”
“The writer.” Elizabeth exclaimed. “He was brilliant.”
Anthony looked stoic. “He was a great man and taken from us far too early in life. He had a great many stories left to tell. Martina is very much like her father. Perhaps it’s why we clash so often.”
“You’re not so bad, Uncle. I’m just too much of a free spirit for you.” She looked at the others. “Uncle Anthony is a lot like my grandfather. He’d like to see me spend my life in an office building. I prefer a little more freedom.”
“Martina, you’re rich. That doesn’t mean you have to be eccentric too.”
“To you, eccentric is anyone who doesn’t work in an office sixty hours a week. I have a job. I have three, actually.” She may not spend her life in an office, but she also didn’t spend her free time gambling like her uncle. It was his vice, and one that sometimes cost him dearly.
“Yes, I know. You’re great at all of them, and I don’t give you enough credit. I’m difficult and ornery. I can’t help it, and you put up with me because I’m family.”
“I put up with you because I love you, and I find you a challenge.”
“How’s my great-nephew?”
“Just like grandfather, won’t even consider the baby might be a girl.”
“I’m still not sure you’re all girl. You do business like a man.”
“Of which you and grandfather will forever be proud.”
“Damn right.”
“The baby is doing just fine.”
“Perfect. Fairchilds are strong stock. We don’t go down without a fight.” He kissed her on the head in a rare gesture of affection. “I’ll see you Friday at the benefit. Let me know if you need anything else. Do you need me to come back for the books?”
“No, I’ll give them to Jenna and Jack to take with them.”
“I have a meeting. I’ll try to come and see you again tonight.”
She didn’t want to know if the meeting was business or a card game. She was just happy they were on good terms. Today, anyway. “Thank you, Uncle.”
“We’ve been at odds for too long. You’re the only family I have. I’ll try to be more flexible.”
“I’d like that.”
He turned to leave, but glanced back. “You’re the richest woman in the state, couldn’t they give you a better room?”
“I’m fine right here.” She rolled her eyes at her uncle’s back, the door closing between them.
“I can’t believe you’re Martina Fairchild,” Jenna said with wonder.
“Oh, there’s more. It’s time I told you all exactly who I am. Open up the boxes.”
Jenna pulled out one of the Tina’s Travels books. “Why do you have these books?”
“Because the author promised she’d sign all of them for the benefit.” She smiled and waited for them to figure it out. She didn’t wait long.
“Oh my God. You’re Tina Fair, the author.” Jenna was even more stunned.
Everyone looked at Marti and waited for her to explain.
“I am Martina Fairchild, Tina Fair, and just plain Marti. I’m the granddaughter of a famous artist, daughter of a famous writer, granddaughter to a corporate mogul, and the niece to a grumpy bear of an uncle, who runs the corporate empire.
“I’m a children’s book author, a painter, a corporate mogul, a sailor, and so much more. I don’t give out my last name because as soon as I do people make all kinds of assumptions about me. They don’t take the time to get to know me past the part about my being rich.
“It’s the same for you, Jenna. If you introduce yourself as Jenna Merrick Turner, people know you own Merrick International and they automatically start cataloguing all the things they think they know about you. Elizabeth, I understand you’re a Hamilton. I’m sure people have heard that name and assumed a great many things based on your family history.
“Fairchild is just a name. It isn’t who I am, unless you get to know me and understand my place in the family. Then you can decide if you like me for who I am, and not based on my last name or how much money I have.”
“Was your uncle kidding about you being the richest woman in the state?” Jack was impressed because he thought Jenna was rich. The Fairchilds were in a class of their own.
“He would know. Everything is about dollars and cents for my uncle. It’s part of the reason he and I don’t see eye to eye. I don’t put a dollar value on everything.”