A Tradition of Pride Read Online Free PDF Page A

danced wickedly in his eyes. "I find it difficult to visualize you scrubbing floors, Mrs. Cochran."
    The comments were becoming too personal. Ignoring his remark, Lara adeptly changed the focus of attention. She smiled at her father seated at the head of the table, his dark auburn hair salted with gray.
    "A good portion of my time is spent deciphering and typing daddy's notes. Now that Trevor has taken over much of the office paperwork and you, Mr. MacQuade, have taken over the management of the farm, he has finally begun to fulfill an ambition that he's had for years. I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but daddy is writing a definitive book on growing pecans."
    "I'm trying, pet, I'm trying," her father corrected modestly. "I believe I mentioned it to you, didn't I, Rans?"
    "You said you were doing some writing, but you didn't indicate the subject matter."
    "I decided some years ago that it was time there was a book on the market that dealt with all facets of the pecan industry. Lara could see her father warming to his favorite subject and leaned back in her chair. "A composite type book that will deal with grafting and planting, diseases, methods of disease controls, harvesting, marketing and the advantages and disadvantages of the known varieties—most of it from the research and knowledge I have obtained over the years."
    "That is a challenging and demanding project," Rans observed.
    "I'm trying to do one phase at a time," Martin Alexander explained earnestly. "Right now I'm accumulating information on the various varieties. You are more familiar with the Texas varieties. Perhaps you could give me some assistance on them."
    "I'd be happy to."
    A catlike smile of contentment lifted the corners of Lara's mouth. Within moments the conversation consisted of an in-depth discussion on the various merits of different varieties over others. Information and opinions were freely exchanged throughout the rest of the meal.
    Once Lara accidentally encountered Rans's gaze. The satirical glitter in his eyes told her that he was aware she had manipulated the conversation to safer channels. It was disconcerting to learn that he had seen through her action so easily.
    Coffee was served with the dessert. When they had finished, Lara rose from her chair, knowing if it was up to her father, the two men would linger indefinitely at the table.
    "Daddy, why don't you take Mr. MacQuade into your study and offer him brandy?" she suggested.
    "Excellent idea," her father agreed enthusiastically. "Will you join us, Lara?"
    "No, thank you." A polite but firm smile of refusal on her lips. "I'll help Sara clear the table."
    When the dishes were finished, Lara avoided the study, choosing the solitude of the-living room. She wasn't really expected to join her father. He belonged to the old school that thought women should gather in one area to talk and leave the men to their important discussions. It was a decidedly archaic notion that women were incapable of intelligent conversation, but for the most part, Lara didn't care. She had reverted to the childhood practice of entertaining herself.
    With a crossword puzzle in hand, she switched the television set on. The movie being televised was a sugary romance. Lara watched half of it before impatiently turning it off. She couldn't accept, even as fiction, a love story where bells rang and rockets soared and the couple supposedly lived happily ever after. Her experience had made her too much of a cynic. The mystery novel in her bedroom offered more enjoyable entertainment.
    As she entered the hallway, a door opened and closed in the direction of her father's study. Lara glanced over her shoulder and paused politely at the sight of Rans MacQuade.
    "Are you leaving, Mr. MacQuade?" She watched the tall, muscular frame approaching. A shiver of apprehension danced along her arms.
    "Yes, I don't want to overstay my welcome," he answered in a low, courteous voice.
    "I know how much father enjoyed discussing