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He was so close Penny had to lean against the desk in order to tilt her head back far enough to look at his face.
"Your inability to stay here? What about my inability to allow you to stay here? I don't want to be married-to you or to anyone else. I don't need your help, Mr. Owens. Nor do I want you to remain at my ranch. I could never allow a man who carries such low regard for women to remain in my presence."
"Low regard for women? I'll have you know, Miss Jordan, I have a very high regard for women, especially those who know what their role is! But that has nothing to do with the reason I can't remain here. I have a business to run in Pennsylvania. I have family there. I have commitments there. I have my life there!"
"Please, Mr. Owens, we both know you haven't paid attention to your business, family, or life in Pennsylvania for almost a year now. You haven't cared about anyone or anything. You've been too busy wallowing in self-pity. Let me tell you something, Mr. Owens, death is part of life, get over it."
"Get over it?" Jace had never wanted to strike a woman before, but right now, he had a great desire to do so. No, on second thought, right now he wished Penny Jordan was a man so he could punch that little, freckle-covered, nose.
"Yes, get over it! Quit being a burden to everyone around you! I for one, Mr. Owens, do not need another problem and that's just what you are, another problem."