Snowbound - Harlequin.com

262 SNOWBOUND
straight, her demeanor dignified. “Scripps College. It’s
really small…”
“And a women’s college.” Fiona nodded. “I know
of it.”
“I don’t know how to tell my parents, but that’s
where I want to go. Because it’s small. Students were
really friendly when I visited. I felt like I belonged. At
Stanford I felt small and unimportant.”
“Have you told your parents that?” Fiona asked gently.
Her black hair shimmered when she shook her head.
“They took you to visit Scripps.”
“Actually we went to see Pomona. You know, they’re
right next to each other. But it’s a bigger deal. So, while
we were there we toured Scripps and Claremont and
Harvey Mudd. They all kind of share facilities, and
students can take classes at any of the colleges.”
Fiona nodded again.
Erin looked down at her hands, pressed flat on the
desk. “I didn’t tell them I’d applied to Scripps instead
of Pomona.”
“Ah.”
Her eyes were filled with desperation when she
looked up. “So you see…”
“I don’t know your parents well, but they have
always seemed to want the best for you.”
Erin bit her lip. “That’s why…”
“Have they ever given you reason to think that they
wouldn’t be happy with what you think is best for you?”
That seemed to confuse Erin for a moment. “No-o,”
she finally said, doubtfully. “They just were so excited
when I got the acceptance from Stanford.”