“Does Don King need a hair transplant?”
There was a moment of silence before deep, rumbling laughter filled the sedan. Those who were familiar with Sheldon Blackstone would have been stunned by the sound, because it had been nearly twenty years since they’d heard his unrestrained laughter. He hadn’t laughed out loud since he’d become a widower.
Renee found Sheldon’s laughter infectious. She joined him, and within seconds they were laughing so hard he was forced to pull over onto the shoulder of the road.
Sheldon was still smiling as he rested an arm over the back of the passenger seat. Sobering, he gave Renee a long, penetrating look and marveled that she could laugh given her circumstances. She’d walked away from a position, one in which she’d been paid well, to work on a farm because a man she’d lived with had betrayed her.
Life had dealt her two losing hands when it came to men; first her father, then her lover. Had Renee been unlucky in love or had she unconsciously fallen in love with a lover with the same failings as her father?
In another five months she would deliver a baby and he wondered whether Renee would change her mind and contact her ex to inform him that he had become a father?
The questions bombarded Sheldon as his expression changed, growing tight with a realization he did not want to think about. There was something about Renee Wilson that reminded him of his late wife, something that evoked emotions he hadn’t felt since he was seventeen.
An hour after he’d been introduced to Julia he’d known he wanted to marry her. But he didn’t want to marry again. The truth was he wouldn’t risk his heart again to the devastation he’d felt when Julia had died. He had failed Julia as a husband and he’d long ago vowed that he would never make that mistake again. He could not propose marriage to Renee as he had with Julia, but he intended to offer her and her child his protection as long as she was a resident of Blackstone Farms. He would do no less for any employee.
He removed his arm from her seat, put the car in gear and headed for downtown Staunton.
Sheldon escorted Renee into Shorty’s Diner. The popular restaurant on Richmond Road had become a favorite with locals and tourists. All stainless steel with neon lights and colorful glass, it was an exact replica of a 1950s jukebox. They were seated at the last remaining table and given menus.
Sheldon watched Renee as she looked around. “It’s not fancy, but the food is good.”
“Fancy doesn’t always mean good,” she countered. “I once ate at a Miami Beach restaurant, which will remain nameless, whose construction costs exceeded three million dollars. The food was horrific.”
“Are they still open?”
“Unfortunately, yes. People go there because the owner paid off the food critic, and right now it’s the place to go to be seen. The paparazzi hang around every night, hoping to get a glimpse of the celebrities who congregate there.”
Reaching across the table, Sheldon placed a hand on Renee’s, tightening his hold when she attempted to extract her fingers. “Do you miss Miami?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. When she opened them she gave him a direct stare. “No, I don’t. Once I decided to leave I knew I’d never go back.”
He eased his grip, but did not release her hand. “What do you want?”
A slight frown furrowed her smooth forehead. “What do you mean?”
“What do you want for yourself? Your future?”
Renee could feel Sheldon’s sharp eyes boring into her. His gaze was penetrating, but there was also something lazily seductive in the look. It had only taken twenty-four hours to feel the seductive pull of his spell. And if she hadn’t needed a job or a place to live she would’ve driven away from Blackstone Farms and its owner minutes after coming face-to-face with him. Yet there was something in the light gray eyes that communicated that she could trust him to protect her and her child.
“I want to complete my probationary period without mishap, move into my own bungalow, go to law school and give birth to a healthy son or daughter. Not necessarily in that order,” she added with an enchanting, dimpled smile.
A network of attractive lines fanned out around Sheldon’s luminous eyes. “I certainly can help you with your probationary status. I’ll tell Jeremy to waive your probationary clause.”
“You can do that?”
Sheldon removed his hand. His strong jaw tensed. “I can. Besides, you don’t need any added stress in your life at this time.”
Renee was hard-pressed not to kiss him. A warm glow flowed through her as her features became more animated. “Thank you, Sheldon.”
He angled his head and gave her a sensual smile. “You’re welcome, Renee.” There was a pulse beat of silence before he asked, “Are you hungry?”
She shook her head. “No. I can wait for dinner.”
He closed the plastic-covered binder. “Then we’ll have some ice cream.”
Renee and Sheldon returned to Blackstone Farms to find Ryan sitting on the porch waiting for them. He’d changed out of his suit and into a pair of jeans, boots and a cotton V-neck sweater. He rose to his feet, his expression grim. He handed Sheldon a large manila envelope.
“I thought you should see this before it’s aired later on tonight on ESPN. There’s no doubt it will also appear in the Virginian-Pilot.”
Renee turned to make her way into the house, but Ryan reached out and touched her arm. “You should also see this, Renee.”
She hadn’t realized her heart was pumping wildly until she saw the photograph of her and Sheldon locked in a passionate embrace in the box at Great Meadow. The picture was taken at the exact moment she’d put her arms around his neck. The kiss had only lasted seconds, but the image of her kissing the owner of Blackstone Farms would last forever.
“Who gave this to you?” Sheldon had spoken to his son, while his gaze was fixed on Renee’s shocked expression.
“Eddie Ray.”
Sheldon shifted his attention on Ryan. “Are you certain it’s going to be televised?”
Ryan nodded. “Eddie freelances for several tabloids and he loves uncovering scandals.”
“There is no scandal,” Sheldon retorted. The scowl marring his handsome face vanished as he stared at Renee. “I’m sorry to have put you in a compromising position.”
Renee’s smile belied her uneasiness. “Don’t beat up on yourself. Neither of us can undo what has already been done.”
She peered closely at the photograph. Only her profile was discernible, but the diamond studs Donald had given her as a graduation gift glittered in her lobes. Biting down on her lower lip, she prayed no one would recognize her in the arms of the man who owned Virginia’s most celebrated African-American horse farm—especially Donald Rush.
She had left Florida believing Donald would never follow her; but what if he linked her to Sheldon Blackstone of Blackstone Farms and uncovered that the child she carried was his? Despite his deception, would he be vindictive enough to wage a legal battle for custody? There was no way she could win against a man who had amassed millions of dollars as a toy manufacturer. Unshed tears glistened in her eyes.
“I have to go inside.” She had to get away from Ryan and Sheldon before she embarrassed herself.
Sheldon watched the screen door open and close behind Renee’s departing figure. He waited a full minute, then let loose with a diatribe that included what he wanted to do to Eddie Ray.
Ryan slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans, rocking back on his heels. “Folks outside the farm are going to want to know who the mystery woman is.”
“Who she is is none of their damn business!”
“There’s already been talk, Pop.”
“What about?” Sheldon snapped angrily.
“About you and Renee. You were all over her las
t night like white on rice, and today at the track the two of you looked like a…” His words trailed off.
“We looked like what?”
Ryan ignored his father’s angry glare. “A couple.”
“Is that how you see us, Ryan? As a couple?”
The veterinarian gave a sheepish grin. “From what I’ve seen of the two of you—yes.”
Sheldon put the photograph into the envelope and thrust it at Ryan. “Go home to your wife and children,” he drawled. Turning, he pushed open the screen door and walked into his house.
He had to talk to Renee and reassure her that he would do everything in his power to protect her from salacious gossip. Horse farms had all of the characteristics of a small town. Any rumor was a prerequisite for scandal. Climbing the staircase to the second floor, he made his way along the hallway. Her bedroom door stood open. He rapped lightly. There was no response; he knocked again, then walked in.
Renee sat on a chair in the sitting room, her bare feet resting on a matching footstool. Although her eyes were closed, he knew she was not asleep.
“Renee?”
Her eyes opened and she stared at him as if he were a stranger. Her lower lip trembled as she smiled through the moisture shimmering in her gold-brown eyes. “I’m okay,” she lied smoothly.
The truth was she wasn’t okay, because if Donald saw the photograph he would know the identity of the woman in Sheldon Blackstone’s arms.
Sheldon did not believe Renee. She looked delicate, vulnerable. He moved closer, reached down and pulled her gently off the chair. He gathered her to his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head.
“What are you afraid of, Renee?”
She tried to slow down her runaway heartbeat. “What makes you think I’m afraid?”
“You’re trembling.”
The possibility that Donald would attempt to contact her at Blackstone Farms held her captive with fear. “I don’t want him to find me,” she sobbed against Sheldon’s chest.
Cradling her face between his palms, he kissed her eyelids, his tongue capturing the moisture streaking her cheeks. “Don’t cry, baby.” She quieted as he comforted her, his hand moving over her spine. “Who is he, princess?”
She sighed softly. “His name is Donald Rush.”
“What does he do?”
“He’s a successful toy manufacturer.”
Easing back, Sheldon anchored a hand under her chin and raised her tear-stained face. “You will be safe here. No one, and I mean no one, can come onto the property without being detected. And if he comes after you, then we’ll have a surprise for him.”
“What?”
“He’ll be shot for trespassing.”
Renee smiled despite her anxiety. “I hope it won’t come to that.”
“The decision will be his. Enough about Donald Rush.” A frown settled into his features. “Now, we have to talk about you and me.”
Her eyes widened. “What about us?”
“Ryan reports there’s been gossip about us being a couple.”
Her mouth dropped open. “But we’re not,” she said, recovering her voice.
“We know that. But, what’s going to happen once your condition becomes evident?”
Pulling out of Sheldon’s loose embrace, Renee walked over to a window and stared down at the leaves of a towering tree that had turned a brilliant red-orange. She turned and met his gaze.
“You think they’ll believe I’m carrying your baby?”
Sheldon closed the distance between them. “I’m certain some people will believe that.”
“What are we going to do, Sheldon?”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Let them believe whatever they want.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You don’t care?”
“No. I stopped listening to gossip a long time ago.”
“What do you propose?” Renee asked.
“Let me take care of you,” Sheldon said without hesitating.
Renee’s mind was spinning in bewilderment. Why was Sheldon giving her double messages? He’d said they weren’t a couple—and they weren’t. Then in the next breath he’d offered to take care of her.
“How?”
“Live here with me until the spring and become my hostess at all social events on and off the farm.”
Her eyelids fluttered, her emotions spun out of control and she tried to digest his proposition. Not only would she work for Sheldon, but she would also live with him beyond the time he had projected her bungalow would be ready for occupancy. She would also become an actress whenever she stepped into a role as his date at social functions.
“Will this arrangement be on a strictly business level?”
Sheldon studied Renee thoughtfully for a moment. His eyes drank in her delicate face, unaware of the smoldering invitation in their silvery depths.
“It would be if I were your boss,” he said in a deep, quiet voice.
She blinked once. “But you are my boss.”
“Effective midnight, October thirty-first, I will officially retire as CEO of Blackstone Farms.”
“But that’s next week.” There was no mistaking the shock in her voice.
Sheldon nodded. “I can’t ask you to host a party for me if I’m your boss. That would be slimy and unethical.”
Let me take care of you. His words came rushing back, and Renee stared at the man who within twenty-four hours had offered her what neither her father nor Donald had or could: his protection.
Tilting her chin in a defiant gesture, Renee gave him a challenging look. “You didn’t answer my question, Mr. Sheldon Blackstone. Business or pleasure?”
He leaned in close, close enough for his breath to caress her cheek. “That decision will have to be yours, Miss Renee Wilson.”
Renee felt in control for the first time since viewing the photograph. Sheldon was so compelling that her heart fluttered wildly in her breast. His nearness was overwhelming, presence potent.
Smiling, she said softly, “Strictly business.”
Sheldon nodded, dipped his head and brushed his mouth over hers. He pulled back. “Business it is.”
Renee stood, rooted to the spot as Sheldon turned and walked out of her bedroom. Once she realized what she’d agreed to, she floated down to the armchair and rested her bare feet on the tapestry footstool.
Living at Blackstone Farms would give her a chance to heal as she prepared for a new life for herself and her unborn child. However, she had to be very careful, because she had no intention of permitting herself to succumb to Sheldon Blackstone’s intoxicatingly sensual spell.
Chapter Four
The televised footage of the International Gold Cup and the image of her kissing Sheldon were both aired on ESPN, compounding her anxiety that Donald might recognize her.
Renee existed in a state of fear, believing that Donald would show up at Blackstone Farms demanding to see her. One day became two and eventually a week before she was finally able to relax.
She found the cooler morning and evening temperatures a welcome respite from Miami’s sultry heat and humidity, and the task of bringing Blackstone Farms into the electronic age challenging. It had taken a day to set up a system for an electronic payroll procedure and two more to program a database for purchase orders. Her respect for Sheldon increased appreciably once she realized the amount of money needed for a horse farm’s viability. And despite the glitter and glamour of pre-and post-race parties the behind-the-scenes work was ongoing: feeding, grooming and exercising thirty-four Thoroughbreds, mucking out stalls, daily medical checkups for lameness and other equine maladies and the repair of paddocks and posts.
A knock on her office door garnered her attention. Swivel
ing on her chair, she saw Sheldon’s broad shoulders filling out the doorway. Dressed in a pair of jeans, boots and pullover sweater, he presented a formidable figure in black.
She gave him a bright smile. “Good afternoon.”
Sheldon winked at her. “Good afternoon. I came to tell you that Kelly has recruited us to help make jack-o’-lanterns.”
It was Friday, Halloween and an official Blackstone Farms school holiday. The faculty and staff had organized a read-a-thon for students, in grades four to six, reading from the works of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe and J.K. Rowling.
Renee raised her eyebrows. “I’ve never made a jack-o’-lantern.”
Sheldon studied Renee. He’d found her fresh-scrubbed face and her hair piled haphazardly atop her head innocently alluring. The image of her in his bed and her hair spread over his pillow popped into his head and popped out just as quickly. He did not want to lump her into the category of the other women who’d shared his bed, but would never share his life.
He had deliberately avoided her because he needed to know whether he was attracted to her because of her feminine sensuality or because he really liked Renee Wilson.
Even though he had kept his distance, he still could not stop thinking about her. It was October thirty-first, the day he intended to announce his retirement. After today, he intended to openly pursue her, hopefully satisfying his curiosity.
“It gets easier after you mutilate your first dozen or so.”
The dimples in her cheeks deepened as her smile widened. “What happens to the ones that don’t make it?”
“They become pies.”
She wrinkled her nose. “How very convenient. Give me a minute to save these files.”
Sheldon watched Renee shut down her computer and put her desk in order. If he had had any doubts as to her qualifications they were quickly dashed once she convinced Jeremy to set up the farm’s payroll account with a local bank that offered service-free accounts to new depositors. Actual payroll checks would be replaced with electronic transfers, thereby eliminating the need for paper.
The Blackstone Promise Page 4