Andrew walked past her and she pushed the door closed behind him, strode to Earl’s desk, placed her hands on it, and glared at him. “You had no right.”
“I have every right. I’m the editor in chief here and it lacked substance.”
“I’m talking about putting the private information in there about Jaxon. That was off the record and just exactly how did you get it?”
“I’m the editor in chief, like I said. I have access to everyone’s computer. It was in your file containing research notes.”
“Didn’t you even wonder why I’d left it out, if it was in my file?” she shouted.
“No. I just figured you were in a damn big hurry. You have no clue what it’s like to write for a magazine. I polished it up for you. You should be thanking me.”
“Thanking you, for what? You ruined any chance I had with Roark,” she said and quickly blinked back tears.
“My heart bleeds. Just get out. You don’t need to be here any longer. Get your stuff and go.”
“You’re a real piece of work, Earl.” She leaned over the desk and looked him straight in the eye. “You will regret this.”
Spinning on her heel, she walked to the door, opened it then walked through and slammed it so hard that she was surprised the glass didn’t break. She walked to her desk, retrieved her purse from the bottom drawer, threw the last of her things into the box she’d been packing with her belongings, picked it up and without saying a word to anyone, she walked out of the offices to head for the elevators.
Once she stepped inside, and the doors closed, she leaned against the wall and slid to the floor as tears rolled down her face. When the doors opened again, she pushed herself up and exited then made what felt like a very long walk outside to her car. Unlocking the door, she set the box on the backseat then climbed into the front. She laid her head against the steering wheel and sobbed. She’d lost him. She’d lost the love of her life.
Pulling her cell phone from her purse, she tried calling Roark but it went straight to voicemail. She knew he wouldn’t answer if he saw the call was from her. She called her mother instead.
“Mom,” her voice cracked when she tried to speak.
“What is it, Cilla? Are you all right?”
“No. Can I come see you?”
“Of course you can, honey. I’ll get some tea ready for us.”
Priscilla almost laughed. Her mother thought tea was the cure all for everything. Driving out of the parking lot, she headed to her mother’s condominium in Santa Cruz. It would take her about forty minutes, but she needed her mom. When she finally pulled into her mother’s spare parking spot, she was on the verge of a full-blown hysterical cry, but pulled herself together, stepped from her car then walked to the door, and rang the bell. It opened almost immediately and the tears broke loose.
“Hi, honey. Oh dear, come in.” Jackie helped her inside and had her take a seat on the sofa. “Here’s your tea.” She handed Priscilla a cup.
Priscilla reached for it but she had to set it back down because her hands were shaking so badly. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
“Sorry for what, honey?” Jackie smoothed Priscilla’s hair in that motherly way that always seemed to soothe everything from bruised knees to being sick, but a broken heart was a very different hurt.
“Roark doesn’t want to marry me.”
“What? Why not?”
“Earl changed my article to include some stuff about Jaxon that Roark had told me in confidence.” She told her mother what Roark had told her about Jaxon and how she’d promised not to divulge it.
“But Earl put it in the article? How did he get it?”
“It was in research notes on my computer. He says he has access to all the computers and thought my article needed polishing so he added it without asking. Now Jaxon is hurt and mad at Roark. Then Roark called me and said we were done because I betrayed his trust.”
“You didn’t try to explain? I’m sure he’d listen.”
“No, he won’t. I tried to call him back but he won’t answer. Damn Earl Sanders. Now, I’m out of a job. I’ve lost Roark...and all because Earl thought I wasn’t good enough.”
“Then call Jaxon.”
“I don’t know that he’d listen either.”
“Try.”
“I suppose...I will in a few days. I’m sure he’s too angry at me right now.”
“Well, I’m calling Eric right now.” Jackie stood and reached for her phone.
“Who’s Eric?”
“Eric Fulton. He owns Western Cowboy magazine and I want him to know what Earl is doing.”
“Mom—”
“Hush, Cilla. This needs to be done. Earl can’t do this. He may be the editor in chief but he has no right to go into your files and add something without permission. Didn’t he even use his head that if it wasn’t in the article, it wasn’t supposed to be? It’s very possible Jaxon could even sue the magazine.”
“Wow, I hadn’t thought about that. Earl said he figured I was just in a damn big hurry and that I have no clue how to write for a magazine—” She quieted when her mother put her hand up.
“Eric? It’s Jackie. We need to discuss Sanders. He has done something completely despicable as well as hurt my daughter. I want his balls on a platter.”
For the first time since talking to Roark, Priscilla smiled as she listened to her mother tell Eric about Earl. Once she ended her call, she took a seat beside Priscilla on the sofa.
“He’s not at all happy. Earl has been a pain in the ass lately, according to Eric and this was the last straw. I’m so sorry, honey.”
“I know, Mom. Is there something between you and Earl that I’ve screwed up?”
“Ha! He wishes. No, I met him at a dinner I attended with Eric. Earl flirted with me but I never gave him any encouragement. I told Eric how much you’d like to write for the magazine so he had Earl call you. Earl had nothing to do with you getting the job. In fact, I suppose he’s been angry with Eric because he made him hire you when he wanted to hire his nephew instead.”
“I hate that man. I know I’m not supposed to hate but he is just a cruel man and now because of his interference, I’ve lost Roark,” Priscilla said then burst into tears.
“Give it a few days then call Jaxon. Start out by apologizing. He’ll listen, I’m sure.”
“Maybe it was my fault. If I’d deleted the stuff about Jaxon then Earl wouldn’t have seen it and put it in the magazine—”
“Stop blaming yourself, Cilla. Earl had no right to put that in the magazine. At least, not without checking with you first as to why you didn’t put it in there. It’s his responsibility to verify information too, you know. Call Jaxon in a few days and clear this up.”
Priscilla nodded but couldn’t say anything. What could she say? If Jaxon wouldn’t listen then she’d never have a chance of making Roark understand she hadn’t written that part of the article because he’d never answer any calls from her.
Chapter Thirteen
That weekend, Roark and Reid stood in the back room of the church waiting for the music to start before heading to the altar.
“Are you doing all right, Roark?” Reid asked him.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Really? I’m not going to argue with you but I can tell you’re not. I’m sorry about you and Priscilla.”
“It’s your day, Reid. Let’s not talk about me.”
“You’re miserable, Roark.” Reid leaned against the wall and folded his arms.
Roark blew out a breath. “I’ll get over it.”
“I doubt it—” Reid was cut off when the door opened and the priest stuck his head in.
“It’s time, Reid,” the man said then turned and walked off. Reid took a deep breath, put a hand on Roark’s shoulder, and gave it a squeeze. Roark nodded and the two of them followed the priest to the altar.
As they took their places, they looked to the back of the church when the music began. Roark stood beside Reid and waited for Lucy to reach them. She
looked beautiful as she made her way down the aisle. Priscilla would’ve looked even more so.
Stop thinking about her.
Roark hurt so much, he wished he were anywhere else but here right now. Seeing Lucy looking so happy and Reid so elated made him think of Priscilla and the wedding they were supposed to plan—until she’d lied to him. Damn it to hell.
When Reid chuckled from alongside him, Roark got his mind back on the wedding and grinned when he saw Zeke jumping down from the pew and running down the aisle to head off his mom.
“Mama?” he asked when he reached her and started hopping up and down.
Lucy’s veil moved and Roark was sure it was because she was blowing out a frustrated breath as she squatted down.
“Yes, baby?”
“Can I go home and ride Buttons now?” The guests laughed and Zeke glanced around.
“I told you that your daddy and I are going on a vacation so Aunt Cindy will have to take you.”
“Why can’t I go with you and Daddy?”
Roark chuckled as Lucy looked at Reid and raised an eyebrow as if to say, do you want to tell him? Reid laughed and shook his head.
“You’re going to stay with your aunt Cindy and we’ll pick you up in a few days. We’ll bring you something back.”
“A baby sister?” Zeke giggled and put his hand over his mouth. Reid burst out laughing but turned it into a cough when Lucy glared at him.
Roark slapped Reid on the shoulder. “You’ll need to work on that.”
“I’ll definitely do that.” Reid grinned.
They watched as Zeke galloped back to the pew to where his grandmother sat then crawled up on it, stood, and threw his hand up in the air.
“Hi, Daddy,” he called out.
Reid chuckled. “Hey, buddy.”
Roark grinned as he watched Zeke’s paternal grandmother, Estelle Albright, trying to get him to sit down and be quiet. Zeke shook his head and remained standing in the pew. Roark thought it was great that Lucy’s former in-laws came to her wedding. They knew the Callahans well, and were happy Lucy was marrying Reid. Roark knew Zeke would be happy that his widow had found love again, and with his best friend. Roark had hoped he’d have that one day only it didn’t look like it would ever be now, since the one woman he’d always love had lied to him.
At the reception, Roark stood at the back of the town hall, leaning against the wall, and watched Lucy and Reid dancing to Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. Taking a deep breath, he blew it out and looked around the room. Spotting Jaxon, he knew not to make his way there because his cousin hadn’t spoken to him since he’d called him about the magazine. Damn it. She’d promised not to use what he’d told her so why had she? He’d trusted her and she’d ripped his heart out. Of course, he was partly to blame since if he hadn’t told her about Jaxon then it wouldn’t have gotten printed, but then Roark wouldn’t know she couldn’t be trusted either. Better to find out now than after they were married.
He straightened up when he saw Devin walking toward him. Roark watched him stop and talk to a woman then made his way to him. Roark shook his head. Devin never turned down an opportunity to talk to a beautiful woman.
“Getting a date?” Roark teased.
“Nah, not yet anyway.” He leaned against the wall beside Roark. “You doin’ all right?”
“I guess. I hate that Jax is mad at me. I never should have told her something so personal.”
“True, but he’ll get over it. He never holds a grudge. He’s just hurt right now.”
“I’d never intentionally hurt him. He has to know that.”
“He knows that, Roark. Just give him a little time. He was pissed when he saw that article.” Devin shook his head. “I’ve never seen him so mad. I had to calm him down before he called you.”
“That was calm?”
Devin chuckled. “Compared to what he was. Yep.”
“I wanted to talk to him but hell...he won’t even look at me.”
“He’s hurt, Roark. Like I said, he’ll get over it. He loves you so hang in there.”
“I’ll try.” He pushed away from the wall. “I need to get back to the table. Once they come off the dance floor, I have to make a speech.” He grimaced making Devin laugh.
“Better you than me.” Devin slapped him on the back and made his way back to his table.
Roark watched as Lucy and Reid finished their dance and walked to the table to meet them. Each of them hugged him. When everyone sat down and the caterers had served the food, Roark stood and tapped his knife against his champagne flute. When everyone quieted down, he cleared his throat, and looked at Reid and Lucy.
“As best man, I’m expected to make a speech. I’m not very good at this but I do know love when I see it. These two here are meant to be together. Anyone looking at them can see that. It’s no secret that Reid has loved Lucy since he first saw her but it wasn’t their time then. Well, now it is, and I can’t express how happy I am that they found each other again. They’ve been through a lot with Lucy losing her first husband and Reid losing his best friend, but I think Zeke would be the first one to congratulate them. I’m positive he’s looking down and smiling. So...everyone please raise your glasses to this wonderful couple. Reid, Lucy, we wish you years of happiness, and get to work on that little sister it seems Z-man wants.”
Everyone laughed and raised their glasses to the happy couple. Roark took his seat and tried to eat his dinner, but it had no taste. Yes, he knew love when he saw it. He saw it when he looked at Priscilla but she’d broken his heart beyond repair. Taking a deep breath, he ate his meal and just wished the night would be over soon.
Later, he stood at the door and watched Reid and Lucy on the dance floor again. Devin stood beside him.
“I’m going to head home after I say goodbye to Reid and Lucy,” Roark said as he looked at them on the dance floor.
“I’m glad he’s happy. He loves Lucy more than anything,” Devin said as he watched them.
“Yeah, I hate that she lost Zeke but Reid’s always loved her and he’ll be good to her. He stayed away from her for years but I’m glad he’s finally home with her.”
“We all are.” Roark shook Devin’s hand. “I’ll see you later.”
Roark walked to the edge of the dance floor and waited for the song to end then he stepped forward to intercept Lucy and Reid.
“Hey you, I’m leaving.” He hugged Lucy. “I’m happy for both of you.”
“Thank you, Roark. I’m glad you were able to be here,” Lucy said.
Reid hugged him. “Thanks man. I’m sorry about you and Priscilla.”
“I’ll get past it.”
“I doubt it. Take it from someone who knows about leaving things unsaid...you need to talk to her.”
“I’ve said all there is to say. You two have a safe honeymoon and remember what I said about getting Z-man a baby sister.” He laughed when Lucy swatted at him.
Walking outside, the evening air was still hot. He looked up to see the moon hanging up in the sky lighting the way like a beacon. The night was beautiful, but it didn’t matter. His heart hurt and he missed Priscilla more than he could say, but he refused to call her. She’d betrayed his trust. He couldn’t forgive that. Sighing, he made his way to his truck, climbed in, and drove home to another long night alone and sleepless.
The next week, Roark was in the barn mucking out stalls when he heard his name called. He stepped from the stall and saw Jaxon barreling down on him. Hell, was he here to punch him out? Roark leaned the rake against the wall and tugged his gloves off then stuffed them into the back pocket of his jeans, folded his arms across his chest, and stared at his cousin.
“Jax,” he said nodding.
“Roark.” Jaxon gave him a nod then leaned against the wall, folded his arms across his chest, and stared at him.
“Look, Jax, I’m sorry—” He stopped when Jaxon held his hand up.
“No need to apologize. It’s over.”
Roark huffed out a relieved breath. “I’m glad you feel that way. I’d never hurt you intentionally, Jax. I shouldn’t have told her but I trusted her.”
“You love her.” Jaxon shrugged.
“For what good it does me.”
“Roark, go after her. Don’t let the love of your life go.”
“I can’t trust her.”
“It was off the record,” Jaxon said.
“It was but—wait—how did you know that?”
“She called me and told me.”
“And you believed her?”
“You sure don’t have much faith in the woman you love.”
“She could have just told you that for some other reason.”
“True but when Sanders called, I knew she told the truth. Hell, he’s the one I don’t trust. I don’t even think he did it to take the blame off her. I asked him why he called me and after a lot of hemming and hawing, he finally told me his boss, the owner of the magazine, told him to call me and apologize.”
“He did?” At Jaxon’s nod, he went on. “Did you accept his apology?”
“Hell no. I told him to fuck off and hung up. Go to California and bring Priscilla back to where she belongs. You love her and she loves you. She belongs here with you. Go.”
“If she’ll talk to me. I never even listened when she tried to tell me she didn’t know what I was talking about.”
“Just like I didn’t believe you when you said it either. She’ll forgive you because she loves you. I did. Now go!”
Roark hugged his cousin then they both strode from the barn. As he entered the house, he heard Jaxon’s truck start up then he headed for the shower, but stopped when his phone rang. He looked at it and saw it was a private number. Who?
“Hello?”
“Is this Roark Callahan?” a feminine voice asked.
“Yes, ma’am, who is this?”
“Jackie Butler, Priscilla’s mother.”
“Is something wrong with Priscilla?” His heart hit his stomach.
“Oh, no. I’m sorry, hon, didn’t mean to upset you worse. I just wanted to tell you that you need to call her. She didn’t put that information about Jaxon in the article.”
A Cowboy of Her Own Page 15