by Linda Warren
“Yes, but you’ve talked to her, right?”
“No, the decision is hers.”
“What!” Chance followed him like a pesky mosquito. “I’m not understanding any of this.”
“We’re trying to build a marriage on trust. Do you understand that?”
“Well, yes, but if we needed votes we should have waited for Kid.”
Cadde stopped and faced him. “Relax. I’ll handle the board meeting.”
They walked in and took their seats. Jessie’s seat was vacant. But all of Roscoe’s cronies were there: Percival, better known as Hooter Caldwell, Hubert Gillespie, Owen McGrew, Hank Parker, J. T. Hardeson and George Pettibone.
Hooter Caldwell chomped on his cigar. “What’s this meeting about, Cadde? We just had a board meeting.”
“Yeah,” Owen McGrew piped up, “you’re not bringing up those Louisiana leases again, are you?”
Cadde scooted his chair forward. “Roscoe held on to those leases for a reason, have you ever thought of that?”
“Roscoe was plumb crazy and I never understood him most of the time.”
“But you understood it when he made you money?”
“Hell, yeah.”
“Jessie’s not here,” Hooter commented. “Has she been notified of the meeting?”
“Yes,” Cadde replied with all the patience he had. “I live with her, remember?”
“That don’t amount to a plank of wood on a cold, freezing night.”
Cadde placed his hands on the table and stood, every muscle in him ready to pounce on Hooter as if he were no more than a cockroach. Everyone but Chance seemed to move their chairs back.
“I didn’t mean a thing.” Hooter chomped a little harder on his cigar. “I have a twisted sense of humor.”
“Yeah, Cadde, Hoot just flew in from Vegas and his mind’s a little muddled.” Hub Gillespie tried to smooth things over.
Cadde wasn’t letting it drop, though. “Because of Roscoe I’m honor bound to respect your positions on this board, but if another crack like that is made I’ll find a way to get your ass off this board. Roscoe left a lot of loopholes in your agreements—for his benefit, and I inherited them when I became CEO. I can bring in investors as I see fit and if I feel there is any insubordination by a board member, I have the power to remove him. If you don’t think I can, try me. Am I clear, Hooter?”
The man coughed and sputtered, as if he were choking. Owen hit him on the back and the cigar shot out onto the table. Without a word, Hooter reached for his handkerchief, wiped the table, and positioned the cigar back in his mouth.
“We’re clear, Cadde, mighty clear.”
Before Cadde could say another word, the door opened and Jessie walked in. Dressed in a dark business suit, heels, her hair pulled back into a knot, she looked like an entirely different person. But he knew her. He knew her body. Now he had to trust her.
“Sorry I’m late. I got caught in traffic.” She removed her sunglasses and took her seat across the table from him. “What are we talking about?”
“Cadde hasn’t said anything yet,” Hooter replied, placing a hand on Jessie’s arm. “And may I say, my dear, you look lovely.”
“Thank you,” Jessie said, easing her arm away.
Lecherous old man! Keep your hands off my wife.
“Let’s listen to what Cadde has to say then.”
He blinked, losing the gist of the conversation. All he wanted to do was punch Hooter, but he quickly collected himself and went into his spiel adding a lot about Roscoe and his way of doing business.
Complete silence followed his speech. The only sound was Barbara tapping away on her laptop, recording the minutes.
“I think this is something Daddy would do.” Jessie was the first to speak. “I vote yes.”
“Are you sure, Jessie?” Hooter asked, and reached for her arm again, but Jessie evaded him by standing.
“I’m very sure, and now I have to run.” She picked up her sunglasses and walked out of the room.
Cadde pushed to his feet. “Chance, take the vote. I have to speak to my wife.”
“What?” Chance was confused, but only for a second.
As Cadde strolled away, he heard Chance’s voice, “Anyone opposed to the proposal?” There was a slight pause and not a whimper of opposition. “Okay, boys, we’re invading Louisiana.”
Cadde hurried toward the elevator to catch Jessie, but she wasn’t there. She didn’t have time to go anywhere but… The apartment. He opened the door and there she was dressed in his white shirt. He closed the door and locked it, smiling.
All it had taken was trust…and honesty.
JESSIE LIVED IN A DREAMLIKE state. She was happier than she’d ever been in her life as they settled into marriage. At night the lights went off and she didn’t mind. She had Cadde’s arms around her. That was all she needed. They never mentioned the L word and she was okay with that, too. Their relationship had evolved and she had hopes it would continue to do so.
What surprised her the most was that Cadde was usually home by six and he spent weekends with her. He talked on the phone, used his laptop, but he was there and she didn’t feel so alone.
After two weeks Mirry came home. She still wore the doughnut thing and she was able to eat and drink. Mirry could stand but she didn’t move from the pillow Jessie had her on in her room. Gavin had said that she would eventually start walking again. It would take time.
In the past Gavin had never sent her a bill. She always mailed a check, though, hoping it covered his expenses. This time she received an enormous bill for Mirry’s operation and her stay at the clinic. She paid it. Maybe Gavin had finally gotten her message.
One morning she heard a whimpering sound.
She reached for the bedside lamp and turned it on. Mirry stood on all fours looking up at her. “Cadde.” She crawled out of bed, completely naked, and walked around the room. Mirry slowly followed. “Cadde, look, she’s walking.”
Cadde pushed up on his elbows. “Damn beautiful sight, too.” He was looking at her, not Mirry.
She gave him a long kiss. “I’m taking Mirry outside. She has to go pee.”
He frowned. “It’s barely five in the morning.”
“I know.” She reached for her cotton robe and slipped it on, tying the sash. “We won’t be long.”
Jessie carried Mirry downstairs and sat on the step while the dog did her business. Mirry sniffed the grass, the air and seemed to enjoy the warm early morning.
Suddenly, Cadde sat beside her.
She pushed back her hair. “Don’t you have to go to work?”
“Mmm.” He put his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder. “Just thought it wouldn’t hurt to witness a miracle.”
“She’s better, Cadde. She’s better.”
He stroked her hair. “And so are we.”
“Yeah.”
Cadde may not get the flowery words right, but he more than made up for it in his actions. If she loved him any more she was actually going to hurt. There was a softness in him that was hard to reach, but once it was exposed he was like a soft cuddle bear. She had a feeling the softness came from his mother.
She wondered like so many times in the past what qualities she got from her mother. She’d never know. Why was she thinking about it now when she was so happy?
Resting against Cadde, she felt at peace for the first time in forever. They watched Mirry taking awkward, sure steps in the grass.
Just like they were.
CADDE WAS KNEE-DEEP IN figures when Kid strolled into his office and slapped folders onto his desk. “All done, big brother, signed, sealed and delivered.”
“You got the leases signed that we needed?”
“Yep. Took some legwork and going through the deeds at the courthouse, but every owner I approached was willing to sign. Times are tough everywhere and the hope of extra money is a welcome green light.”
“Did you get them at the price we discussed?”
&nb
sp; “Yep. No one asked for more.” Kid placed a book on the desk. “Here’s the draft book.”
“You did a great job, Kid.”
“Hell, yeah, I did.” Kid plopped into a chair and propped his boots on the desk. “And what the hell am I doing running around busting my ass on these leases while you’re tearing up the agreement with Jessie?”
Cadde leaned back. “Chance told you?”
“Yes, and I can’t believe you jeopardized this whole project.”
“I didn’t want to start our marriage with that agreement hanging over our heads. I had to trust Jessie to make the right decision for herself and for Shilah.”
“What?”
“It’s called trust, Kid.”
“Who the hell are you?” Kid jumped to his feet. “Where’s Cadde, my brother whose focus is the oil business and only the oil business?”
Cadde leaned forward. “I’ve changed. My priorities are split between family and business.”
“Oh, God, I need a drink. I can’t take this on a sober stomach.”
Cadde picked up his pen. “I’m sure you can find someone to keep you company.”
“It used to be my brothers, but now all they talk about is marriage, babies and trust. God, I need a stiff one.”
“Have fun. You’ve earned it.”
“You bet I have and this night is not going to be about trust. It’s going to be about having one helluva good time.”
“I never thought otherwise.”
With his hand on the door, Kid paused and turned back. “I’ve been eating crawfish with beer three times a day in Louisiana so I might be a little punch-drunk already. But I’m happy you and Jessie have found some sort of balance.”
“Thanks, Kid.”
Cadde shook his head, wondering if Kid would ever grow up. And if there was a woman alive who could put up with him on a daily basis.
Smiling, he reached for the draft book and unlocked the bottom drawer on his desk. Placing it inside, he spotted a brown folder at the back. He’d never noticed that before and he pulled it out. A pink string held it together.
What was this?
Slowly, he undid the bowknot and opened the folder. An eight-by-ten glossy photo of a woman in a string bikini jumped out at him. Her long dark hair flowed over her shoulder and her olive complexion was smooth and silky. Jessie. She looked like Jessie but Cadde knew it wasn’t. Jessie was much more beautiful.
More photos followed of Roscoe and the woman, the woman and Roscoe with a baby and more of just the woman and a baby. Without a doubt, he knew this was Jessie’s mother. As he turned over the last photo, he found a sticky note. On it was written: Cadde, use this information as you see fit. Roscoe.
What the hell?
Then he began to read what looked like a letter to Jessie.
You’ve asked me so many times about your mother and I couldn’t tell you the truth. I just couldn’t, but I couldn’t die with that lie on my conscience.
I met your mother in Vegas. Her name is Angela Martinez. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. She was also a stripper. After spending a week with her, I offered her fifty thousand dollars if she would give me a child. I was forty-seven years old and she was twenty-one, but that didn’t matter. I wanted a child. She took the money and we came back to Texas. Her family was poor and she was stripping to pay the rent. I knew the money would be a temptation she couldn’t resist.
She became pregnant almost immediately. The day you were born was the happiest day of my life. I believe Angela was happy, too. But then her family started calling. They needed money. To keep Angela with us, I sent them twenty thousand more dollars. That didn’t last long. They were calling again. I told Angela she had to choose—us or her no good family. She left the next day with you. The moment I found out I was on a plane to Vegas to get you. She would not take you from me.
But she tried once again to steal you when you were eighteen months old. Aunt Helen kept you while Al and I worked. Angela somehow snatched you while you slept and Helen was in another room. I once again flew to Vegas and this time I told Angela if she ever came back to Texas I would kill her and she knew I meant it.
I never heard from her again and that’s just as well. You’re my kid and no way on God’s green earth was she taking you from me. When Crissy was kidnapped, I feared it was Angela trying to get back at me. But the police checked and Crissy wasn’t with Angela. The police said she’d married. I guess she moved on without us.
Every day of your life I feared Angela was going to take you from me. The guards had a lot to do with Crissy but a lot to do with Angela, too. No way was I letting her have any contact with you. She wasn’t taking the one thing I treasured most on this earth.
A lot of what I did was wrong, but I wasn’t letting you live in a run-down neighborhood with a stripper for a mother. Sometimes we have to make choices and I stand by every one I made. I love you, baby, and I know you’ll forgive me because that’s just the way you are. I know you’ve wondered many times about qualities you got from your mother. Your love of animals you got from her. I had to pay to bring a mangy dog and cat from Vegas and she treated them like babies.
I wish I could have told you this when I was alive, but, baby, talking about Angela was not an easy subject for me. I know I manipulated the situation to my benefit and I also got the greatest reward—you. That, Jessie, I will never regret.
Love, with all my heart, Daddy.
Cadde just stared at the words on the paper, unable to do anything but think about how this was going to affect Jessie. He’d never understood the tight security on Jessie after so many years. Now he knew. Roscoe did not want Angela to take Jessie, and if Jessie was older she might choose her mother over Roscoe.
Good God! How did he deal with this? How did he tell Jessie? How could he not? A marriage based on trust wasn’t going anywhere if he kept things from her. And Jessie craved information about her mother.
He reached for his cell and punched in a number. “Chip, I need all the information you can get me on Angela Martinez from Las Vegas, Nevada.” Chip was a computer whiz kid who worked for Shilah. He’d find whatever Cadde needed to know about Jessie’s mother.
Now he waited.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
JESSIE OPENED THE BOX and read the instructions. It had been a month since she and Cadde had had sex for the first time. She was fudging…a little. Three weeks and four days was more accurate, but she couldn’t wait any longer. She’d bought a pregnancy test.
Mirry looked up at her. “I have to pee on a stick, Mirry, so you might not want to watch this.”
The dog slowly made her way back to her soft pillow.
Jessie did the test and laid it flat on the bathroom vanity. Staring at the result window, she crossed her fingers and hoped for two pink lines.
“Jessie.” She heard Cadde calling. “Where are you?”
“Upstairs!” she shouted.
“Come down. I need to talk to you.”
What! There was something serious in his deep voice that hadn’t been there this morning. She was torn between hurrying down to see Cadde and waiting the appropriate time for the test results.
“Can it wait a minute?”
“No. It’s important.”
That didn’t sound good. She gave the test one last look and ran downstairs.
She found Cadde in her father’s study, pacing. By the scowl on his handsome face she knew something was wrong. It had to be about Shilah and it had to be the reason he was home so early.
To soothe her jittery nerves, she went into his arms and hugged him. Smiling, she glanced up at him. “What is it?”
He took her lips in a long kiss and she sighed in contentment. How could she love one person so much? She ached when he wasn’t with her.
Suddenly, he stepped back. “I’m getting sidetracked. We have to talk.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “Getting sidetracked is much more fun.”
“Yeah, but…”
“Did something go wrong with the Louisiana leases?”
“No, everything is moving forward.”
She stared at his hatless head. “Did you lose your hat again?”
“No. It’s in the truck.”
“Come on, Cadde, you’re scaring me. What is it?”
“Okay.” He held up both hands. “I found something that your father meant for me to find.”
The jittery nerves returned full force. “What?”
“It’s more or less a letter to you.”
Her panic eased a little. “When I was small and he was away for any length of time, he’d write me letters. Is it a letter that got lost in the mail?”
“No. This is serious.” Cadde took her hand and led her around the big desk and gently pushed her into her father’s chair. The putrid scent of cigars lingered—a reminder of her father.
A brown folder tied with a pink string lay in front of her. Cadde touched it. “This is what I found.”
She reached for the string and Cadde caught her hand once again. “Please read what’s inside with an open mind.”
Her stomach clenched. There was no doubt that the contents were going to change her life. A part of her wanted to not open it, the other part had her reaching for the string. She jumped back in the chair as an almost nude woman stared at her.
“Who is that?”
“Your mother,” Cadde replied, and confirmed what she already suspected.
“Oh, my God! Oh, my God!” She held her hands against her mouth in shock. Recovering quickly, she rifled through the other photos, hardly able to take her eyes off the smiling dark-haired woman. Her stomach clenched tighter as she read the letter.
For so many years she’d wondered and the truth was nothing like she’d imagined. Her mother was a stripper who her father had paid to have his child. She was that child. All the protection, the sheltering and smothering was to keep her from having any contact with Angela—her mother. And…and…
She quickly closed the folder, snatched it up and ran from the room.
“Jessie!”
She didn’t stop. She rushed into her room, slammed the door and locked it. Sliding to the floor, she held the folder to her chest.