by Debra Holt
Calla was in the crook of the L-shaped couch and unless she stood, he had her where she could not move away. Two manicured fingers reached out and lightly skimmed along the skin of her jawline before capturing her chin. He leaned in and kissed her. Barclay was a polished expert in kissing as he was in everything else. As the kiss had deepened, she had found a shred of sanity return and managed to still his hand as it slid under her skirt which had risen perilously high during the heat of the moment. For a second, she caught a look in his eyes that had shocked her in its resemblance to heated annoyance, but then it smoothed away, and she thought she might have imagined it. To his credit, he had not pushed the moment and the rest of their dinner and evening had been lovely.
There had been more evenings in San Antonio, all very quiet and secluded and he explained that he was keeping his feelings and their relationship quiet until the partners voted on her and brought her into the partnership. He assured her that the promotion was hers. She had more than earned the spot with the amount of work and billable hours and winning lawsuits she had chaired. Her life for the last six years had been theirs almost 24/7. Everything had been placed on hold and taken second place in her need to prove herself worthy of succeeding. Calla expected to be considered on her work merits and nothing else.
If there was any problem in her world, then it was the issue of sex between her and Barclay. It was becoming more difficult to keep saying no and to have him abide by it. He had made no bones about the fact he wanted her in his bed. She had made no bones about the fact that she wasn’t ready for that step… especially when she had seen no divorce decree in his hand. ‘The lawyers are negotiating terms. My ex is playing hardball and drawing this out to get more money.’ That had been his standard reply.
Then the day had come when there had been no more excuses, no more blinders. There had only been recriminations. It was the day the partners had met and made their decision on the newest junior partner. Calla and the other attorneys in the firm had been summoned to the main floor, expecting to hear the announcement.
The door opened, and Barclay, Senior, walked into the office with a woman holding to his arm. Calla first thought she was one of their clients. Her coal black hair perfectly coifed and a fair amount of really expensive jewelry complimented her designer outfit. It was an outfit that accentuated the fact she was obviously expecting. Barclay, Junior and Grant Meade, one of the other senior attorneys in the firm, came out of Barclay’s office at the same time. Total surprise registered on Barclay Junior’s face when he saw the pair.
“Perfect timing, I would say. Everyone is in the same place at the same time, so we might as well share the news now instead of waiting for the formal meeting this afternoon.” Barclay Senior’s smiles were few and far between, but he managed a half of one at the moment. “I’m pleased to say that we have extended the offer of a junior partnership in the firm to an attorney who has shown to be a valuable asset to our firm and will be a perfect fit to carry on the image of our group into the future. Congratulations, Grant. That corner office on the third floor is all yours.”
Calla had gone through the mechanics of clapping and smiling at the news with everyone else. She managed to avoid the pitying glances sent her way by office staff and the newer attorneys. Inside, her thoughts had been spinning like a top out of control. Grant had not come close to her productivity level for the firm. His track record in the courtroom was not stellar. Her eyes went to Barclay, the son, but the man would not look in her direction. Then the next shoe had fallen with an even louder thud.
“And for those of you who have not met this lady beside me, this is my beautiful daughter-in-law, Barclay’s wife, and the mother-to-be of my first grandchild… Lauren Kirkwood. She just returned to San Antonio from California...for good.”
The woman gave a tepid smile as she moved to join her husband, sliding her arm around his waist as he did the same to hers. Pouty red lips placed a kiss on his mouth in a brief moment. For just a second, Barclay had shot a glance to Calla. Then his eyes fled from hers. There had been no sign of the self-assured, take charge litigator that had wined and dined her in previous weeks. Calla made an excuse to the people around her, and while attention was on Grant and Lauren, she made her getaway to her office. Stepping inside, she didn’t bother to turn on the light, but went to her chair and slid down into it. Her life had imploded. The job that she deserved was gone. The man she thought Barclay was… well, it was clear his marriage was not what he represented. She felt used and a complete fool.
Barclay slipped into the office at that moment, his voice just above a whisper as he moved to stand in front of her desk, his hands going to its top as he leaned forward. “Let me explain, Calla. It’s not…”
“Not what? What it looks like?” She shot back. “Did Grant get the junior partnership that you told me was mine…yes or no?”
“Yes, but I fought for…”
“Next question. You and your very pregnant wife are not separated and not getting a divorce…yes or no?”
“It’s complicated. There’s the baby and…”
“Nothing complicated about it. Your father is pleased with your wife and the fact you are giving him a grandchild. You certainly wouldn’t want to rock the boat by having a tawdry little affair with one of the attorneys in your firm. I can’t believe what a silly fool I’ve been. I fell for a smooth line like an idiot. I’m just grateful that it wasn’t worse.”
“Don’t feel too bad… you weren’t the first to fall for my husband’s patent lines. Although, I must say you’re a cut above his usual conquests.” Lauren stood in the doorway. Switching on the light switch next to her, she moved into the room. Barclay had gone white as a sheet beneath his perpetual salon tan.
“And don’t worry dear,” she spoke as she looked at her husband with a cold smile on her features. “I just ordered a wonderful gift from Tiffany’s from you to me… to begin to make amends for this latest little transgression.”
“It wasn’t a transgression,” he spoke, finding his voice. “We never even had sex.”
“Really?” A fine eyebrow rose as the cold eyes landed on Calla. “Smart woman… keeping him on the hook until you got what you wanted. But I think we all know that your services to this firm won’t be needed in the future. I’m certain my father-in-law will back me up on that.”
Calla’s anger had stiffened her resolve and she had had enough of the whole sordid scene. Rising from her chair, she looked at the pair and slowly shook her head. “I can say that I’m the lucky one in this room right now. I managed to sidestep making the worst mistake of my life. No two people could be more suited to each other than the pair of you. And while this is still my office, you can both get out.”
Calla tossed the top cover off and turned on her side, begging sleep to come and for her brain to shut down. She had been made a fool of by a man who didn’t think twice about using her to further his own wants and desires. A smart lawyer in the courtroom, yet she had fallen for lies and empty promises outside it. Her hard work had been for nothing. She had simply lined the pockets of the firm and then had easily been cast aside without a second thought. Even without Barclay Junior’s overtures, Calla realized she would never have been given the junior partnership because Barclay Senior was determined that no female belonged on the partnership level in his firm. That was a fact that was cleverly hidden unless you were an insider. The rumors of his use of the women in the firm had not been empty as she had realized too late. Like father, like son.
She had left the firm with the excuse that she was needed by her family and that had been the truth. Three days after the debacle in her office, the news had come that her father had suffered a massive cerebral aneurism and died within moments. Her worlds, both professional and personal, had crashed around her all at the same time.
Those days had been ones of putting one foot in front of the other and doing whatever she had to do to keep her sisters together and to handle the business affairs of their fath
er. The darkness of those days had begun to lighten a little at a time. Each day, Calla had been able to hold her head higher and remember the person she was. And she had discovered an inner strength she never knew she had until she had to dig deep and draw upon it.
She had turned a corner and while it wasn’t in the direction she had set out upon, she had found another road to travel and she had learned a valuable lesson. Calla would never be any man’s fool again. She would rely on herself alone to chart her course. This certainly included Ty. That was the last thought in her brain when sleep finally came… Ty Conners and his kisses.
“I have to say that for once my little sister might have hit upon a great idea.” Davis McKenna shot a half-grin across the table at his sister, Darcy. The other pair at the table, Ty and Reid Powers, nodded in agreement. They were all having mid-morning coffee at The Diner on Main Street. Being the owner of said establishment, Darcy had given herself permission to take the coffee break when the three men sat down together.
“Thank you for agreeing with me. And the sooner we can get started on this, the better. The clock is ticking,” Darcy reminded them.
“Well, first things first, someone has to get the Rose sisters, most notably Calla Rose, on board with this plan.” Davis pointed out the fact while looking straight across the table at Ty.
“Why look at me?”
“You’re the mayor,” Darcy piped up. “Who else but you can speak officially on such a project? Besides, you must speak with the rest of the council, and then you can get right over to the Yellow Rose and talk her into it.” Darcy pushed the plate of fresh cinnamon rolls toward the mayor as if to sweeten the job duties. He didn’t take the offer.
“The council might not go for it.”
“They will jump all over it,” Reid spoke up, helping himself to another roll. “It’s a win-win situation. The Yellow Rose anniversary and grand re-opening coincides with a weekend long celebration with the whole town involved… it’s a tourist dollar cash cow.”
“Exactly why the Rose sisters might not go for it. Maybe they’ll think the town is infringing on their day and all.”
“You’ll never know until you ask her. You should do it this afternoon.” Darcy was relentless.
“No, I’ll do it tomorrow. This evening is the council meeting and we’ll have time to discuss it prior to the meeting. Then if they agree, I’ll go see her tomorrow.”
“You don’t need to sound so thrilled. You have a problem with the Rose sisters?” Davis gave the mayor a quiet look. One of his assessing looks that served him well in his work of being a lawman.
“No problem. It’s just we might have gotten off to a rocky start over a code violation, but that’s resolved.” Sure, it is. And don’t mention the mind-blowing kiss they had shared.
“She’s very open-minded and can understand it would only benefit everyone involved,” Darcy continued the thread. “Now that we have this great opportunity to host this caliber of rodeo competition here and we can bring in other activities for the weekend such as a carnival and arts and crafts shows and then have this super dance hall opening with J.D. Sterling… it’s a fantastic opportunity for everyone in McKenna Springs.”
“Maybe you should go sell it to her, Darcy.” Ty smiled at the enthusiasm.
“Sorry, Mr. Mayor, but that’s why we have you. Just be your charming self and you’ll talk her into it in nothing flat.”
Nothing flat. Ty remembered those words later and shook his head after leaving the council meeting. He tried to formulate his plan for approaching Calla Rose with the idea with the full blessing of the council behind him. He’d hate it if she panned the whole plan because of what happened between them at the dance hall. It was just a kiss. He shook his head again. It wasn’t just a kiss… it had rocked him in his boots and left him reeling. It had been a definite first for him to experience such an immediate reaction to kissing any female. But it had been made clear that she didn’t have the same mindset.
In fact, he wouldn’t be surprised if she ordered him off her property altogether. He would have liked to have given her a little more time to cool down before crossing her path again, but that wasn’t a choice he had any control over any longer. The clock was ticking and if this whole event was to come together, they needed to jump on it fast. He would have to squash his own feelings on the matter and remember he had a job to do in representing the council and the best interests of the townspeople. Keep it business.
It wasn’t that he minded an excuse to see Calla again so soon… just the opposite. As much as he tried to not think about her, she just seemed to intrude in his thoughts without warning. She was a beautiful woman. Those luminous gray eyes held secrets that he wanted to discover each time he gazed into them. And that led to wanting to feel those soft lips under his. Which led to other thoughts that simply would be best to put danger signs around. He had touched a nerve when he made the comment about the man who had done a number on her. He couldn’t help wondering just how close he had come to the truth. Whoever the man had been, he had been a major fool in more ways than one.
As for himself, if he were a smart man, he would heed the warnings and steer clear of the Yellow Rose and Calla and her sisters. But that wasn’t in the cards if they went along with the plan he was on his way to propose to them. He’d just take it one step at a time. And he would walk away when it was done. Why didn’t that feel as convincing as it should?
CHAPTER SEVEN
“You’re back.” The screen door of the house separated the two of them. Calla would keep it that way if she could. But Lily came along at that moment all sweetness and smiles and welcoming words. Ty Conners was shown into the parlor as if he was an honored guest.
“I don’t think we’ve properly met yet, but I’m Lily Rose. And I’ve heard a lot about you.” She offered her hand and he took it. “Please have a seat. Can I get you something cold to drink?”
Calla kept her distance, taking a perch on the corner of a chair across from the couch where the man had seated himself. She was perfectly content to allow her sister to fawn over the visitor and let her stay out of it. That was short-lived as the green gaze landed on her.
“I’m fine, thanks,” he responded. “I don’t want to interrupt your day too much, so I’ll get right to the reason I’m out here this morning. The council met last night, and discussion centered on an idea that had been presented to us by Darcy McKenna.
“We were offered an open date by the Tremayne Brothers… they’re one of the biggest stock contractors for pro-rodeos in the country. They just moved their base of operations outside Farris… in the next county to the west of us. Anyway, they’re willing to produce the rodeo here on the same weekend as you have your grand re-opening, ninetieth celebration. We… the council, that is…would like to make a big weekend out of both events, adding a carnival for the younger crowd and some arts and crafts booths and food concessions, and with J.D. Sterling performing here at the Yellow Rose, it can be a huge boost for everyone involved. But we felt we needed to speak with you ladies and see what your thoughts were on the subject.”
“Wow,” Lily grinned, not hesitating a second in response. “That sounds like a lot of fun.”
“It sounds like a lot of work… and expense to advertise it, people to do the extra labor, and…” Calla didn’t get to finish.
“And the council will handle the advertising, we have the social clubs willing to provide extra hands in whatever areas they are needed.” Ty cut in when it was apparent that Calla wasn’t as sold on the idea as her sister was. “You’ll benefit from this because as I said, all advertising for the events, including the dance and concert here at your hall, will be paid for through the council’s resources. We have some generous civic leaders who have pledged financial support and a newspaper donating ad spaces. All you have to do is what you were normally going to do. There will be a large crowd and local law enforcement will provide extra manpower that evening for you, also.”
“Sou
nds like you’ve thought of everything.” Calla eyed the man sitting so calmly in their parlor. He gave no indication he even remembered what happened the last time they were together. She supposed kissing women he barely knew wasn’t any sort of big deal to him. Typical arrogant male. Now he sat there expecting them to go right along with his wonderful plan. She was tired of men deciding things for her.
“It’s a good idea and good for the community as a whole to pool our resources and make this an event that will draw crowds to our town and help out all the merchants and townspeople here. But, I told the council, and I will tell you… if you have any reservations, then this is off the table.”
“You’ll not have the rodeo or carnival or any of the other events if we say no?”
“That’s not what I said,” Ty corrected her. “We’ll still have them, but our events will be separate.”
Lily didn’t stay silent. “As a business-minded person, the offer you make of combining our resources into one huge event makes the most sense. And it’s certainly better for our bottom line when it comes to things such as advertising and crowd control labor and such. Don’t you agree, Calla?” Lily shot her a look that let her know what she thought of her attitude.
Calla had to admit what her younger sister said was correct. As much as she would love to tell the man to get lost and take his ideas with him, it would be to their detriment to do so. Sometimes in business, you had to make deals with people you might not otherwise take on. This was clearly going to be one of those situations. The bottom line was that the dance hall needed… her father’s business deserved…to have another shot and huge send-off for another ninety years. She wouldn’t stand in that way, no matter what her personal feelings might be.