THE TEXAS RENEGADE REURNS

by Charlene Sands

  “My father won’t be too happy about the request. But don’t worry, I’ll find a way to locate the dress. If it’s still at the house, we will rush it here.”

  Every woman should have the wedding of their dreams. Yes, Gabriella would make do with a store-bought wedding dress. The most important thing was that she would marry the man who held her heart, but Cara saw Gabriella’s sad expression and the regret in her eyes when she spoke of her mother’s wedding gown. “It would be an amazing surprise for her. Please don’t mention it to her. Right now, she believes that we’re going dress shopping. And we will. I’ll make sure we have a backup dress for her, just in case, but as soon as you tell me the dress is in good shape and on its way, I’ll have a seamstress ready to do any last-minute adjustments.”

  “Cara...that’s...that’s a gesture my sister would treasure forever.” Alex eyed her with admiration. “I will help in any way.”

  “We can only try.”

  “I have only seen the dress in wedding photos. My father keeps one by his bedside at home, and I can understand why Gabriella would want to wear it.”

  “Do you think your father...” Oh, how she disliked speaking of the man who wanted to destroy her father’s company. “Do you think it would be too painful for him to see Gabriella in the dress?”

  Alex tilted his head to the side, thoughtful. “It may be difficult for him, yes, but he loves my sister. If Gabriella wants to marry a gringo in my mother’s dress, it will be done. I’ll make sure my father cooperates.”

  Cara’s shoulders stiffened. “Thank you. Could you also make sure your father doesn’t destroy Windsor Energy while you’re asking?”

  Alex’s lips thinned and he sighed. “I have made my position clear to him, Cara. I have explained to you that after our engagement I planned to confront my father and demand that he stop all proceedings to take over the company.”

  Cara wished she could believe the sincerity in his eyes and the resolve of his words. If only she had faith in Alex.

  They sat facing each other as moments ticked by.

  “Cara...” Alex’s rich voice settled over her. It was the same erotic tone he used to bend her to his will when they made love. It was the same deep penetrating voice he’d used while coaxing her into a mind-blowing orgasm the other day.

  “Don’t, Alex.”

  He nodded and lifted up from his seat. Her gaze rose along with him as he unfolded his body to stand to his full height. He moved like a cat, full of sleek grace and pinpoint agility. “I will let you know what I find out from my father.”

  Cara rose also, a little surprised and maybe disappointed that Alex gave up so easily. Was she a piece of work, getting what she’d asked only to want more from him? Was she that unsure of her feelings that she needed to know he wasn’t giving up, though she had no intention of giving in?

  “I’ll walk you out,” she said.

  Sidling up next to him, she meant to lead the way, but his hand slipped over hers, and he entwined their fingers. Her traitorous heart jumped from the thrill of his touch. She should’ve known he wouldn’t give up that easily. Part of her rejoiced, because losing a man like Alex del Toro wasn’t a claim to fame. Just the opposite.

  He drew her close and, as she lifted her face to his, their gazes locked. He smiled with his eyes and squeezed her hand gently. His gaze pierced something softer and more vulnerable inside her. Then one hand reached out to cup her chin and nudge it higher. He used the pad of his thumb to draw the outline of her mouth. It was the barest of touches and before she knew what was happening, Alex’s lips were on hers, giving her perhaps the sweetest kiss she’d ever received. He left an indelible mark on her when he pulled away, leaving her wanting more. “Don’t give up on me, Cara.”

  His beautiful deep brown eyes bore into her. “You don’t have to say anything. Just know that I’m here, wanting you. Whenever you are ready.”

  She swallowed then gave him a nod.

  “I’ll be in touch.”

  “T-thank you.”

  After she closed the door, she wondered if she was thanking him for the kiss or for helping her out with Gabriella’s wedding dress.

  She rested her head against the door and sighed.

  She honestly didn’t know.

  * * *

  Cara pushed food around on her plate. They were having Melanie McNamara’s favorite meal, Irish stew. She was sure her father’s chef had gotten it right.... Paul Windsor paid attention to detail when it came to courting his women, but Cara didn’t find the food appetizing or appealing.

  “Are you not feeling well tonight?” Melanie asked.

  Melanie wasn’t a bad person. Actually, of all the women her father had been involved with over the years, Melanie might just be the nicest. She was fortyish and had Sharon Osbourne–red hair and kind amber eyes.

  Paul reached over to take Melanie’s hand. “She’ll be just fine.”

  Cara nibbled on her lip, shifting her gaze away. Her father’s reassurance was for Melanie’s benefit.

  “Will you be?” Melanie asked, glancing at her with skepticism.

  Cara’s approval rating of her went up a notch. She was sensitive to Cara’s mood and seemed to truly care about her. Of course, that also might have had something to do with the fact that Melanie was a marriage and family counselor. That’s how her father hooked up with her in the first place. She’d counseled Dad with wife number three. It couldn’t be called a conflict of interest or deemed unsavory, according to her father, because he’d had one marriage in between and didn’t ask Melanie out until that fourth marriage ended.

  “If there’s anything you’d like to talk about, woman to woman, I’d be happy to listen. We could have a private talk,” Melanie said.

  Psychoanalysis was not on her agenda tonight, thank you very much. Although Melanie’s concern seemed genuine, Cara was certain her father had filled Melanie in on the details of her pitiful love life. Everyone in Maverick County knew something about the Santiago/Del Toro situation. Alex’s amnesia story had been all over the local news. The del Toro family made a big splash when they did something, and now most people knew about Alex’s betrayal and their breakup.

  Cara didn’t want pity, though her father didn’t exactly churn that out by the handful. Instead, he’d waved a dozen or so I-told-you-so fingers at her.

  “Thank you. That’s very sweet of you,” Cara said to Melanie. “But I’m okay. I’m just not very hungry tonight.”

  “But you will stay for dessert? We’re having crème brûlée,” her father said.

  After the rich dessert she’d had with Gabriella at lunch, she wasn’t going to subject her stomach to more sugar. It wasn’t good for the baby. So far, morning sickness hadn’t hit, and she didn’t want to tempt fate. She’d been lucky having no symptoms other than slight queasiness and sensitive breasts. All normal, she’d read, for a pregnant woman. “No dessert for me, Dad. But I’ll stay for a cup of tea.”

  His mouth curved into a satisfied smile. “Attagirl.”

  Cara returned his smile. Her dad could be a good father when he wasn’t talking business or looking over her shoulder at the work she did for the company. Often, she wondered if he would’ve rather had a son, a true heir to Windsor Energy who’d dive headfirst into the family business. Her father had never actually said that to her, but Cara always had a sinking suspicion deep down in her bones that her gender put her at a disadvantage. Telling him that she’d conceived Alex del Toro’s baby would not only send his blood pressure off the planet, it would be validation to his belief that having a son would’ve served him better.

  After the dessert was served, Cara rose and excused herself, giving Melanie a quick embrace. Her father graciously walked her to the door. “You are okay, aren’t you, Cara?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. Eager to climb into bed.”r />
  He sighed and flashed concerned eyes. “You’d think you were the middle-aged one.”

  “Maybe you’re the one who should act his age, Dad.”

  “What? You don’t like Melanie? She’s smart and—”

  “She’s great and I do like her. But my opinion has never mattered to you, Dad. You’ve never asked me about the women in your life. You just barreled into one marriage after another. But maybe this time you should get to know her a little better before jumping into a serious relationship.”

  Her father’s face reddened, a clear sign Cara had overstepped his goodwill. “You’re one to lecture me about relationships. Look at what happened with you and del Toro. That man was a real snake charmer and fooled you good. I won’t forget how much he hurt you, nearly destroying my company in the process.”

  It hurt hearing her dad put her in the same category with his company. Paul Windsor lived and breathed Windsor Energy, and Cara often wondered, of the two, which one mattered most to him. This was not a conversation Cara wanted to have tonight. Hindsight was twenty-twenty. She should’ve zipped her lips and said good-night rather than get into a sparring match with her dad. “I know you’re never going to forgive me for bringing Alex into the picture, Dad.”

  He shook his head. “That’s nonsense, Cara. I’ve never blamed you for that. I hate that del Toro broke your heart. I never liked him from the beginning and had my suspicions about him. You know I always have your best interests at heart.” He glanced toward the dining room and sighed. “I’ve got to get back to Melanie. Let’s not argue,” he said in a softer voice. The tiny blood veins that had colored his face were no longer visible. Controlled and dapper, Paul Windsor was back in true form. He placed a little peck on her cheek. “Sleep well, button. I love you.”

  The chill in Cara’s heart warmed a little. She had to face facts—her father would never change. He was as inflexible as granite on affairs of business and a man with an eye for the ladies, but he did love her. “I love you, too, Dad.”

  Cara left her father’s house and drove to her cottage. Once inside, she flopped down on the sofa, leaned her head against the back cushion and closed her eyes. The baby was sapping her energy lately. She needed more rest. Fatigue was typical in the first trimester, and Cara wasn’t going to wear herself out. She’d already had Gayle cut half of her social obligations for the next few months and she was hiring another assistant. No more twelve-hour workdays for her.

  She’d gotten away with making those changes without anyone questioning her motives. They all believed it was because she needed time to nurse her broken heart.

  Cara’s cell rang and she made a face. She let it keep on ringing, hoping that whoever was on the other end would hang up so she could go to sleep. Voice mail could do its job at ten-thirty in the evening. By the fourth ring, Cara’s curiosity got the better of her and she dived into her handbag, plucking up the phone. Alex’s face popped up on her screen. An intense wave of love swept through her and caught her completely off guard. Then she remembered Alex wasn’t her fiancé anymore, and those precious few moments were lost to her. She spoke a little too gruffly into the phone. “Hello, Alex.”

  “Cara...what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong, I’m fine,” she said sharply.

  “It doesn’t sound that way to me.” The smooth, understanding tone in his voice soothed her nerves. “Oh, baby, did you have another argument with your father tonight?”

  Tears she blamed on hormones welled in her eyes. Once upon a time, Cara trusted Alex and shared some of the disagreements she’d had with her dad while growing up. And lately, there were many things they didn’t see eye to eye on, especially her former relationship with Alex Santiago. That ranked highest on the list. “We didn’t argue. I had dinner with him and his girlfriend, but I wasn’t very hungry. I was just getting ready to turn in when you called.”

  “Sorry if I disturbed you, but it’s good to hear your voice.”

  It was good to hear his voice, too.

  Where was all of her blustering pain and anger when she needed it the most? Alex shouldn’t be able to release endorphins in her body anymore, yet an invasion of warm fuzzies began circulating.

  “I have some news about the wedding dress.”

  Cara raised her head from the sofa, hinging forward. “Good news, I hope.”

  “Very good news. I put in a call to our housekeeper at Las Cruces and she knew exactly where the dress was located. I gave her permission to unwrap the box and look the dress over. She was always close to Gabriella and was happy to help her. She said the gown is in very good condition. After my mother died, my father had it cleaned and preserved. It’ll be here the day after tomorrow. I’m having it sent directly to you, if that’s all right.”

  “Yes, that’s perfect! But what if your father doesn’t approve of her going behind his back? Will she be in any trouble?”

  “I assure you, she will not be held responsible. This is my doing, and I will handle my father.”

  “Then it’ll be a wonderful surprise for Gabriella. I know a dressmaker who’s a whiz at alterations. She knows the situation and will work day and night if necessary. It’ll be part of my gift to Gabriella.”

  “She will appreciate your efforts.” Gratitude poured out of his softly spoken words.

  “She’ll be a beautiful bride.”

  “Yes, she will be.”

  The conversation ebbed, and oddly, as tired as Cara was, she didn’t want it to end. “How are the plans going?”

  “I have arranged for food and drink and I have musicians coming for the ceremony.”

  Were they the same quartet of men who’d played for her during Alex’s engagement to her? The same men who’d serenaded her the night he swept her away from her office? “If it’s the same four who played for us, they were very good.”

  “It is not.”

  “Too short notice for them? Oh, that’s too bad. I’d imagine they’d be booked weeks in advance.”

  “I didn’t call them, Cara. Our engagement was very special to me...to us. Those memories are only for us to share.”

  Her eyes slid closed. He was saying all the right things. “Oh, Alex.”

  “I mean it, sweetheart.”

  Cara didn’t know what to say to that. The gesture filled her heart and she berated herself for believing him. For thinking that possibly he was telling the truth this time. The problem was, she didn’t know where fake Alex ended and the real Alex began.

  Her silence brought forth his deep sigh. “I can’t change what happened between us. If I could, I would. But I hope your heart tells you to give us another chance.”

  Cara nibbled on her lower lip. “This is very hard for me.”

  Queasiness rocked her belly and she didn’t think it was Baby del Toro causing the turmoil but rather the little one’s father. The icy walls of her resistance began slowly melting.

  “I know, Cara,” he said solemnly. And then in an upbeat tone, he offered, “At least I brought you good news tonight. We both want to see Chance and my sister married and happy.”

  “Yes, that’s true.”

  “I will see you soon. Sweet dreams to you.”

  Five

  Five days flew by and Cara had never been so organized or exhausted in her life. The wedding plans she’d helped Gabriella with were coming together nicely. While Gabriella confirmed that Alex had taken care of the essentials for the guests, Cara made sure the bride had everything she needed. She’d helped her pick out a small bouquet of white roses surrounded by baby’s breath from a wedding florist. They’d gone shoe shopping and found the most spectacular pair of ivory pumps for her to wear. Gabriella knew jewelry—the collections she’d designed turned heads—but when it came to deciding just the right pieces for her own wedding, she’d asked for Cara’s opinion
. Together they came up with a matching set, a mother of pearl drop necklace and bracelet that lent just the right touch of elegance.

  With the details all in place, Cara had one final maid-of-honor duty to perform before the big day. And now, as Cara made her way up the steps of Chance’s home, she held a big cumbersome box in her hands. Giddy with excitement, she knocked on the door.

  Gabriella opened the door with a flourish. “Cara, I’m so happy you are here. Come in. And what is this secret big surprise you have for me?”

  “Chance isn’t home, is he?”

  Cara had conspired with Alex this morning on the telephone to make sure Chance wouldn’t be at the ranch this afternoon. “Actually, no. He is still at the club with his friends.”

  Cara nodded. “Good. Then I can give you your surprise. Chance can’t see it.”

  “What can you possibly surprise me with? You’ve already done so much,” she said, while her curious gaze fixed on the big box.

  “You’ll see. May I?” She gestured toward the parlor.

  “Certainly.” Gabriella led the way, and she followed her into the room. She set the box down on the sofa and turned to Gabriella. “Please, open it. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

  Looking skeptical, Gabriella darted glances from Cara to the box with her brows gathered. “What have you done?” she asked in a mumble as she lifted open the lid.

  Gabriella’s face crumpled with emotion and a surprised gasp whispered from her lips. “Oh...it’s my mama’s wedding gown.”

  She lifted the gown out of the box gently, as if it would break into tiny pieces if she wasn’t careful, and turned to Cara. “It’s exquisite.”

  “I think so, too.”

  “You did this?” she asked, her eyes filling with gratitude.

  “I couldn’t pull this off without your brother’s help. He had it sent from Las Cruces.”

  Gabriella hugged the dress to her body and twirled around slowly. “I am amazed. I have dreamed of wearing this dress all of my life.”