“Thank you!” Shannon scanned the menu and told the waitress what she wanted. Billy told her to make it two.
Albert seemed to approve. “Bill, we need to talk business. But tomorrow is soon enough. Me and the guys are about finished eating. We’ll leave you two in peace.” He handed the waitress a platinum card. “You put their meal on this. I’ll be in the casino with my crew. Can you just close out our tab when these two are finished and bring me the bill later, over there?”
“Yes, sir.” She giggled when he slipped what must have been a large bill into her hand. “Anything you want.”
“We’ve booked some cabins and will stay over. Some of the guys have been drinkin’ steady since we heard you were found safe. I won’t let them ride under the influence. Then there’s the casino. Guess the ones that want to will try their luck.” Albert picked up Shannon’s hand and bowed over it. “A pleasure, ma’am. We think a lot of Bill here.” He pulled two cell phones out of his vest pocket. “Bill, Mai asked me to get these for you and Shannon. Since my lady couldn’t reach you on yours, she figured it was toast and had it disconnected. Ms. Calhoun, here you go. Your brother downloaded your numbers on it for you and had your old one turned off too.”
“Already? This is amazing.” Shannon couldn’t believe it. She took the phone, one of the latest models, and turned it on. Sure enough, there was her contact list. “How?”
“When Mai gets going, there’s no stopping her. She figured out who would know what you’d need and took care of it. Apparently, your brother is a techie. I spoke to him myself. He claimed you didn’t even keep your phone locked.” Albert stood tall, his chest puffed out like he knew he’d just made hero status in her eyes.
Shannon jumped up and hugged him. “Thanks, Albert! He’s right. I never bothered to lock it. And I always knew Ethan could do anything with phones and computers.” She sat back down, eager to call her brother and thank him right away.
“Mai has my password of course. I appreciate this, Albert.” Billy was checking out his new phone.
“No problem. Thank Mai.” Albert turned to face the room and raised his voice. “Let’s hit it, guys. Leave these people to their dinner.” There was a lot of noise as chairs were pushed back and glasses drained then slammed down on the tables. Albert nodded then clapped Billy on the back.
“Talk to you in the morning, bro.” He strode toward the casino, his men in his wake.
“Wow. Just wow. Sorry, but I have to do this. I didn’t realize how lost I was without my phone until I didn’t have it.” Shannon stroked the silver case then found Ethan in her contacts and called him to let him know where she was. She gave him a quick summary of what had happened.
Her brother seemed embarrassed when she thanked him for the third time and changed the subject. “Did you get a chance to check out those wells?”
“Not even close.” Shannon glanced at Billy who was on his own phone. She heard him say Gran. Good. Leaving his assistant to notify his family hadn’t been his best move. “I’m not sure how we’re going to resolve that problem. Maybe Billy has an idea. We’re spending the night here. I guess we could take out a four-wheeler in the morning and try to find the well sites. Maybe somebody here can point us in the right direction. I have to tell you, though, that I’ve had my fill of the woods for now. I’ll let you know what we do.”
“Hey, sis. I’m glad you’re okay. You scared the shit out of me. I didn’t call Megan and clue her in on your disappearance. Figured there was no reason to get her stirred up until we knew what or if…” His voice cracked. “Shit. Daddy’s gone, Mama’s in the nut house. I’m just happy you had Billy with you.”
“Ethan!” Shannon gripped the phone. “I’m fine. Yes, Billy knew those woods, but I helped us get free too. I’m not Conrad Calhoun’s daughter for nothing.” She sniffed. “Now get back to work. Help save our company. I want to come out of this year with some serious cash. Got it?”
“Got it.” He chuckled. “I’ll call Cass for you and tell her you’ll call her tomorrow.”
“I will.” Shannon picked up a napkin and blotted her eyes. “Love you, little brother.”
“Yeah, me too.” He ended the call.
Shannon smelled steak and sighed when a platter was set in front of her. Medium rare steak and baked potato. She dug in.
“Everything okay?” Billy had ended his call and was cutting into his steak. He smiled when the waitress opened the champagne with a pop and poured two glasses.
“Yes.” She smiled at their waitress. “Thanks. I think we need a toast.” She picked up her glass. A glance at the bottle told her not to expect much but the bubbles called to her and she licked her lips. “To the future. I’m glad we have one.”
“I’ll drink to that.” He touched his glass to hers and sipped. “Pretty sweet. I hope they improve their wine list.” He laughed when she wrinkled her nose. “The Tribe had trouble even getting a liquor license. The state really didn’t want them to have this casino, you know. They’re still fighting it in court. There are a lot of legislators still against gambling in Texas.”
“That’s too bad. But it looks like it’s doing well. The parking lot was full.” Shannon enjoyed another bite of a steak which was tender and well-seasoned. “This is delicious.”
“Sure is. Just like my great grandfather used to make. When he left the reservation, he had a dream of opening his own restaurant. He did it too, near the city courthouse in downtown Houston. It was a success until the Great Depression hit. Then no one could afford to eat in restaurants so he had to close.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.” She put another bite in her mouth and let the flavor hit her tongue. It had obviously been grilled over an open fire. It was a Texas specialty and this restaurant did it right.
“After that he got a job working for other people as a short order cook or doing physical labor. He never got to run his own place again but he always cooked for the family.” Billy forked up potato loaded with butter, cheese, and sour cream. “He did teach my grandfather how to grill steaks like this and Grandfather passed the secret on to me.” He smiled. “I’ll have to make a meal for you some time. I like to cook.”
“Good thing, because I can’t boil water.” They both were silent as they ate. By the time they each pushed back from the table and the pecan pie the waitress had insisted they try, Shannon groaned and rubbed her stomach.
“I can’t eat another bite.” She looked around the empty dining room. “It’s a shame this place doesn’t draw a bigger crowd. It’s not that late. There should be other diners here.”
“I don’t think anyone knows how good it is. Which is a problem.” Billy stretched.
“They should advertise this restaurant. I’ve seen ads on TV lately for the casino, but none of them mention this place. The prices are reasonable too.” Shannon wished she could unbutton her jeans. She’d eaten too much and almost killed that bottle of champagne by herself, even though it wasn’t very good. Billy had watched her drink. Several times she’d had to stop herself from asking for that wine list. A cabernet would have been perfect with the steak. A nice red. She noticed he barely touched his champagne and sipped water instead.
Was he worried she was going to embarrass him when she got up? Maybe stagger? There was still a good fourth of the bottle left when he tossed his napkin onto his plate. She wanted to refill her glass one more time and polish it off. But then he’d judge her.
She had to let it go. He’d carried her through the woods. Was alcohol that important to her that she’d risk their budding relationship?
“Ready to leave?” She looked away from that damned bottle and picked up her water instead.
“Sure. You know, they could use someone with your marketing expertise to put together an advertising campaign for the restaurant. It’s pretty much up to whoever here wants to try their hand at it. There’s no budget for any big push.” Billy g
uided her past the noisy slot machines to the door leading outside, ignoring the cocktail waitresses eager to serve the gamblers.
“That’s what you call penny wise and pound foolish. You need to spend on things like ads which will more than pay for themselves with increased income when people start coming here to eat. Then they can walk over to play the games in the casino.” Shannon stood beside him on the porch. It was a beautiful night. She took a breath and let her frustrations evaporate. Billy wanted what he thought was best for her. She knew that. Had to keep that in mind and stick to her resolve. She didn’t need alcohol. It was a bad habit. If it wasn’t, if she couldn’t stop drinking without a twelve step program…then she needed to know that and do something about it.
“Look at the stars.” She headed down the steps. “If my feet didn’t hurt, I could almost pretend our nightmare had never happened.” She whirled around and fell against him.
He pulled her close. “Except you look like you lost a battle with a Palmetto.” He ran his hands down her arms, covered with scratches and bug bites. Touched the fresh bandage on her wrist carefully. “Does this hurt?”
“A little. It’s covered with an antibiotic cream. I promised Jacob’s wife I’d go to my doctor in town for a tetanus shot. I know I’m a mess and the scratches itch like crazy.” She wasn’t dizzy and proved it by walking a straight line to the golf cart that had brought them here. “See? Full parking lot. So people are discovering the casino.” It made her even more determined to get customers inside the restaurant.
“You’re frowning. Are you thinking? Worrying?” Billy helped her into the cart then got in the driver’s seat and steered toward a large building on the other side of the parking lot.
Shannon could see it was an administration building of some kind, headquarters for the Tribe. It was imposing and had that passion flower over the double doors. Every building in the area looked new and freshly painted.
“Thinking. You should have coupons in the casino. Offer a discount on a meal. Or make a buy one, get one free dinner part of a prize package. There could be cabin and meal deals for your gamblers.” She realized he’d stopped on the path. “Where are we? Isn’t our cabin the other way?”
“You need to meet the chief. He’s waiting.” Billy rubbed her back. “I’m sorry to spring this on you, but it’s protocol. He’s my uncle and he likes to meet any guest I bring up here.” He stopped and looked her over.
“Wait, what? The chief is your uncle?” Shannon stared at him.
“Great uncle. Jacob’s father. If you’re buzzed, though, I’ll make your excuses.”
“I’m not buzzed, Billy.” This giving him the benefit of the doubt was not going to be easy if he thought she couldn’t handle a couple of glasses of champagne. “But I look like this.” She glanced down at the T-shirt and ripped and filthy jeans. Of course, the chief would probably approve the shirt since it did advertise the casino. Makeup had covered most of the scratches on her face but her arms were a mess. Then there were her broken nails. She’d run her file over them, but the chipped polish couldn’t be helped.
Oh, well, the chief knew what they’d been through. She straightened her shoulders. At least Billy had given her time to wash her hair.
“You know you always look beautiful to me.” Billy took her hand.
“Thanks, but you seem to be prejudiced. Which I appreciate.” She squeezed his fingers. “So he’s your uncle. Does that make you part of some kind of Indian royal family?”
Billy laughed. “No, it’s a job for life. I expect Jacob will take over. I’m not in the mix.”
“I hope Daddy didn’t do anything to ruin things with the Tribe.” Shannon stopped him before he got to the door. “Maybe…”
“Maybe nothing. I’m committed to your family’s company. We’ll see what can be done for all the people owed money by Calhoun. No favoritism. That’s the way it has to be.” He kissed her cheek then wiped it with his thumb. “Sour cream. I couldn’t let you go in like that.”
“No! I should have brought my purse with me.” Shannon put her palms to her face. Maybe she was a little drunk if she’d gotten sloppy with her food.
“Kidding. Relax.” He laughed again and guided her inside and down a hall. He knocked on an office door. When a voice bid them enter, he pulled her inside.
“I’m going to kill you later.” Shannon pasted on a smile and prepared to meet an Indian chief. Funny. She’d met a prince, several billionaires, and a couple of movie stars, but meeting this guy freaked her out more than any of them. Because it mattered to Billy. Plenty of time to think about what that meant later. She took a shaky breath and held out her hand.
“Shannon Calhoun. Welcome.” The deep voice was solemn and Shannon barely kept herself from dipping a curtsy.
* * * *
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Billy lay sprawled on the bed, naked.
“Meeting the chief?” Shannon liked the way he was so at ease in his body, so masculine. She wanted to fall on him, touch him. But she hadn’t forgotten the way he’d teased her just before she’d met the chief or the way he’d made her feel about drinking a few glasses of champagne. “No, not at all. He was charming, though he seemed to want you to be intimidated, the way he quizzed you about my bracelet.” Shannon had left on her T-shirt. She wasn’t going to make this easy for Billy.
“I think he was secretly pleased about the bracelet and has a soft spot for beautiful women.”
“Margaret is stunning.” The chief’s wife had greeted them and offered refreshments. It had been easy to refuse gracefully after that wonderful meal. That had turned the conversation to the restaurant and her ideas for stimulating business. The chief had listened to her with interest.
“He also has a soft spot for intelligent women.” Billy held out his hand. “You blew him away tonight. I think he wants to offer you a job.”
Shannon stayed out of reach. “I have a job. But I’ll write up some of my ideas in an email and send them to him. Free of charge.”
“Now why would you do that?” He sat up then made a sudden move that had her on the bed and under him. “Value your skills, woman. Don’t give them away.”
She looked up at him, out of breath from his weight on her. Her T-shirt had ridden up and he’d discovered her bare hip. He was so close she could count his eyelashes, dark and spiky above those bright blue eyes. Reaching up, she smoothed the wrinkle between his brows. God, she’d never forget how he’d carried her through those woods, taking most of the punishment from those thorny vines. Or how proudly he’d stood beside her when he introduced her to the head of his Tribe. Could this man actually love her so much that he’d go all in for her? She shook her head.
“What is it?” He eased up on his elbows. “I know I’m a heavy load. Can you breathe?”
“Barely. But that’s not why I’m shaking my head.” She took a deep breath. “I just don’t get it. Why are you so crazy about me?” Stupid question. What did she expect him to say? He loved her tits and ass? That’s what one boyfriend had blurted out in the heat of the moment. At least he’d been honest. Shallow, but honest. Billy was anything but superficial. So she braced herself.
He stared down at her. “You know, I’ve been asking myself that very question. My grandmother thinks I should be careful around you. You did break my heart years ago.”
“Billy!” She lifted her hands to touch his face. “I’m sorry. I hope you know I regret what happened back then. I was young, selfish.”
He rolled off her and stared at the ceiling. “You were different from the woman you are now. You threw me away without a thought to what you were doing to me.”
“You’re right.” Shannon sat up and leaned over him. This was a festering wound and talking about it was long overdue. “I was drunk half the time too. No wonder you don’t want me to drink around you.” She shivered and pulled up the sheet. As usual he had t
he air conditioner on icy.
“Yeah. That’s not the only reason though.” He finally met her gaze. “I was working my ass off to better myself. You saw where I came from. I had scholarships, thanks to my Indian blood, but they didn’t begin to cover everything. I had to work two jobs and find time to study on top of it.” He looked away. “I was always trying to prove I was good enough for you, to fit in with the people in your crowd.” He laughed. “What a crock and a total waste of time.”
“You shouldn’t—” She stopped when he pinned her with a hard stare. Of course, she’d wanted him to fit in back then. Appearance had been everything in college. She’d hated the way he dressed, had even bought him clothes that he’d refused to wear. He’d always been too proud to accept what he called her charity.
“I was young too. Young and stupid. I know that now. Belonging to your crowd meant going to nonstop parties and ending the night falling down drunk.” He looked away, his mouth firm. “I’d seen too much drinking at home. I couldn’t lose control like that, not even back then.”
“No, you wouldn’t.” Shannon hated who she’d been. But she’d been attracted to dark, brooding Billy Pagan with the electric blue eyes instantly. Had it just been chemistry? She didn’t believe that. There’d always been something about him that called to her. He was serious, different. And his intensity had made her want to be more than a silly fool who danced topless beside a pool and played beer pong before the tequila shooters came out. But she’d failed him then. Would she fail him now?
“You finally got tired of my being such a ‘downer.’ Remember the night we broke up?” He sat up and pushed a pillow behind his back. “I bet you don’t. You were wasted.”
“You’re right. All I remember is that one night we had a big blowup in front of everyone. You didn’t seem to care that you embarrassed me. And it wasn’t the first time either, Billy. You know, you could take some responsibility for that.”
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